"Arcane Act"

Table of Contents

            Forward
            Definitions

1. Arcane
2. Amendments

Forward 

It is intrinsic in the writing of this document to contextualize the views, identity, and biases of the author of the following set of legislative writing as to inform those who may question the both the morality, and legitimacy of the moral and judicial dilemmas around the practice and use of magic.

I, Quavinir Jyrikson Tinuvial (formerly Signus) am a casual practicioner of most of the basic voidal arts. I am in no way adept enough to summon a fireball, and hurl it as a weapon, but I bear a basic understanding of the void and of flame itself to be able to conjure a small flame, for use in daily activities such as lighting a lamp, or candle, or beginning the burning of kindling. I am in no way adept enough to make the ground quake with telekinetic energy and crack the stones I stand upon, but I knowledgable enough with such a voidal art that I do bear the ability lift a plate, or small object with the void. I use the voidal arts in great moderation, only in what I believe to be productive and proper to use, never for combat, mischief, damage or thievery of property or for harassment.

Yet, I am in a minority in such a belief in practice. The vast majority of people whom use the art of the void use such as a powerful weapon, and truly, the void is a powerful weapon indeed. While not malign in  itself, the use of void magic is most commonly used with the reasoning of weaponization or more commonly than not, self defense. The void is a very effective weapon, and its practicioners many times bear power of destruction that 20 able-bodied brigands could only dream of, yet again, the void, nor the practice of magic of the void is evil. It is a weapon, yet we do not see to ban the weapons of all who enter, so as such the legislation regarding the magic of the void should be met with pragmatism, and rationality.  For though it may be weaponized, there does exist beneficial uses for the arts of the void, and it is a genuinely interesting and useful study at times.

This pragmatism, and rationality that we afford to the magics of the void should not be given so generously to that of the dark arts. As the void may be used by both the good, and the evil alike with the main issue being HOW one uses such magics, so-called ‘dark magics’ and creatures are not such the same. It is notable that a great deal of dark magics in practice and study requires one to physically harm another individual for one’s gain, and creates such things such as undead, dreadknights, paleknights, deathknights, and ghouls, creatures whose entire existence revolves around the destruction of others, and whose very existence is hinged upon violence, bearing little to no uses for any productive, or wholesome endeavor.

Furthermore, such undead creatures are condemned by both church and aengul alike, as such are detestable in both the sight of god, man, and those caught inbetween.

I would be remiss to not touch upon the magics given by aenguls and daemons. Given the standard sue of such magic, the powers provided to the clerics of Tahariae, the Paladins of Xan, and the Ascended of Aeriel are altruistic in nature, and are commendable  in their practice of such arts. While there may be exceptions, the standard use of those magics revolves around the dissolution of the aforementioned detestable undead, and the healing of the descendental body. As both contribute to the daily well-being of individuals, the casting of such magic is rarely a force of malignance, and can be considered not an issue requiring of legislation.*

It is with such views established that the following laws are written

*That said, this statement does not mean that practitioners of this magic are exempt from legislation or the laws of the land, rather that these magics are not necessarily problematic, and hence not requiring legislation as to restrict them.

Definitions

1. Void Magic - Referring to any and all magical powers, spells, or abilities sourced from the Void. An intangible dimension of both matter, and nothingness.
2. Dark Magic - Any magical ability, spell, or powers sourced from  necromancy, soul puppetry, mysticism, blood magic, or those whom draw from the power of the Abyss of Aegis.
3. Necromantic Creature - A creature or being sourced or created by Dark Magics.
4. Consent - The state of allowance in which an individual agrees to a course of action.

Arcane Crimes

 
Laws which protect the rights of a person, while enforcing their duties from the undue, unneeded, or harmful affects of magic. These are crimes in which a person directly harms another, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and can be violent or nonviolent.
 
