Courts of the Justiciar

The Courts of the Justiciar serve multiple purposes they are the legal branch of most cities providing judges, or Arbiters, sworn to the service of the The Justiciar. It is also the temples and living spaces for the clergy of the Justiciar.

Purpose / Function

These buildings are the heart of the justice system in any city they are in, while only the largest cities have a dedicated court the courts themselves will send Arbiters to smaller villages in rotations to hold trials. While local guards do not belong to the court, they do carry out the rulings of the judges.

Special Properties

The courtrooms are under the effect of a zone of truth spell that only activates when the Judge strikes their gavel and says a phrase, the zone is deactivated in the same way. The reason for having it turn off and on is to thwart attempts to resist it before the trial begins, lure people into a sense of false safety. While the Justiciar's followers agree that the truth is important they will engage in subtlety to get the whole truth and nothing but.

Architecture

These structures are often imposing having stern-faced statues of various guardians of the faith and order, swords wrapped in scrolls emblazon the walls and mosaics. The structure of the builds themselves can often resemble a gavel, a tall central spire that looms over most buildings with a wider rectangular base. White marble tiles are often used to hide the hard granite the buildings are made from.

Tourism

Some segments of the courts are available for people to come and offer prayers to the Justiciar but for most, they would rather never see the inside of these buildings as few actively enjoy being stood before one of the Justiciar's judges.

Type

Courthouse