Laws of the Kingdom of Stonegate 

The laws of the baronies of Stonegate have been created to protect the citizens of Stonegate, and to provide a structure of governing that maintains peace.  It is this law that all citizens will be protected by.  It is the duty of every citizen of Stonegate to participate in the execution of our law.

The Book of Law

All towns of Stonegate will maintain a ledger of current laws of the Kingdom of Stonegate and any local ordinances of that town and barony.  The Book of Law will be available to all nobles, town militia officers, Stonegate Officials, and barristers.  The reigning noble of the town or barony maintains this book.

Enforcement of the Law

The local knights, town militia officers, officials of Stonegate, and the reigning nobles will enforce the Law of the Kingdom.  The local lord, town garrison, and local knights enforce local ordinances.  The knights and the captain of the guard are responsible for bringing the criminal information to the reigning lord’s court.  A trial may be granted or scheduled by the reigning lord and may not include the presence of the accused.

Recognition by the Court

To be recognized by a reigning lord’s court for a trial, an individual must be either a noble in the Kingdom of Stonegate, the captain of the local militia, a Stonegate official, or a barrister of the lands that the court is being held.  Recognized individuals of that court may introduce witnesses or evidence to that court during a trial.  Introduced witnesses may only answer questions asked them from recognized members of that court participating in the trial.  Introduced witnesses may never address the court except to answer questions.

Nexus and the Accused

Any commoner accused of a crime can be temporarily released while waiting for their trial.  For the accused individual to be temporarily released, nexus must be created.  Nexus is created by either a noble in the Kingdom of Stonegate, the captain of the local militia, a leader of a recognized house in the lands which the court is being held, a Guild-master of the town, a Stonegate official, or a barrister of the lands that the court is being held applying for custody of the accused.  The reigning noble can refuse or grant nexus as they see necessary.  Accused individuals with nexus may not leave the town.  Individuals receiving custody of the accused will have to supply collateral before the accused will receive nexus.  If the accused leaves town before the trial, the accused will automatically be found guilty, collateral will become property of Stonegate, and individuals with custody may be punished as the reigning noble sees fit.

Prosecution of Criminals of the Kingdom of Stonegate

Members of the local nobility, the local captain of the guard, or an official of Stonegate may prosecute commoners.  A local barrister may prosecute a commoner if and only if either a knight, the captain of the town guard, or an official of Stonegate supports the prosecution.  Once the barrister acquires support from one of the above, the two parties must request to address the court of the reigning noble.  At that time, a trial may be granted and scheduled.

Defending the Accused

Commoners accused of a crime may defend themselves by having either a noble of the Kingdom of Stonegate, the captain of the guard, a Stonegate Official, or a local barrister to represent them.  Commoners are not allowed to introduce witnesses or evidence since the court does not recognize them.  Commoners with out a recognized court representative may only question witnesses called and may address the court in the final argument.  In no way can a commoner defending himself submit evidence!

Verdicts of the law

Once the court has heard or reviewed all evidence, the reigning noble will pronounce a sentence if the individual is guilty.  Innocent individuals will then be allowed to go free.  Sentencing for the guilty party may differ from the Book of Law as the reigning noble has the right to increase or decrease the sentence if extenuating circumstances exist.  Guilty individuals have one hour to pay all fines, surrender to the authorities, or prepare for death.  If fines can not be paid, the guilty individual will surrender all property up to the point where the fine has been paid.

The Law of the Kingdom of Stonegate

Necromancy: Not only is Necromancy a crime in Stonegate, it is a crime against the Land itself. This crime involves casting of spells with the word "chaos" in the verbal, creation and control of undead through cantrips and Formal Magic Spells, and use of any item necromantic in nature and also consorting with undead in any way.  (The use of any spell, ability or item that calls upon chaos or causes a chaos effect. Also the use of any spell, ability or item that causes the creation or release of undead as well as the use of any spell, ability or item that transforms a living being into undead. The willful and consenting possession of any item that possesses necromantic properties.)

First Offense: Death by burning, Loss of all property, and possible Obliteration
Second Offense: Obliteration, Loss of all Property and Banishment

Lycanthropy: The creation of lycanthropic beings is a crime against the lands and people of Stonegate.  Lycanthropy is a magical affliction that is contagious via numerous methods that include, but are not limited to touch, blood, and saliva of the were-beast.  Willingly creating, becoming, and/or consorting with these creatures is Lycanthropy.

First Offense: Death by burning, loss of all property

Second Offense: Obliteration, loss of all property, and banishment

Murder: The willful taking of another citizen's life, premeditated or in the heat of anger is murder. Even if the victim receives a Life spell, you are still held accountable for this crime. (Deliberate action to cause the death of any individual)

First Offense: Death, Loss of all property.
Second Offense: Obliteration, Loss of all property and Banishment.

Assassination: While the taking of another's life is covered by the crime of murder, assassination is both the premeditated murder of another for a fee and the hiring of such assassins. It is thus treated, if possible, as a more callous crime.

First Offense: Two Deaths by drawing & quartering and loss of all property.
Second Offense: Obliteration and Banishment.

Assault: The willful attack on another citizen by any means including weapon, spell, alchemy, potion or trap. (An unlawful attempt or declaration (written or unwritten) on the part of one or several with force or violence or malice to cause unwanted harm or mischief upon another. An attempt or offer to harm another without touching them, as one lifts their arms in a threatening manner to another or strikes at them and misses.) If the assault causes death the charge will become murder.

First Offense: Public Beating and 25 gold piece fine.
Second Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Theft: The taking of another citizen's property without permission is theft. Looting another's body is a form of theft and will be treated as such. (To use any portion of or to take possession of the property of another against there will.)