Each criminal act is categorised into levels of severity, marked as crimes by degree. Those of highest severity are deserving of greater punishments, of which is decided by the Grand Justiciar of this state or by a panel of judge and juries.

1. Crimes of the first degree are of the least severity. These are minor transgressions that are only punishable by monetary compensation, public disgracing via the stocks, and/or imprisonment of up to two years.
2. Crimes of the second degree are considered that of medium severity. Punishments for such a misdemeanour includes those of the first degree, as well as imprisonment of up to three years, and minor physical inflictions to mark criminals. This includes the removal of small portions of appendages, such as the removal of a finger or the clipping of an ear.
3. Crimes of the third degree are of the highest severity. On top of the punishments of all crimes of first and second degree, and can result in the complete repossession of assets, the relinquishment of honourable and hereditary titles, and the death sentence of those found guilty.

Unlawful Illusions

1. When a user of the void magic referred to as ‘Illusion’ casts a illusion on a non-consenting individual that does not harm or hinder the individual, aside from the disconnect from reality.
2. In which a user of the void magic referred to as ‘Illusion’ casts a illusion on a non-consenting individual that hinders, or deceives a person into committing an action that is not based upon what is present in reality, or manipulates the emotions of an individual.
3. In which a user of the void magic referred to as ‘Illusion’ casts a illusion on a non-consenting individual that simulates, mimics, or gives the sensation of any pain, or otherwise malignant sensation, whether of sight, sound, touch, or hindrance of senses of balance.

Magical Assault

1. The act of inflicting violence upon another person through use of magic, whether with the aim to get information, for pleasure or any other devious intents, that leaves minor physical or mental injuries. Such as, bruises or mental trauma.
2. When the damage incurred are visibly long lasting, physically denoted by scars or through distinctive mental changes.
3. If the inflicted damages are permanent, through mutilation or incapacitation. This can be denoted by warped appendages or irreparable mental scars.

Dark Magics

1. When an undead creature or a practitioner of dark magic enters the boundaries of the nation, without prior permission or exemption. Offenders are forcefully ejected from the nation.
2. If a person is caught in the act of the attempt of practicing dark magic.
3. In which dark magic is used to cause harm of any form on a person or their property.

Amendments

At the pleasure of the Crown, amendment, additions, and revisions to this document may be made at any time with respect to the legal processes made by the judicial body. Members of the royal privy and the judicial body have the right to propose such changes, which shall be reviewed and presented before the head of state. It is then in their right to dismiss or pass the proposal.

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Passed and signed on the 9th of Sun's Smile, 1635, by

His Majesty, Leoiarizaltzu Salbatzaile de Savin, King of Santegia, Prince of Evreux, Duke of Savinia, Eastbourne, Eruthos and Cascadia, Marqués of Seville and Ponzan, Count of Veldin, Castell, Moncloa, Hallowfell, Riga, Westmark, Wett and Eastmark, Lord of Biscay, Grand Knight of the Order of the Veldin, Sovereign of the Order of Eminence and the Order of the White Stallion.

Table of Contents

            Forward

            Definitions

1. Crimes Against the Person
2. Crimes Against the Crown
3. Amendments

Forward

It is important for laws and legislations that are proposed to have a few words describing the exact reason for such an amendment, for cases of laws that serve only the few are not something unheard of. Thus, in a simple and educating writing, I shall address why these laws are to be passed.

Holy Matrimony is the living proof of a man and a woman who share deep feelings for each other and wish to further solidify them under the eyes and protection of God. It is something sacred and important for society. The simple act of breaking this pact, of abandoning the feelings of your spouse and sharing your bed with someone who is not your spouse, is something which both the Church and the State condemn. Thus, a law of condemning such actions is necessary to be set in stone.

Any member of the Descendants is free to hold a small patch of land within the Kingdom Of Santegia. But only the Humans have the right to gain titles which will be inherited to their sons and to the sons of their sons. Because of that simple fact, it is important that there is no intermixing of blood between a Human Noble and any other Descendant Race. For that reason, ad law of Intermixing should exist, condemning such an act, until the days when this tradition is halted.

