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The Laws of the Realm of Durholme

The Laws of the Realm of Durholme

28 November 1305

Drafted by Tia Page

Hierarchy of Authority

These laws apply to the Realm of Durholme, which consists of the City of Durholme, the Palatinate, Northern Rovac, and any other territories under Durholme’s control.

Government of the Realm of Durholme

The Government of the Realm of Durholme shall be performed by the Ruler of Durholme, the position of greatest responsibility and authority within the Realm of Durholme. The Ruler of Durholme may style themselves however they choose, including but not limited to King, Queen, Monarch or Seneschal. Any person may be elected for this position.

The Council of Durholme exists to provide valuable insight and advice to the Ruler of Durholme, and is made up of the individuals in the following positions:

  • The Head of the Warriors’ Guild
  • The Head of the Scouts’ Guild
  • The Head of the Mages’ Guild
  • The Head of the Alchemists’ Guild
  • The Head of the Smiths’ Guild
  • The Head of the Seers’ Guild
  • The Head of the Ritualists’ Guild
  • The Head Diablerist
  • The Vicegerent of the Faithful
  • The Captain of the City Guard
  • The Captain-General of the Royal Army
  • The Admiral of the Fleet
  • The Voice of the People

An individual may have multiple Council positions, but may only hold one vote. The Ruler and all Council members may elect to resign from their post whensoever they choose. The Council may also choose to hold a vote of no confidence to de-elect members.

For the purposes of Council votes, a “majority” is considered to be over half of the number of Council members who are present for the vote itself.

Heads of Guilds are elected by the members of those Guilds, and the Head Diablerist is elected by the Ritualists’ Guild. Those Guilds may choose how these positions are elected, and may also de-elect them. The intent is for the Guilds to operate independently in their area of affairs, but still have a responsibility to the Realm. 

The Ruler of Durholme, the Captain of the City Guard, the Captain-General of the Royal Army and the Admiral of the Fleet are elected and de-elected by the Council. 

For the election of the Vicegerent of the Faithful, a candidate is nominated from a vote of prominent members of faiths. Each recognised faith of the Realm then votes on whether to accept the candidate, reject the candidate, or abstain. If a majority accept, then the candidate is duly elected, otherwise the process must start anew.

For the election of the Voice of the People, a candidate is put forward for a vote overseen by the Council. A poll is then done of the Realm’s populace. If the result is positive then the candidate is duly elected, otherwise the process must start anew. The Council may require a candidate go through such a vote again to retain their position, and revoke this position should the result be negative.

The Ruler should appoint a Second, who shall assume the full power of the Ruler whensoever the Ruler is absent from the Realm of Durholme and unable to fulfill their role, is incapacitated by death, injury, disease, or ailment, or is otherwise incapable of exercising power. Should both the Ruler and their Second be unable to perform their role for any of the above reasons, the Council shall instead assume that power.

Laws of the Realm of Durholme

The passing and amending of laws is to be done by the Ruler, with consultation when appropriate from members of the Council of Durholme. Every person in the Realm must obey the law. 

The Council may undo changes to the law put into place by the Ruler by majority vote. This law cannot be changed without majority consent from the Council.

All crimes shall be investigated by the relevant local authority (for the City of Durholme, the City Guard) to determine if there is a case to be judged. A member of said authority may hold a person in custody while investigation takes place. They may use force to ensure the safety of themselves and others. The head of the local authorities, or the Ruler if they deem it appropriate, may designate a Judge to determine guilt and pass sentence on a given case. They may also elect to judge the crime themselves. The Ruler may grant the Guard Captain the use of a subsidiary force, under their command but separate to the Guard, to use in the enforcement of law within the Realm of Durholme.

Crimes can be committed by any entity within the Realm. A ‘person’ means a sapient being, a being with a spirit (other than gods, elementals, aspected creatures or entirely demonic creatures), or an entity recognised as a ‘person’ by the Ruler, the Council, or a local governing body. There is a list of such recognised persons available within the Durholme Citadel. Non-persons are forbidden from bearing arms within the realm, unless granted specific permission by the Ruler, the Captain of the Guard, or the Council.

