Laws and Punishment

Petty Crimes

Petty crimes in the Realms may vary from region to region, but are generally accepted to be matters in which no outstanding harm has befallen those involved. Pickpocketing, and the general thievery of property of less than five silver in value are considered petty crimes. Public indecency, drunkeness, debauchery, or the slander of a titled person, and breaking particular town rules are also petty crimes. Repeated offenses of petty crimes are more likely to encourage local enforcers to increase their punishments, but justice is often extended in the form of lashings, being thrown into the public stocks, a few days jail time, and the restitution of stolen property.

Magical Related Crimes

There are many magical crimes in the realm, and the scope of their punishment is often dependent on where such crimes are committed, the damage inflicted by them, and public opinion. whilst minor magic is often used in the form of potions, large magic a palpable fear among the denizens of the continent's of The Isles of Isaiath and The Lands of VeCoastal. Many historically large crimes and disasters have happened due to the misuse of magic and wars have lead to a considerable decrease in the use of magic. While this document cannot list all the crimes associated with the practice of arcana in the Realms or the nuance that may exist from nation to nation, fledgling wizards, and those of sorcererous bloodlines should be ever cautious of how their magic is practiced. Any magical art that inflicts tortorous harm, forces others to perfom actions they otherwise would not commit, or robs the subject of their identity are considered serious crimes.

Trial by Combat

A trial by combat is a means by which a party can prove their innocence when accused of a crime. A standard trial includes a council hearing testimony from the involved parties. After which they all collectively make a ruling, the accused or the accuser can at any point choose the option of trial by combat. The right of trial by combat is inviolable and even a council that is fully convinced that the accused is guilty would not deny the request. In the trial the accused may represent themselves or may summon a champion to represent them, the accusers may select a champion also. Distance of the summoned champion is taken into account, as many accused attempt to summon those from a different region or even land to try and delay the trial. The victorious side has their case justified or found innocent in the eyes of the gods, dropping all charges against him or her. Generally if the accused side's champion is defeated in the trial, the accused is sentenced to death. A famous example of this law but in practice would be the case of Dontai Philips. Dontai Philips was a council member of Sesea who was captured during the Great VeCoastal Wars by Rivian forces. He was accused of conspiring against the Rivian war effort and after his three week trial, he demanded trial by combat. Philips summoned Ser Ussylis Astromo, who served House Flemming whilst the council summoned Ser Jarom Tumenova. The combat lasted what felt like a lifetime of tactical yet reserved sword play, until Ser Tumenova was too tired to deflect the fast sword swipes of Ser Astromo. The Flemming knight boasted in front of the Rivian council as he disfigured a helpless Tumenova’s face with brutal punches whilst sitting atop him, then swiftly ending it with a stomp to the head.

Illegal Substances and Items

Dragon Powder

The ingenius black powder of the Mountainside region is a commodity that is often smuggled out of Coalfell to the southern lands at significant risk. Dragon powder is an exceptionally loose, and violent alchemical reagent, and kegs of dragonpowder, if left unattended can spontaneously explode if exposed to dry enough air.

Winter's Lock

This is one of the most deadly poisons to manufacture in the realms and illegal due to the horrific death which it inflicts. Being struck by a blade baring this poison sends the body into catatonic shock followed by violent seizures, and haemorrhages in the brain that lasts for several hours. Those that survive a brushing with this poison are usually left severely disabled and robbed of their cognitive capabilities. The most notable victim of the poison was Martha Titus.

Lliira's Treat

A Maronjan drug that takes the form of a golden powder that is often inhaled or used as a spice in certain foods. Its effects give a mild euphoric sensation, and an extreme boost of energy that can last for several hours. Lliira's Treat is a highly prolific drug on the continent of Maronja. Its illegality in The Isles and VeCoastal is due to its use in trials by combat, which give one man a signifcant advantage.

The Crownlands Mushroom

Crownland mushrooms are a recreational drug which produces hallucigenic effects, however, it can also produce wild magic surges in non-magic users. Unable to control these surges, the power that an uninitiated wielder of the arcane arts can unleash often is fairly benign and harmless, but can result in dangerous (sometimes fatal) displays of power.