The Voice of the Crown - The Laws of Ravenholt - 603 ER

The purpose of this writ is to serve as a reminder to all citizens and travelers in Ravenholt of our Laws. It is your responsibility as citizens and visitors to be cognizant of our laws. Failure on your part to learn the laws is not a valid defense in trial. Those who are established citizens of Evendarr or recognized visitors are protected by and subject to these laws. The Nobles or Magistrate will make the final decision of who is or is not covered under the law.

Matters of Commoner Law may be handled by a magistrate or noble of the land. Within the city of Ravenholt all matters of commoner law are handled by the Lady Magistrate. As of this writing that position is filled by Lady Magistrate Saket Shabmah. Matters of Noble Law shall be handled by the liege of the Noble in question. While all laws have suggested punishments, it is the privilege of the Magistrate or Noble sitting in judgment to punish each criminal as harshly or as leniently as he or she sees fit, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the crime.

There are proper channels available to challenge the decision made in a criminal trial. That proper channel is NOT the Raven's Herald. If any citizen of Ravenholt is in need of information regarding the appeal of such decisions, you may ask of any noble of these lands.

LOW CRIMES

Low Crimes usually consist of damage or theft of property or assault, and are therefore punishable by fining or incarceration. Multiple or repeat offenses may be punishable by confiscation of the individual's possessions, or by death.

Arson:
Destruction of another's property by fire.

Assault:
Placing someone in fear of harm, seriously threatening another person, or by battering, or causing harm to a person or his or her property. These threats may be physical or magical threats.

Bribery:
Obtaining favors, money, or other property by force, intimidation, or illegal means.

Conspiracy:
Planning to commit a crime, aiding a criminal (a person in the commission of a crime), obstructing the investigation of a crime, or obstructing the course of dictated punishment of a criminal (i.e. setting a criminal free from incarceration, delivering a Life spell to one sentenced to a death, etc.) is conspiracy. In matters involving nobility, this will become Treason. In matters involving Undead, the charge will be Necromancy.

Anyone looting the defenders of the town while the town is under threat will be considered guilty of Conspiracy to the crimes committed therein. This is likely Conspiracy to Treason as a minimum, and will result in severe punishment.

Contempt:
The willful disrespect of a noble or public official, or the willful disobedience of an order given by said noble or public official. Let it be know that His Highness Prince Kevynn Blackfox has passed a law requiring that all nobles be addressed by their proper titles. Failure to do so will be considered Contempt.

Let it also be known that, according to Evendarr Law, common folk may not engage in "Honor Combat" without the sponsorship of a noble. Any common folk engaging in "honor combat" without a noble sponsor present will be charged with Contempt and Public Disorder, as well as any crimes committed such as Assault or Murder. If anyone is harmed other than the two parties engaging in the "honor combat," the person who caused the harm will be charged with the appropriate crime.

Forgery:
Producing or planting of false documents or money for the purpose of deceit.

Theft:
Stealing or destruction of another's goods by any means. Tax evasion is theft.

Public Disorder:
Anyone found to be acting in an abnormal or irrational manner (i.e. babbling nonsensical statements, walking about unclothed, speaking or acting in a manner unlike themselves, etc.) must be brought to the Mage's Guild immediately for Celestial Identification, and if necessary, detained there until the madness has passed. If no external cause can be found for the disorderly behavior, a fine of no less than one gold shall be extracted, and paid to the Mage's Guild by the afflicted person, whether paid in cash, material goods, or guard duty for 1 hour.

HIGH CRIMES

High Crimes are punishable by confiscation of goods and by death. Obliteration may be ordered for multiple or repeat offenses.

Kidnapping:
Taking or constraining a person by means of unlawful force.

Murder:
Taking of another's life, even if a Life spell is administered. This law protects all citizens and visitors, exclusive of the monster races that threaten Ravenholt and its citizens.

By explicit decree of his Highness Prince Kevynn Blackfox, the killing of a Unicorn within the boundary of Ravenholt is to be considered a crime.

Necromancy:
Casting of a necromantic spell (any spell with the word "Chaos" in the incantation) or ritual is Necromancy, as is the creation or knowing possession of any necromantic item (any item created through necromancy or one that produces a necromantic effect) or creature, and as is consorting or conspiring with Undead. If one is forced to consort with Undead under extenuating circumstances, this consorting, and the circumstances must be reported to the Duke or Duchess immediately for any future plea of leniency to be considered.

Pretending to a Noble Title:
A commoner who seeks to convince another that he or she has a noble title is guilty of this crime. Falsely claiming former noble title is considered to be Pretending to a Noble Title. You may not represent yourself to the monster races (such as Goblins, Ogres, Trolls, etc.) as a noble unless you hold title.

Slavery:
Forced servitude, the buying or selling of another to enforce servitude. This can be through the use of Dominate poisons, Enslavement poisons, Euphoria poisons, Love poisons, as well as by physical or implied threats. No one may own slaves in Ravenholt, be they monster or otherwise. Let it be known that the possession and use of the elixir commonly known as Euphoria is always illegal.

The possession of Enslavement poisons by anyone of less than Baronial title is deemed a crime.

Treason:
Attempting to overthrow the lawful government of the land by means of force or trickery. This crime may be punishable by death and confiscation of all worldly goods. In the matter of High Treason (the attempt to overthrow the Duchy, Principality or Monarchy), Obliteration is mandated, and may be to the final death.

Permission to create Circles of Power with any duration exceeding five (5) days, must be granted by the Duke or Duchess, and the "owner" of the Circle must be able to produce a writ to that effect. As such, any Circles for which permission has not been granted, are prohibited, and “possession” thereof shall be considered a crime of Treason.

TO CITIZENS AND VISITORS:
All citizens and visitors are protected by these laws, and required to obey them. Invaders of this land and declared enemies of the Crown are not protected by these laws.

You may not be arrested for committing the following against a monster, an invader, declared enemies of the Crown, or their property: Arson, Assault, Theft, or Murder.

Violation of the following laws, regardless of the victim, is forbidden. These are: Kidnapping, Slavery, and Necromancy.

REGARDING OBLITERATION:
Failure of Obliteration shall NEVER be considered to be caused by the innocence of the condemned. Failure of a ritual is caused by a failure of the magicks themselves, or by an error in the casting.

REGARDING NOBLES:
Let it be known that all those persons who are under consideration for assuming noble title within the lands of Ravenholt (Squire, Lady/Lord, Dame/Knight, Baroness/Baron, Viscountess/Viscount, or Countess/Count) must be presented by their liege-to-be to the Duke or Duchess for introduction and examination prior to their appointment. If a noble is appointed without having been presented to the Duke or Duchess, they shall be found guilty of Pretending to a Noble Title, and their liege shall be found to be in Contempt of this law.

All those holding Noble Title within the lands of Ravenholt must attend at least one half of the Gatherings in the Capitol City in order to retain their title. Extenuating circumstances will, of course be taken into account, but only if communicated well ahead of time. However if a noble is absent from more than one half of the Gatherings without excuse, their title shall be removed.

By My Word,
Duke Roderick Ravenhurst
Long Live King Mykel
Long Live Prince Kevynn
Long Live Ravenholt