This Campaign world is very Structured and I do not expect everyone to know everything. But, seeing that everyone will start out in Shackled City. I thought it would be a good idea to supply everyone with the laws of Cauldron. It also gives a nice overview of the city and tells players about basic noble families. THE OLD CODE A number of laws still exist from the very founding of Cauldron. These are known as the old code, and are still followed today, though they are not entered in any of the official lawbooks available to the general public. These laws are listed below. • The Lord Mayor shall be considered noble and a Lord. • The Captain of the Guard shall be considered lesser noble and the officers of said guard will be considered minor nobles of good standing. • The Lord Mayor rules for life or until such time as he abdicates to his successor and/or has been ordered to step down due to a vote of no confidence by the majority of city's nobles • The Lord Mayor shall be named by by a simple majority vote of the city's recognized nobles. • The Lord Mayor alone has the power to grant nobility. • The families of those named as nobles by the Lord Mayor shall remain noble in perpetuity. • The Lord shall be the patriarch of the family. The Lady shall be the matriarch of the family. Others of the family are considered Noble, but are not granted the title of Lord or Lady. • The family’s nobility is passed on through the patriarchy, to the eldest surviving male child. Only if all males are deceased shall a female become the ruling member of the family. • Lords and Ladies are considered beyond reproach. • Should the Captain of the Guard be considered to be unable to fulfill his duties, he may be challenged by any living member of the five eldest surviving families. If the challenger is victorious, he claims the position of Captain of the Guard. The Captain of the Guard is the only member of the nobility who may be challenged in such a manner, as his position is not that of a Lord, nor is he a hereditary member of the nobility. The Captain of the Guard can be replaced and appointed by the Lord Mayor. • Lord and Ladies may establish rules as they see fit, but maybe overruled by the Lord Mayor. NOBLE FAMILIES All noble families of the Cauldron region are listed below. Note also that nobility from Sasserine is considered to be on equal footing to those of Cauldron, but the patents of nobility are kept separately. Surviving families are listed in bold font. This list is considered current as of the beginning of the AP. It is included for purposes of laws and justice since crimes against nobles are often punished more severely; in addition, the Old Code applies mostly to the nobles of Cauldron. 1.Spellmason. Surabar Spellmason was the only member of this family to ever be considered a noble. 2.Lidu. This family founded Liduton, but with the vanishing of the founder and the creation of what is now the Haunted Village, this family died out. 3.Andur. While one individual of this family remains, few know of his existence, and those that do agree that it is best that the line is about to die out completely. 4.Hollow. This family founded both Hollowsky and Kingfisher Hollow ages ago, creating, with the line of Andur, the two-family rule in Kingfisher Hollow. Technically, the Hollow family still exists, but the line has moved away from the Cauldron region, acting as merchants in a faraway city, and for all purposes, the line is considered to be extinct. 5.Tercival. Only one member of this family remains. 6.Rhiavadi. Only one member of this family remains in the Cauldron area. 7.Taskerhill. Made exiled while in absentia . 8.Navalant. Noble, but in very poor standing council and no longer. 9.Aslaxin. One of the ruling families of Kingfisher Hollow, The Aslaxins seem content with their lot. 10. Splintershield. While this family still exists, the patent of nobility was not granted to the eldest Splintershield, so the line could not move upwards. The dwarf left his fortress under Cauldron about 10 years ago and has not been heard from since. The line is assumed to be extinct. 11. Knowlern 12. Nebern. The mayor of Redgorge was granted Nobility about 15 years ago so as to be on even footing with the leaders of the other nearby villages (Kingfisher Hollow and Hollowsky). Non voting member 13. Vhalantru. Granted nobility about 10 years ago after donating a large sum of money to the town. Current Lord Mayor 14. Vanderboren. Granted nobility about 6 years ago, after making enough money to be close to nobility in any case. 15. Skellerang. 