The Articles of Nor'asath Law

[Gaea_Foundation 625]

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Velkumezt demands order

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Table of Contents:

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Article One- Civil Law

Article Two- Temple Law

Article Three- Military Conduct and War Law

Article Four- Criminal Punishment

Article Five- Rights and Clarifications

Article Six- Passing of Judgement

 

Preface:

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         These laws, set forth in the interests of Nor’asath and the Maehr, shall henceforth be applied to the lands of Nor’asath, its citizenry, and any who choose to visit. The right to enforce the laws of Nor’asath shall be vested within the Silan’siol. The power to amend, add, or change the laws contained within is given to the Halerir. In addition, the citizens of Nor’asath reserve the right to petition the Halerir for any changes to be made to the laws of Nor’asath. Under no circumstances can private agreements be made to circumvent the laws contained within. The Primarch and Porobmôg reserve the right to overrule the Halerir, Silan’siol, Heial’tahu, and the laws stated herein. 

 

General Provisions and Definitions:

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• The Primarch is the role that holds the burdens of overseeing the government and leading the Ker as the primary ruler, having the highest power. They reserve the right to overrule the Halerir, Silan’siol, Heial’tahu, and the laws stated herein at any point. Citizenship may be stripped from one at the Primarch’s discretion.

 

• The High Priestess is religious leader and advisor to the Primarch, assisting them in devising laws and rulings that align with the values of the Temple. They possess the ability to strip anyone of citizenship, should they see it fit. They may also supersede the Halerir, Silan’siol, Heial’tahu, and the laws stated herein at any point.

 

• The Halerir aids in advising the Primarch on legal matters. The Halerir acts as the head of legal courts and is responsible for amending, adding, or changing laws to fit the current culture of the people.

 

• The Heial'uell is a council that is represented best by the Mali'ker. The Heial’uell is assigned from those defined as citizens by law and are tasked with determining the guiltiness of criminality in court. Should any Clan Heads, Guild Leaders, or those occupying minor roles that the High Council oversees be present, they will be chosen before the common citizenry.

 

• The Silan’siol is tasked with enforcing the law. This duty is bestowed to all within its ranks, with the exception of Neophytes. 
  • Should the Primarch, Porobmôg, or any of the Heial'tahu be unavailable, offenders are subject to judgment by the highest ranking member of Silan’siol present.
    • If there are more than one occupying the highest rank present, it falls upon the one with the longest tenure within the Silan’siol. If unable to come to an agreement on who is to judge, then all present of the highest rank must agree to a punishment.
  • Members of the Silan’siol may subject any they see fit to arbitrary detainment, to be released after one Elven hour if a criminal accusation cannot be formally leveled by a ranking member of the Silan’siol. Whereupon they are leveled with a formal criminal accusation, they are to be imprisoned or released to await trial at the discretion of the ranking member of the Silan’siol.

 

• Citizens are defined as all Maehr, residents, and soldiers of the Silan’siol. Citizens shall have the right to trial for offenses at Penal Levels 1-4. 

 

• Allied Citizens are defined as listed residents or soldiers of any allied nation or settlement
  • Citizenship is determined by the respective leaders of the allied Principalities
  • The Primarch and Porobmôg of Nor’asath and the respective leadership of the nation of the citizen must be informed once one of their citizens are detained/arrested/imprisoned and are up for trial.
    • Said outside Council can decide to extradite the citizen to their own courts or allow them to be subject to the courts of Nor’asath with no recourse.

 

• Outlanders are defined as all those who do not fall into one of the above categories. Outlanders have no right to trial; for all Penal Levels, authority is granted to the Silan’siol to assign and enforce punishment.

 

Article One- Civil Law:

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Section One- On Injury

[1.1.1] Assault: 

• The unlawful intent to or act of committing bodily harm to any individual within Nor’asath’s borders.
  • Felony Assault: Level 2-3
    • The unlawful intent to or act of committing bodily harm to any individual within Nor’asath’s borders.
  • Assault on military or government officials: Level 3-4
    • Any attempt to use unlawful force to impede military or government officials from performing their duties.

 

[1.1.2] Murder:

• The unlawful taking of mortal life.

 

[1.1.2a] Manslaughter: Level 2-3

• The unlawful killing of an individual, without malice.

 

[1.1.2b] Attempted Murder: Level 3-4

• The unlawful intent or attempt to take the life of another, with malice.

