Regalian Law is the general understanding of the judicial system, both with in-character laws and exceptions that apply to all Roleplayers, but also general concepts of what certain groups are or aren't allowed to do.
Regalian Law is a collection page that contains useful links to articles detailing legal codes and rules that may affect Characters roleplaying in Regalia. Each separate page applies to all Player Characters or some of them. Where necessary, descriptions of the Legal Codes contain recommendations that are necessary to read for new players and reserved for very niche roleplay experiences. When necessary, this page will also contain directions to law pages relevant to ongoing Events or Excursions.
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===[[Regalian Penal Code]]===
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The [[Regalian Penal Code]] contains a list of state laws that are active daily in Regalia. This means that law-enforcing Characters like Knights, will actively patrol the streets enforcing these laws and taking reports from concerned citizens about criminal activities. This page is strongly recommended for new players to read, as while most laws are common sense (for example, do not steal, do not murder), they also contain several references to specific laws that are unique to the lore universe. The Regalian Penal Code is set by the Imperial Court and frequently changes to address the legal situation in Regalia. Changes are always announced in Roleplay Announcements on an OOC basis. Violating these laws can have severe consequences.
==Militia, Vigilantism, Mercenaries, and Knights==
===[[Regalian Civil Code]]===
Because MassiveCraft does not have an official "Police" or "Guard" force in Regalia, it is necessary to understand the role of Player Characters in enforcing the State's authority. By default, unauthorized citizens are not permitted to enforce the law, and if doing so, are themselves in violation of anti-violence and chaos laws. There are however some exceptions and special circumstances:
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* '''Vigilante:''' Vigilantes are citizens who do not have the authority to enforce the law, but do so anyway because of a sense of duty, patriotism, or just because they like violence and think it's better to be violent on the side of the state, than against it. Vigilantism in all its forms is illegal (except for Urlan who have a legal exception). A citizen attacking another citizen to stop a crime, is in themselves committing a crime. If nobody else (for example Knights) is present to stop them, or arrest them, then Vigilantes can usually get away with committing crimes to stop crime. Some Knights may also choose to turn a blind eye to Vigilantes if done well.
The [[Regalian Civil Code]] is an extension of the Regalian Penal Code and applies specifically to exceptions certain non-Ailor heritage minorities enjoy in Regalia. This means that certain minorities in Regalia have exceptions to the Regalian Penal Code rules. Each of these exceptions is mentioned in the Heritage Traits for the Heritages, but it is also useful to have a page to centralize all of these legal exceptions in one place. This page is not a recommended read for new players, because this information purely exists here as a backup and to centralize this information in one place. Regalian Civil Code is technically set by the Imperial Court, but is largely dictated by OOC changes to Heritage Traits, and as such does not change much.
* '''Militia:''' A Militia is an unofficially sanctioned self-defense force attached to specific locations. Militias are inherently Vigilantes, but since they are defending their own home, the law is usually not applied to them so long as they acted within reason to defend their home. A Militia is only recognized in so far it is entirely populated by people who own a House in a district, and may only act to defend their homes from illegal activity, in said district. If Rose Court were to establish a Militia for example, they could apply reasonable violence against home invaders of Rose Court, but could not interfere with law enforcement in the Qadir District.
* '''Mercenary:''' The occupation of Mercenary is illegal in the Regalian Empire by ordinance (except for Solvaan who have a legal exception). This means any form of contract hire to either attack, abduct, steal, or kill anyone, is by default illegal. However, many ex-Mercenaries (for those who didn't become regular enlisted soldiers) have slid into contract-work or bludgeon-for-hire for the wealthy and undercity denizens. Just because Mercenary work is illegal, does not mean it cannot be profitable, and does not mean that an ex-mercenary now thug-for-hire cannot make a living just by taking contracts and not getting caught doing violence.
* '''Knights:''' Knights are the next best thing to an actual Guard force, they are in form an extension of the State, but not strictly forced to enforce the Law. All Knights are at all times permitted to enforce the law and temporarily hold suspects or criminals in their Knights HQ prison Cells, but it is important to note that they are not forced to do so. To each and every Knight is afforded the choice whether to enforce State Law with considerations of their own morals and ethics, principles, and whether they have time at all. Some Knights choose to enforce all laws, some Knights enforce only laws on murder, and some do nothing at all.
* '''Retainers:''' Retainers are bodyguards, personal guards, and Noble House Guards specifically hired for the protection of their payer/owner. Retainers are similar to Militia, tolerated to perform some acts of violence, but only in the strictest protection of their liege/client. Someone who is a Retainer (for example a House Guard) may never inflict violence without the client being present, and only if the client is in any harm's way (insults are not valid harm). If Retainers break the law, their clients are usually held responsible and tried by legal forces as if they were the ones who committed the crime instead.
