The laws of Wayside apply to all citizens of the Kingdom, including any member of the fifteen protected races who maintains a permanent residence within the borders of Wayside. The protected races are: Barbarians, Biata, Dark Elves, Dryads, Dwarves, Elves, Gypsies, High Orcs, High Ogres, Hoblings, Humans, Mystic Wood Elves, Sarr, Stone Elves, and Wylderkin.
Enforcement of these laws falls under the purview of the nobility of Wayside, or of any officers the nobles appoint to keep the peace. Such officers may include local magistrates, sheriffs, justices, or the deputies of any such officers. An officer of the law may choose to hold a trial if he sees fit, but it is not required and not typically expected for crimes committed by commoners. Any charges made against a member of the nobility must be brought by a noble of at least equal rank, and a trial must be held by a noble of superior rank. Any commoner who believes a member of the nobility has committed a crime may request audience with a noble of equal or greater rank to said noble. The ranking official who holds jurisdiction over the area in which a violation occurs shall be responsible for conducting a trial if necessary, determining the sentence, and carrying out the punishment for any citizen accused of any of the following crimes:
Murder is intentionally causing the death of another citizen to the point of resurrection, with malice and premeditation. The penalty for murder is resurrection. For cases in which intent is not immediately evident, a suspect can be tried instead for involuntary or negligent homicide, which shall carry a penalty entirely at the discretion of the local magistrate or highest-ranking law enforcement official.
Assault is causing bodily harm to another citizen of Wayside. The severity of the punishment for assault shall be dependent on the severity of the offense.
Theft is the appropriation of any items or valuables which are the legal property of another citizen.
Treason is any action which is intended egregiously to harm the kingdom of Wayside, and/or to directly aid Wayside's enemies. The minimum penalty for treason is resurrection.
Sedition is any speech intended to incite people to acts of riot or rebellion against Wayside, any of its duchies, or any of the nobility of Wayside or its provinces.
Necromancy is the use of any magic which calls upon Chaos as its source, including magics cast from memory or from magical items, or creation of potions imbued with the power of such magics.
Unsanctioned ritual magics: All necromantic rituals, or Earth/Chaos rituals cast with the necromantic aspect are strictly prohibited. Any formalist wishing to cast a ritual must obtain prior approval from the appropriate Guild. Additionally, citizens are not permitted to use the Waystone network to enter the private property of another citizen, or property controlled by a member of the nobility, without consent of the Waystone’s owner.
Slavery is to force an individual to work against the his or her will without compensation. It is unlawful to place a free person into slavery, or to exchange a member of the civilized races to another party for goods or services against the will of the victim. Please note slaves purchased legally in years past are still allowed however you should work with local nobility to free them or prove quality working conditions.
Possession of Illegal Alchemical Substances of Greater Command, including Amnesia, Enslavement, and Euphoria, is against the law. Possession of such elixirs carries a minor penalty whereas using them maliciously against another person typically carries a much harsher penalty.
Disrespect to nobility: Offenses against the dignity of a member of the nobility, including insulting a noble, speaking disrespectfully to a noble, or otherwise conducting oneself in an uncouth manner in the presence of a noble, may incur a misdemeanor charge with a minor punishment at the discretion of the enforcing officer. More serious offenses, including perjury (lying to a noble in a way which obstructs their duties) and slander (speaking ill of a noble with the intent to cause harm to their reputation) may incur a more severe sentence, at the discretion of the enforcing officer.
There well may be other laws in your area and regional differences to how enforcement happens do exist. But in the end if you have an issue with a noble speak with another noble. The system works when you support it and use it to resolve problems in the system by the system.
If you were interested in the Kingdom Charter that document which was newly minted after the civil war is the purview of the Royal Family, The Dukes, and Their First Baron/Knight only. But what it ensures is that each Duchy works together moving forward towards fair rule and the betterment of all.
High Magistrate Oliver Stillroot-
-- I have spoken with Sir Ganavan Bovar. I am taking over this matter. I will be in town to do a review of the adventuring community to ensure that we are all working towards a bountiful future. I fear the black thread of civil disobedience was allowed to thrive by the general amnesty granted by the Ducal Council. That amnesty was for past crimes. All of you must know that future crimes will be dealt with.