Definitions

1. Intercourse - an act performed between a male and a female, involving the insertion of the male reproduction organ inside the female reproduction organ.
2. Marriage - a ritually recognised union between spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them and any children that may result from this union.
3. Race - the major divisions between the Descendants, defined by their physical characteristics. They may be human, elf, dwarf, or orc.

Crimes Against the Person

Adultery

1. When a married person, of no social status, voluntarily commits an act of sexual intercourse with another person who is not their spouse. 
2. If the individual bound by marriage is of the gentry or of standing in the military, and commits an act of sexual intercourse with another person who is not their spouse.
3. Under the circumstance that the married person is of nobility, and engages in sexual intercourse with another person other than their spouse.

Crimes Against the Crown

Intermixing

1. The act whereby a person of gentry engages in sexual intercourse, or undergoes marriage, with another of a difference race.
2. When a member of nobility commits an act of sexual intercourse, or undergoes an act of marriage, with another of a different race.
3. If an act of sexual intercourse is committed by a person of royalty, with another person of a different race.

Amendments

At the pleasure of the Crown, amendment, additions, and revisions to this document may be made at any time with respect to the legal processes made by the judicial body. Members of the royal privy and the judicial body have the right to propose such changes, which shall be reviewed and presented before the head of state. It is then in their right to dismiss or pass the proposal.

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Passed and signed on the 4th of Snow’s Maiden, 1635, by

His Majesty, Leoiarizaltzu Salbatzaile de Savin, King of Santegia, Prince of Evreux, Duke of Savinia, Eastbourne, Eruthos and Cascadia, Marqués of Seville and Ponzan, Count of Veldin, Castell, Moncloa, Hallowfell, Riga, Westmark, Wett and Eastmark, Lord of Biscay, Grand Knight of the Order of the Veldin, Sovereign of the Order of Eminence and the Order of the White Stallion.

Table of Contents

           The Prolegomenon
           Definitions

1. Rights of Subjects and Foreigners
2. Duties of Subjects and Foreigners
3. Crimes Against the State
4. Crimes Against the Person
5. Crimes Against Property
6. Crimes Against the Crown
7. Crimes Against the Realm
8. Regarding the Kingdom
9. Regarding the Sovereign
10. Amendments

The Prolegomenon

His Majesty, Abdessamad de Savin, King of Santegia, Prince of Evreux, Duke of Savinia, Eastbourne, Courland, Eruthos and Cascadia, Marqués of Seville, Count of Veldin, Moncloa, Aleksandria, Riga, Westmark, Wett and Eastmark, Baron of Curonburg, Lord of Biscay and Mt. St. Tobias, Grand Knight of the Order of the Veldin, Sovereign of the Order of Eminence and the Order of the White Stallion.

Promulgates the Floral of Privileges and Liberties of His Majesty’s subjects. Thereby entitling those bound within the nation to rights and duties, as well as enforcing safety and justice amongst all. This document shall serve as the preliminary legal instrument through which order within the nation shall be maintained. Establishing the legal boundaries by which all subjects and foreigners shall follow, and standardising fair and appropriate punishments upon conviction of criminals. 

May Sainte Adrián guide us through the light of justice and liberty.

Written in witness of God, by the King himself signed with his own hand, on the 7th of Snow’s Maiden, 1628.

