frill

let me pretend

It’s about encouraging a different kind of conflict RP. The conceptualising of good faith as intrinsic to RP is to prevent PvP warclaims and general goonery as being resultant from some OOC desire to screw people over, something that seems to fester as a latent attribute to most of the more veteran players to the bigger nations – reforming the rules so that they necessitate co-operation through a good faith caveat of “this war is just meant to be for fun RP” is something that is there for just that; encouraging roleplay that is far more enjoyable for both parties involved as opposed to encouraging domination and conquest alone. Simply “saying no” would be a meta-action and in bad faith because it’d be an RP nation acting on OOC preservationism instead of a motivation to create and sustain the RP that the conflict would foster. It’s not that wars can’t happen, but it’s that they’re happening for entirely different reasons following the reform. Yes, the previous wars and warclaims had a significant amount of roleplay stoking their flames but the lingering necessity of having both parties agree to conduct the war puts the onus of war on needing to sustain that consent through OOC cooperation – if people’re repeatedly refusing to go to war with your nation, you should have a long stare in the mirror and consider just why that is.

As long as it’s something both parties agree on happening, yes. (and here’s why that’s a good thing.) The new rules are trying to skew war from being a medium for OOC domination of playerbases to a consentual process that both parties agree on occurring to create conflict-based stories that people are happy with. The OOC toxicity and crying from both sides that occurs with WCs and conflicts would have to disappear if both warring NLs or warring parties are consentually both agreeing to go to war explicitly to generate RP. Conquest can still happen if both parties still agree to it – and there are now far more ways available to go about doing war than just the pattern of wc > wc > wc > siege that people’re used to. It’s more freeform because it isn’t combative from an out-of-character standpoint; instead, the wars are there for the sake of roleplay stories. anyway, if people’re getting bitchmade about a lack of staff intervention or no more raid ladders, the point of the post has flown too far over their head for it to be worthwhile engaging with them about the substance of the war reform. Remember where your feet’re at. This is a roleplay server and isn’t meant to be factions pvp in medieval dress, and rules like these’re meant to be reminding people of that. The only major OOC difference between warclaims, conquests, sieges et al. are that they need to be in the good faith of an established story being pressed forward or created by both nation leaders. That wink and a handshake in some backroom Discord is key to keeping RP to RP and making sure people have an enjoyable time instead of sitting in fear that the stuff they’ve worked hard on is going to get nonconsensually steamrolled by some dickswinging major faction. fleepers cry more

WRIT OF DELEGATION AS PER THE QUILL OF SERENE PRINCE IDE HARACCUS OF VES WRIT OF DELEGATION of Helton Hadrian as Serene Prince-Procurate under decree nisi of definite cause being assumed by the Serene Prince, wherein intervention of the Serene Prince is directly believed to be necessary by the Serene Prince himself. The Serene Prince-Procurate otherwise acts as a representative and agent of the Serene Prince thereof; further enabling the Serene Prince-Procurate to exercise all powers so bestowed within the charter unto the Serene Prince, as so applied via mutatis mutandis of the chartered terms. THIS position remains as an office in perpetuum, or as otherwise dictated by the will of the Serene Prince of Ves Ide Haraccus during the duration of this office. If so indisposed and unable to appoint a successor for his Serene Prince-Procurate, it is the duty of the Serene Assembly of Ves to elect such from among their Patricians. THIS position may not annul any edict previously stated of the prince prior to the publishing of this writ of delegation. THE power remains with the Serene Prince of Ves, Ide Haraccus, to hereafter veto any decree, edict or act of the legislature of the Serene Prince-Procurate, as to not allow any mistakes or lacunae in the law to be made absolute. THIS power of supreme municipal delegation is so granted to Serene Prince Ide Haraccus through his election of his peers, with the strict writing of the charter allowing him to bestow such delegation entirely ex officio. THIS position will be so salaried directly by the personal-funds of the Serene Prince, as to not restrict the legal and moral autonomy of the Serene Prince-Procurate to the coffers of the state. ALL legislation and treatises so signed and affirmed by the Serene Prince-Procurate will also bear the signature of the Serene Prince. GOD BLESS PROCURATE HELTON HADRIAN, x.___________ Ide Haraccus of Ves. Humble Judge.

WRIT OF BANISHMENT OF URRION DRUMM AND HIS DRUMMHEIM BRIGADE As so written by Serene Prince Ide Haraccus of The Golden City of Ves. It is a tragedy that good men may be held thralls to their mistakes, but the permanence in their actions remains. CLAIM The Dwed, Urrion Drumm of House Drumm, did illegally usurp the City Guard of Ves from the esteemed Zahret ibn Bashar al-Qataffi through a subversion and fraud of the charter. Hereafter, Drumm assumed the role of military commander of a titular ‘Drumm Brigade’, which so criminally attacked both members of an esteemed ally of our nation and members of our government. OF THE LAW As per the chartered rights hereby accuse Urrion Drumm of House Drumm, and his DRUMM BRIGADE of the following crimes; THROUGH his subversion of the charter of the Golden City of Ves, in which no man may assume the office of Captain of the Guard without being held by the lottery of the lieutenants, while holding the office of lieutenant, during which the current Captain of the Guard is incumbent, Urrion Drumm has impersonated an official of the government of Ves. Wherein Urrion Drumm intentionally assumed the identity of a government official through proclaiming himself Captain of the Guard, he is accused of impersonating an Agent of the State, a felony of THE CRIMINAL CODICES OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES, GENERAL PART. Wherein Urrion Drumm intentionally harboured and paid men who committed and incited rebellion against the authority of the government, he is accused of sedition, a felony of THE CRIMINAL CODICES OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES, GENERAL PART. Violation of ARTICLE XIX of the PAX ORENIA of the constituents of man, for Urrion Drumm acted as the de facto military commander of the titular ‘Drumm Brigade’, and therefore shall be held responsible for his crimes committed by forces under his or her effective command, control or authority. THE PRINCE THEREFORE RULES; The name of Urrion Drumm is to be stricken from all jurisprudence, legislature, charter and record of The Golden City of Ves, for it is not the right of one figure to taint the noble acts of his house. Urrion Drumm may not return to the Golden City of Ves. The mercenary brigade of Urrion Drumm, the Drummheim Brigade, are fugitives of Ves and may not return to the Golden City of Ves. If found to have illicitly and with intent to have returned prior to the dissolvement of the writ of banishment by the Serene Prince of Ves, he is to be deemed guilty of the crimes so accused. IF he were to return, his head, hereafter the breaching this banishment acting as an admission of culpability , would fetch a bounty of 5000 minae [Five Thousand Minae]. MAY St Tobias guide Urrion Drumm to whichever place he may choose to rest his head, but it may no longer be our city.

Serene Prince Ide Haraccus of Ves signs on behalf of his people, the humble people of Ves. Magistrate Helton Hadrian co-signs on behalf of the Magistrate’s Office of Ves. Both signatures are inked in the skilled flourishes of men of such a cultured city.