16. Lathenmire. THE NEW CODE When accused of a crime, justice is swift. All those accused are held in cells until their case is heard, which always occurs within 24 hours of the initial arrest. The cases are heard by a tribunal consisting of three members. These three members are always the following: • The arresting officer. • The Captain of the Guard or his duly appointed representative. Captain Skellerang typically sits about 50% of cases himself. • The Lord Mayor or his duly appointed representative. Many of the crimes here listed have degrees. A first-degree offense is a crime against a non-citizen of Cauldron. A second-degree offense is a crime against either a citizen of Cauldron or a non-citizen of Cauldron with a Patent of Nobility. A third-degree offense is a crime against any citizen of Cauldron with a Patent of Nobility. Cauldron considers itself to have jurisdiction within the city of Cauldron, the caverns under the city, and any settlement within 1 day's ride. It rarely, if ever, forces the jurisdiction for any crimes that take place outside the city proper; in fact, the settlements that fall within Cauldron’s jurisdiction often have their own justice code and would take offense to the city’s interference in their own matters. A list of the crimes listed in the new code, as well as their recommended punishments, can be found below. Note, however, that the tribunal has final say on all guilt and punishment decrees and may choose to follow or ignore these guidelines as they see fit. There are no appeals in the justice system of Cauldron. Examples Kerlen Ree is captured in the act of attacking a cleric of Apollo. However, he is a guardsman, and both the arresting officer and the captain of the guard believe there to be extenuating circumstances. Instead of the First-Degree Assault charge, they instead charge him with Disturbing the Peace. However, it turns out that he was attempting to intimidate the Church of Apollo into not investigation some recent events (that are second degree crimes), so the Lord Mayor’s representative insists on charging him with a second-degree Aid and Abet crime. Kerlen’s final sentence is 50 gold pieces (a heavy fine) and imprisonment until the fine is paid. Keygan Ghelve is accused of giving known kidnappers access to city buildings for their own vile purposes, as well as harboring them within his own home. Due to the number of kidnappings that took place, Keygan is charged with a third degree Harboring charge, as well as a third degree Aid and Abet charge. However, thanks to some testimony from the heroes who stopped the threat, the tribunal chooses to lower the charges to second degree and go light on the punishment. Keygan gets off light with a 25 gold piece fine, as well as 1 year in prison. Grogg is accused of murdering a known criminal while on the course of an adventure that happened to take place in the caverns under Cauldron. Normally, this crime would be ignored by the guard; a witness to the murder is making a fuss, so they bring him to a tribunal. The murdered criminal was under a sentence of banishment already, so the tribunal chooses to invoke the extenuating circumstances clause. As a banished criminal, the victim is a non-citizen, so the murder charge is only first degree. With the extenuating circumstance clause, only a minor imprisonment is called for, and Grogg is sentenced to 2 months in jail. However, the tribunal also sees fit to deputize Grogg and his companions for the duration of their adventure against the criminal’s associates, delaying the imprisonment until such time as those associates are brought to justice. Maavu Arlintal is accused of fostering a riot, evading tax collectors, and harboring a dangerous creature within the walls of Cauldron. He vanishes before he can be arrested, so he is also accused of Resistance. In absentia, the tribunal decides that he is charged with second degree sedition, resistance, and tax evasion. They forgo the flagellation and fines, instead choosing to extend the banishment to 30 years. As Maavu is a merchant in Cauldron, this could prove devastating for his business. Crime First Degree Aid and Abet Minor Fine Arson Minor Imprisonment, Restoration Assault Minor Flagellation Blackmail Small Fine Bribery Small Fine, Special Imprisonment Debauchery Minor Flagellation, Public Display Disturbing the Peace Small Fine Extenuating Circumstances -2 Levels on All Punishments Harboring a Fugitive Minor Imprisonment Kidnapping Minor Hard Labor, Moderate Fine Murder Moderate Imprisonment Murder pro Tempor Small Imprisonment, Restoration (Max 550g) Rape Moderate Hard Labor, Moderate Fine Resistance Moderate Fine Sedition Moderate Flagellation, Public Display Tax Evasion Restoration, Minor Fine, Special Imprisonment Theft Restoration, Minor Imprisonment Vandalism Restoration, Small Fine Crime Second Degree Aid and Abet Moderate Fine, Minor Imprisonment Arson Major Imprisonment, Restoration Assault Moderate Flagellation, Public Display Blackmail Moderate Fine Debauchery Minor Hard Labor, Minor Flagellation, Public Display Extenuating Circumstances -1 Levels on all Punishments Harboring a Fugitive Moderate Imprisonment, Small Fine Hostility Moderate Flagellation Kidnapping Moderate Hard Labor, Heavy Fine Murder Moderate Death, Heavy Banishment Murder pro Tempor Moderate Imprisonment, Heavy Banishment, Restoration (Max 5500 g) Rape Heavy Hard Labor, Heavy