Hubraic Law

Hubraic law is the term given to the legal system that existed in the country of Kredashmi prior to the Raskvaerii Invasion. Despite Raskvaerii propaganda, the Kredasene had possessed an ancient and highly sophisticated legal system. It was based on a complex body of legal traditions and customs specific to the Hubraic Kredasene society.

Characteristics of Hubraic Law

Do not let yourself be wrangled by the Raskvaerii. They struggle with the Kredasene concept that Everyman represents a more philosophical and abstract understanding of the divine, focusing on principles of shared social, economic, intellectual harmony. Unless, of course, you are member of a rival clan; in which case, use that man's hide for target practice.

— First Judge Ludwig Dunheuvelin writing to his son, Chazley Dunheuvelin

Kredasene Hubraic law was deeply rooted in local customs and practices. Despite being united under the rule of Kohnyg Jurrian van die Rhalen, Kredashmi did not develop standardised law. The country was divided into seven regions, or clan territories, headed by its own Klansheer. These men employed a High Mediator, or judge, who was well-versed in the local customary laws. These territorial divisions, with their different customary laws, was considered sacred. The character of these laws, and their ultimate goals, remained largely the same.

Mediators

To think that they put such men in charge of their law. You know, I heard of a tanner serving as a so-called Mediator for the village of Ryetmolen. Imagine! Having a man whose brain has been bleached by the stench of piss, passing judgement on a thief or murderer?

— An excerpt of a letter from a Raskvaerii legal scholar

Mediators were the judges responsible for the administration of local law. They were highly respected members of the community, and were considered experts in the various legal tracts. However, their primary occupations could range from a humble farmer, to a baker, to a tavern keeper.
Local law, while mocked by modern legal scholars, was complex and addressed a wide range of issues, including land tenure, property rights, contracts, marriage, and family law. Each clan had devised laws with specific rules for different types of offenses and disputes, but the spirit of the law remained consistent with the tenants of the Kredasene faith in Everyman.

Everyman and Justice

The goal of Hubraic law was to attain dispute resolution through mediation, negotiation, and consensus-building. Kredasene justice was focused on reconiliation and rehabilitation over capital punishment. Their law emphasized compensation and restitution as remedies for wrong-doing. This placed the focus of the law on restoring the balance and harmony in the community rather than imposing punitive measures.

Social Order and Kinship

Kredasene law placed a strong emphasis on kinship and social order. Crimes were framed purely as social offences; the concept of economic and political crimes were not introduced to Kredasene law until after the Raskvaerii Invasion. Even crimes that involved economic considerations, such as fraud and bribery, were understood to be a breech of social contracts. Hubraic law sought to provide justice, restitution, and the restoration of harmony within local community, regardless of the social standing of perpetrator and victim.

Fines and Penalties

Specific fines were assigned for various offenses, often depending on the seriousness of the offense and the degree of relationship between the parties involved. Compensation was not limited to coinage, but could involve livestock, labour, an exchange of goods or other valuables. In cases of theft, the preferred outcome would be to retore the stolen item.
If found guilty, communities could chose to impose further social consequences on the perpetrator. This could include:

Exclusion from social events or public spaces

Reparative Actions, such as performing a service for the community or taking part in more formal ceremonies of reconciliation

Termination of employment

Banishment from their community

A Mediator Mediating by Brinsmead via Bing AI

Murder and Kinslaying

Kredashmi's legal system almost exclusively utilised compensatory measures as a means of addressing harm and maintaining social cohesion. This was true of more serious social offenses, including the crimes of murder and kinslaying. The fines for these were levied based on the degree of kinship and relationship with the victim. These were classified as:

Direct lineal kinslaying

Collateral kinslaying

Descendant/ancestral kinslaying

Affinity kinslaying

Mentor/mentee slaying

Neighbourly slaying

Stranger slaying

Lutgard Cyren is presented for endeavouring to burn down the house of his master, Anselm Grafg, in Frewyn Street on Thirday of Fourthmonth. It was positively proved it was he who set flax on fire with an intent to put the house to flame; however, by reason that the flame took no effect, Cyren was only fined 5 tin kenyns, and ordered to scrub clean the stones of Bullock Street.

— Case Summary from the Book of Mediation in the town of Abshoven

Klansheer Intervention

As clan leaders, the klansheers were often required settle matters of law. These men were not considered legal experts, but their influence was often sought for the following reasons:

To settle disputes that Mediators were unable to deal with, i.e. cases that were threatening the peace and stability of a settlement.

To address claims of corrupt or biased Mediators.

To pass judgement on individuals who were causing repeated or serious disturbances of the peace.

To hear petitions from communities within their territories.