The Dominion's Codex of Law,

[NomadGaia 930]

 

 

 

Federal Laws of the Elven Dominion

 

Section I - Criminal Law

• Intentional bodily harm towards a citizen of the Dominion is prohibited, unless in self-defence with no other alternative.

Range: Capital punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment.

• Theft, defined by the Dominion as the unlawful obtaining of any item not bought, traded for, or willingly given  is strictly prohibited

Range: Whipping, Mutilation, Public Service, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, Fine.

• Public slander of nations and factions allied to Dominion will not be tolerated and will result in banishment. This includes posters, public speeches and other such crowd-riling acts. Casual conversation and private talks do not fall under this law.

Range: Banishment, Confiscation of Goods, Public Service, Fine.

• Vandalism or other acts that result in the destruction, damaging or modification of any object or home against the will of the property’s rightful owner is strictly prohibited by Dominion Law.

Range: Banishment, Confiscation of Goods, Public Service, Fine.

• Treason, betraying the Dominion, is strictly prohibited.

Range: Capital Punishment, Banishment, Whipping.

• Interbreeding betwixt mali and non-mali is strictly and unequivocally banned in the Dominion Lands. Such acts both defy the laws of nature, and doom children to a life of two curses due entirely to the selfish actions of their parents. Offenders will be met with extreme prejudice. This law does not apply to the breeding between mali races.

Range: Mutilation, Whipping, Banishment.

• Kidnapping, defined under Dominion Law as the asportation or confinement of a person against their will. Punishment for this crime will be determined by several factors, including the mental and physical state of such abducted persons, and the age of the person abducted.

Range: Capital Punishment, Mutilation, Banishment, Fine.

• Sadistic and Sociopathic behaviour is strictly prohibited. While this goes without saying when dealing with fellow citizens, this law also extends to plant life and animals. The unnecessary torture of animals will be treated akin to the murder of an elf.

Range: Capital Punishment, Banishment, Confiscation of Goods, Fine, Public Service.

• Desecration, tampering, destruction, or other disruptive activities in holy sites or areas is a serious offence.

Range: Mutilation, Banishment, Confiscation of goods.

 

Section II - Expectation of Citizen Conduct

• Underaged sex is strictly prohibited. No individual over the age of 50 years may partake in sexual intercourse with another individual under the age of 50 years unless such age gap is under 10 years.

Range: Whipping, Fine, Banishment.

• No citizen is permitted to practice the dark arts. These include Shade magic, Necromancy, the magic of the frost witch, soul puppetry, and other such forms further expanded upon in section IV.

Range: Capital Punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment.

• Ownership or sale of slaves of any race is forbidden. Constructs do not fall into this category.

Range: Fine, Whipping, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment.

• No person’s identity may ever be hidden within the borders of Dominion and must be easily identifiable at all times. Hoods that obscure a clear view of the face are forbidden, and any form of the facial mask is strictly prohibited without a writ from the council.

Range: Banishment, Confiscation of Goods, Fine.

• Public disruption, such as causing unnecessary actions or words that deteriorate public security. Harassment falls under this category

Range: Capital punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Public Service, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, Fine.

 

Section III - Housing, Property, and Labour

• Only full-blooded elves (Of any of the elven subraces) may own a home with Caras Eldar, however, exceptions can be made by the High Prince/Princess or District Leads.

Range: Eviction, Confiscation of Goods, Restriction on Keys

• By owning a home you agree to contribute to society in times of prosperity and turmoil, failure to do so will result in confiscation of property.

Range: Fine, Confiscation of Goods.

• By owning a business you agree to contribute to society in times of prosperity and turmoil.

Range: Fine, Confiscation of Goods.

• If another mali wishes to stay together in an already occupied home, the owner and new occupant must notify the Guildmaster or Stewards.

Range: Fine, Confiscation of Goods, Restriction on Keys.

• If there is a child in the household, he/she is not required to be registered until they reach the age of 30.

