Stormwind Kingdom Laws

Old Thread: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - Posted anew so I can update it as I can't edit that thread! ^^

Thick law books would be found in the SW library, the cathedral of Light and the guard houses. They include various blank pages to be edited easily by appropriate council members. Smaller, hand-written and unofficial copies might be included under personal responsibility.

Crimes against the Crown
Crimes against the Crown are the most severe transgressions one can make against the kingdom of Stormwind, as such a magistrate consisting of two, preferably three individuals are always required provided the matter is not settled in court-martial.

Crimes listed are considered to be the minimum punishment by the ministry of justice.

1.1 High treason
Involvement in attempts on His Majesty King Varian Wrynns life or directly aiding foreign powers considered enemies of the kingdom of Stormwind through any means. 

1.2 Treason
Attempts to undermine the rule of His Majesty King Varian Wrynn trough undermining, exploiting or violently opposing his officials or institutions.

Punishment for either: banishment or execution in the presence of the ministry.

2.0 Major crimes
Guidelines from the ministry of justice states that major crimes be handled by a magistrate.

Crimes listed are considered to be the minimum punishment by the ministry of justice.

2.1 Armed assault
Attacking a Stormwind citizen or an ally of Stormwind with the intent to cause serious bodily injury and/or kill.
Punishment: confinement of weaponry, two days in jail, 5 lashes and a fine starting at 20 silver. Repeat will result in stripping of rank, and may result with being branded with the letter "A" (assault), extended jail time, an elevated fine and/or additional lashes.

2.2 Blackmail
Threatening to reveal information about or to cause harm to a person, their family members, associates, organization, property or belongings unless demands are met.
Punishment: a day in jail or 5 lashes. Repeat may result in an elevated fine or extended jail time.

2.3 Coercion
Implanting a mental suggestion that results in a person carrying out an action either against his or hers own will or without consideration to his or hers own will.
Punishment: a day in jail or 5 lashes, in addition to punishments required for any possible forced crime. Repeat may result in extended jail time and/or additional lashes.

2.4 Contempt
Repeated acts of deliberate disobedience or disruption, preventing the work of a Stormwind official on-duty.
Punishment: a day in jail or a fine starting at five silver. Repeat may result in an increased fine, extended jail time or the addition of lashes starting at three.

2.5 Cultism
Being part of or aiding an organization or worshipping a being or power declared an enemy of the church of Holy Light.
Punishment: all convicted cultists are to receive a brand with the letter "C" (cultist) somewhere on their body, in addition to their sentence consisting of two days in jail, five lashes, confiscation of any cult-related items or objects (to be destroyed). Repeat may result in an extended jail time and/or lashes. Extreme cases are to be discussed with the ministry of justice.

2.6 Use of forbidden worldly forces
Practicing worldly forces within the city walls that has been outlawed by the Stormwind magi tower and/or church of Holy Light without authorization from the relevant authorities. This also includes artifacts or objects infused by such forces.
Punishment: one is to be presented in front of the relevant governing organization where punishment will be determined in addition to any sentence.

2.7 Murder
Taking the life of another individual (or several) without lawful cause (defined in section 4.9)
Punishment: stripped of all titles and belongings as well as banishment of the city. Extreme cases are to be discussed with the ministry of justice.

2.8 Oathbreaking
Breaking an official oath witnessed by a magistrate of the realm. Also applies to cases where documentation from an oath has been confirmed genuine by a magistrate of the realm.
Punishment: dependent on the oath in question, whatever was agreed between the subject and the magistrate.

2.9 Escaping detention
Escaping through any means from a facility where the subject is lawfully detained.
Punishment: double the jail time plus any additional restrictions to prevent repeat.

2.10 Kidnapping
Abducting a person or multiple people.
Punishment: a day in jail or five lashes, accumulative to the amount of time the person has been kept against their will. Repeat may result in extended jail time and/or additional lashes. Extreme cases are to be discussed with the ministry of justice.

2.11 Bribing
Bribing an official of Stormwind or representative of the crown.
Punishment: A day in jail or five lashes. Repeat may result in extended jail time and/or additional lashes. The receiver of said bribe will be stripped of position and be subject to a fine and/or jail time.

3.0 Minor Crimes
Minor crimes are crimes that can be handled without the involvement of a magistrate unless deemed severe or there is doubt of guilt. Suggested punishments are specified for each crime and should be administered shortly after arrest if not overruled by an officer of appropriate rank.

3.1 Improper use of worldly forces
Thoughtless use of the worldly forces where it may cause harm to persons or property.
Punishment: one is to be presented in front of the relevant governing organization where punishment will be determined in addition to any sentence.

