The Laws and Ordnances of Shadowdale

Posts : 75 Join date : 2011-11-25

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Fiendish Puppy wrote:: The Laws and Ordnances of Shadowdale, as laid down by Lord Mourngrym Amcathra

These Laws are to be withheld throughout all of Shadowdale. They are considered just and have been overseen in their writing by the church of Tyr the Evenhanded. Ignorance is no excuse in his eyes.

Capital

Capital crimes are very severe, and usually punishable by hanging by the neck until dead. More severe punishments can be proscribed for the most heinous criminals. Should someone executed for Capital crimes be returned to life by any means, they are no longer protected under Shadowdale's laws. Therefore any act against them that would normally be considered unlawful shall go unpunished.

Any act against Lord Mourngrym Amcathra, the Twisted Tower or harmful to Shadowdale shall be considered treasonous.

The murder of any sentient being protected by the Laws and Ordnances of Shadowdale is considered a Capital crime. Such beings are those derived from Humans, Halflings, Gnomes, Elves and Dwarves, excepting those of evil races such as Drow or Duergar.

The performing of any act that causes severe physical or mental harm to any sentient being unable to resist, and protected by the laws of Shadowdale is considered torture, and thus a Capital crime, except when warranted for the safety of Shadowdale and with the permission of a ranking official.

Any use of forceful magic to control the mind of another sentient being protected by the laws of Shadowdale is considered a Capital crime.

Anyone harbouring or offering aid to a criminal, particularly those charged with Capital crimes shall be counted as if they had committed the same crimes by association, and as such will have the same punishment levied upon them. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of Tyr.

Attacks on Churches. Any unlawful attack on the churches of Shadowdale, and their clergy is a Capital crime. Shadowdale is a God-fearing place, and any act that brings upon us the Gods' displeasure shall be considered a treasonous act. Furthermore speaking poorly of Bane is now a crime and punishable by death!

Evil races are not tolerated in Shadowdale. Any member of one of these races found within the borders of Shadowdale shall be dealt with accordingly. In most cases this shall be killed by the guard, or forcibly ejected from the Dale. Such races include, but are not limited to, Orcs, Drow, Duergar, Illithids, Lycanthropes, Yuan-ti and any Unliving.

Serious

Serious crimes are still severe, and shall be punishable by considerable time in jail, or exile. Repeated offences of Serious crimes shall be tried as Capital.

Any person or persons conspiring against Lord Mourngrym, the Twisted Tower, or to cause harm to Shadowdale shall be considered guilty of seditious behaviour and thus of Serious crimes.

Any attack on a lawful citizen by calling upon power drawn from the Weave, or granted by a Deity shall be considered a Serious crime.

Any attack on a lawful citizen with a weapon capable of lethal force or grievous injury shall be considered a Serious crime.

The burning of any home or field is a threat to Shadowdale and is thus considered a Serious crime. Dependant on the extent of the danger to the population, and damage caused, this crime may be tried as Capital.

The theft or destruction of crops or livestock is a Serious crime. These are necessary for Shadowdale's survival, and as such shall be punished severely. Anyone found guilty of this, in addition to other punishments, shall initially be branded in a visible place so that all may bear witness to the criminal's shame and sins. Should the crime be particularly severe, further punishments may include loss of limbs such as a hand, before the crime becomes charged as Capital.

Any person or persons waylaying people protected by Shadowdale's laws on the roads or surrounding countryside shall be considered bandits, and as such, guilty of Serious crimes. Banditry cuts off Shadowdale from trade, and as such, depending on the severity may be tried as a Capital crime.

Any individual resisting arrest by law enforcement officials shall be found guilty of serious crimes. Those who are innocent have nothing to hide and shall surely be released. Only the guilty have reason to resist arrest. Should someone resist using lethal force or be guilty of Capital crimes, the officials are authorised to respond in kind and this crime shall be charged as a Capital offence.

