Law of the Land
Mar 30, 2014 2:09:52 GMT
Post by Dol-Terias on Mar 30, 2014 2:09:52 GMT
Dol-Terias has gained renown for one custom in particular: dueling.
Asturian pride in particular regularly escalates mild insults into deadly contests. Visitors to Dol-Terias are warned to tread lightly among nobility, lest they endanger both their diplomatic missions and themselves. In both Doltanbran and Terias the following type of duels are legal:
1) Duels to Blood: occur frequently and ends when one participant draws first blood. Often used as a mean to solve minor dispute.
2) Duels to Yield: these are the most spectacular type of duel one is likely to see. Landed Lords, Knights, Dol Watchmen or Shields of Terias preside over these events, in which opponents fight until one party concedes and yields. If an injured participant will not yield despite being blinded, unable to stand, or otherwise maimed beyond continuance, the official rules him to have yielded "by the body". However this method does not always works: While no one has been charged for murder over a Duel to Yield there have been dozens of deaths so wrought.
3) Duels to Death: rarely occur but are not unheard of. Are always used when a prisoner calls (and is granted) a trial by combat. This method is used, often, to judge a noble accused by other nobles.
Note: To prevent escalation of duels into full-blown feuds, relatives or friends of a person killed in a duel cannot challenge the killer unless an impartial observer rules the killer won through foul play. Hidden weapons or the use of any form of magic are forbidden.
Also, any lord is allowed to appoint a champion to meet a challenge from an untitled person. Thus, Daen the Blacksmith cant expect to meet sir Oskar Thanok on the field of honor - the noble can have House Thanok's Weapon Master teach a lesson to Daen with no loss of face. The officer overseeing a duel must be at least of the rank of footman. In Terias duels tend to take place in the Old Arena while in Dol in any city square.
In the countryside most misdemeanors and some of the lesser felonies fall under the purview of local justice. Some examples include vagrancy, curfew violation, petty theft, brawling and such acts. These crimes are investigated by local authorities. Usually every hamlet or town is ruled by a magistrate or a constable that handles these matters. The constable administers justice, collects taxes and in time of needs can muster a small militia. Most towns include small gaols or lockups for minor criminals.
More serious crimes, such as grand theft, manslaughter, poaching or arson must be instead tried by a landed local lord, like Lord Doeran Dunvegan or the Bishop Accolon Durienlar.
The most serious crimes – murder, treason or rebellion – are heard by the Court Magistrate of Terias and then presented to the High Lord himself. Criminals serving long sentences are usually kept in the Shields Barracks in Terias or in the dungeons beneath Castle Doregan
Asturian pride in particular regularly escalates mild insults into deadly contests. Visitors to Dol-Terias are warned to tread lightly among nobility, lest they endanger both their diplomatic missions and themselves. In both Doltanbran and Terias the following type of duels are legal:
1) Duels to Blood: occur frequently and ends when one participant draws first blood. Often used as a mean to solve minor dispute.
2) Duels to Yield: these are the most spectacular type of duel one is likely to see. Landed Lords, Knights, Dol Watchmen or Shields of Terias preside over these events, in which opponents fight until one party concedes and yields. If an injured participant will not yield despite being blinded, unable to stand, or otherwise maimed beyond continuance, the official rules him to have yielded "by the body". However this method does not always works: While no one has been charged for murder over a Duel to Yield there have been dozens of deaths so wrought.
3) Duels to Death: rarely occur but are not unheard of. Are always used when a prisoner calls (and is granted) a trial by combat. This method is used, often, to judge a noble accused by other nobles.
Note: To prevent escalation of duels into full-blown feuds, relatives or friends of a person killed in a duel cannot challenge the killer unless an impartial observer rules the killer won through foul play. Hidden weapons or the use of any form of magic are forbidden.
Also, any lord is allowed to appoint a champion to meet a challenge from an untitled person. Thus, Daen the Blacksmith cant expect to meet sir Oskar Thanok on the field of honor - the noble can have House Thanok's Weapon Master teach a lesson to Daen with no loss of face. The officer overseeing a duel must be at least of the rank of footman. In Terias duels tend to take place in the Old Arena while in Dol in any city square.
In the countryside most misdemeanors and some of the lesser felonies fall under the purview of local justice. Some examples include vagrancy, curfew violation, petty theft, brawling and such acts. These crimes are investigated by local authorities. Usually every hamlet or town is ruled by a magistrate or a constable that handles these matters. The constable administers justice, collects taxes and in time of needs can muster a small militia. Most towns include small gaols or lockups for minor criminals.
More serious crimes, such as grand theft, manslaughter, poaching or arson must be instead tried by a landed local lord, like Lord Doeran Dunvegan or the Bishop Accolon Durienlar.
The most serious crimes – murder, treason or rebellion – are heard by the Court Magistrate of Terias and then presented to the High Lord himself. Criminals serving long sentences are usually kept in the Shields Barracks in Terias or in the dungeons beneath Castle Doregan