3.1 Adultery
A married man or woman repeatedly engaging in activities of sexual nature with someone other than their spouse without the express consent of said spouse.
Punishment: Grounds for divorce, financial compensation to the victim of the crime.

3.2 Breaking and entering
Breaking into or entering restricted property.
Punishment: a fine of the cost to repair any damages caused, a day in jail or five lashes. Repeat may result in the removing of individual fingers, extended jail time and/or additional lashes.

3.3 Desecration of holy ground
Vandalizing a site deemed holy by the church of the Holy Light.
Punishment: Up to two weeks service to the church of the Holy Light to repent depending on severity, a fine of the cost to repair damages caused to the site.

3.4 Harassment
Disrupting a citizen or ally of Stormwind through physical or verbal actions.
Punishment: A fine of 10 silver. For repeating offense, see "Continued harassment" 3.5.

3.5 Continued harassment
Continued harassment of a citizen or ally of Stormwind through physical or verbal actions.
Punishment: A fine of 20 silver, a day in jail or five lashes. Repeat may increase the fine by five minimum and/or extend jail time and/or additional lashes.

3.6 Failure to pay taxes
Failure to pay taxes within the allotted time frame.
Punishment: penal labour to repay the indebted amount.

3.7 Forgery
Producing, recreating or altering genuine documents, items or works with intent to falsify.
Punishment: confiscation and destruction of said documents, items or works and a fine of minimum 10 silver. Depending on the severity of the offense and/or a repeat of such, punishment may include an increased fine, jail time or lashes.

3.8 Resisting arrest
Refusing to cooperate when being arrested by law enforcers.
Punishment: a fine of ten silver. In more severe cases, jail time and/or penal labour may be issued.

3.9 Defamation
Verbal attempts, including written versions, to challenge the authority of the Crown or its representatives.
Punishment: a fine of ten silver or five lashes. Repeat may include jail time, an increased fine and/or additional lashes.

3.10 Smuggling
Bringing goods into the kingdom without paying the appropriate tariffs, or bringing illegal goods into the kingdom.
Punishment: compensating the kingdom for the lost tariff money through coin or labour and confiscation of illegal goods (where applicable). Repeat may result in an additional fine and/or jail time. Extreme cases are to be discussed with the ministry of justice and the ministry of trade.

3.11 Theft
Stealing the property of a Stormwind citizen, of the kingdom itself or of an ally of Stormwind.
Punishment: compensating the victim for the value of the items stolen through coin or labour, returning the stolen item (if applicable). Repeat may result in a fine, jail time and/or lashing. Extreme cases may lead to individual fingers or an hand being removed entirely, optionally being branded with the letter "T" (Thief).

A victim may rightfully decline the criminals services/labor to compensate for the stolen property, in such case, inability to compensate will lead to jail time.

3.12 Unarmed assault
Attacking a Stormwind citizen or an ally of Stormwind with the intent to harm.
Punishment: a day in jail or five lashes, a fine starting at ten silver. Depending on the severity of the crime and/or repeating of the crime, charge may be taken as "Armed Assault" under 2.1.

3.13 Vandalism
Defiling or destroying property of the kingdom of Stormwind, its citizens or allies.
Punishment: a fine equal to the cost of repairing destroyed property. Repeat may lead to an additional fine and/or jail time.

3.14 Visible allegiance to enemies of the crown
Wearing the colours or tabards of enemies of the crown within the Kingdom of Stormwind or performing actions in their name.
Punishment: confiscation and destruction of clothing and/or tabard, and a fine of ten silver. Repeat may lead to jail time, an increased fine and/or lashing.

3.16 Drunk and disorderly behaviour
Inconveniencing the citizen or allies of Stormwind due to high levels of alcohol consumption.
Punishment: a day in jail to sober up, a fine of five silver. Repeat may lead to increased fines.

3.17 Dealing in illegal/dangerous substances
Trade or possession of illegal/dangerous substances that are acknowledged as damaging and/or addicting as well as the use thereof. This list includes but is not limited to:

- Gnogaine
- Blue Heaven
- Moonshine
- Azshara Azure Cigarettes
- Moonglade Arcana

Punishment: confiscation and destruction of said substance, a fine of five silver. Repeat may lead to jail time, an increased fine and/or lashing in case of trading these substances.

4.0 Additions

4.1 Attempted crimes
A crime that was attempted but did not succeed is still eligible to be punished as a crime that has succeeded.

4.2 Instigated crimes
Encouraging others to commit crimes and succeeding is a criminal offence and may be punished as if the instigator committed said crime depending on circumstance.

4.3 Assisted crimes
Aiding others in any way to commit a crime may be punished as if the person assisting the convict committed said crime depending on circumstance.

