The Laws of Therendry

All citizens of the Duchy of Therendry are protected under the laws of the land and all citizens must obey those laws. Said laws also bind travelers from other realms unless specific exception has been made by treaty with the traveler�s homeland. In addition, all travelers are protected under the laws of Therendry unless specifically accepted by decree of His or Her Grace. Therendry shall tolerate the customs of foreign travelers, which may not be in agreement with ours so long as those customs do not violate ours laws.

Each noble shall be allowed to set forth additional laws within their own lands as long as those laws do not conflict with the laws of their liege. Nobles outside of their own lands do not have the right to dispense justice for commoners. However, all nobility shall be accorded the honor and respect befitting their rank whether on their own lands or not. Nobles must always be properly addressed and treated.

His or Her Grace solely holds all of the lands of Therendry. His or Her Grace, only to those who have given of themselves for the Duchy, can award titles and lands. Nobles hold no hereditary right to title or land. Nobles may not name an heir to either land or title, though recommendations shall be afforded due consideration.

Jurisdiction

The Duke, Duchess, and their households have the authority to dispense justice throughout all of Therendry. Barons and their households may dispense justice within their barony. Each noble has the right to name a sheriff and a magistrate for their lands. A sheriff may enforce the laws and arrest citizens suspected of committing a crime. A magistrate may sit in judgment of citizens accused of a crime. Both a sheriff and a magistrate may preside over an honor combat between two citizens. Citizens may apprehend any other citizen that they witness committing a crime or who is known to be a wanted criminal. Citizens do not have the right to dispense justice; the suspect must be turned over to the sheriff or a Noble at once. If unreasonable force is used or the arrest was without merit, the apprehender may be charged.

Honor Combat

It has long been a tradition of our society that disputes can be settled by the use of arms and magic. The parties in conflict must name seconds who will agree upon the terms and conditions of the duel. This agreement covers whether or not magic or magical devices can be used, how far the combat should proceed, what penalty the loser will incur, and other important factors. It is traditional for the combatants to fight with the weapons style with which they are most proficient and with no magical aid.

The most important single factor is that a trial by combat must be scrupulously honest and honorable. It is considered dishonorable for a citizen to challenge a noble or for a noble to challenge a noble of a different rank. The penalty for cheating by a noble in a trial by combat is to be declared the loser, executed, and, stripped of all lands and titles. A noble, a sheriff, or a magistrate must witness a duel between citizens. A citizen who cheats in a duel will be declared the loser, forfeit all goods, and receive 50 lashes.

Either party may select a champion, provided the champion agrees. It is considered unchivalrous for a knight to select a champion unless they are prohibited by health or position from entering combat.

Fines and Punishments of Therendry

Assault: is any unjustified attack, through word or deed, upon another person. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 1 gold and 10 lashes for the first offense, a fine of not less than 5 gold and 20 lashes for the second offense, a fine of not less than 10 gold and Death for any further offenses. Restitution must be made in all cases.
Assault of a Noble: is any attack, through word or deed, upon any Noble that does not constitute Treason. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold and 50 lashes for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.
Bribery: is the offering of money, goods, or services to an official of the duchy for the purposes of influencing that official�s actions, or the taking of such a bribe. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than five times the bribe offered for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Death for any further offenses.
Forgery: is the production, use, or possession of any false papers, documents, or identification. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold for the first offense, a fine of not less than 20 gold and/or Death for any further offenses.
Kidnapping: is the taking or constraining of a person against that person�s will or without that person�s knowledge. The punishment shall be Death for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.
Kidnapping of a Noble is Treason.
Mockery: is the insulting, degrading, or otherwise showing disrespect for another person. Mockery constitutes grounds for Honor Combat.
Mockery of a Noble Title: is the insulting, degrading, or otherwise showing disrespect for one of noble title. It is also the failure to obey the command of a Noble, when such an action does not constitute Treason. The punishment shall be 50 lashes for the first offense, a 10 gold fine and Death for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.
Murder: is the causing of Death through direct action, intentional inaction, failure to provide healing, or hindering others from providing healing. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold and Death for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.
Murder of a Noble is Treason.
Necromancy: is the casting or excepting of any Necromantic spell, the use, creation, or possession of any Necromantic item, or aiding or consorting with any Necromancer or Necromantic being. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold and Death for the first offense. The punishment shall be loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the second offense and loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses. In all cases, a Necromancer shall submit to a Destroy Earth Magic Ritual if he or she is invested in any Earth Circle.
Pretending to a Noble Title: is an attempt through any means by a citizen to convince another person that he or she holds a noble title. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold and 50 lashes for the first offense, a 10 gold fine and Death for the second offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.
Slavery: is the holding in bondage of another. The punishment shall be the loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses. In all cases the freed slave shall receive all of the criminals possessions.
Stealing: is the taking of another person's possessions through stealth, deceit, or trickery. The punishment shall be the a fine of not less than 5 gold for the first offense, a fine of not less than 10 gold and 20 lashes for the second offense, a fine of not less than 10 gold and Death for any further offenses. Restitution must be made in all cases.
Robbery: is the taking of another person's possessions through force or the threat of force. The punishment is a fine of not less than 10 gold and 20 lashes for the first offense, a fine of not less than 10 gold and Death for any further offenses. Restitution must be made in all cases.
Burglary: is the entering of another person's home or place of dwelling with the intent of stealing. The punishment is a fine of not less than 5 gold and 20 lashes for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Death for any further offenses. Restitution must be made in all cases.
Treason: is the undertaking or planning of any action that would subvert, overthrow, or hinder the legal government of the duchy in any way. The Murder or Kidnapping of any Noble is Treason. The undertaking or planning of any action that would bring harm to the Duke or Duchess is Treason. The punishment shall be loss of all worldly possessions and Death for the first offense, loss of all worldly possessions and Obliteration for any further offenses.

