The Laws of Idunia

[Tainga 522]

 

THE LAWS OF IDUNIA

 

Issued the 13th, in the Year 235 of the Second Age

In the name of His Royal Majesty Tar-Anorhil Carandir

 

 

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GLOSSARY OF DEFINITIONS

Spoiler

Subject: Any individual who resides within the lands of Númendil and has allegiances to the Crown, being under its authority and protection. 

 

Oath Breaking: The act of willfully breaking any legally binding obligations. 

 

Treason: The act of willfully undermining and/or acting against the interests of the Apostalic Kingdom of Idunia

 

Unholiness: An act as defined as counter to the moral framework of Canondom as decided by the Crown in cooperation with the Church of Canondom. 

 

Murder: The act of willfully ending the life of another person.

 

Assault: The act of willfully doing bodily harm to another person.

 

Sorcery: The use of prohibited magics without a legal sanction.

 

Theft: The willful taking of any property that an individual is not sanctioned by another to possess.

 

Property: Owned items such as a sword, a home, and other personal effects of the individual.

 

Vandalism: The willful defacement and destruction of another person’s property.

 

A Knight: Any subject of the Apostalic Kingdom of Idunia who has both sworn the Oath of Tar-Numenetar and has been elevated legally by another knight via the Errant Knight’s Code.

 

Civil Union: The legal joining of two individuals of the same sex through the secular powers of the Crown.

 

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SECTION I. Laws of The Crown

The following are those laws that outline the hierarchy of our Kingdom’s government, as well as the laws of inheritance, succession, and royal authority. These statutes define the rule structure and the powers vested in the Crown and its heirs.

 

I. The ruling monarch, hereafter referred to as ‘the Tar’ or ‘the White Throne’, shall hold full and unquestioned authority over the lands and titles of the Kingdom. 

 

II. The White Throne shall have the authority to dictate, enforce, and alter this code at their discretion.

 

III. The Crown shall be understood to include the Tar, the royal consort, the royal heir, and appointed members of the royal household who are granted authority to act in the White Throne’s name. Such members of the royal household, as granted this distinction, shall bear the title Princess Royal or Prince Royal.

 

IV. The succession of the Kingdom shall be determined by appointment of the Tar. In such an event that the monarch is slain or becomes otherwise incapable of ruling without an appointed heir, the crown shall pass to the oldest trueborn child.

SECTION II. Laws of The State

Listed hereafter are those laws which govern the daily affairs of the realm, including matters of justice, civil conduct, and the responsibilities of the citizenry. They serve to maintain order among the people and guide the function of our Kingdom’s institutions. 

 

I. All subjects and residents of the Kingdom shall be bound to obey the laws, any lawful decree issued, and taxes levied.

 

II. All those accused of crime by an authority of the White Throne, whether this be the knights or the Crown, will be reviewed and the outcome decided on by at least two individuals. 

 

III. The Fairytale Laws are to be upheld.

 

IV. Civil Unions shall be officiated by a representative of the Crown and documented, conferring all legal rights and obligations therein recognized by the law of the realm.

• Those lawfully adopted into a Civil Union shall be entitled to inheritance as though born of the Union.

 

V. For a Númenedan to break The Oath of Tar-Númenatâr, be it through word, deed, or willful abandonment of their sacred vow, shall be considered Oathbreaking.

• The punishment for Oathbreaking shall be execution, carried out in such a manner as deemed fit by the Crown.

 

VI. For a subject to act to our Kingdom’s detriment in any way, be that by the raising of arms or the aiding of Her enemies, shall be considered Treason.

• The punishment for Treason shall be execution, carried out in such a manner as deemed fit by the Crown.

 

VII. To practice the Prohibited Arts is strictly forbidden, and shall be considered the crime of Unholiness.

• The only magics permitted within the Kingdom are those of Templarism, Resonance, Bardmancy, and Housemagery. All other magics, such as Voidal Magic and Shamanism, are hereby prohibited.
• Any person found practicing the Prohibited Arts must wear a pointy hat as a mark of their affiliation and refrain from casting under any and all circumstances.
• Any person who practices the Prohibited Arts must present themselves before the appointed authority to be formally licensed.

 

VIII. No individual shall willfully slay another, outside of defense of self or others, and to do so shall be considered Murder.

• The punishment for Murder shall be execution, carried out in such a manner deemed fit by the Lord Commander, or by the first two knights who were first to respond.
• Should the victim be an official of the realm, the Crown shall be directly involved in both the judgment and execution of justice.

 

IX. No person shall willfully harm another, outside of defense of self or others, and to do so shall be considered Assault.

• The punishment for Assault shall be a penance as determined by the first two Knights who were first to respond, along with a fine to be paid by the offender.
• Should the victim be an official of the realm, the Crown shall be directly involved in both the judgment and execution of justice.