4.4 The Ebon treaty
Death knights affiliated with the Ebon Blade is considered an exception from section 2.9 when it comes to practising necromancy and shadow magic as per decree of His Royal Majesty King Varian Wrynn. They are also exempt from article 4.5. Restrictions on using necromantic and shadow related abilities still apply while within the city walls unless given clearance, as long as they do not break any other laws.

4.5 Undead and demons
Undead or demons that has not been reanimated or summoned with express permission of the Stormwind Magi tower, the Stormwind army or the Stormwind ministry of magic is considered illegal and is to be turned in to the authorities for disposal if possible. Exceptions as per section 4.4 apply and arrangements made by the Stormwind army or the Stormwind ministry of magic.

4.6 Torture
Minor physical violence applied by guardsmen in order to interrogate a captured prisoner is allowed in cases where considered justified legal. Major physical violence, magical and alchemical methods of interrogations must be approved by the ministry of justice and defense. Suspicions of misconduct can be reported to the ministry of justice.

4.7 Repeated crimes
In the event in which a person repeats committing similar crimes after having been sentenced, additional or more severe judgment might be applied, such as increased jail time, higher fine or more lashes, depending on the present magistrate’s judgment.

4.8 Unwilling crimes
In case crimes were committed unwillingly, most noticeably through magic influence, punishment might be excused depending on the circumstances. Precautions should be taken to prevent similar events from re-occurring.

4.9 Murder with lawful cause
In the event where an individual kills another out of self-defence or defence of others, murder could be excused depending on the present magistrate’s judgment.

4.10 Good behaviour and regret or accidental crimes
In the event where an individual committed crime without direct intent or shows clear remorse and understands his or her guilt, the punishment of lashing might be reduced depending on the present magistrate’s judgment.

4.11 If the fine can not be paid
In the event the convicted criminal does not have the resources required to pay his or her fine, he or she may be put to fulfil community service until the debts are repaid. If no work can be found, then he/she will serve appropriate jail time, depending on the sum of the fine. A judge can be consulted on a fitting jail time.

4.12 Arrest without evidence
If one gets arrested by a magistrate of appropriate rank due to suspicion, one is to be held in captivity or under supervision (dependant on the suspected crime as well as levels of cooperation) until proven innocent or after a small period of time has passed in which no proof of villainy could be shown.

4.13 Applying force during arrest or chase
A guardsman may apply force, through magic or physical actions, during the arrest or chase of a potential criminal if they do not cooperate. This force must be within reason depending on the circumstances.

4.14 Ministry approved magi
A group of magi will exist, approved by the ministry of magic through a series of trials, working together with law-enforcers to further encourage the safety of the citizens. Their main goal will be to assist in investigating and handling crimes caused by other magic-users as well as training the guards in specific anti-magic-user combat strategies.

CrusaderElly wrote:Some FAQs:

- Why laws?

We strive to try and get a balance between realism and roleplaying possibilities for one, as difficult as that is, mostly between the upholders of the law and so-called thugs. We want to underline that criminals: you can't just go around pillaging, kidnapping and murdering all day long, there are consequences. And guards: you can't just abuse your power to arrest whoever you want and punish them as you see fit. There are limits and regulations, and this goes both ways.

The laws are often described somewhat vaguely to allow for flexibility. 'A small period of time' could be anywhere between an hour and two days or so, for example. It often allows for choices as well, so guards and criminals can come to a consensus as to how to solve a situation, what punishment would fit best without disrupting too much rp. This is done so it isn't too restrictive.

Finally, we also want some consistency. Without laws, one day you kidnap someone and you sit in jail for a day. The next day, you steal some silver and you might get whipped and sigh behind bars for a week. If most people roughly follow the law, similar crimes will be punished accordingly.

Bottom line: realism, balance, flexibility, consistency, and above all, offering rp opportunities!

- Why should I follow the law?

You don't have to. ICly your character might say 'fruit the law', be he a criminal, a guard, a noble, a citizen or anything. There are cultists who do shipsloads of illegal stuff, and there are guards who will abuse their power. And that's fine.

OOCly, maybe you don't like the concept of it at all. While it does try to offer roleplay, it will also restrict it in other areas. And that's fine: the law is merely a suggestion you can follow, if you want to. If you want to play without it, feel free to do so.

- OMG I see a mistake!

Definitely possible!

Some mistakes are made on purpose. With some loopholes in the law, we offer wrongdoers a chance to escape judgement prematurely, or the other way around, for a power-hungry tyrant to punish someone without cause. Some of them are made with the intent to release people earlier than intended: obviously we can't put an rp character in jail for literally months, or even years. Perhaps you were blamed for murder, be it true or not, and you don't wish your character executed: there are outs for that as well (just please don't abuse these outs).

See anything you think that -has- to be changed? Well, it's possible, which I'll explain in a bit!

