The majority of cases are heard informally by a town official or approved officer who will listen to the arguments and render his verdict. Any freeman who is dissatisfied with the judgment of the town official has the right to demand a trial after a verdict has been made.

The basic form for the sworn inquest is for the presiding officer to appoint a sworn jury, usually of prominent neighbors or town aldermen (jurors) to whom specific questions of fact are put. Witnesses may be called, obliged to testify under oath. The jurors’ answer (the verdict) may be from personal knowledge, or from local gossip, but will at least be based on some kind of evidence rather than superstition or raw power. Two courts exist, the low court and the high court.

Lower Court- The Lower Court is comprised of the local district lord, his knight-captain, and one other of his choice. This handles cases for violations of lesser crimes within a district. Penalties are limited to the lower courts, to nothing greater then mutilation.

High Court- The High Court is made up of the Duke, the Warden, and an appointed High Magistrate. The High Court hears cases of violations against the city at large, or of great importance. As well a trial in a Low Court can be appealed to the High Court, but not the other way around. Death, removal of title, rank, privilege or land can only be handed out by the high courts.

Keeping in mind a trial can take days weeks or even months to prepare for and time shall be served in jail until a proper inquest can prepared.

[OOC: What this means is that if you ask for a trial it could take an unlimited time to get all people needed in game. No complaining about jail time, you can always choose informal mediation.]

Ordeal is in common use for Temple crimes, or crimes in which the accused is a devout follower of a Path; ordeal relies heavily on a belief in divine intervention. There are a huge variety of methods used; each temple has its own traditions.

Often used in crimes of slander, or when two parties are involved no clear decision based on lack of proof among other things. The plaintiff and defendant are to choose a champion that is willing to fight for their honor. The defeated is to renounce all claims making a public apology, other penalties other then humiliation of defeat will often also be set before the trial. This trial is often handled outside of the courts, and is also called a “duel of honor” between two men.

The presiding officer of any court has the right to issue warrants that are valid within his jurisdiction. District lords and their knight may issue warrants in their own holdings. However the Duke and Warden may issue warrants anywhere within the lands claimed by Denshy. Warrants are supposed to be formal documents, but they are just as likely to be verbal orders to those that work directly for the rulers of the city. Warrants may command either the arrest of the accused, or demand his appearance at the next court session. The latter is the case in most civil suits. Once apprehended the accused might languish in the dungeon for years but he will usually be brought before the next session of the court.

When demonstruck with multiple offenses are jailed for violent crimes, they shall be put directly into the black cells so that they cannot be freed by the release of their soul, those of nobility may make a petition to be brought to the upper cells if another member of nobility will vouch for them thus taking -full- responsibility of a jail break or any damages caused.

All those that arrested shall be treated the same regardless of rank of title. Nobility does not deem leniency on the same crimes, those of such rank should have a better understanding of the law and the workings of justice and in most cases be more heavily punished.

Torture is considered a legitimate means to extract evidence from reluctant witnesses, but its use is limited as much as possible.

By tradition, death by the severing of the head is an honor reserved to the nobility; simple folk are executed in various interesting ways, hanging being the most common. Occasionally a gentleman may have his lands/titles stripped from him; this is considered a worse penalty than death. Death as a result of other punishment is not considered “the death penalty”.

Very often the accused evades capture, escapes custody, or otherwise cannot be found, but detail like this does not prevent his being tried. When an “in absentia” conviction occurs, the penalty is limited, in practical terms, to outlawry. A declared outlaw may be slain by anyone without fear of prosecution. Only the Duke, Warden, or appointed High Magistrate can declare an outlaw of the Duchy, however every district lord is allowed to choose those who are outlaws within their district, unless a representative of the Duchy interferes, in which case the district ruler can approach the Duke, Warden, or High Magistrate privately. Noctii are known as outlaws throughout the Duchy, and are to be killed on site. Any district lord who does not uphold this shall be brought up on charges. Therians, while not outlawed, are denied entrance to the city of Denshy. If they chose to ignore this, they take their lives into their own hands, and are not protected by the laws of the Duchy.

Exceptions: a therian may be able to gain entrance into Denshy by receiving the sponsorship of a noble house and supporting votes from two vassals of the Duke. Sponsorship includes acceptance as a member of the noble house on a probationary level for a minimum of three months [One month OOC]. During this time the noble house is held fully responsible for the actions of the therian, and will be tried along with him. Even the smallest of crimes may be enough to toss the therian out again.