The worshipping, summoning or drawing upon the power of any Fiend, be it Demon or Devil is hereby expressly forbidden. Should a being of considerable power and threat to Shadowdale be summoned, this crime shall be charged as Capital. Unless you are a member of the Zhents or Church of Bane.

The dead are worthy of respect and peaceful rest. Therefore, any act that defiles a corpse, particularly the raising of the dead as unliving is hereby expressly forbidden. Should a being of considerable power and threat to Shadowdale be created, this crime shall be charged as Capital.Unless you are a member of the Zhents or Church of Bane.

Anyone found to be impersonating a duly appointed official of Shadowdale shall be considered guilty of Serious crimes. In addition, the reason for said impersonation shall be investigated, and may increase the severity of the crime to Capital.

Anyone attempting to bribe someone for the purposes of unlawful acts shall be considered guilty of Serious crimes. In addition, an investigation into the reason for the bribery shall be conducted. This may affect the charge.

Anyone attempting to coerce a lawful citizen of Shadowdale through blackmail, ransom or outright threat shall be considered guilty of Serious crimes. In addition, an investigation into the reason for the coercion shall be conducted. This may affect the charge.

Anyone refusing to cooperate with a law enforcement official with regards to their investigation, or offering up false or misleading information is guilty of Serious crimes. Such investigations may be critical to Shadowdale's security

The abduction or forceful detainment of any lawful citizen of Shadowdale is considered a Serious crime. The charge may increase to Capital, in the case of particularly vile intent on the part of the abductor, or if the person abducted is of significant importance.

Minor

Minor crimes, though less severe, are still punishable by a short period of time in jail, time in the stocks, to be reviled by the good and lawful citizens of Shadowdale, or in some cases, a simple fine.
Repeated offences of Minor crimes may raise the charge to Serious.

The assault of any person or persons protected by the laws of Shadowdale, not involving magic or weapons of any kind.

Any insult or blasphemous action to any Deity is a Minor crime, though the frequency or severity of the crime shall affect the charge. Though the final punishment in this crime, lies in the hands of the relevant Deity.

The act of creating a false copy of any item is a minor crime at least. Copying items of great value is a Serious crime, and any act of forging coinage, or the seal of Lord Mourngrym Amcathra or any other ranking official is deemed treasonous, and thus a Capital crime

The act of spying upon another is a Minor crime, unless the accused is spying on people or matters of great import. Then the crime shall be charged accordingly.

Small acts of petty theft are a minor crime. Repeated counts, or the theft of a considerably valuable item shall be charged as Serious.

The town of Shadowdale is a peaceable place. Weapons therefore, are not to be wielded openly about the town, excepting when acting in the town's defence. This law excludes staffs for the elderly or infirm, and for mages, as long as they are not used for violent purposes within the town's borders. Those who do bear weapons in town are to receive one warning, and one alone. Should they refuse to sheath said weapons, then they are guilty of this crime.

Certain areas are deemed private property. Anyone found in one of these areas without the proper authorisation are guilty of trespassing, and shall be treated accordingly.

Anyone found disturbing the peace of Shadowdale and its citizens shall receive a warning to desist from such actions. Should they refuse, they are to be arrested and placed in the stocks for the citizens to show their displeasure.

Any acts of public indecency such as excessive language or lewd acts shall be asked to desist. Should they refuse, they are to be arrested and placed in the stocks for the citizens to show their displeasure.

Additions to the Laws since the arrival of our new allies, the Zhentarim.

The Zhentarim, Zhentaril and their forces are welcomed as allies, and thus are under the protection of Shadowdale's Laws. Acts against them threaten the safety of Shadowdale, and are thus considered treasonous acts.

The Zhentaril are hereby appointed as Law Enforcement officials and Tax collectors.

The worship of Bane and Shar are now legal in Shadowdale. Thus any member of these faiths is under the protection of Shadowdale's Laws.

Due to the recent spree of treasonous acts, anyone asked to remove their hood or mask by designated Law enforcement officials must do so or be considered to be a threat to Shadowdale and guilty of Serious crimes.

Dehooding is to be done at guards request and resistance will be met with force.

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