 

[1.1.2c] 1st Degree Murder: Level 3-4

• The unlawful killing of an individual with malice and/or premeditation.

 

[1.1.3] Defamation: Level 1-2

• Defamation is defined as statements of such that are reasonably susceptible of defamatory connotations, targeted towards an individual, organization or bloodline, intent on damning their name, reputation, social status or otherwise. Statements twisted to fit a narrative, and biased presentation of events, are included under this.

 

[1.1.4] Extortion: Level 2-3

• The act of communicating threats onto another with the intention of obtaining value, for themselves, or other interested parties. Alternatively, forcing an individual's hands into actions.

 

[1.1.5] Kidnapping: Level 3-4

• The act of  unlawfully seizing, abducting or holding ransom any person within or from the lands of the Nor’asath

 

[1.1.6] Cannibalism: Level 3-4

• The act of  consuming ones fellow descendant

 

Section Two- On Property

[1.2.1] Trespassing: Level 1-2

• Willful entry into a building or property against the wishes of the owner or authorities.

 

[1.2.2] Theft:

• The unlawful seizure of another’s property with intent to deprive them of it.
  • [1.2.2a] Misdemeanor Theft: Level 1-2
    • The unlawful seizure of another’s property valued under 50 mina with intent to deprive them of it.
  • [1.2.2b] Felony Theft: Level 2-3
    • The unlawful seizure of another’s property valued at or over 50 mina with intent to deprive them of it.

 

[1.2.3] Arson & Major destruction of property: Level 3-4

• An attempt to willfully and maliciously set fires, intent on destruction. Any act of mass destruction or mass, permanent alteration of property.

 

[1.2.4] Vandalism:  Level 1-2

• The willful destruction of another's property, be it a building, government facility, or any other owned structure. Alteration of another's property without express permission to do so, except in the case of publicly distributed objects, ex flyers.

 

[1.2.5] Breaking and entering: Level 1-2

• Entering a building through any amount of force ex, breaking windows and lock picking doors.

 

Section Three- On Order

[1.3.1] Disturbance of the Peace: Level 0-1

• Disruption of the city’s order and day-to-day activities by way of excessive sound, violence and threats thereof, or inciting general chaos. This also includes insubordination or noncompliance with the authorities.

 

[1.3.2] Bribery & Accepting Bribes: Level 1-3

• The act of offering or accepting bribes.

 

[1.3.3] Interracial relationships: Level 2-4

• Entering into a relationship where a child of anything other than pure mali blood (ex, half valah, half bortu) can be produced.

 

[1.3.4] Impersonation of royalty, military, or government officials: Level 3-4

• The act of falsely representing oneself as a member of such denoted organizations as the Silan’siol, the Clan Lords, or any government position recognized by the Primarch and Porobmôg.

 

[1.3.5] Obfuscation of Identity:

• The act of making one's identity obscure, be it through alias, helmet, or cowl
  • Refusal to comply with requests to reveal one's identity shall be met with denial of entry.

 

[1.3.6] Formation of a criminal organization: Level 3-4

• A group or organization associated with 1 or more persons with a history of disturbing the peace, vandalism, or any actions with criminal intent.

 

Section Four- On High Crime

[1.4.1] Slavery: Level 3-4

• The state, condition, or practice of trafficking live persons, or claiming ownership of an individual. Enslaved persons are to be liberated.

 

[1.4.2] Treason: Level 4

• Committing acts which directly harm Nor’asath, its representatives, and/or its activities.

 

[1.4.3] Espionage: Level 4

• The trading of sensitive information to foreign or enemy powers, especially when such action may do harm to the Principality.

 

Article Two- Temple Law:

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        The High Priestess is religious leader and advisor to the Primarch, assisting them in devising laws and rulings that align with the values of the Temple. As such, the High Priestess is given the ability to, at their discretion, make their own set of laws for the good of the Maehr. These laws cannot be changed or influenced by any other than the Maehr clergy. Any provisions given for common law do not apply to temple law.
Members of the Maehr clergy, unless conscripted or a part of the Silan’sol, do not have the legal right to enforce basic Nor’asath laws. Members of the Maehr clergy do withhold the right to enforce Temple laws. The Silan’siol are still expected to be aware of these laws and ensure they are enforced, however, determining the guiltiness of criminality is vested not in any other than the ranking members of the maehr clergy, with the exception of  the Maehrian.