- What do you have to do with all this?

I don't actually make the laws. I just make sure they are posted here nicely and organised, I answer questions, and I serve as a person to address if you don't know where else to turn. I try to uphold the law, IC and OOC both, and encourage people to play with it if they so choose.

Want a law changed, added or removed? Send me a PM either on the forum or in-game (Avérin) and we can talk about it.
Think someone is horribly abusing the law to grief you? For example continuously killing and refusing punishment, or putting you in the cells for two weeks without any reason? Send me a PM either on the forum or in-game (Avérin) and we can try to solve it.

But then WHO makes the law? Well, that will be a combination between the community and the Stormwind council.

- Stormwind council?

The Stormwind council has changed quite a bit since the start of 2014, at the request of most of the roleplaying community. With the new system, it was hoped to be more fair and efficient. Let's hope that's true hm?

At the moment, the council offers ministers that each have responsibilities depending on their subject. The main purpose is always to try and create more rp for the people in Stormwind/help people/keep things organised and clean, such as server-wide events, or keeping track of a long list of numbers and text.

There are also representatives: one trusted, active member of each big/active guild that often plays in Stormwind. Each representative has voting rights for new petitions or suggestions. That way, every guild that plays in or around Stormwind has a chance to voice their opinion, and hopefully this allows us to make fair decisions. Is there a better way? Probably. But this is how it goes for now.

On a sidenote: the council meets every Tuesday evening in the SW library at 21.00 servertime. Pay it a visit to voice your opinion, or simply to see wazzup!

- So how are laws made/how can I make a difference?

Anyone can come up with changes. You, me, your dog, a minister, a baker, a guard, a farmer. If you have an idea and proper reasoning why, you can bring it up either OOC or IC. ICly, you can either personally attend the council to make a petition (or ask a friend to do it for you), or write Averin a letter (who will then make the suggestion in your place).

All members of the council will then talk about it. The pros and cons. OOCly and ICly both, in public (so people are free to shout or whisper their opinions to one another). After proper argumentation has been made, a vote will then commence. Majority decides.

If the vote passes, I will make the changes in this topic as soon as possible.

Feel free to visit council members separately before the council to try and convince them of your right cause.

- But won't you sometimes have to break character / laws might get faulty?

Yes. We are a player-made council only, and we can not enforce anything on anyone, and we can definitely not impact major decisions. For example, if the suggestion was made 'ban all elves from Stormwind'. Some of our characters might desire that for whatever reason, but obviously we can't make that happen. If such a situation arises, some of us might have to break character temporarily, or we have to make sure that there are enough no-voters before actually making the vote to make sure it doesn't pass.

The other way around, some people enjoy the idea of a corrupt council with one or more members solely in it because they're power hungry, want a certain law to work in their favour, or perhaps even a demon in disguise(!). And this is possible. If you find yourself in a situation like that, you'll just have to play it very smart, IC and OOC both!

--

And that about sums it up I think, thanks for your time, lemme know if there are any suggestions/remarks/complaints/funny things/whatever!

Addition:

Why this second thread?
For I am unable to edit the original thread! I'm hoping it may be taken down as sticky and kept around as archive, while I copy/paste the important bits over to these laws that were updated on 26-04-2016. At the time of posting, CrusaderElly hasn't been on the forums for quite sometime and I am unsure if she remains active here or not, considering the changes were voted through yesterday at the council, I felt it best to make these known as fast as possible.

CrusaderElly wrote:Changelog

30/09/14
- Section 2.9 has been removed.
- As a result, the numeric values of some laws have changed.
- Section 3.9 was edited to be more specific concerning hostile or degrading comments versus the crown and its representatives, rather than extending towards innocent banter towards guards. This should cover the recently deleted section 2.9 as well.
- The law against firearms did NOT pass.
- Community service will become a more valuable option for guards and criminals alike, implementation will start next week when final details will be made public.

GONE:
2.9 Sedition
Inciting hostile, agressive or violent action to undermine the rule of His Majesty King Varian Wrynn, including his officials and institutions trough any means.
Punishment: a day in jail or 5 lashes.

EDITED:
3.9 Defamation
A disrespectful expression against the rule of His Majesty King Varian Wrynn, including his officials and institutions through vocal, written or physical means.
Punishment: a fine of 10 silver or up to 5 lashes.

15/10/2014
Added the community service options for criminals/guards/organisations who are interested! Goal is to avoid jail rp if disliked and introduce cross-guild rp instead!

Spoiler:

26/04/2016
Many, many laws were changed to have the 'means of achieving' it to be removed, causing for less loopholes; Some punishments edited, new laws added.

27/04/2016.
New thread formed to visualize and make people aware of these changes. Old information copied over so it may be preserved.