THE CRIMINAL CODICES OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES. GENERAL PART INDEX I. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CRIMINAL CODE. II. ON DEFINING THE CRIMINAL CODE. III. INJURY AGAINST THE PERSON. IV. INJURY AGAINST PROPERTY. V. INJURY AGAINST THE STATE. VI. INJURY AGAINST MORALITY. VII. INJURY AGAINST ORDER. IIX. INCHOATE OFFENSES. IX. LEGAL DEFENSES. X. ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. SECTION I. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES. The objectives of the provisions of the Criminal Code of the Golden City of Ves are as follows: to protect from criminal encroachment citizens’ rights and freedoms, the rights of legal entities, property, public order and security, the order of the republic, as well as to prevent crime. To best achieve these objectives, the Criminal Codices of the Golden City of Ves states the grounds of criminal liability for each commissioned act, and the principles of the criminal legislation. The code determines which acts are considered criminal offences within the Golden City of Ves and establishes explicit punishment for the committal of these criminal acts, as well as other legal measures. It is only the criminal law that may decide whether a crime is punishable, and states the punishment required thereof. All men of Ves are equal under law. Lesser Justice Eidr Haraqqa, later Prince Ide Haraccus, 1st of the Grand Harvest, 1720. SECTION II. ON DEFINING THE CRIMINAL CODE The Criminal Codices of the Golden City of Ves act as an adaptation of the Ten Tables of Imperial Law used in both the Empire of Man and Holy Orenian Empire, this law used verbatim in prior Vesnian jurisprudence and necessitating the usage in further law to allow juristic uniformity in the rulings of the magistrate office. The purpose of the Criminal Codices of the Golden City of Ves is to elucidate our wishes for the dispensation of justice within our realm. At our charge, its precepts are enacted, and in our absence, they shall service the state in contending against iniquity. We thus commit our servants to see to its righteous execution, in accordance with the three principles of law: to live virtuously, to trespass no one, and to give each his due. Thus we adjudge all crime as a violation of one of the following legally protect interests; the individual, property, the state, the public morality, and the public order. Proximately, the codex thereafter concerns inchoate offenses, and the legal defenses for mitigation of punishment. Of the offenses enumerated herein, with the exception of those intolerable crimes classed as high treason, each is classified according to its degree, of which there exist three, and upon which culpability and just punishment shall be evaluated. The applicable sanction for each crime and degree of injury are recorded within the table the crime is located. These degrees are: The third degree offense, of the least severity. The second degree offense, of middling severity. The first degree offense, of the greatest severity. Of the offenses enumerated herein, each is assigned specific punishment according to its severity, of which that exists four, and which the plaintiff evaluates and chooses the appropriate sentence. The applicable sanction for each crime is recorded within the table the crime is located. The assigned classes of punishments are: INFRACTIONS, of least severity, include the appropriated sentences: monetary fine up to two thousand mina, confinement to prison for up to two annum, designated service to state or faith for up to five annum, removal of up to two fingers to the second knuckle, removal of up to two teeth, removal of up to two toes of the same foot, removal of one quarter-inch of the ears if elven, partial removal of a tusk if orcish, removal of the beard if dwarven, removal of one inch of the tail if feline, or branding by hot iron on the chest or buttocks. MISDEMEANOUR, of middling severity, include the appropriated sentences: monetary fine up to fifteen thousand mina, confinement to prison for up to ten annum, designated service to state or faith for up to twenty annum, removal of up to five fingers to the third knuckle, removal of up to four teeth, removal of one eye, removal of up to five toes on different feet, removal of one entire ear if elven, removal of one tusk if orcish, removal of the beard if dwarven, removal of up to three inches of the tail if feline, or branding by hot iron on a limb, chest or buttocks. FELONIES, of great severity, include the appropriated sentences: monetary fine up to fifty thousand mina, confinement to prison for up to lifetime, designated service to state or faith up to lifetime, removal of up to an entire hand, removal of the entire bottom jaw, removal of both eyes, removal of the penis if male, removal of an entire foot, removal of both ears if elven, removal of both tusks if orcish, removal of the beard is dwarven, removal of the tail if feline, branding by hot iron on a limb, chest, buttocks, or face, execution by hanging, or execution by beheading. TREASON, of intolerable severity, includes the appropriated sentences: execution by hanging, execution by beheading, execution by scalding tar, execution by scalding milk, execution by scalding water, execution by drowning, execution by burning stake, execution by flaying, execution by impaling, execution by brain wracking, execution by arbalest, crossbow, ballista, or other projectiles, execution by horse or oxen trampling, or execution by leeches. Customarily, the sentenced is dragged by horse on a wooden skid to the site of their execution. Where the victim of an injury is legally entitled to a trial, he may elect for a trial of civil remedy or criminal indictment. If he elects for a trial of civil remedy, it is the judge's duty to prescribe a financial penalty to allay the damage done. If he chooses a trial of criminal indictment, it is the judge’s duty to prescribe the harshest possible punishment upon the offender. Within each table, the method of selecting a trial’s plaintiff is defined. SECTION III. INJURY AGAINST THE PERSON Battery Where an individual intentionally commits upon another an act of violence which brings about no incapacitation or lasting injury, this shall be battery of the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally commits upon another an act of violence which brings about lasting but not permanent injury, incapacitates for any length of time, or utilizes a dangerous weapon, this shall be battery of the second degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally commits upon another an act of violence which brings about permanent injury, this shall be battery of the first degree, a felony. Murder Where an individual intentionally commits such an an act of violence upon another which brings about their death, with no premeditation of the act and under such circumstances as a reasonable person would be incited to fatal violence, this shall be murder of the third degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally commits such an act of violence upon another which brings about their death, with no premeditation, this shall be a murder of the second degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally and with premeditation causes the death of another, this shall be murder of the first degree, a felony. Manslaughter Where an individual unintentionally but negligently commits such an act that brings about the death of another, this shall be manslaughter, a misdemeanor. Mutilation Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the superficial disfigurement of another, or the removal of a single digit, this shall be mutilation in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the crippling disfigurement of another, or the removal of multiple digits, this shall be mutilation in the second degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally or negligently commits such an act as to bring about the dismemberment of another, the destruction of an eye, castration, or other irreparable loss of an appendage or organ, this shall be mutilation in the first degree, a felony. Torture Where an individual, who is a not an official of the law, intentionally commits an act of violence which brings lasting or permanent injury with the purpose of gaining information from the inflicted individual, this shall be torture in the second degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally commits an act of violence which brings incapacitating injury or mutilation of either second or first degree with the purpose of gaining information from the inflicted individual, this shall be torture in the first degree, a felony. Kidnapping Where an individual intentionally abducts, restrains, or confines another individual against their will without physical harm, sexual violation, or endangerment of the victim, this shall be kidnapping in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally abducts, restrains, or confines another individual against their will, and in the course of this brings about physical harm, sexual violation, or endangerment of the victim, this shall be kidnapping in the first degree, a felony. Defamation Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about an individual, without intent to harm the reputation of that individual, this shall be defamation in the third degree, an infraction. Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about an individual, with intent to harm the reputation of that individual, this shall be defamation in the second degree, an infraction. Where an individual knowingly disseminates false information about an individual, with intent to harm the reputation of that individual, in a public space or by distribution of printed materials, this shall be defamation in the first degree, a misdemeanor. Impersonation Where an individual intentionally assumes the identity of another individual for any purpose except the carrying out of high treason, this shall be impersonation in the second degree, an infraction. Where an individual intentionally assumes the identity of another individual in order to carry out high treason, this shall be impersonation in the first degree, a felony. SECTION IV. INJURY AGAINST PROPERTY Theft Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals up to two hundred minas in value, this shall be theft in the third degree, an infraction. Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals greater than two hundred but not less than one thousand five hundred minas in value, this shall be theft in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally deprives another of moveable property without the consent of its owner, and this property totals greater than one thousand five hundred minas in value, this shall be theft in the first degree, a felony. Burglary Where an individual unlawfully enters a property with intent to commit a nonviolent crime, this shall be burglary in the second degree, an infraction. Where an individual unlawfully enters a property with intent to commit a violent crime, this shall be burglary in the first degree, a misdemeanor. Robbery Where an individual intentionally deprives an owner of his moveable property through violence or threat of violence, and this property totals up to one hundred fifty minas in value, this shall be robbery in the third degree, an infraction. Where an individual intentionally deprives an owner of his moveable property through violence or threat of violence, and this property totals greater than one hundred fifty but not less than one thousand minas in value, this shall be robbery in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally deprives an owner of his moveable property through violence or threat of violence, and this property totals greater than one thousand minas in value, this shall be robbery in the first degree, a felony. Vandalism Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another, and this damage totals up to one hundred fifty minas in value, this shall be vandalism in the third degree, an infraction. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another, and this damage totals greater than one hundred fifty but not less than three thousand minas in value, this shall be vandalism in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another, and this damage totals greater than three thousand minas in value, this shall be vandalism in the first degree, a felony. Arson Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another through fire, and this damage totals up to two hundred minas in value, this shall be arson in the third degree, an infraction. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another through fire, and this damage totals greater than two hundred but not less than four thousand minas in value, this shall be arson in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently damages or defaces the property of another through fire, and this damage totals greater than four thousand minas in value, this shall be arson in the first degree, a felony. Fraud Where an individual intentionally or negligently fails to abide by the terms of a written or verbal contract, misleads regarding its terms, or provides insufficient consideration for its completion, and this damage totals greater than one hundred but not less than one thousand minas in value, this shall be fraud in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently fails to abide by the terms of a written or verbal contract, misleads regarding its terms, or provides insufficient consideration for its completion, to the detriment of another, and this detriment totals up to five thousand minas in value, this shall be fraud in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently fails to abide by the terms of a written or verbal contract, misleads regarding its terms, or provides insufficient consideration for its completion, to the detriment of another, and this damage totals greater than ten thousand minas in value, this shall be fraud in the first degree, a felony. Trespassing Where an individual intentionally enters the property of another which a reasonable person would consider to be restricted, this shall be trespassing, a misdemeanor. Poaching Where an individual intentionally or negligently hunts a beast or bird within the borders of a reserved wood, and the value of these creatures totals up to five hundred minas in value, this shall be poaching in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally or negligently hunts a beast or bird within the borders of a reserved wood, and the value of these creatures exceeds five hundred minas in value, this shall be poaching in the first degree, a felony. SECTION V. INJURY AGAINST THE STATE Treason Where an individual knowingly carries out an act of criminal insubordination or disloyalty intended to subvert the authority of an agent of the state, or commits such an action with intention to harm the state, this shall be treason in the second degree or petty treason, a felony. Where an individual knowingly aids or abets enemies of the state, participates in armed conflict or espionage against the state, attempts or conspires to the usurpation of the government, or attempts or conspires to murder a member of the imperial government, this shall be treason in the first degree or high treason, punishable only by execution as listed. Sedition Where an individual intentionally commits conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or Emperor, this shall be the crime of sedition, a felony. Contraband Where an individual knowingly possesses illegal substances, literature, or items, this shall be the crime of possession of contraband in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual knowingly sells, markets, purchases, or transfers ownership of illegal substances, literature, or items, this shall be the crime of possession of contraband in the second degree, a felony. Where an individual knowingly manufactures illegal substances, literature, or items, this shall be the crime of possession of contraband in the first degree, a felony. Obstruction Where an individual interferes with, obstructs the progress of, or otherwise hinders government officials and prosecutors during the apprehension or investigation of a criminal or criminal activity, this shall be the crime of obstruction, a felony. Tax Evasion Where an individual fails to render full payment in a timely manner for a lawfully enacted metropolitan, baronial, comital, or civil tax, this shall be the crime of tax evasion in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual fails to render full payment in a timely manner for a lawfully enacted imperial, principial, archducal, ducal, or gubernatorial tax, this shall be the crime of tax evasion in the second degree, a felony. Where an individual fails to render full payment in a timely manner for a lawfully enacted wartime tax or mandatory tithe, this shall be the crime of tax evasion in the first degree, a felony. Absconding Where an individual fails or intentionally avoids surrendering oneself to the custody of Imperial officials at the appropriate time, this shall be the crime of absconding, a felony, and in the case of the awaiting of trial immediately confirms guilt, dismissing the need for lawful hearing. Bribery Where an individual persuades another, to act dishonestly or otherwise, with the gift of money or other inducement, this shall be the crime of bribery, an infraction. Extortion Where an individual intentionally threatens another individual for obtaining money, titles, or other benefits for oneself, this shall be the crime of extortion, an infraction. Perjury Where an individual intentionally misleads, deceives, or withholds pertinent information from an interrogating agent of the law, this shall be perjury in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Where an individual intentionally misleads, deceives, or withholds pertinent information from an interrogating agent of the law during the course of a criminal or civil trial, this shall be perjury in the second degree, a felony. Where an individual intentionally misleads, deceives, or withholds pertinent information from an interrogating agent of the law during the course of a trial of high treason, this shall be perjury in the first degree, charged with the punishment of treason. Impersonating an Agent of the State Where an individual intentionally assumes the identity of a government official or noble lord, this shall be the crime of impersonation of an agent of state, a felony. SECTION VI. INJURY AGAINST MORALITY Indecency Where an individual intentionally and deliberately dresses in an immoral or obscene fashion, usually in a sexual manner, this shall be the crime of indecency, an infraction. Gambling Where an individual intentionally partakes in unsanctioned betting in games or events, usually for the reward of money or property, this shall be the crime of gambling, an infraction. Deviancy Where an individual intentionally acts in unusual or accepted standards, especially in social or political behavior, this shall be the crime of deviancy, an infraction. Witchcraft Where an individual intentionally partakes and practices the dark arts, such as blood magic, or other sacrilegious activities, this shall be the crime of witchcraft, a felony. Fornication Where an unmarried individual intentionally fornicates another individual in a public or private location, this shall be the crime of fornication, a felony. Adultery Where a married individual intentionally fornicates with another who is not the spouse, this shall be the crime of adultery, a felony. Abomination Where an individual is directly descended from multiple races, namely kha’ or orc, or is the offspring and product of a close consanguineous fornication, such as inbreeding between siblings or between offspring, this shall be the crime of abomination, a felony. Consanguinity Where an individual intentionally fornicates or has immoral relationship with one’s close family, such as with father, with mother, with siblings, or with offspring, this shall be the crime of consanguinity, a misdemeanor. Miscegenation Where an individual intentionally fornicates with one not of his race, such as man and elf or man and dwarf, this shall be the crime of miscegenation, a felony. SECTION VII. INJURY AGAINST ORDER Vagrancy Where an individual intentionally lives the life of a vagrant, participating in improper begging, and illegally staying in residences and towns, this shall be the crime of vagrancy, a felony. Loitering Where an individual intentionally travels indolently and pauses frequently for socialization in order to disrupt trade, commerce, or business, this shall be the crime of loitering, an infraction. Concealment of Identity Where an individual intentionally conceals or hides oneself’s identity to an agent of the law, this shall be the crime of concealing one’s identity, a misdemeanor. Vigilantism Where an individual intentionally apprehends, convicts, or punishes another individual of a crime but is not an agent of the law or given permission by the Imperial Office, this shall be the crime of vigilantism, a misdemeanor. Disturbing the Peace Where an individual intentionally and deliberately hinders or interrupts the common peace by embellished performance or immoral behavior, this shall be the crime of disturbing the peace, an infraction. Spreading Propaganda Where an individual intentionally spreads information, ideas and rumours that deliberately seek to bring harm to or weaken the state, this shall be the crime of spreading propaganda, a misdemeanor. SECTION IIX. INCHOATE OFFENSES Conspiracy Where an individual knowingly signals intent to commit a crime at a future time, this shall be the crime of conspiracy, a felony. Incitement Where an individual intentionally incites or encourages another individual into committing a crime, this shall be the crime of incitement, a felony. Attempt Where an individual actively attempts, but fails to commit, a crime, the individual shall be held liable with a mitigated punishment according to the crime which was attempted. SECTION IX. LEGAL DEFENSES Ex turpi causa non oritur actio Where an individual accusing another of a crime where evidence was obtained through criminal means, the individual accused is not held liable. Volenti non fit injuria Where an individual consents or actively places oneself in a position of harm or danger, that individual may not bring a claim against another party in tort or delict. In pari delicto Where the individual held liable for a crime and the party convicting the individual for a crime is deemed both at fault, whether for the same crime or similar, both the individual and the convicting party shall not be held liable. Duress Where an individual commits a crime intentionally, but under reasonably proximate threat of force equal to or lesser than the severity of the crime committed, that individual shall not be held liable. Rather, the individual responsible for the threat shall be held liable. Entrapment Where an individual is encouraged or compelled by an agent of the law to commit a crime they otherwise would not have intended to commit, that individual shall not be held liable. Infancy Where an individual is below the age of twelve years and commits a third degree or lesser crime, that individual shall not be held liable. If the individual commits a second degree or greater crime, the individual shall be held liable with mitigated punishment or lesser conviction. Necessity Where an individual is compelled by a circumstance beyond his control to, as a last resort, commit a crime in order to prevent a more injurious outcome, that individual shall not be held liable. Provocation Where an individual is invoked or compelled by another individual to act with a sudden or temporary loss of self control and commits a crime as a response, the individual shall be held liable with mitigated punishment or lesser conviction. Incapability Where an individual is physically or mentally unable to meet the requirements given by law for punishment or conviction, the individual shall not be held liable. Immunity Where an agent of the law, in the course of their duties and acting within the bounds assigned to them, is compelled to commit a violation of the law, that agent shall not be held liable. SECTION X. ACTS OF ASSEMBLY The City of Ves may determine amendments and acts after prior approval of these acts and amendments by the Serene Assembly. The amendments and acts of assembly may not conflict with the law codes, even when no mandatory stipulation of law is stated or involved. The magistrate retains the power to annul any amendment, act or bye-law of assembly that conflicts with either the legal codes or charter. A codex of these ordinances are available on request of the magistrate’s office.