First Offense: Return of property, 25 gold piece fine and branded with the symbol “T”.
Second Offense: Return of property, Loss of all property and death by beheading.

Slavery: The buying, selling or trade of sentient beings as well as the ownership of such is slavery. The use of Enslavement elixirs is also a form of slavery. (The willful buying, selling, or holding of an individual against their will such that said individual shall have no freedom of action and whose person and services are wholly under the control of another.)

First Offense: Death by drawing and quartering, Loss of all property.
Second Offense: Obliteration, Loss of all property and Banishment.

Perjury: To knowingly lie or make false or misleading statements to a noble, magistrate or persons given the power to conduct an official investigation or trial while they are in the course of such an investigation or trial.

First Offense: Loss of property

Second Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Raising or possessing an illegal Circle of Power: By Kingdom decree, permission to raise a circle of power lasting longer than one hour, celestial or earth, must be granted by the Liege of that land in writing. To do so without such permission is illegal.

First Offense: 50 gold piece fine, Destruction of Circle at owner's expense, and Loss of Formal Scroll used to extend the circle beyond one hour.
Second Offense: Death by beheading plus first offense penalties.

Slander: The speaking of false or malicious words concerning another whereby injuring results to their reputation.

First Offense: Public Beating and 25 gold piece fine.
Second Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Treason: Treason covers things from disobeying a direct noble order, attempting any form of criminal action on a noble of Stonegate, rendering aid to a sworn enemy of Stonegate and inciting rebellion against the noble and royal courts of Stonegate.  (The involvement in any action or assemblage for the purpose of rebelling against the state or its lawful governing body or in aiding any other individual or individuals either foreign or domestic to do the same.)

First Offense: Obliteration to Permanent Death.

Conspiracy: This crime is defined as the knowledge and willful cooperation in or planning by more than one person to commit any of the other crimes listed here. (A combination or confederation between two or more willing persons for the purpose of committing by their joint efforts some criminal act or some act which is innocent in itself but becomes criminal when done by the concerted action of the conspirators.) If the conspiracy is against a noble, the charge is treason.

First Offense: 25 gold piece fine and removal of tongue.
Second Offense: Death by beheading.

Counterfeiting\Forgery: While the obvious cause of this crime is the use of false monies, it also includes the sale or trade of false formal components represented as real components and the use of a counterfeited signature or writ. If a Noble signature or writ is counterfeited this becomes treason. (Falsely making or materially altering by hand or otherwise with intent to defraud, any document or symbol which if genuine might apparently be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal claim.)

First Offense: 25 gold piece fine and branding of the back of the right hand.
Second Offense: Death by beheading and loss of all property.

Impersonating a Noble: This involves not only the act of pretending to have noble title when you do not have such but also acting as if a noble has given you authority to act in their name when they have not. If you commit a crime while doing this the charge is elevated to Treason. (To knowingly present oneself by document, raiment, statement to be of a noble station.)

First Offense: Death by beheading and loss of all property.
Second Offense: Obliteration, Banishment, and loss of property.

Kidnapping: This crime involves the unlawful taking and holding of a citizen against his or her will and attempts to ransom these captives to friends or family. Also the forcible and unlawful confinement of an individual.

First offense: Death by impalement, loss of property.
Second Offense: Obliteration and Banishment.

Creation of a Golem:  The creation of a golem of any type has proven to be detrimental to the psyche of the being that is placed within this shell of non-living matter.

First Offense: 10 gold piece fine

Second Offense: 25 gold piece fine and loss of property.

Libel:  One person or group of persons issuing or presenting a prejudicial or false statement or accusation pertaining to any other by the use of print, writing, pictures, or signs. It is a crime to print, write, etc. knowingly false statements with the intent to injure the character or image of another.

First Offense: Public Beating and 25 gold piece fine.
Second Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Mockery of a Noble: This involves the defamation of a Nobles character through insults, lies or mockery. If this is used to incite rebellion the charge becomes treason.

First offense: 10 gold piece fine.
Second Offense: Loss of all property and possible death by beheading.

Accomplice: An associate in crime, one who willfully operates, aids or assists in the commission of a crime, Either by action or inaction. The accomplice shall bear the criminal responsibility as if they were the sole participants of said crime.

Arson: The willful destruction of another's property without consent by any means. (The willful destruction or damage by fire to any property of another or of the state. Also the destruction of ones own property by fire if it is done so for profit and or if some collateral damage or destruction to the property of another or of the state ensues.)

First Offense: Death by burning and loss of all property.
Second Offense: Obliteration.

Tax Evasion: This is simply the failure to pay any taxes levied by the Kingdom of Stonegate, or interfering with the collection of taxes levied.

First Offense: Double Payment of Taxes.
Second Offense: Triple Payment of Taxes and possible loss of property.

Deadly or Excessive Constraint: While maintaining the law of the Kingdom of Stonegate, no knight, town militia, Stonegate official, and reigning noble shall apply excessive force to bring the accused to trial.  Intentional excessive force is actions that kill the accused or leave them disfigured.  While force may be needed to apprehend the accused, it should not be used to the point where the accused cannot be revived with basic first aid.  Intentionally not giving first aid to wounded accused may also be considered excessive force.  If found guilty of this crime, commoners will be tried for assault, and nobles of Stonegate will have to answer to their liege.   Orders allowing the use of excessive and deadly force can only be granted by nobles and must be supplied in writing.

Desertion: Any member of the Militia of Stonegate, whether for a barony or a specific town, that abandons their post and flees will be tried for desertion. 

First Offense: Death.
Second Offense: Obliteration.

Any person who commits any of the above crimes a third time will find no mercy and receive a punishment commensurate with the severity of their crime.