Fine Sedition Heavy Flagellation, Moderate Banishment, Public Display Theft Restoration, Moderate Imprisonment Vandalism Restoration, Moderate Fine Crime Third Degree Aid and Abet Heavy Fine, Moderate Imprisonment Arson Extravagant Imprisonment, Restoration Assault Extravagant Flagellation, Public Display, Small Hard Labor Blackmail Minor Imprisonment, Extravagant Fine Debauchery Moderate Hard Labor, Moderate Flagellation, Public Display Extenuating Circumstances -1 Level on a single Punishment Harboring a Fugitive Heavy Imprisonment, Moderate Fine Hostility Heavy Flagellation, Public Display Kidnapping Extravagant Hard Labor, Extravagant Fine, Minor Flagellation, Public Display Murder Moderate Flagellation, Heavy Death, Extravagant Banishment, Public Display Murder pro Tempor Restoration, Moderate Death, Extravagant Banishment, Public Display Rape Extravagant Hard Labor, Extravagant Banishment, Public Display Sedition Extravagant Death, Extravagant Banishment, Public Display Theft Restoration, Heavy Imprisonment, Public Display Vandalism Restoration, Heavy Fine, Public Display CRIMES Aid and Abet: A person who helps another commit a crime or escape from prosecution is guilty of aiding and abetting. The degree of this crime is directly related to the degree of the crime committed by another. Arson: The act of setting fire to a building. The degree of this crime is related to the status of the victim as described above. Setting fire to any building owned primarily by the city of Cauldron (or any of the surrounding villages) is considered a third-degree crime. Setting a wildfire is considered a second-degree crime. Arson charges are also brought forth for any vandalism charge which endangers the ability of the structure to remain whole. Assault: Attacking another just to hurt them. The degree of this crime is directly related to the status of the victim. Blackmail: Using a secret of another in order to extort money or concessions out of them. The degree of this crime is directly related to the status of the victim. In addition, a Restoration punishment may be levied if the tribunal believes it to be necessary. Bribery: The act of offering money to a public official, such as a city guard or tax collector. There is only one degree to this crime. Debauchery: Any public display of lewdness. A first-degree debauchery crime is called for relatively minor infractions; in fact, during the Flood Festival, all first-degree debauchery crimes are overlooked. A second-degree crime would be items such as public nudity. A third-degree crime would be a public sexual act. Items such as prostitution or public drunkenness would also be included in the debauchery listing (usually corresponding with disturbing the peace charges as well). Certain professions can gain a license which excuses them for any acts of debauchery performed while working. Disturbing the Peace: A person who performs an act which would disturb the general peace of the city is guilty of this crime. The description of crime is left vague and is often subject to relative interpretation by the tribunal. There is only one degree to this crime. Extenuating Circumstances: This is generally left up to the tribunal, though the charges are often brought forth with the extenuating circumstances listed with the charges. The tribunal decides if the circumstances are enough to warrant leeway on the punishments. Harboring a Fugitive: Anyone who lets a wanted criminal reside within their residence or place of business is guilty of this crime. The degree of this crime is directly related to the crime committed by the fugitive. Hostility: This charge is brought before the tribunal the least. There is no first degree to this charge, but second- and third-degree hostility charges are related to the status of the victim. Only those with patents of nobility can press forth this charge. A crime of hostility typically means that the accused has verbally or emotionally abused the victim. Slander, libel, stalking, mockery, and parodies often fall under this category. Kidnapping: This is defined as capturing and imprisoning someone who is not guilty of any crime and does not wish to be held. The degree of this crime is directly related to the status of the victim. If multiple charges are brought, the punishments may be pushed higher up the scale; the minimum punishment is that of the highest status victim. Murder: Killing an individual. The degree of this crime is related to the status of the victim. This charge is the only charge which will allow a person to be held longer than 24 hours before a hearing is held. This situation only occurs if the presiding tribunal at the time reasonably believes the slain individual might be returned to life. Murder pro Tempor: Killing an individual who is restored to life within one week of being slain. The degree of this crime is related to the status of the victim. Rape: Forcing a sexual experience upon another. The degree of this crime is related to