 

Article Three- Military Conduct and War:

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Section One- Silan’siol Conduct

[3.1.1] Desertion: Level 3-4 Punishment

• Willingly and knowingly departing from your post while in the right state of mind, without deception.

[3.1.2] Abuse of power: Level 1-3

• The act of abusing one's rank to knowingly belittle or arrest a citizen, non-citizen, or outsider upon false charges

[3.1.3] Insubordination: Level 1-3

• Willingly and knowingly disobey the orders, direct or otherwise, of a superior officer of the Silan’siol while in the right state of mind.
  • Repeated offenses are subject to level 4 punishment

[3.1.4] Fraudulent Enlistment: Level 1-4

• Any person who enlists into the Silan’siol by knowingly, falsely representing their desires, or deliberately concealing their qualifications and or history.

 

Section Two- War Laws

[3.2.1] Citizenship of a hostile nation: Level 3

• To be a citizen of a nation or group with which the Principality of Nor’asath is at war.

[3.2.2] Military service or official service to a hostile nation: Level 3-4

• To be a soldier or official of a nation or group with which the Principality of Nor’asath is at war.

 

Article Four- Criminal Punishment:

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Section One- Penal Levels

0: Verbal warnings. 

1: Fines, hard labor, repossession, temporary and area banishment, stripping of posts.

2: Lashings, imprisonment, extended banishment.

• Notices are to be left to all members of the Silan’siol.

3: Eviction, extended imprisonment, exile, stripping of citizenship.

• Notices are to be left to all members of the Silan’siol.

4: Execution.

• Notices are to be left to all members of the Silan’siol. For citizens and co-citizens, the Primarch and Porobmôg must consent.

                       Repeated offenses grant a maximum punishment level increased by 1, in the case of every crime.

 

Article Five- Rights & Clarifications:

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Section One- Citizen Expectations & Rights

• A citizen or citizen of an allied nation/settlement shall not be subject to unfair or inhumane treatment if in violation of the law.
• Citizens, citizens of an allied nation/settlement, and outlanders have the right to challenge and refuse the challenge of duels with other citizens, citizens of an allied nation/settlement, and outlanders to settle disagreements.
  • Such duels are not to be taken to death. Should a combatant die or be mortally wounded, a charge of manslaughter or murder may be filed. 
• A citizen or citizen of an allied nation/settlement has the right to appeal to the Primarch or Porobmôg of Nor’asath in case of a punishment equal to level 4.
• A citizen or citizen of an allied nation/settlement is granted the right to a trial.
• Citizens are not subject to extradition.
  • The Primarch or Porobmôg of Nor’asath must directly agree to extradition.
• Citizens are expected to serve Nor’asath in their duties. This can include:
  • Enlisting in the Silan’siol
  • Paying taxes
  • Volunteer work
  • Labor for the state without pay
  • Attend the Temple

 

Section Two- Expectations & Rights of Minors/Juveniles

• The principality of Nor’asath defines those of mali descent as a Minor until the age of eighteen and a Juvenile until they reach the age of Thirty.
  • In the case of those not of mali descent, the principality of Nor’asath defines anyone under the age of eighteen underage.
  • Anyone, no matter their descent, under the age of twelve may not be charged with any crime. However, actions may be taken to discipline or teach the child to the err of their ways.
  • Minors may be subjected to reduced penal levels (By 1-2 levels). Juveniles may only be subjected to reduced penal levels at the discretion of the Primarch or Porobmôg.
• Minors may not use restricted or addictive substances without the supervision of a parent/guardian present. (Quartz, Hookah, Tobacco, etc.)
• Juveniles may be conscripted into the Silan’siol, however cannot possess a high position within its ranks until adulthood. (Up to Sableguard.)
• Juveniles may not be legally wed until they reach the age of adulthood.

 

Article Six- Passing of Judgement

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• Judgment of any form, be that trial, conclave, or singular decision, shall consist of three stages:
  • An accusation of a crime
  • A determination of guilt or innocence
  • A determination of punishment
    • Punishment shall fall within the listed range of appropriate levels, or below it if deemed appropriate.
    • Repeated offenses ought to render the offender subject to incremental increases in punishment up to level four, to a maximum of one level increase per repeated incident.
    • Multiple offenses ought to render the offender subject to multiple punishments within the given range.