Except where authorised by the law, the following are illegal:

  • Murder: Of a person, including sending their soul to Oblivion.
  • Assault: Of a person.
  • Slavery: Of a person, including via mind control or blackmail.
  • Treason: Causing peril to the Realm and/or its people, including warmongering, rioting, or espionage.
  • Necromancy: Raising undead, except where permission has been given by the local authorities and consent has been obtained from the individual to be raised.
  • Diablerie: Until further notice, all acts of summoning or dealing with demons may only be done by the Head Ritualist or Head Diablerist, and only when permission is obtained from the Ruler. When permission is given by the Ruler in person.
  • Theft: Of a person’s belongings.
  • Vandalism.
  • Imprisonment: Of a person.
  • Geomancy: Only those licensed to do so by the Head Ritualist may perform these acts. Each ley nexus must be placed under armed guard at all times. The Head Ritualist and Ruler must grant approval in person to the guards surrounding a ley nexus before the geomancer will be allowed through to carry out their ritual. This permission must be given in person for each individual act of geomancy.
  • Profiting from Crime.
  • Impersonating a Figure of Authority.
  • Squandering the Realm’s Resources: Wasting the finance, equipment or time of the Realm.
  • Gross Negligence: Causing problems to the Realm or its people due to a lack of reasonable consideration of one’s actions, or by actions deemed criminally stupid by the Ruler or Council.
  • Aiding, Conspiracy, Attempting or Clear Intent to commit any of the above: Including placing bounties offering rewards for such.
  • Causing, enabling or requesting a non-person to commit any of the above crimes.
  • The Ruler, and/or the Captain of the Guard, may determine a certain act was a crime without it needing to be one of the above described. This decision may be challenged by a majority vote by the Council.

All items within the Realm without a clear owner (including property of the dead who have not left a will or other clear instructions) are the property of the Realm, and must be given to the local authorities, who will determine what happens to them.

War – A declaration of war may be made by the Ruler of Durholme. In this situation, the Captain-General of the Royal Army and the Admiral of the Fleet should issue mobilisation orders to their respective forces and draw up military plans for Durholme to undertake. These should be countersigned by the Ruler of Durholme.

Religion – The Realm of Durholme recognises the following religions: Those of the Seal, Sword, and Bone Pantheons, the Balance, the Six Elemental Faiths, Druidism, and Elemental Shamanism. People will have their rights to worship and follow these religions respected, though they must still follow the laws of the Realm, regardless of strictures or beliefs.

Sentencing

There shall be only six recognised sentences, which may be combined. An entity may only be sentenced once for any specific crime.

  • Caution: A warning may be given. This will mean that should the individual be caught committing another crime, then the punishment may be greater than that which would standard be given. 
  • Recompense: Whether repairing a damaged window or replacing a stolen necklace, the value of the act will always be greater than the cost of the crime. This sentence will be enforced with a time limit at which point it will be upgraded to a greater sentence.
  • Fine: The fine is to always be greater than the cost of the crime. This sentence may be one-off or recurrent and will always specify a timescale for payment on penalty of a greater sentence. The fine may go to the City of Durholme or to any victim involved in the crime.
  • Community Service: The individual will be allocated a certain amount of hours worth of work to complete on one or multiple projects, as a form of recompense to the city for the crime they have committed and a way of creating a better city. The amount of time and the task is to be decided by the Ruler or the Captain of the Guard.
  • Banishment: The highest form of banishment is to be permanently banished from the whole of the Realm of Durholme. Banishments may be for a fixed term or permanent. Breach of banishment will be punishable by death. Upon banishment the property of the criminal or a part thereof may be forfeit to the City of Durholme.
  • Imprisonment: Imprisonment may be for a term decided at the time of sentencing. At the end of the period of imprisonment, the imprisoned party shall be free to go.
  • Death: The sentence of death must be passed before a witness who holds a position of authority within the local area. The sentence may specify the method of death or allow for some criminals to choose an appropriate method. Wherever possible, executions will be performed with a medic and priest present to ensure the successful completion of the sentence. 

Mitigations: It is recognised that some crimes may be committed during defence of self or property. Where these crimes are necessary and appropriate restraint has been shown, no sentence will be passed. Where the victim of a crime gave willing consent, no investigation need take place, and no sentence will be passed. Where a crime is committed by an individual under the age of eighteen, the punishment should be mitigated accordingly. Mitigation may also be granted at the discretion of the Ruler, the Captain of the Guard, or the Council.