If an outlaw is considered particularly unsavory, the court may go beyond simple declaration of outlawry and offer a reward for his capture. Such bounties are generally the only hope of securing the return of an outlaw or escapee from outside one’s own jurisdiction unless one is willing to chase him personally.

Independant bounties may also be placed by any free citizen of the Duchy of Denshy with the coin to put it forth. However, in cases where the bounty is placed upon a citizen of Denshy, it is illegal to seek that bounty while that citizen is under the protection of the guards of Denshy. These matters are of a personal disagreement between two citizens of Denshy, and is to be settled by them, outside of Denshy.

The City of Denshy, authorities including but not limited to; the Duke, the Duchess the Warden, the High Captain of the Guard, Captains of the Guard, the High Magistrate, the Admiral of the Navy, or the lord of any district; reserve the right to cancel any bounties posted by citizens. In these events, it is possible for the citizen who posted the bounty to file a complaint, to be handled by informal mediation.

The following crimes concern actions against the Kingdom, and are deemed the most serious of all crimes. These are the most grievous of crimes that not even the highest of nobility are immune to.

Treason - Any action detrimental to the Kingdom, sabotage of its property, membership in a treasonable or seditious organization. Treason can only be committed by citizens of the country; foreign nationals are prosecuted under sedition or espionage laws. Penalties: banishment, mutilation, death by various means.

Sedition - Verbal treason. Encouraging others to commit treason, disputing the authority of the Duchy. Penalties: banishment, mutilation, death by various means.

Espionage - Sabotage of crown property, spying, etc. Penalties: death by various means.

Rebellion - Taking up arms against a lawful liege or denying his rights or privileges. Penalties: loss of title, banishment, death by various means.

Regicide - Killing or attempting to kill the Duke, Duchess, or any of the ruling family. Penalties: death (usually after torture).

Assassination - Murder or attempted murder of a noble or lawfully appointed official. Penalties: restitution and/or death.

The following crimes concern the abuse or usurpery of some kind of privilege, obligation or right, an offense against the social order. Many of these are considered felonies; those that are not require an accusation to be brought by the offended party. Often these crimes hold the penalties of loss of nobility, rank, office and property.

Breach of the Privilege of Rank - Bearing chivalric or heraldic symbols without lawful right thereto, impersonation of a noble, usurpery of the customary or lawful rights of a noble, lack of proper respect for a person of noble birth or rank, or for a lawfully appointed official, and laying hands on such a person in a disrespectful manner or without permission. Penalties: fine, flogging, branding, mutilation, imprisonment.

Abuse of Trust - Any crime involving abuse of office or position including graft, embezzlement, accepting bribes, failure to properly execute customary or legal obligation, dereliction of duty, etc. Where a noble is concerned, this is considered a felony. Penalties: loss of office, title, property and privilege, imprisonment, banishment, mutilation, death by various means based on severity.

Oath breaking - Perjury (lying under oath) or oath breaking, breach of contract, etc. Penalties: fine, restitution, confiscation of property, loss of privilege, title, scolding.

Conspiracy - An agreement existing between two or more people to commit a crime. The defendant intentionally joining in the agreement. One of the people involved in the conspiracy did something for the purpose of carrying out the conspiracy. Penalties: fine, exile, loss of title, loss of rank, loss of privledge, or death by hanging.

Aiding/Abetting a criminal - A criminal offense had been committed; The defendant knowingly associated with the person who committed the crime; The defendant participated in the crime as something he or she wished to bring about; The defendant intended by his or her actions to make the crime succeed. The sale or purchase of goods to any known outlaw. Penalties: Fine, imprisonment, flogging, mutilation, death by various means.

Aiding/Abetting a noctii - A citizen is knowingly dealing with, aiding, or assisting a noctii. This covers any aspect of as aiding and abetting a criminal, but in regards to a noctii. Penalties: death by exsanguination.

Obstruction of Justice - Anyone who does not cooperate with investigators/inquisitors; As well as those standing in the way of the arrest of a criminal, either verbally or physically. They will be held accountable for all crimes committed by the criminal if the criminal evades imprisonment. For those that do not cooperate with inquisitors, will be immediately imprisoned no warrant required. Nobility and town officials are not immune. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, loss of office, title, and privilege.

