Bardic Immunity

The Tradition of Bardic Immunity in Gorundia

“Truth sung sweetly is tolerated. Truth sung mockingly is tolerated louder.” — Ancient ruling by Justice Harwin the Rhymed, 1031 AG

---

###

The Core of the Tradition

In Gorundia, bards hold a **semi-sacred cultural role** as truth-speakers, historians, and social critics. This has evolved into a **long-standing tradition**—not formal codified law, but something the courts, nobles, and even temples *usually* respect—known as the **Lyric Privilege**.

This privilege includes:

• The right to perform satire without it being considered sedition
• The right to speak of noble misdeeds through metaphor, song, or allegory without being charged with slander
• Protection from duels issued purely over song lyrics (yes, this is specific—because it used to be a real problem)
• Immunity from arrest **during performance** and for a short period after, so long as the bard is in a public venue and not inciting a riot

---

###

Limitations of the Lyric Privilege

The protection is cultural, not absolute. Bards in Gorundia must walk a fine line, and the immunity only holds if they respect certain **unspoken rules**:

• They cannot directly accuse someone of a crime in plain speech—allegory and metaphor are fine, but “Duke Vogel poisons his brides” will get you jailed faster than you can say “verse structure.”
• The performance must be done publicly, in recognized venues or before witnesses—this tradition protects public storytelling, not private threats.
• It does not protect against charges of obscenity, blasphemy, or magical compulsion (e.g. charm spells or illusions used during a performance).
• The immunity does not apply if the bard holds official office, military rank, or religious title. Once you're sworn in, you're subject to the rules like everyone else.

---

###

Thaliel Thornquil’s Specific Situation

Thaliel is a master of the loophole. His performances are **barely legal**—which is to say, *perfectly traditional*. He:

Uses metaphor to veil the sharpest truths (“The Dragon who gloved his fire” rather than “Theron burned Elderbrook”)

Places double meanings into his rhymes, always with *plausible deniability*

Times his performances for **festivals, markets, and feasts**, where any arrest would cause *public outcry or embarrassment*

Has influential fans in the court and among the clergy, who argue for his immunity whenever he’s too clever to be caught red-handed

The **High Court of Tradeton** has ruled twice in his favor, establishing that:

“A bard’s duty is to reflect the realm as it is, not as it wishes to be seen. So long as they do not incite violence or breach the veil of sacred privacy, their tongue is sharp—but lawful.”

---

###

How Much Protection Does He Really Have?

Think of it like this:

**Against minor nobles and bureaucrats:** He's safe. They may grumble or ban him locally, but the tradition protects him.

**Against dukes, bishops, and dragon-blooded elven warlords?** It buys him *time.* They’ll hesitate, maybe delay their response, but if he crosses the wrong line (or uncovers the *wrong* truth)... tradition won't hold back a blade in the night.

**If he's arrested anyway:** Expect a legal spectacle, public protest, or even political embarrassment for the arresting authority.