THE FOURTEENTH SESSION OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES c. 9th of the Sun’s Smile, 1721 s. Jan Haas As decreed by His Serenity, Prince Ide of the Golden City of Ves on behalf of the populace of the Golden City, the First Meeting of the Fifth Assembly has been called to order. Within this document are those assemblymen which constitute the Fifth Assembly along with the proposals debated. Alongside with the debated proposals are the results of said proposals. Here be those who represent the populace of the Golden City of Ves between the years 1720 to 1724. Prince Ide Haraccus Patrician Matthias Rutledge Patrician Mortimer Myre Patrician Nedric Arkazniv Patrician Chadwick Morris Patrician Paul Sigismund di Montelliano Varoche Patrician Helton Helvets Zachary Cataffus Urist Drumm Urrion Drumm Urric Drumm Urrigon Drumm Richard Noblen Luke of Nobleton Lucky of Nobleton Chubb Ploughfoot Ivan Ulyanov John of Arkent Our Prince has abdicated, long live the Prince. I. ELECTION OF A NEW SERENE PRINCE The election began with a newly chosen assembly, the Fifth Assembly to represent the populace of Ves between the years of 1720 to 1724. This fair assembly is granted the privilege of electing a new Prince from amongst the Patricians and their kin. The election was organized by the illustrious citizen Jan Haas and the vote was in the form of roll. The first roll amounted to naught as no candidate achieved a majority of ten votes. Patrician Matthias Rutledge - Mortimer Myre Patrician Ide Haraccus - Demetrio d’Montelliano Patrician Paul Sigismund d’Montelliano Varoche - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Patrician Mortimer Myre - Absent Patrician Nedric Arkazniv - Absent Patrician Chadwick Morris - Helton Helvets Patrician Helton Helvets - Ide Haraccus Zachary Cataffus - Ide Haraccus Urist Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urrion Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urric Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urrigon Drumm - Ide Haraccus Richard Noblen - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Luke of Nobleton - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Lucky of Nobleton - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Chubb Ploughfoot - Ide Haraccus Ivan Ulyanov - Absent John of Arkent - Ide Haraccus The tally is eight for Ide Haraccus, four for Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche, one for Mortimer Myre, one for Helton Helvets. In the second roll the two candidates with the most votes were pitted against one another. The second roll achieved the majority needed for a Prince. Patrician Matthias Rutledge - Ide Haraccus Patrician Ide Haraccus - Ide Haraccus Patrician Paul Sigismund d’Montelliano Varoche - Ide Haraccus Patrician Mortimer Myre - Absent Patrician Nedric Arkazniv - Absent Patrician Chadwick Morris - Ide Haraccus Patrician Helton Helvets - Ide Haraccus Zachary Cataffus - Ide Haraccus Urist Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urrion Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urric Drumm - Ide Haraccus Urrigon Drumm - Ide Haraccus Richard Noblen - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Luke of Nobleton - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Lucky of Nobleton - Paul John Victor d’Montelliano Varoche Chubb Ploughfoot - Ide Haraccus Ivan - Absent John of Arkent - Ide Haraccus Patrician Ide Haraccus achieved the majority with twelve votes in his favor. Behold our new Prince, Ide Haraccus! II. ELECTION OF A CENSOR In the Thirteenth Session of the Serene Assembly of the City of Ves, a bill was passed with the creation of the title of Censor. In this assembly, the Fourteenth Session of the Serene Assembly of the City of Ves we have gathered to elect an individual for that post. Two men of the assembly have staked their claims, those being Assemblyman Urrion Drumm and Assemblyman John of Arkent. The vote was carried out by ayes; the ayes for both candidates are written below. Urrion Drumm - 6 Ayes John of Arkent - 6 Ayes A tie, to be settled by simple coin toss. The coin toss was performed by Patrician Helton Helvets and went in John of Arkent’s favor. Behold our new Censor, John of Arkent! III. THE ENSHRINEMENT OF GOD Proposed by Patrician Helton Helvets, this proposal seeks to give the holder of the Diocese of Villavia a seat on the Serene Assembly. It is to be noted that such a proposal amends the City Charter and thus requires a vote of two-thirds majority. The official wording of the proposed document is written below. The Diocese of Villavia will hereby be granted a permanent council seat within the Serene Assembly of Ves, to be occupied by reigning the Bishop or chosen delegate. This proposal failed due to not achieving a majority. IV. AMENDMENT TO THE DEFINITION OF CITIZENSHIP Proposed by Patrician Chadwick Morris, this proposal seeks to amend the charter pertaining to the definition of citizenship. Predominantly this charter gives soldiers who serve a sworn term of five years to Ves automatic citizenship. The official wording of the proposed document is written below. Those of common blood that are not bound to any feudal or private contract and either: own property within the City of Ves; or are a member of the guard for 4 years and have sworn fealty to the city; are hereby defined as freemen This proposal passed with a count of thirteen ayes, zero nays, and six abstentions. V. THE CRIMINAL CODE OF VES Proposed by Prince Ide Haraccus, this proposal seeks to pass a Criminal code pertaining to the City of Ves to be used instead of the Ten Tables. The criminal code is heavily based on the Ten Tables of the Holy Orenian Empire, Empire of Man, and Empire of Renatus and edited and recompiled by Prince Haraccus to best serve the needs of our fair Republic. The official wording of the criminal code will be published shortly. This proposal passed with a count of ten ayes, zero nays, and nine abstentions. VI. POSTBELLUM ANTI-BANDITY DELEGATION Proposed by Patrician Helton Helvets, this proposal seeks to create a task force to aid in both combating and tracking down bandit activity to their sources from beyond the Heartlands. The bill also creates a diplomatic delegation to Sutica where one such bandit ground has been tracked down to in a bid to eradicate the source of banditry. The official wording of the proposed document is written below. In this postbellum period, the spectre of war still lingers over the Serene Assembly of Ves. Bandits have seized control over many of the vital highways all across the realm. In recent times, these brigands have even been so brazen as to attack the city itself. Following the vanquishing of one of these attacks, members of the City Watch, Lieutenant Dresden Webber and Recruit Erinia Sato on their own initiative managed to track down the source of these bandits to the Free City of Sutica. In their investigation, it was revealed that the supposed bandits were in fact known residents of Sutica and were subsequently able to recruit men from the city to engage in further malicious activities. It is imperative that a dialogue be opened with the Sutican Government for the purpose of apprehending those criminals who would assault our fair city. The Serene Assembly of Ves shall hereby send a diplomatic delegation to the Free City of Sutica. The purpose of this delegation to secure the cooperation of the Sutican Government in apprehending criminals and to open up regular diplomatic channels. The Serene Assembly of Ves shall hereby assemble a taskforce to investigate bandit activity emanating from beyond the Heartlands, with the appointment of such to be handled by the Captain of the City Watch. This proposal passed with a count of nine ayes, zero nays, and ten abstentions. VIII. THE VES METROPOLITAN Proposed by Mister Paul F. Varoche on behalf of Patrician Paul Sigismund di Montelliano Varoche, this proposal seeks to create a framework for government past the borders of the Golden City of Ves within our fair Republic. The official wording of this proposed document is written below. Defining the Metropolitan The City Proper, administered directly by the Serene Assembly and City Clerk is defined by the residences within the City Walls as well as their direct suburbs. This excludes the Tavern of the Bird and the Bard as well as any fortifications and keeps apart of the City Walls itself. Any property outside of the City Proper and Suburbs will be considered the City Metropolitan. The Office of Censor has the right to audit City Metropolitan public holdings at will in regards to their finances and population and report their findings to the Serene Assembly. Private holdings shall not be audited lest by direct ordinance by the Serene Assembly. All private landlords to be recognized by the Serene Republic must present their fealty to the Prince and Assembly. The extent of the City Metropolitan is defined by the land grants purchased directly by the Serene Assembly by the Year of Our Lord, 1720. Public Holdings Any community of ten or more residents that lies within the City Metropolitan shall be referred to as a public holding of the City Metropolitan. Any community of residence within a private landlord’s demesne will be considered a public holding regardless. Vacant property in the public holding shall remain private until sold to a member of the community, in which it becomes apart of the freehold by a majority of fifty-one percent. The City of Ves has the right to levy a tax per Saint’s month of up to ten percent of the surplus budget of each metropolitan freehold. Each public holding outside of the city proper shall have the right to self-administration subject to assembly oversight in accordance with the Gradic Rights. The right to self-administration provides for the election of a Provost to act as the local executive, and the election of a Bailiff to act as the local military and enforcement official. The Provost shall act as representative of the public holding to the Serene Assembly. Public holdings within the City Metropolitan shall be allowed to produce local bylaws via the right to assembly. General assembly within Metropolitan holdings shall be defined by a quorum of at least fifty-one percent of all citizenry within the respective community. All residents of public holdings shall be defined as citizens of the City Metropolitan but not the City Proper, voiding the ability to petition for a seat in the Serene Assembly. All citizens of the City Metropolitan possess the ability to invoke the Gradic Rights. Private landholders of the City Metropolitan may petition for Patricianship. All judicial rights of the City Metropolitan will be yielded to the Magistrate’s office of the Serene Republic. Private Holdings Private landlords of feudal and ecclesiastical designation are permitted to hold estates and private property within the metropolitan. Title holders of the City Metropolitan will hold a single seat on the Serene Assembly. Patricianship shall be considered a title of its own and thus patricians will only maintain their original seat. Private landholders can be defined as either feudal, ecclesiastical or tavern. Feudal landholders with established freeholds or visible alternate forms of income tied to their demesne will be taxed either five percent of their net income or five hundred minae per Saint’s month, whichever is more. Ecclesiastical landholders will be exempt from taxation. Tavern holds shall be taxed eight percent of their net income or eight hundred minae per Saint’s month, whichever is more. Lands in Tributary to the Republic All lands outside of the City Metropolitan that recognize the suzerainty of the Serene Republic of Ves shall be referred to as “Lands in Tributary.” All residents of Lands in Tributary shall be not be recognized as the citizenry of the Republic but instead residents belonging in whole to the feudal demesne which administers them. The residents of Lands in Tributary shall not be guaranteed the Gradic Rights of Ves. All private lords who swear to the Serene Assembly and own Lands in Tributary shall be referred to as Lords in Tributary and own their properties and communities in full. All Lords in Tributary must present a tribute of men and tax to be agreed upon by the Foreign Affairs Bench of the Serene Assembly of Ves. Creation of Metropolitan Positions The local bailiwicks will be maintained by the aforementioned local bailiff, who will be elected popularly and charged with operating on behalf of the Republican courts and military to enforce the laws locally. They’ll serve for a four year term. The local townships shall be administered by the local provost, who will be elected popularly for a term of four years. They will manage the township as well as serve in its role of representative to the Serene Assembly. This proposal passed with a count of seven ayes, five nays, and seven abstentions. IX. THE CASSIAN CASTLE DOCTRINE Proposed by Assemblyman Cassian Colborn, first among equals, this proposal seeks to allow the use of deadly force within private property. This official wording of the proposal is written below. The Freemen and Patricians of the Golden Freecity of Ves will hereby be granted the right to use force (up to and including deadly force) on a trespasser, trespassing on their private property, who, after one warning, refuses to leave. This proposal passed with a count of nine ayes, no nays, and ten abstentions. IX. POSTBELLUM CONSTRUCTION BILL Proposed by Patrician Helton Helvets, this proposal seeks to expand the borders of the city and to order the zoning of homes (predominantly manors) within the lands designated as farmland outside of the City Walls. The bill also delegates new farmland and orders for the city’s fortifications to be repaired and secured. The official wording of the proposed document is written below. The Serene Assembly of Ves hereby commissions the Clerk’s Office for the construction of new manor homes and guild halls over the cities’ existing farmland. The Serene Assembly of Ves hereby commissions the Clerk’s Office to designate new farmland to feed the Serene Republic. The Serene Assembly of Ves hereby commissions the City Watch to investigate and repair the security of the cities’ fortifications along the mountainside. This proposal passed with a count of eight ayes, no nays, and eleven abstentions. VIII. CONCLUSION OF THE FOURTEENTH SESSION OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY OF VES Proposed by Prince Ide Haraccus, this proposal seeks to conclude the assembly. This proposal passed with a count of eight ayes, no nays, and eleven abstentions.