Compounding - A prosecutor and/or victim of a crime accepting gold or gold’s worth in exchange for dropping a charge. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, loss of office, title, and privilege.

Misprision - Failing to report knowledge of a crime to the appropriate authorities within a reasonable amount of time. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, loss of office, title, and privilege.

Attempt - Attempt crimes are crimes where the defendant’s actions have the form of the actual enaction of the crime itself: the actions must go beyond mere preparation. This is an inchoate offense. Penalties: varies according to crime.

Conspiracy - An agreement between persons to break the law at some time in the future with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement. This is an inchoate offense. Penalties: varies according to crime.

Solicitation - A person offering gold or something else of value in order to incite or induce another to commit a crime with the specific intent that the person solicited commit the crime. This is an inchoate offense. Penalties: varies according to crime.

Complicit - A person is complicit in a crime if they are aware of its occurrence, has the ability to report the crime, but fails to do so. This includes witnessing a criminal enter onto Duchy property but failing to report or act on it. This is a liability crime. Penalties: varies according to crime, but typically imprisonment and/or flogging where noctii are involved.

Corporate - The hiring of any criminal or payment of any criminal to perform any job or provide any services. This crime is different from that of solicitation in that the solicitated is already a criminal and the employer has reason to believe or prior knowledge of this state. This is a liability crime. Penalties: varies according to crime.

Vicarious - A person commits a crime at the order of a superior entity, where loss of property, life, or freedom is a significant possibility. Most of these fall under blackmail, but a vicarious liability crime is one in which fear for one’s safety or wellbeing is motivation. Examples would be an employer threatening to fire an employee if they did not steal from competition, or a commander ordering a soldier to commit treason. This is a liability crime. Penalties: varies according to crime.

These are generally crimes of violence against commoners. As a rule, only common folk will suffer the more severe penalties given below; a noble’s liability is usually limited to restitution in cash or kind, at worst loss of office, title, or rank. Some are felonies, others require actions by the injured party.

Battery - Common assault, attacking a person causing injury. Penalties: restitution, pillory, flogging.

Rape - Sexual assault of anyone man, woman or child. This is a felony. Penalties: flogging, restitution, imprisonment, castration, death by stoning, exile.

Murder - Killing or attempting to kill a commoner without due cause or provocation. This is generally considered a felony. Penalties: death by hanging, mutilation, restitution, fine, slavery to the family of the deceased, etc.

Manslaughter - The accidental slaying of a commoner. This is generally considered a felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, mutilation, flogging, imprisonment.

Cannibalism - Eating or skinning human bodies. Generally deemed a felony. Penalties: death by starvation or being thrown to wild dogs, burning at the stake.

Abduction - Detention of a person against his will, without good or lawful cause. Sometimes considered a felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, imprisonment, mutilation.

Resisting arrest - Which would hold the penalty of twice of the original. Possibly immediate death left to the arrestors discretion.

Vandalism - Destruction or defacement of another’s property. Penalties: Fine, restitution,

Disorderly Conduct and Harassment - Trespassing, public drunkenness, to disturb persistently or torment another, any conduct unbecoming of a citizen of the Kingdom. Penalties: Fine, imprisonment.

Libel/Slander - False accusation, malicious gossip, etc. Penalties: fine, scolding, removal of the tongue, restitution, flogging. Often solved by trial by combat.

The following are secular crimes that cause only economic harm. With some exceptions, actions must be initiated by the injured party. Most are not deemed felonies.

Breach of Guild Privilege - Usurpery of the customary or lawful rights of a guild or guildsman, impersonating a guildsman, violation of guild monopoly. Penalties: confiscation of property, fine, restitution, banishment.

Petty larceny - Minor theft. Penalties: pillory, restitution, fine, flogging, imprisonment, repeat offenders may have fingers removed.

Grand larceny - Major theft. Generally when the amount stolen is the equivalent of 500 gold. Penalties: pillory, restitution, fine, flogging, imprisonment, mutilation (often removal of fingers or hands) , hanging.

Horse theft - Usually applies only to warhorses, otherwise considered a larceny. Penalties: death by hanging, mutilation .

Hoarding - Hoarding food in time of famine, violation of any rationing laws that may be in effect. Refusal to provide requested goods in war times. Penalties: flogging, mutilation, death by starvation.