==Laws==
===[[Regalian Court Protocol]]===
This section covers all Laws, split into subsections. Keep in mind, Laws can change (infrequently) because of who is in control of the Palace Court. Different courtiers want different policies, and so the Laws swing back and forth between progressive and repressive regimes every so many months. Consult Staff Announcements/World Progressions in the Roleplay Discord for more information and up to date alerts on Law Changes.
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* '''Low Law:''' Low Law covers most illegal activities like stealing, non-lethal violence, illegal good possession, magic casting in public, trespassing, impersonation, fraud, emotional harm, refusing to title nobles, refusing to use pronouns, abduction, destruction of property, association with the illegal Occult and collaboration with the Afflicted (for example feeding them or harboring them) etc. Low Law would generally result in a short prison sentence or a fine (most prison sentences can be avoided by paying a heavy fine), and would usually be time-skipped in favor of keeping roleplay going without interruption.
The [[Regalian Court Protocol]] is not exactly a legal foundation, but it is still useful to mention on this page because in some instances it can be used to help avoid awkward situations. Regalian Court Protocol dictates how the social levels (commoners, nobles, royals) must interact with one another, and what public expectations of them are. Violating these protocols usually does not result in actual harm to a Character, but can result in social exclusion from noble events. This page is recommended reading for new players only if they plan to interact with Nobles early on in their integration on the server. Nobles in general are a minority on the server, so reading can be deferred. Court Protocol is set by the currently ruling Prince Regent.
* '''Magic Law:''' Magic Law covers how Magic is used in general. The State's understanding of magic is very infantile, and it tends to brush all forms of Magic with one big brush. The legality of Magic frequently oscillates between progressive and repressive, currently the law is repressive. All forms of Magic Casting is illegal in any public area or public venue, unless specified by the venue owners. Magic usage in private property is legal, as well as businesses, and Headquarters of special orders and groups if they were specifically granted property by the State. Violation usually defaults to Low Law violations.
* '''Occult Law:''' Occult Law covers illegal things Magical in nature, but not specifically Magic itself. These are a set of very specific laws: It is illegal to be Cahal, Undead, or Vampire, it is illegal to consort, own, or associate with Spirits, It is illegal to use Theurgy. It is currently Legal to be a Marken only if the person can be certified to control themselves or undergo therapy, it is currently Legal to be Arkenborn and Godborn in any and all circumstances, though citizens are requested to be on the lookout for Arkenborn who profess loyalties to their Arken parents (see High Law hostile entities). It is currently legal to be Archon in any and all circumstances.
* '''Religious Law:''' Religious Law covers State attitudes to religions. Firstly, religions like Void Worship and Ordial Cultism are strictly illegal. Secondly, trans-dimensional entities in some religions have worship banned such as: the Aesir from Old Gods, Amandaros, Yvasi, and Kithemon from Evintarian Unionism, The Blood Covenant and the Midnight, Morrlond from Estellon (Estelley) and Khannar from Baskarr. Worship of the banned entities usually warrants a fine or a beating, worshipers of Void Worship and Ordial Cultism can expect heavy prison sentences or an upgrade to High Law if they refuse to recant their illegal faith. Any temple to these two religions is also illegal.
* '''High Law:''' High Law covers highly illegal activities that may result in a character being maimed or executed if caught, or caught on repeat-offense. This includes but is not limited to: Lèse-majesté (Insulting the Emperor), treason against the Empire, being a horrendous monster, aiding and abetting foreign powers or hostile entities, pre-meditated murder, etc. These usually involve very long prison sentences, or special trials. When a Character violating these laws is caught, Ticket for Lore Staff Consultation. Players should be aware that committing these crimes will have serious consequences for their Characters.
==Citizen Ordinances==
===[[Navigation_Acts|Regalian Naval Acts]]===
Citizen Ordinances are specific legal rights granted onto specific [[Races]] that apply to all full or half-blood Characters of said Race. Ailor are not included, as they are the default. Unmentioned Races have no special rights.
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* '''Qadir:''' Qadir are unrestrained by all other Laws concerning legal conduct and contraband, when experimenting or engaging in technological innovation in the confines of the Regalian Hadritya.
The [[Navigation_Acts|Regalian Naval Acts]] are a series of diplomatic treaties that Regalia often either negotiates or forces on other nations at the end of a gun. The Regalian Naval Acts are designed to erode a nation's sovereignty so that the Regalian Empire can slowly annex them. This page is not recommended reading for new players, because it is very niche lore pertaining only to foreign diplomacy events, which by themselves are always rare. That being said, the Naval Acts are related to a lot of geo-political conflicts, and so there should be a place where they are centrally recorded so they cannot be forgotten about. The Regalian Naval Acts are not always equally applied to all nations, but regulate who and how access to Regalia's economy is given.
* '''Isldar:''' Life Isldar are permitted to pass on the soul of a recently deceased person, thus making the body exempt from traditional cut & burn burial traditions, and may be buried whole.