In his first act as Serene Prince of Ves, the good Ide of House Haraccus sends a bird laden with a gracious letter of acceptance and a bouquet of flowers from the gardens of the Palais Varoche. To the esteemed crown of Curon and all good men who are so blessed to be its subjects; It is but a boon to both myself and the people of Ves that you so cordially invite us. I am compelled by every fibre of my spirit to happily accept. I speak as both a humble statesman and the greatest representative of Ves when I wish the fondest of congratulations. Yours truly, Ide, Serene Prince of the Golden City of Ves.

BY QUILL OF IDE HARACCUS of VES or Eidr Haraqqa; OF THE WORSHIPFUL GUILD OF WRITERS OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES 1720 *** IN RESPONSE TO DIETRICH VAN JUNGINGEN THE WORD OF GOD IS SHARPER THAN ANY SWORD Esteemed Dietrich; I am flattered that you mark my scrivener’s reams by name as something but more than the empty intellectual gesturing of a freeman, but I take to task the body of your treatise. Your matters of fear for race do quell the furor of the beat of my heart, as I arrived in Ves as but a common Rassidi, the lowest of the races of Man - as I was but duly reminded by the followers of the flame-sword of Owyn who I now see as good friends and partners in matters theological and intellectual - but your fears of the papacy are misplaced. Allow me to explain the foundation of the laws of the Imperium Renatum and the Holy Orenic Empire in the most dogged and basest forms - not as some sympathiser to either empire, but as a matter of intellectual exercise that will benefit us both. Both texts begin with a preamble as written by Prince-Father Charles Polycarp so defining the Emperor as the mouthpiece of the Divine Will of GOD, and thus acting as an agent most pious through executing His law; these laws being codified in the Ten Tables that stand as the greatest protectors of the interests and rights of every commoner, burgher et al. in the humble lands of Renatus and beyond. Each of your “Rights and Laws of Man” are so mimicked within the Ten Tables that it is nothing but a sign of an affirmation of them. To pour a salve on your grandiose fears of enslavement of the masses by some edict of a now-deposed antipope arising during the grand schism, I say but one thing; the rights of men were enshrined in law decades prior, and these rights are so affirmed by the Imperial Office, that is, from the office of GOD’s mouthpiece to our mortal plane. Prince-Father Polycarp writes in his preamble as such, that this law has juristic supremacy over any bull issued for the law for the law of the land “is wholly unbound by common or temporal law.” as the Emperor “is inalienable and indomitable, as he must be so as to govern justly and fairly”, as “no man is his judge, and God his only confessor.”. You must hold faith in the Canon without fear of enslavement nor branding nor tattoo for it is but the word of GOD to prevent such a thing; no flesh must be rendered by but a missive alone for it is the word of GOD that does manifest in the law-codes that do protect against it. A man of my lowly skin has found nothing but equity under the guiding hand of the Canon, and this hand does guide the laws that protect all men. GOD, and thus his voice on this plane, has reserved to himself the sole right of being both lawgiver and judge; for he alone can, without injustice, be, at the same time, both one and the other. You are fearing a false-spectre borne of a time of war and forego the just word of law and the true word of Canon, if but due to your own instinctive itch of self-preservation at the hands of some perceived injustice. You have nothing to fear with the appointment of the new Pontiff, good Dietrich. GOD so spoke on this council and His word was good - the schism mended, the rights of all Men remain preserved in both the words of homily and the deft ink of law. Have faith in the GOD, his Canon, and his laws for they will preserve us. As it was written, Eidr Haraqqa, patrician of Ves.