Tax evasion - Avoiding payment of any lawful toll or tax. A felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, pillory, flogging.

Forgery, Fraud - Counterfeiting coins or forging documents, possession of same, or obtaining benefits by misrepresentation. A felony, if royal privilege is involved. Penalties: fine, restitution, pillory, loss of property, privilege and office, severing of the hand, imprisonment.

Smuggling - Engaged in transporting, selling, or in possession of, any proscribed or contraband good. Considered a felony. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, pillory, hanging.

Piracy, Highway robbery, Banditry - Self-explanatory. A felony. Penalties: fine, pillory, imprisonment, hanging.

Extortion - The defendant obtained or attempted to obtain the complainant’s property with the complainant’s consent. The complainant’s consent to part with his or her property was induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence or threat of economic injury. Penalty: Fine, imprisonment, mutilation, death by hanging.

Sale of Stolen Goods - The defendant sold, pledged, transferred, distributed, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of property of another person in exchange for receiving something of value. The defendant bought, received, possessed, or obtained control of property with the intent to sell, pledge, transfer, distribute, dispense, or otherwise dispose of it in exchange for something of value. That before the defendant knew or had reason to believe that the property was stolen. [The property need not have been actually stolen if the defendant believed or had reason to believe it had been stolen]. Penalties: Fine, imprisonment, mutilation, hanging.

These crimes are those that involve the use of magic - through manipulating the world’s weave or via a magical device – or relate to matters arcane and preternatural.

Irresponsible or Frivolous Spell Casting – Understanding and respecting the possible chaotic nature of all magic, the Government of Denshy asks all spell casters to use their arts responsibly. Should a spell caster be found using magic for purposes other than defense, necessity or practice they shall be subject to punishment, scaling based upon the offense. These punishments shall include fines, pillory, labor for the city and imprisonment.

Magical Backlash and Endangerment - If a spell caster shall bring harm or sickness onto an individual, or individuals, as the result of improper manipulation of the weave, they shall be punished according to the charge of Battery, as well as charge of Irresponsible Spell Casting.

If a party is responsible for the unintentional making of chaotic entities (see: aberrations) through improper manipulation of the weave, the responsible parties shall do all in their power to destroy these entities. Should the chaotic entities cause any damage to people or property, the spell caster will be charged as if they themselves had done the damage. Damage done to people who voluntarily engage such entities, and to guardsman who fight such entities, shall not qualify as part of this law.

If death is caused through improper manipulation of the weave, the responsible parties will be punished according to the charges of Manslaughter or Murder depending on the hostility of the action.

Use of Magic in a Crime – Any spells cast for the purpose of a crime, or to aid in a crime, shall add a charge of Irresponsible Spell Casting onto the charge already levied against the spell caster.

Conjuration within City Limits – The conjuration of creatures and animate objects within City Limits is forbidden. Conjurers shall be exempt from this part of the law should they be using their arts in defense of life or land. Should any spell caster violate this, they shall be charged under the Irresponsible Spell Casting law.

If a conjured creature cause any damage to people or property, the spell caster will be charged as if they themselves had done the damage. Damage done to people who voluntarily engage such creatures, and to guardsman who fight such creatures, shall not qualify as part of this law.

Summoning or Consorting with Demons – Any person found consorting with demons, summoning demons or working to summon entities recognized to be of demonic nature, within or outside of the city, shall be killed by executed by burning or drowning.

Necromancy – Anyone found to be using necromancy in any manner shall be executed by burning or drowning. Anyone found to be consorting with necromancers shall be charged with Aiding/Abetting a Criminal.

The following laws are specific laws. The punishment for these crimes will range from a fine to temporary imprisonment.

- It is hereby deemed illegal for a non-guardsman to draw his or her weapon within the walls of Denshy, unless in defense of life or land.

- It is hereby deemed illegal for those who practice magic to perform the following types of spells within the walls of Denshy, unless in defense of life or land; No summoning spells, no curses, wards, offensive spells, or any other spells that may do harm to a citizen of Denshy, directly or indirectly. Exceptions to this law are given out on a case by case basis, and a license can be purchased to allow legal practice of magic from any mage organization sanctioned by Denshy. Removed by Regent Lathander Merinthire, 548MR. These laws are now handled under “Crimes of a Magical Nature”

- The following items are considered illegal to be traded within Denshy, either privately or through the market, without written permission signed by both the Duke and the Warden: traps, poisons, disguises, vertox, explosives, ork skin, wolf hide [dire wolf fur is excluded], anything made from human body parts (as covered under the cannibalism law)lock picks, fire drake hide, and caedium.