Attempting to commit a crime is punishable as if the crime was actually committed. Anyone maliciously making false accusations against another shall receive the punishment of the crime that was alleged. Death is defined as forcing the spirit to flee the body and attempt to resurrect. The criminal does not have the right to commit suicide, nor to choose his or her executioner. Obliteration is defined as the suffering of three Deaths, as defined above. These three Deaths may be administered with the casting of an Obliteration Ritual or three separate executions.

All trials and punishments must be conducted in public. Lashes are defined as a minimal blow struck with any weapon to the body of a criminal (armor and protective spells having been removed).

In all cases the criminal must make restitution to the victim, in addition to any fine that is imposed, for any damages incurred as a result of the crime. The presiding noble or nobles shall receive half of any fines or confiscated items, the other half shall be deposited into the Ducal treasury.

The Laws of Therendry Concerning Nobles

Assault: is any unjustified attack, through word or deed, upon a citizen. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 5 gold for the first offense, the noble shall then be remanded to the guidance of the School of Chivalry. A second offense shall result is the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, followed by a fine of not less than 5 gold and 20 lashes.
Assault of a Noble: is any attack, through word or deed, upon any Noble that does not constitute Treason. This is considered cheating in a trial by combat.
Bribery: is the offering of money, goods, or services to an official of the duchy for the purposes of influencing that official's action, or the taking of such a bribe. The punishment for making a bribe shall be a fine not less than ten times the bribe offered for the first offense, the noble should then be remanded to the guidance of the School of Chivalry. A second offense shall result in the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and loss of all worldly possessions. The punishment for accepting a bribe is the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and loss of all worldly possessions.
Forgery: is the production, use, or possession of any false papers, documents, or identification. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 20 gold for the first offense, the noble shall then be remanded to the guidance of the School of Chivalry. A second offense shall result in the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and a fine of not less than 20 gold and/or Death for any further offenses.
Kidnapping: is the taking or constraining of a person against that person's will or without that person's knowledge. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and Death.
Kidnapping of a Noble is Treason.
Mockery: is the insulting, degrading, or otherwise showing disrespect for another person.The Noble guilty of Mockery shall be remanded to the guidance of the School of Chivalry.
Mockery of a Noble Title: is the insulting, degrading, or otherwise showing disrespect for one of noble title. Mockery of a Noble Title constitutes grounds for Honor Combat.
Murder: is the causing of Death through direct action, intentional inaction, failure to provide healing, or hindering others from providing healing. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and Death
Murder of a Noble is Treason.
Necromancy: is the casting or excepting of any Necromantic spell, the use, creation, or possession of any Necromantic item, or aiding or consorting with any Necromancer or Necromantic being. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands and Death.
Slavery: is the holding in bondage of another. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, the loss of all worldly possessions and Death.
Stealing: is the taking of another person's possessions through stealth, deceit, or trickery. The punishment shall be a fine of not less than 10 gold for the first offense, the noble shall then be remanded to the guidance of the School of Chivalry. A second offense shall result in the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, followed by a fine of not less than 10 gold and 20 lashes.
Robbery: is the taking of another person's possessions through force or the threat of force. The punishment is the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, the loss of all worldly possessions and Death.
Burglary: is the entering of another person's home or place of dwelling with the intent of stealing. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, the loss of all worldly possessions and Death.
Treason: is the undertaking or planning of any action that would subvert, overthrow, or hinder the legal government of the duchy in any way. The Murder or Kidnapping of any Noble is Treason. The undertaking or planning of any action that would bring harm to the Duke or Duchess is Treason. The punishment shall be the loss of all Noble titles and all Lands, loss of all worldly possessions, and Death.