kobolds turning from an npc to a playable race in dnd stole thematic niche of “haha silly trapmaker tinkerer that die in droves” from goblins. the lore you’ve written (tribal system, tinkering+trapmaking, shamans) feels like reskinned goblin and orc lore but with the added bonus that they have more appeal to furries honestly you’ve put a lot of work into this application but my blood boils to pink steam the moment i even think of a “yap-yap” koboldpost getting made thanks to years of failed dnd campaigns getting sidetracked by koboldplayers

Lay-sophist, lawman and fledgling theologian Eidr makes note of the date, his heart somewhat soothed by his invite to such an important affair! Perhaps if he can manage to grab Father Haas by the clerical collar in the meanwhile, he can ask a few questions about the event.

Eidr Haraqqa spends a few moments with his compadre, forcefully suppressing his heavy Rassidi cudgel of an accent as he mimicks the High Imperial names that both of the men had been graced with. “Ahh, Mis-terrrr Alber-t. It is ver-y bully to see your assembly-ship! Bully for you Alberrr-t!” The good Rassid men shirking their nomadism, now fixed firmly in the culture of the cultural-occident, have been gifted as patronage a tool for humor for years to come.

Farfolk Magister Eidr Haraqqa brings a copy of the notes of the council to his fellow Guild of Writers members, Abdul al-Samra and Naasirruddeen el-Amini. Some lines are emphatically circled in red ink.

“The Prince and His Assembly” OR In Nomine Populi. As penned by Lesser Magistrate Eidr Haraqqa, proud Freeman of Ves. As printed by the Worshipful Guild of Writers of the Golden City of Ves. AS SO FUNDED by the patrons-of-art of the Worshipful Guild of Writers. SCRIPTA MANENT *** 20th of Malin’s Welcome, 1719 On disregarding the assembly; IT IS KNOWN of the difference between tyrants and princes, with the hope of the Ves res publica to never be subject to one, myself writing in On Treason that “that the latter is obedient to law, and rules through the election of the people by a will that places the prince himself as a man of their service”. The prince is indebted to the will of the people and to rule “under the guidance of law in a way favourable to the vindication of the power of his post.”. The power of the prince thus, as we know, arises from the divine “process of the true democratically elected City Assembly of Ves.”. To disregard this process is but a blasphemous act that foregoes the democratic process of our good City - as the Prince should thus act by the wishes of the people, to act as some autarch is to disregard the very men that so elected him, and to hold in little regard the validity of the powers so awarded to him by the City Assembly who so elevated him. Through disregard of the sole process that so elected the prince, the prince therefore debases his own power; for what power holds an elect-prince if he disregards the process that so elected him? The prince, as common to noble-rulers of those Mannish empires, is but involved in solely individual affairs; he is not governing with the burdens and concerns of the entire city no longer. As this is a great treason of the Prince, we must now think what punishment should be decided for such a prince who subverts his own people and seizes autarchal power of the singular with disregard of his own assembly, a prince whose own privileges make so great a part of the democracy of the Golden City of Ves? I assert that the punishment of treason of the prince should in no wise differ from that of the lowest members of our society. For as the voice of the people, it must be known that the Prince-Tyrant should be held as accountable as all those he so claims to represent. The code of treason, as per article 4 § 1.2 of the criminal codex of the Holy Orenian Empire, is as follows; “Where an individual knowingly [...] attempts or conspires to the usurpation of the government [...] this shall be treason in the first degree or high treason, punishable only by execution as listed.” The code of treason, as per article 4 § 1.2 of the criminal codex of the Imperium Renatum, is as follows; “Where an individual knowingly [...] attempts or conspires to the usurpation of the government [...] this shall be treason in the first degree or high treason, punishable only by execution as listed.” I plead that the prince must thus cede his own usurped power back to his own assembly lest he be admitting to those he so seeks to represent that he disregards their divine will and willingly acknowledges that he usurps the power from those that so bestow it upon him, if but to concern himself with affairs of the individual instead of listening and adhering to the will of the people he was so elected to represent. Our prince must support his assembly and not act with disregard of it. I will assume that the Prince bringing such treatises to the next assembly is but an acknowledgement of this letter and a blessing of his belief in democracy. As it was written, Eidr Haraqqa, of the people. Works so cited; Harraqa, Eidr. Views of a Ves Freeman On ‘Imperial Treason’; OR A Tertiary Thesis on the Act of Treason within The Empire, as both an Affront of Religion and a Curse Beyond Caste. 1716. PANDECTARVM JOHANNES FREDERICVS IMPERATOR The Holy Orenian Empire’s Code of Laws, be they Civil, Criminal or Natural The Empire of Man’s Code of Laws, be they Civil, Criminal or Natural

