Nordurriki Law & Justice
Lawstones
The foundation of Nordurriki society remains the Lawstones of Rastivik. The Lawstones were created from massive slabs of granite, and placed in the High Court, where they still exist today. Etched into these Lawstones are their basic laws. Each Lawstone stands about twenty feet in height, and about ten feet in width. As needed, more Lawstones are created, though only one has been added since the founding of the Nordurriki. Given their penchant for relying on their people to reason out most disputes with a sense of logic and fairness, they rarely need to create new laws.
"We must govern carefully, and responsibly, and not make laws for the sake of doing so, for they are set in stone for a reason." - Otrygg Haddsson, Keldar Chief
Thing
A "Thing" is a meeting in which disputes and matters of law are decided. For small villages, all people over the age of twenty summers are welcome to vote in any matter brought forward at the Thing. In larger cities, the eldest two living individuals in each family are asked to join, and submit their votes on matters brought forward.
Legal Proceedings
In matters of law, offenders are presumed guilty, and it falls upon them to prove their innocence. To that end, the offender can defend themselves and present their side of a situation. They can also call any free citizen as a witness. If called upon to serve as a witness, they are required to provide testimony regardless of social status. After everyone has been heard, a vote decides the outcome of the trial.
Decisions are rendered in two parts: first, the decision of guilt or innocence is established, and second punishment is set. These punishments are often predetermined by the Lawstones, though they can be overruled in certain circumstances, and with the permission of the Tribune.
Voting
When deciding matters of legal proceedings or disputes in a Thing or Althing, there are three options: a person may vote for, against, or abstain. The majority constitutes the final decision of the Thing. If the majority of the votes are absentions, the presiding Jarl, or the Tribune must make the final decision. Though it rarely occurs, the Jarl's decision can be appealed. If appealed, the matter is then submitted to the Tribune. In such cases, the Tribune's decision is final and incontrovertible.
Althing
Once a year, if the Tribune deems it necessary, they can call an Althing. When an Althing is called, Norurriki from across the Kingdom gather at Rastivik. At an Althing, the Tribune brings matters most important to the Kingdom forward to be decided upon. This may include trials for high crimes, the creation of new laws, or the installation of new Jarls. Due to the number of Jarls and the size of the High Court, only the Jarls are allowed to vote, however the proceedings can easily be heard by any gathered around the High Court thanks to the deft manipulation of Nathr by Nordurriki Shamans.
Choosing a Chief
One additional function of an Althing is to choose a new chief. When one of the two lifelong chiefs dies, the Jarls belonging to the race of the deceased gather at Rastivik to determine who next will lead them. Once appointed, the new Chief rules for the duration of their life as a member of the Tribune, continuing to guide the Norurriki forward.