Definitions

1. Crown - Referring to the head of state of the Kingdom of Santegia, and their immediate legitimate family.
2. Foreigner - An entity that is not a subject of the nation.
3. Gentry - An individual of high social standing, below that of a noble, who holds non hereditary titles.
4. Government - A group delegated with the authority to govern the state on the Sovereign’s behalf. This includes Parliament and the Privy Council.
5. Noble - An individual holding titles of the nobility, endowed by the Sovereign.
6. Person - Any entity that can feel or think for itself, or as a collective.
7. Property - Any material possession.
8. Slavery - The act of forcing a person, against their own will, to participate in extensive work without fair treatment or pay. This includes the treatment of a person as property.
9. Sovereign - The head of state of the Kingdom of Santegia, bearing the title of King (fm. Queen).
10. Subject - An entity that is a citizen of the nation.
11. State - Referring to the political and national entity of the Kingdom of Santegia.
12. Trial - The judicial process by which a criminal is deemed guilty or innocent, through the formal examination of evidence by a panel of judges

Rights of Subjects and Foreigners

The state shall maintain and enforce the following as privileges of its subjects and visitors, given that they uphold the laws of the state - whereupon committing an act of crime shall forfeit all given rights bestowed upon them by the state and crown.

1. Right to life
   Any person has the right to live, to be defended against death, whether at the hands of others or of health and mortality. It is the duty of the state to protect the well-being of its subjects and visitors within the nation as best as it can.
2. Freedom from torture
   A person has a right to deny and resist any form of torture, whether it be physical or mental. Those caught participating in such activities are punished by the degree of infliction upon their victims.
3. Freedom from slavery
   The right to resist against slavery. Those who pursue the act of enslaving others, are punishable in a court of law, in a manner in which the state shall ensure the protection and compensation of victims.
4. Right to a trial
   Any person has the right to demand a trial for against those they deem to have committed a crime, and for them to be judged under the eyes of the laws.    
5. Freedom of religion
   The right for a person to believe and practice his own religion, as long as his actions don’t obstruct others from practising their own.

Duties of Subjects and Foreigners

These are the basic responsibilities by which all subjects and visitors uphold, in accordance with the law. Breaking such duties is not immediately accountable as criminal action, but the laws of the nation shall cover these duties in general.

1. Upholding rights
   To respect the privileges of subjects and visitors, regardless of any foreign factors, so that they may enjoy their rights and freedoms without hindrance.
2. Understand and obey the laws
   Any person should be familiar with the laws of the nation, as to heed the legal boundaries of the state.
3. Serve the Crown
   All subjects and visitors are protected and given rights and privileges by the grace of the crown; therefore it is the duty of each person to respect the head of state and to serve in any means possible when necessary. It is therefore also the responsibility of all to respect each other, especially those of nobility and gentry as an extension of the Crown’s grace.

Crimes Against the State

These are acts which subvert the order and justice of the state itself. Such crimes are generally aimed at damaging, or undermining the function and role of government, whether it be from domestic or foreign offences.

Each crime is independently differentiated into orders of severity, marked as crimes by degree. Those of highest severity are deserving of greater punishments, of which is decided by the Grand Justiciar or Sovereign of this state.

1. Crimes of the first degree are of the least severity. They are considered minor transgressions that are punishable only by pecuniary fines and imprisonment of up to two years.
2. Crimes of the second degree are considered that of medium severity. Acceptable punishments for misdemeanours of this degree include pecuniary fines, imprisonment of up to three years and minor physical inflictions to mark criminals. This includes the removal of small portions of appendages, such as the removal of a finger or the clipping of an ear.
3. Crimes of the third degree are of the highest severity. These include the punishments of all crimes of first and second degree, and can result in the complete repossession of assets, the relinquishment of honourable and hereditary titles, and the death sentence of those found guilty.

Bribery

1. If a person attempts to indulge in the act of dishonestly persuading another person to act in one’s favour, using a gift of money or other inducement.
2. If the target is that of a gentry, or an individual with military standing.
3. Under the circumstance that the mark is a noble, a government official or any figure with a high social standing.

Extortion 

1. When a person intentionally threatens another person to obtain something, through force or threats.
2. If the target is a person of the gentry, or a figure with military standing.
3. When the individuals involved are nobles, government officials, or any figures with high social standings.