Eidr takes to written response as he witnesses this back-door treaty be published. No name is attached to his note of response. Matthias; My work in judicial reform under the Holy Orenian Empire is but for nothing. The deaths of the Kazlovs, of Myre, of Rhoul – what grand moral statements, of conviction and belief of falling for some cause greater than themselves, cast into the dirt. You say you act as a head of a democratically elected body in the subversion of their very will and process. To describe you as an idiot would be to lay insult to the swathes of simpering simple-minded fools who act above your own station. The dead remain dead, burned under Marius or beheaded under Ault, and no treatise or work of pen can bring them back. It is a black time for Ves.

CASE OF MARNA v. GAIA GOLDEN COURT OF VES 9th of The First Seed, 1719. PROCEDURE Caius II of house MARNA, as represented pro se, is a citizen of THE HOLY ORENIAN EMPIRE Apollo GAIA, as represented pro se, is a citizen of THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES. THE CLAIM Plaintiff MARNA accuses the defendant of harmed majesty as per Article 8 § 1 of the Code of Laws of the Holy Orenian Empire. THE FACTS CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE Plaintiff Caius II, of the imperial House of Marna, was attempting to write a text in the Bird and the Bard tavern of the Golden City of Ves. Overhearing a teen-aged tavern-goer speak ill of him, he challenged the tavern-goer to a fist-fight. Defendant GAIA drew sword with a third party and attempted to deliver the plaintiff a wound. An unnamed Renatian Dragon-Knight attempted to draw blade against the defendant. On attempt of escape following this skirmish, Defendant GAIA drew a dagger and intended to deliver OTHODORIC AURELIUS HELVETS a deathly wound. II. FACTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS Defendant GAIA pled GUILTY to the charge of unintentional harmed majesty. Defendant GAIA admitted under oath of threat of violence through brandishing. Defendant GAIA admitted under oath attempt of intentional harmed majesty. Witness MARCEAU BEAUX, citizen of Ves, stated under oath that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff. Witness ZAHRET AL-QATAFFI, citizen of Ves, stated under oath that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff. Witness ZAHRET AL-QATAFFI, citizen of Ves, stated under oath that the defendant further attempted to commit the murder of OTHO HELVETS following commission of the crime of harmed majesty. Plaintiff MARNA did not contest the testimony of witness AL-QATAFFI. Defendant GAIA contested the testimony of witness AL-QATAFFI. Witness MARGARET D'AUBIGNY, of no fixed abode, stated under oath that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff. Defendant GAIA did not contest the testimony of witness D'AUBIGNY. Witness OTHODORIC AURELIUS HELVETS, Captain of the city watch of Ves, stated under oath that the defendant pressed a dagger to his neck in an attempt of the crime of murder to the third degree. Defendant GAIA did not contest the testimony of witness HELVETS. Plaintiff MARNA did not contest the testimony of witness HELVETS. ASSESSMENT OF THE COURT The court concludes that Defendant GAIA did intentionally harm the majesty of Plaintiff MARNA through striking him with his gauntlet. The court concludes that Defendant GAIA did attempt to murder OTHODORIC AURELIUS HELVETS. FOR THIS REASON, THE COURT RULED The Defendant GAIA was so sentenced to death by beheading. Eidr Haraqqa, Lesser Magistrate. .

CASE OF AL-ABAASI v. ILLOAI GOLDEN COURT OF VES 10th of Snow's Maiden, 1719. PROCEDURE Plaintiff Fareed AL-ABAASI, a citizen of the Golden City of Ves, filed claim. Defendant Arthur ILLOAI, as represented by Chadwick MORRIS, is of no fixed abode. The plaintiff alleged in particular the violation of Article 3 § 1.2 of the Code of Laws of the Holy Orenian Empire. THE CLAIM FAREED AL-ABAASI ACCUSED ILLOAI OF MISDEMEANOUR THEFT OF; SIXTY-FOUR [64] COD, EIGHT [8] SALMON, ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY [150] MINAS, ONE [1] BLADE ONE [1] SUIT OF ARMOR. THE FACTS CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE When travelling the King's Road nearing the Golden City of Ves, a herd of bandits attempted to rob AL-ABAASI under duress of immediate threat to life, as denoted by their brandishing of swords. The group of bandits included the defendant, who himself brandished a weapon during the commission of the crime. FACTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS. Defendant ILLOAI pled NOT GUILTY to the charge of misdemeanour theft. Defendant ILLOAI pled GUILTY to the charge of infraction theft. Defendant ILLOAI admitted under oath of threat of violence during the commission of the theft. Defendant ILLOAI did not dispute the value of the property being stolen as over 150 minas. Plaintiff AL-ABAASI did not dispute the value of the property being stolen as over 150 minas. ASSESSMENT OF THE COURT The court concludes that Defendant ILLOAI did intentionally deprive Plaintiff AL-ABAASI of his moveable property through threat of violence, and this property totals greater than one hundred fifty minas. The court concludes that Defendant ILLOAI admitted to such as under oath. The court concludes that this admittance under oath of commission of a crime is sufficient to conclude a violation of a crime. The court concludes that admission to commission of a crime under oath within a court of law does not necessitate a re-trial due to inaccurate allegations of the plaintiff. The court therefore sees Defendant ILLOAI as guilty of Article 3 § 3.2 of the Code of Laws of the Holy Orenian Empire. FOR THIS REASON, THE COURT RULED The Defendant ILLOAI was so sentenced to the removal of three fingers to the third-knuckle of his sword-wielding hand. The Defendant ILLOAI had thus removed three finger to the third-knuckle of both hands, as the defendant so claimed ambidextry of his sword-wielding hand. Eidr Haraqqa, Lesser Magistrate. __