- In light of recent events, it is now deemed illegal to mix potions within the bank, so as to prevent further accidents that may do harm to the city property, or to city employees.

- It is hereby deemed illegal to falsely advertise the quality of your wares. Haggling is acceptable, but blatant lying and deception is not.

- Failure to submit to the courts for judgment, of any crime, will result in status as an outlaw and banishment from Denshy.

- Failure to repay fines within a timely manner [one week IRL] will result in status as an outlaw, and banishment from Denshy. Exceptions may be made upon appeal.

Fine - A simple levy paid to the city as punishment for a crime. Minor crimes are generally fined up to five times, afterwards they become felonies are more serious penalties are applied.

Restitution - A fine paid to the victim or the victim’s closest family. This can be in the form of gold or services.

Stocks - Said to be the gentlest form of punishment, but this form of public humiliation usually results in a stigma on the criminal’s reputation. The criminal is placed in stocks in the public square, generally for anywhere from three days to two months. For more serious offenses they are left there until they die or are nearly dead.

Mask - Though the audience can’t see criminal’s face, it is humiliating nonetheless. The offender is placed on a wooden block in the town square wearing a donkey mask. They are generally left there anywhere from three days to two months. For more serious offenses they are left there until they die or are nearly dead.

Gibbet - This hanging cage known as a gibbet is stuff with a criminal and left out in the town square where citizens are often permitted to toss insults or rotten vegetables. Most of the time this is for social crimes. Another form of humiliation. They are generally left there anywhere from three days to two months. For more serious offenses they are left there until they die or are nearly dead.

Wheel - Criminals are spun round and round while tied on a wheel for this punishment. Since this requires another to operate, this is often the shortest form of punishment. Operators tend to be the person or persons offended.

Flogging post - Most basic form of punishment. The criminal is either assigned a number of lashes suiting the crime, or is lashed until they repent. It doesn’t take too long in most cases.

Rack - Stretching a criminal on the rack usually convinces him fairly quickly that crime doesn’t pay, a torturer is needed to operate the rack. Since this is one of the more gruesome punishments, it is generally done away from the public eye but citizens are often allowed to watch. It’s up to the torturer’s mood and entertainment how long the criminal is stretched.

Branding chair - The criminal is branded with a burning iron by a torturer to help him remember his crimes. Part of the mutilation punishments.

Burning post - A form of execution generally reserved for undead and necromancers, but it has been used in the past for other criminals. It is left in the open for citizens to watch, and in the cases of increasingly nefarious liches they may be burnt to death several times before being dumped in a remote location. This is the fate of most noctii.

Gallows - A fate most traitors face, the gallows is perhaps the most infamous. The criminal is hung by a rope, which is likely the slowest and most painful form of punishment.

Block - Murderers face this punishment, when includes being beheaded. Many consider this to be the most merciful crime since when used with a sharp axe it’s a quick death. On the other side of the coin, however, if used with a dull axe it could take the executioner several swings to completely remove the head. In which case the criminal may feel the first couple swings.

These are the laws of the Duchy of Denshy, and are to be upheld by every citizen, guard, noble, and member of the ruling aristocracy of Denshy. None are above these laws. *signed* Duke James Darkel Ruler of Denshy

It is hereby considered illegal contraband to sell fire drake hides or caedium within the land of Denshy. Both of these resources can only be found with Khalag territory, and in the interest of diplomacy we have decided that it is innapropriate to allow resources obtained by blatant disobedience of trespassing laws to be sold within the Duchy.

Alesia will no longer be purchasing or selling fire drake hides.

Anyone found to be selling fire drakes hides, caedium, or anything made of either of the two, without a permit obtained from an official of Khalag, will have their vendor arrested.

Both of these resources will be considered property of Khalag, and violation of this law will constitute grand larceny and trespassing charges.

You have been warned.

This is the list of those allowed to trade in caedium:

All orks. Casey Abidnale

This is the list of those allowed to trade in fire drake hide:

All orks.