the status of the victim. Resistance: A number of minor crimes fall into this category. Resisting arrest, refusing to divulge information, obstruction of justice, and other such events all fall under resistance. There is only one degree of this crime. Sedition: Anything which endangers the welfare of Cauldron, or its citizens is a crime of Sedition. Examples of this would be performing a ritual which would raise the waters of the central lake, or summoning a terrible beast within the city limits, or allowing a foreign army into the city. Sedition is explicitly spelled out as being the only crime in the new code which a noble may be charged with. A first-degree sedition charge is something which endangers a small portion of the population (such as casting a Fireball within a tavern). A second-degree sedition charge endangers a large portion of the population (such as summoning an uncontrolled demon within the city limits). A third-degree sedition charge endangers the entire city (leading a foreign army to the city, forcing a great wyrm to attack, turning the city into a gate to the elemental plane of earth). Tax Evasion: Refusal to pay the tax collectors of the city. There is only one degree to this crime. If the tax and fine are not paid, the fine automatically advances one step every year for which the tax remains unpaid, in addition to accruing further tax bills. Theft: The act of taking or dealing in goods that rightfully belongs to another. The degree of this crime is directly related to the status of the victim. Vandalism: Defacing or otherwise damaging a building without threat of destruction. The degree of this crime is related to the status of the victim; vandalizing a public building is a third-degree crime. PUNISHMENTS Banishment: The criminal is forced to leave Cauldron and the environs for a period of time. His description is posted in all taverns, public buildings, and gatehouses of the city. If he returns within the period of time described, his punishment is replaced with a Hard Labor punishment of one step higher with no time served. • Minor: 0-6 months • Small: 6 months-2 years • Moderate: 2-10 years • Heavy: 10-50 years • Extravagant: Life Death: The criminal is put to death. There is no law which states that the deceased criminal may not be brought back to life, but the degree of death makes it increasingly harder and more expensive to be restored. • Moderate: Hanging • Heavy: Beheading • Extravagant: Draw & Quarter, Cremated Fine: The criminal must pay an amount of money as determined by the tribunal. Note that the maximum small fine could equal an entire year’s taxes for a typical commoner, to whom these fines are focused on. PCs would have little trouble with most fines levied. • Minor: 1c - 1s • Small: 1s - 1g • Moderate: 1g - 1p • Heavy: 1p - 100p • Extravagant: 100p or more Flagellation: The criminal is whipped. Typically, a leather braided cord is used for the whip, but in certain cases the tribunal may decide that more severe measures are needed. In cases such as those, other whip-like items may be used, such as chains, cat-o-nine tails, and in one recorded extravagant instance a heavy flail. • Minor: 1 - 5 lashes • Small: 6 - 20 lashes • Moderate: 21 - 50 lashes • Heavy: 51 - 100 lashes • Extravagant: 100+ lashes Hard Labor: The criminal is sent to a guarded work camp, where he works on back-breaking tasks for at least 12 hours a day. Some examples of hard labor sentences are salt or coal mines, wood harvesting, or quarry mule (where they criminal must work with others to carry stones up slopes too steep for animals). • Minor: 0-4 weeks • Small: 1-6 months • Moderate: 6 months-2 years • Heavy: 2-25 years • Extravagant: 26-100 years Imprisonment: The criminal is locked in a cell within Cauldron. All sentences of Small or larger are served in a prison underneath the primary guardhouse. Others may occasionally be held in gatehouses or even house arrest (common for Special imprisonment sentences). • Special: Until other punishments are met • Minor: 0-6 months • Small: 6 months-2 years • Moderate: 2-25 years • Heavy: 25-100 years • Extravagant: Life Public Display: The punishment is made public knowledge or spectacle. In the case of flagellation, the whipping is done in a public forum, usually by the Lakeside Pavilion. Other punishments are typically written on special notices and placed in public places throughout the city. Banishment crimes automatically come with a Public Display. Restoration: The criminal is forced to pay the victim an amount of money corresponding to the loss received. In cases of arson, theft, or vandalism, this is typically the cost to replace the items relating to the crime. In the cases of death, it is the cost of a resurrection spell chosen by the victim (though there are limits to this cost). If the criminal is unable to pay the restoration cost, he is instead sentenced to hard labor for 1 week for each gold piece fined, and the city pays the victim’s restoration cost.