 

X. To make use of any magic in a manner which is harmful to the Crown’s properties or others, or in a way that is counter to the decrees of the Crown, shall be considered the crime of Sorcery.

• The punishment for Sorcery shall be exiled from the Kingdom for a minimum of two years, or longer as determined by the first two Knights who were first to respond. Should they return before their exile is lifted, or should they cast unlawfully again, they will be executed. 

 

XI. To deprive or dispossess another of their rightfully owned property or goods shall be considered Theft.

• The punishment for Theft shall be a penance as determined by the first two Knights who were first to respond, along with a fine to be paid by the offender, as well as the return of all possessions stolen.

 

XII. To damage the properties of the Crown shall be considered Vandalism.

• The punishment for Vandalism shall be a penance as determined by the Crown or by the first two Knights who were first to respond, along with a fine to be paid by the offender. 

 

XIII. To publicly encourage the practice of Pagan faiths, or to cast insult upon our Lord GOD Almighty, shall be considered Blasphemy.

• The punishment for Blasphemy shall be public penance, wherein the offender must deliver a formal recantation before the Church. In addition, they shall be fined no less than 500 minae. Should the offense be deemed grave, the offender shall be remanded to a priest for determination of further punishment.
• Should the offense be repeated, they shall be divested of all titles, if such are held, and cast forth from the Kingdom.

 

XIV. To damage properties of the Church, or to dishonor icons of the Saints, shall be considered Sacrilege.

• The punishment for Sacrilege shall be a pilgrimage to the Holy Sites of the world, modeled after the Path of Owyn. During this journey, the offender must render service to the citizens of each realm they pass through.
• Should the offense be repeated, they shall be divested of all titles, if such are held, and cast forth from the Kingdom. 

 

XV. Should one be accused of a crime so desire, they may appeal to the Lord Commander of the Radiant Guard for a royal trial. Those known for fact to be guilty do not receive this privilege.

• A person shall be deemed known for fact to be guilty if their guilt is witnessed by multiple credible parties, proven beyond a doubt through material evidence, or confirmed by admission before a recognized authority.
• Should a dispute arise wherein evidence is scarce and no sure judgment may be made, a trial by combat may be lawfully declared. For it is known that GOD shall grant His favor to the righteous, strengthening the hand of the just, regardless of mortal prowess. 

 

SECTION III. Laws of Knights and Houses

Contained within are those laws which pertain to the conduct, privileges, and obligations of the noble class and knightly orders sworn to the service of the Crown. These laws uphold the standards of honor, duty, and loyalty expected of those who hold title and command. 

 

I. Knights of the Realm shall serve not only as warriors, but as magistrates and agents of justice, entrusted to uphold and enforce the laws of the Kingdom with honor and impartiality.

 

II. A knight shall at all times conduct themselves with discipline, integrity, and loyalty to the Crown. Cowardice, cruelty, or corruption shall be grounds for demotion or stripping of title.

• Should a knight be found guilty of such failings, it shall fall to the Grand Knight of the White Tree to determine whether they are to be demoted, stripped of their rank, or subjected to further punishment as deemed just. 

 

III. For a Knight to willfully forsake the Errant Knight’s Code, by cowardice, cruelty, dishonor, or the betrayal of their charge, shall be considered a grave breach of chivalric duty and be noted as Oathbreaking.

• Such transgression shall be judged by the Crown and the Grand Knight of the White Tree, and the punishment shall be death. 

 

IV. Lords of the Realm shall act as stewards over their lands and subjects, charged with maintaining order, defending the peace, and serving the Crown’s will above their own.

 

V. In matters of law, vassals may adhere to their own established customs and statutes, provided such laws sufficiently address the matter at hand. 

• In the absence of applicable local law, the laws of the realm shall be observed and enforced. 

 

VI. All knights and Houses of the Realm shall swear fealty to the Crown and the White Throne. To break this oath, or to act in betrayal of the Crown, is considered Treason. 

 

VII. Knights, as magistrates, are empowered to pass judgment on matters of law, deliver penance, and carry out punishment when crimes are witnessed or evident within their jurisdiction. 

• No knight, nor any servant of the law, shall employ torture, coercion, or forced confession in the course of investigation or judgment, for justice must be rendered through truth, not terror.

 

VIII. Disputes of honor between knights may be resolved by duel only with the approval of the Crown or a Knight of senior rank. Unlawful dueling shall be considered assault or murder, as applicable. 

 

IX. The recognized Houses of the realm shall have the right to dictate their own traditions of inheritance. However, should a dispute of inheritance threaten the peace, it may be settled at the current monarch’s discretion.

 

X. Titles held by Adunian Houses or individuals shall only pass to those of Adunic blood, unless by express Royal assent. Titles of foreign origin, however, may be granted or inherited freely, regardless of lineage. 

 

 

 

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