Obstruction

1. The attempt to interfere, hinder or obstruct the work of government officials, the nobility, the gentry, or anyone with military standings.
2. When the obstruction withholds justice. This includes lying or providing false information in the face of the law, or unwilling to co-operate in an investigation or trial.

Propaganda

1. When a person spreads rumours, ideas or information meant to weaken or harm collectives within the state.
2. If the target in concern is the government or the state itself. Such an offense can be further elevated to treason.

Smuggling 

1. When a person unintentionally transports illegal or unauthorised items within the Kingdom. This includes unauthorised combustive articles which may threaten the safety of others.
2. If a person intentionally transports illegal or unauthorised items within the Kingdom.

Tax Evasion

1. If a person intentionally avoids or refuses to provide payment within a time limit for a civil tax, their assets are repossessed by the state.

The Act of Parliament 1623

 It is by the will of his Majesty Abdessamad I, and his most Honourable Privy Council, that a Parliament of the Nation shall be erected. Here all citizens shall be represented and allows his Majesty to listen to and build relations with his subjects. In turn this shall avoid Autocracy and Despotism.

The Parliament shall contain both hereditary and directly elected members. Said hereditary members are primarily government officials such as the Privy Council, and High Lords. Their seats are to be passed to their rightful heirs upon death or abdication. Those directly elected members are subjugated to regular elections, held every four saints weeks. These shall be selected from all corners of the realm, with elections overseen by local lords, under supervision of the Crown and its Central Government. All settlements will hold elections to determine whom their representative shall be. This includes the Capital of Castell and the capitals of the various duchies of the Realm. Baronies and Counties will also be required to provide a representative.

The selection of a Prime Minister, who serves as the leader of Parliament is chosen exclusively by the Monarch, to serve at his Majesty’s pleasure. The Crown has chosen to appoint, the architect of this great Parliament, Horace Thassarion, to the role. The Powers of the Prime Minister, permit him to: Exclude members from Parliament, Appoint a cabinet, to oversee the running of parliament and to bring Bills and Acts forward to the House for voting. He is charged with regular meetings with the Crown to liaison between the Monarch and Parliament.

The role of Parliament is to provide all subjects of the realm a voice within their government, through their representatives. Ultimately, it is devolved power from the King himself. A Bill or Act is created by a member, and then brought to the Prime Minister for a review. If he deems the piece of legislation worthy then he can issue a vote to the House. If this vote passes, then it is brought directly to the King who hold the ultimate say upon the law. It is his a part of his Royal Prerogative power to determine whether the legislation will ultimately pass or not, with or without the approval of the House.

If members are found to be corrupt or perverting the course of democracy, then they shall face severe punishment from the Courts, being put to death. Bribery and blackmail is forbidden within Parliament. Members may also be subjected to suspension, or expulsion. In turn, this would lead to a fresh election being called within their constituency. This power lies with Prime Minister, who may choose to call for a vote regarding impeachment of the member.

Elections shall be scheduled soon, upon the construction of a meeting place for our Nation’s Parliament. This will follow the establishment of Political Parties. All citizens who wish to register to stand for election must make themselves known to the Prime Minister’s office, two Saints days before the polls open for election. They are then provided with a two day grace period to begin campaigning. Those who do not make themselves known to the PM may not stand for election.

Signed

Horace Thassarion, Prime Minister of Santegia, Lord Ambassador, Count of Cheshire.

His Majesty, Abdessamad de Savin, King of Santegia, Prince of Evreux, Duke of Savinia, Eastbourne, Courland, Eruthos and Cascadia, Marqués of Valencia and Seville, Count of Veldin, Aleksandria, Riga, Westmark, Wett and Eastmark, Baron of Curonburg, Lord of Biscay and Mt. St. Tobias, Grand Knight of the Order of the Veldin, Sovereign of the Order of Eminence and Defender of the True Faith.