Range: Fine, Confiscation of goods, Restriction on keys

• Undocumented changes to homes, such as expansions, are strictly prohibited. In order to make such changes, a mali must go through a steward to get approval.

Range: Eviction, Confiscation of Goods.

• Expansions that are deemed too big are strictly prohibited and one should listen to a steward about how big an expansion can be.

Ranged: Eviction, Confiscation of Goods

• Squatting is prohibited. IE Living in a home or makeshift home without Steward or Higher approval.

Range: Eviction, Confiscation of Goods.

• Any buildings constructed or structures dug without approval is prohibited.

Range: Eviction, Confiscation of Goods, Demolition.

 

Section IV - Magical Law and Regulation

 

• The usage of any void magic in the Forest District is strictly prohibited without express permission from a Virarim officer.

Range: Whipping, Fine, Banishment

• The practice of magic with malicious intent is prohibited and should only be used in self-defence. This law applies still to the Virarim. Those members of the order who do not use magic in a manner that does not contribute to the safety and sanctity of Caras Eldar will be held to an equal standard.

Range: Whipping, Fine, Banishment.

• Excessive, unneeded, reckless, or careless use of any types of magic is strictly prohibited.  

Range: Fine, Banishment, Whipping.

• Use of any kind of mental magic is prohibited unless the person has permission to use it on such persons they will be using it on, or a writ approving such action from the council

Range: Fine, Whipping.

• Usage of all Dark Arts, including but not limited to; Necromancy, Shade, Mysticism, Dark Shamanism, Fjarriauga, Blood Magic, Puppetry, Soulbound Golemancy, and Fi’hiiran’tanya is strictly prohibited. This law does not apply to Fi’hiiran’tanya when used by the Order of Silence.

Range: Capital Punishment, Banishment.

 

Section V - General Dominion Army Laws

 

• Insubordination against any superior officer(s).

Range: Capital Punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, Fine, Restriction on Keys

• Harming innocent civilians or other innocent parties

Range: Capital Punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, Fine, Restriction on Keys.

• Being intentionally abusive to visitors or citizens.

Range: Whipping, Mutilation, Restriction on Keys.

• Provoking fights with malicious intent.

Range: Capital Punishment, Whipping, Mutilation, Confiscation of Goods, Banishment, Fine, Restriction on Keys.

 

 

These five pillars form the basis of all law in every existing and future client state of the Dominion. District laws may be added by the council of lords to suit the changing times, but such laws must be built on the foundation of these pillars. Failure to uphold the common law of the Dominion by her states, and the client districts of Caras Eldar will result in an internal inquiry to be presented to the Princely Council and the Court of Lords.

 

The Hierarchy of Law

State law shall be passed by the Court of Lords. All federal law must be approved by all the High Prince or Princess of the Elven Dominion. All laws must be approved by the High Princess and the Princely Council before being sent to the Court of Lords for Drafting.

A key role in national dominion law is the role of the High Prince or Princess. Included now is their station as Grand Exarch of the Dominion. They serve as the supreme judge of any guilty party in high profile cases that may determine precedent for the state of the dominion. They also handle larger, interdistrict disputes, ensuring that the common law of the Dominion is upheld to the highest standard.

While the High Prince or Princess serves as Grand Exarch, some cases do not need to be brought before them. In these such cases, or in times when the High Prince or Princess is not available, the case may be brought to a panel of 3 Exarchs on the Court of Lords, appointed henceforth by the High Prince or Princess of the Dominion.