BY QUILL OF HARACCUS of VES or Eidr Haraqqa; OF THE WORSHIPFUL GUILD OF WRITERS OF THE GOLDEN CITY OF VES 1718 *** IN RESPONSE TO GUY OF HAAS, TRULY MAN KNOWS NO GREATER PIETY THAN TO BRING STUDY TO GOD’S WORKS.  Esteemed brother, I wish not to begin with disagreement to your glorious missive but I fear it is a folly of a chemist or Dwe’r engineer to reduce the definition of good to its empirical, and pragmatic, capacity of utility. Surely it is within scripture to denote that all things are predicated as good through nature of existence? If all is but created in the image and design of GOD, then it is of a perfect being such as GOD to not err in his creation - and thus, all things of His creation are good innately, as it is not a capability of our perfect GOD to create something that is imperfect nor flawed. This is why I stress, as I am sure a good man of the cloth does remember, that good is an innate status of our being. I fear that I need to expound this with some clarity, if but only to forbid myself from being too deft with the sharp-blows of vocabulary and mincing my own words. It is of GOD to be perfect, for GOD is the highest being known - a man of the clergy such as yourself should thus agree. Therefore, it is impossible for a perfect being to create the imperfect - an imperfection, even purposefully ordained by His divine will, is but perfect in-of-itself; our GOD, through his divine will, can not err. Thus, if all is created perfectly, and goodness is that state of being which is both holily ordained and divined by Him as the superlative state of being, it must be concluded that goodness and being are the same. Your good pen did write itself that in the words of Scripture it is said that the Lord saw all His creation, and that it was good. And thus there is none but in his creation. Therefore, the goodness - as I was so pressing in the canopied bench at the Bird and the Bard on our first foray into such a discussion - is but a privation, a perversion, and thus a lacking of the not-good, so created by some other malicious party. The opposite of good, hereafter referred to as bad for the sake of simplicity [we both very well know this is but an argument we could continue to split to the last hair], is thus not a status of being in its own right - it is but a privation of goodness. There is no bad, only a diminishing of the innate good as created by the Lord. I am sure I have aptly expounded my disagreement with goodness as something to be strived, as you know full well from our days of shamefully unpenned debated that I see goodness as but the basal state of all creation, and that it is but the actions of monsters and Men alike to pervert this goodness, this badness being but a creation of our own. Our first parents in that lapsarian flower-grove would know nothing of badness, for they were those that were closest to the truest form, unadulterated, of His creation - but they would know not of badness to compare it, thus not seeing neither good nor bad for no such binary had been forced into their hands by the actions so wrought by Men. I pray it brings you solace to know that I view the concept of goodness as something of our own creation, if but only to dilute the fact that it is but a by-product of the evils that those who pervert the Divine creation so duly create. I hope this letter reaches you well, Eidr.

Eidr spends the afternoon painstakingly tracing the text onto a fine parchment of vellum. This hard-aging and near-weatherproofed facsimile is soon pinned above his desk, the Farfolk happy that the kind words of his friend have some permanence, especially in such a place where it would be but impossible to not see the dedication at every sitting to write. Rummaging through his desk-draw, the Farfolk sophist takes out a fistful of old quills, taking the slow lick of a pen-knife to their ink-dried tips, preparing his tools of the lay-man’s craft to begin writing in response.

“A Polemic on Jurisprudence” OR Brief Opinion on the Supremacy of the Exact Word of Law. As penned by Lesser Magistrate Eidr Haraqqa, proud Freeman of Ves. As printed by the Worshipful Guild of Writers of the Golden City of Ves. AS SO FUNDED by the patrons-of-art of the Worshipful Guild of Writers. SCRIPTA MANENT *** 1st of The Sun’s Smile, 1718. Judges and lesser magistrates, in criminal cases, have no right to interpret the Johannian nor Imperial laws, because they are not legislators of these laws. These magistrates solely receive them from our society actually existing, or from the sovereign, its representative. Even the authority of the Imperial and Johannian laws is not founded on any pretended obligation. The laws receive their force and authority from an oath of fidelity to our good empire, which living subjects have sworn to our Emperor, in order to uphold the rights and impede the infringement of the rights of both legally protected interests of the Empire and the individuals wherein. From this leads the natural authority of the law as sworn. But! Who then is their lawful interpreter? The elect-prince or emperor, that is, the elected or divinated representative of man and thus society, and not the lowly judge, whose office is only to examine through basis of the law, if a man have or have not, committed an action contrary to the laws of our land. There is nothing more dangerous to the integrity of the Imperial and Johannian law than the notion that the “spirit of the laws, and the common belief” is but all that needs to be considered by a judge when ruling in cases of law. To adhere to this adage and forego the due process of law is to give way to the torrent of opinions and render the Imperial and Johannian codes moot and null. This may seem like an astounding inconsistency to the common minds, which are more strongly affected by the smallest disorder before their eyes, than by the consequences produced by one false principle, act or case-law adopted by a nation. The problems that may bubble to the surface of the scholarly-minded from a rigorous observance of the letter of the Imperial and Johannian penal codes, are not to be compared with those produced by the fallacious and loose interpretation of them as insisted by lay-men and inexperienced judges alike. The first are fleeting follies of problems, which will oblige the Emperor to correct the letter of the law. When the penal code is therefore fixed and defined further, it should be observed in the most literal of senses possible by a magistrate or judge, and no action more remains for this judge than to determine, whether an action be, or be not, contrary to the written law of our lands. When the right rule of law and the true and defined nature of the criminal codes in which all persons of each realm are duly bound, which ought to govern the actions of the noblest of man and the common farm-folk alike, is a matter of controversy, not of fact, the people are slaves to the whim of the magistrates. As was both written and set, Eidr Haraqqa. .

“On the Print-Press” OR The Necessity of Public Knowledge of Law In Praise of Jack McCain As penned by Lesser Magistrate Eidr Haraqqa, proud Freeman of Ves. As printed by the Worshipful Guild of Writers of the Golden City of Ves. AS SO FUNDED by the patrons-of-art of the Worshipful Guild of Writers. SCRIPTA MANENT *** 11th of The Deep Cold, 1718. It is common knowledge that giving the lay-man ability to interpret the laws as freely as decided is an implacable evil and a subversion of the norms of our land. We must therefore conclude that obscurity of the written laws is also an evil, as it is a consequence of misinterpretation. If it were not for the laws being written in the common tongue, those ignorant of their actions and the subsequent consequences would be thralls to those learned interpreters of the laws who, as law-men and notaries, render the full knowledge of the laws that each men are bound a wholly private product. With a common knowledge of the simplified, basal laws of this land, crimes will be lesser - the laws more universally understood and known by the common-classes. There is no doubt that the proclivity of some men for the breaching of Imperial and Johannian law is but assisted by ignorance of the laws they so very break. Through both the publishing of acts and amendments, and the avenue of print-houses filling the most cosmopolitan of settlements, the codified laws of the lands are transformed into a public product not known solely to the defenders of the laws. The cabal of jurists and notaries governing the very actions men so enact is dispelled by the diffusing of the literature of the Imperial codes. To men such as the print-house operator turned political savant Jack McCain, it is owing that the prospective tyranny ignorance of the law is such a rarity in the Imperial lands. A man acquainted with history, it is facile for him to observe that benevolence and humanity have sprung forth with the rise of the legal-culture of the common folk, these tender virtues are but from his own kindling. It is but for this man’s staunch encouragement that I wrote, and write, on subjects juristic and political. It is no secret of the prevalence of corruption and degeneracy in our age, but it is but by virtue of men such as good Mr McCain and the consistent published reform of the Emperor that such cruelty and oppression are but quarantined to less civilised halls of these lands. GOD bless men like Jack McCain. Eidr Haraqqa.