* '''Lanlath:''' Lanlath, when using Radiant or Enchant Magic, are permitted public usage of their Magical abilities even on public squares and in the open air with spectators.
* '''Solvaan:''' Solvaan are exempt from the ban on Mercenary employ, and are permitted to inflict (non-lethal) violence when holding legal contracts against other Citizens.
* '''Suvial:''' Suvial are exempt from all anti-Spirit legislation, meaning they are both able to summon, own, or combat Spirit possession or presence without legal trouble.
* '''Sihndar:''' Sihndar are permitted to treat with foreign dignitaries and work as foreign diplomatic agents and negotiate with outsiders without being seen as traitors to the State.
* '''Narim:''' The Narim are permitted to associate and engage with the Afflicted and Undesirables of the State, with the purposes of healing and preventing violence against the state.
* '''Eronidas:''' The Eronidas are permitted to harbor or house the Undead in their own homes, and escort them in disguise from their home to the Sewers where they may roam unbothered.
* '''Urlan:''' The Urlan, if self identifying by the Horned Stipulation to be Regalian soldiers and fiercely loyal to the Empire, may enforce Regalian Law in the same capacity as Knights.
* '''Allar:''' Allar are unrestrained by all other Laws concerning legal conduct and contraband, when experimenting or engaging in alchemical pursuits in the confines of their home or business.
Songaskia, Sihai, Dwarves, Finullen, Kathar, Maquixtl, Yanar, Asha, Slizzar, Maraya, Bralona, and Silontaar do not have Citizen Ordinances.
==Imprisonment Rules==
Vigilantes and Criminals alike are permitted to imprison captured hostile Characters within their Clandestine Bases, Keeps, and Rental Regions, as long as a sufficient cell area and-or guards to roleplay with them are available. Captors should show courtesy of releasing someone within 24 hours of imprisonment unless there is a planned and agreed ransom or the player desires to be held for longer. A prisoner can file a Discord Ticket if they feel they are being held unjustly or for too long to ask for mediation. A captor can file a Discord Ticket if they feel that a prisoner is ignoring Fear Roleplay or behaving generally irreverently towards their captors. It is the captor's responsibility to maintain clear communication. Please be polite.
Latest revision as of 03:50, 23 September 2024
Regalian Law is a collection page that contains useful links to articles detailing legal codes and rules that may affect Characters roleplaying in Regalia. Each separate page applies to all Player Characters or some of them. Where necessary, descriptions of the Legal Codes contain recommendations that are necessary to read for new players and reserved for very niche roleplay experiences. When necessary, this page will also contain directions to law pages relevant to ongoing Events or Excursions.
The Regalian Penal Code contains a list of state laws that are active daily in Regalia. This means that law-enforcing Characters like Knights, will actively patrol the streets enforcing these laws and taking reports from concerned citizens about criminal activities. This page is strongly recommended for new players to read, as while most laws are common sense (for example, do not steal, do not murder), they also contain several references to specific laws that are unique to the lore universe. The Regalian Penal Code is set by the Imperial Court and frequently changes to address the legal situation in Regalia. Changes are always announced in Roleplay Announcements on an OOC basis. Violating these laws can have severe consequences.
The Regalian Civil Code is an extension of the Regalian Penal Code and applies specifically to exceptions certain non-Ailor heritage minorities enjoy in Regalia. This means that certain minorities in Regalia have exceptions to the Regalian Penal Code rules. Each of these exceptions is mentioned in the Heritage Traits for the Heritages, but it is also useful to have a page to centralize all of these legal exceptions in one place. This page is not a recommended read for new players, because this information purely exists here as a backup and to centralize this information in one place. Regalian Civil Code is technically set by the Imperial Court, but is largely dictated by OOC changes to Heritage Traits, and as such does not change much.
The Regalian Court Protocol is not exactly a legal foundation, but it is still useful to mention on this page because in some instances it can be used to help avoid awkward situations. Regalian Court Protocol dictates how the social levels (commoners, nobles, royals) must interact with one another, and what public expectations of them are. Violating these protocols usually does not result in actual harm to a Character, but can result in social exclusion from noble events. This page is recommended reading for new players only if they plan to interact with Nobles early on in their integration on the server. Nobles in general are a minority on the server, so reading can be deferred. Court Protocol is set by the currently ruling Prince Regent.
The Regalian Naval Acts are a series of diplomatic treaties that Regalia often either negotiates or forces on other nations at the end of a gun. The Regalian Naval Acts are designed to erode a nation's sovereignty so that the Regalian Empire can slowly annex them. This page is not recommended reading for new players, because it is very niche lore pertaining only to foreign diplomacy events, which by themselves are always rare. That being said, the Naval Acts are related to a lot of geo-political conflicts, and so there should be a place where they are centrally recorded so they cannot be forgotten about. The Regalian Naval Acts are not always equally applied to all nations, but regulate who and how access to Regalia's economy is given.