Otherwise, all matters dealing with instances of unlawful activity will be settled by an officer of the Virarim on-site, that justice may be delivered swiftly to protect the sanctity of the Elven Dominion

 

Determinant Factors of Punishment

Given that cases of applicable law will determine largely on a case by case basis, the exarchs or officers of the Virarim will be able to use a range of potential punishment as stated in the Codex. The Exarch will then consider certain "aggravating" or "mitigating" circumstances to determine where precisely in the prescribed spectrum that a particular offender’s punishment should fall. Common factors that can be considered by judges include:

• Whether the offender is a "first-time" or repeat offender.
• Whether the offender was an accessory (helping the main offender) or the main offender.
• Whether the offender committed the crime under great personal stress or duress: IE, being controlled by an outside force.
• Whether anyone was injured in the course of the crime committed, and whether the crime was committed in a manner that was unlikely to result in any persons being injured,
• Whether the offender was particularly cruel to a victim, or particularly destructive, vindictive, etc as determined by a Exarch.
• Victims of the case pleading for leniency for perpetrator
• Whether the offender is genuinely contrite or remorseful if offenders are highly unlikely to commit such crimes again
• Other instances described within laws.

When meting judgement, the exarchs shall always reiterate the factual sequence of events, and then lay charges according to the local laws of the province. If the crime was conducted outside the walls of a state, they shall be subjected to the victim’s home state law. If the mali offender and/or defendant does not reside in the Dominion, they shall be judged still under the laws and customs of the dominion for all intents and purposes, based on these such common federal laws.

 

Punishment Types and Ranges

 

Capital Punishment

The most severe punishment of all, used in the most extreme cases. It. involves the execution of the guilty. This will effectively also banish said guilty from the Dominion should they live, with a permanent blacklist to all territories of the Dominion until lifted by order of the High Prince or Princess.

 

Mutilations

The act of desecrating the guilty’s body as result of their crimes. Includes maiming, branding, or simply scarring. A very severe punishment should be only considered if the offence was severe. Branding acts like whipping, a scar for public shaming.

 

Whipping

More of a public display of humiliation than a painful punishment, it’s traditionally a punishment in the military ranks but has since been a symbol of the deterrent from causing a public disturbance. Should only be issued if the offence was moderate.

 

Confiscation of Goods or Other Property

Used in such cases where persons have come into possession of goods in an unlawful way, or in such cases where a person has been evicted from their housing within Caras Eldar. Such confiscated property henceforth becomes the property of the government of the Dominion until such a time that the guilty wishes to appeal to the council for the return of the confiscated property. Even in this case, goods may not be returned without an official writ from the High Prince or Princess.

 

Banishment

Banishment comes into three groups, district, state, and national banishment. District banishment only applies to a single district or region within a state, where the offender is disallowed entry to that area. State banishment will label the guilty as a criminal but are free to live amongst the other states of the Dominion. Nation banishment means that the criminal is not free to live or visit any of the territories belonging to the Dominion. Usually only issued for a moderate-severe crime.

 

Fine

A mina fine, usually issued to petty offenders or improper use of magic in the halls of Caras Eldar. Fines should range from 100-1000 minas, depending on the severity of the crime committed. Magical offences and vandalism are by default a mina fine 300 minas.

 

Eviction

An eviction is classified as removal of a person or family from such person’s housing. This includes a removal of keys from such citizens. This means the person shall no longer own their home or be a resident, in addition to having their keys being revoked from the citizen doors.

 

Public service

Public service is not a recommended punishment, usually due to the uncooperative nature from both the carer and the participant. Setting tasks such as planting flowers, transcribing books, and other petty works of manual labour should be considered. Follow up on checking the criminal’s progress should be done regularly. Issued only for petty offences.

 

 

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“For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked.”

 

Law is what binds society together, attaching itself to social expectancy as a line not to be crossed. But problems arise when everyone’s morality demands a different course of action, each time. Should a murderer be hanged by the guards? Should the victims be allowed to take vengeance for their losses? Should the murderer be tried to reform first, instead of immediate capital punishment? Everyone will have a different idea of what ought to be the correct consequences of transgression, therefore a uniformed response should first be established within the Dominion. Within this document is contained a draft of a Federal law to be enacted among the Dominion and its territories; how the law and courtroom will operate; and finally how punishments are meted out.

Be it enacted these laws of the Dominion. Let it be henceforth known throughout the land, in all territories, cities, and districts, that law reigns supreme in the Dominion.

-

High Princess Awaiti Aureon, Henceforth Grand Exarch of the Dominion.

[Auriel_ 652]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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