Enforcing the Law in the Republic: Bounties and Justice
A Decentralized Code of Conduct
The Republic of Misty Waters operates without a unified code of law. Each island enforces its own set of rules, generally centred around respecting the Law of Skycall, obeying the king or governor, and avoiding harm to fellow islanders. Despite the simplicity of these laws, some individuals find them too restrictive and choose to defy them. However, justice is swift and often severe for those who break the law.
Bounty Hunters: The Enforcers of Justice
Instead of maintaining a permanent police force, the Republic relies on bounty hunters to enforce its laws. These independent agents apprehend lawbreakers and bring them before judges in exchange for financial compensation. While this system has proven cost-effective and efficient, the scarcity of bounties means that only a handful can sustain themselves as full-time bounty hunters. For most, completing a bounty is an occasional opportunity to earn extra coin.
Punishments Across the Islands
The form of punishment varies significantly between islands. In less civilized regions, justice is often brutal and swift, with criminals pushed off the edge of the floating islands into the mists below. On more refined islands, penalties are typically monetary, with offenders required to pay substantial reparations. Regardless of the method, the goal remains the same: to deter further crimes and maintain order within the Republic.
The Threat of Marauders
Not all lawbreakers are brought to justice. Some evade bounty hunters by banding together to form groups of marauders. If these groups acquire an airship, they become a new menace, preying on trading vessels across the Republic. These marauders often establish hidden bases on uninhabited islands below the mist line, from which they launch their attacks. Rarely do they venture beyond the Scareguards Archipelago, as the Republic’s reputation ensures they find few allies beyond its borders.
Oh, Republic of Misty Waters! Yours is a realm of rugged justice and resilient enforcers. May your bounty hunters remain vigilant, and your laws steadfast, for in your efforts lies the balance between freedom and order. For every bounty claimed and every law upheld, the spirit of your islands endures.
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