Kyros' Law

Kyros’ laws are numerous, and it is the duty of the Arbiters to interpret them in their judgments. Some laws are absolute, some are contradictory, and some are both absolute and contradictory. Arbiters spend many years learning Kyros’ laws, the judgments handed down by previous generations of Arbiters, and the times when Kyros punished an Arbiter for overstepping their station.
Notably, not all are equal before the law. Those who have not accepted Kyros' Peace are exempt from protections offered by Kyros' Law. And of those who did, Archons operate on a level far above petty mortals and the only infractions they may be punished for are sedition, incompetence, war crimes, and the hoarding of forbidden knowledge. However, the sentence for being found guilty of such a transgression is commensurate with their position: Death, delivered by the Court headsman, Bleden Mark.

Laws

Kyros’ Peace

All who bow to me shall be under my aegis. Loyalty is freedom from hunger, hostility, and hopelessness.

Kyros' Peace guarantees all willing supplicants under the Overlord's authority a place in the Empire. This place might not always agree with each individual in the Empire but is the foundation of all law in the Empire. A corollary is that, "Your life is not yours to discard, the Overlord has plans for you". Transgression against this law is an automatic death sentence, and such transgressors are known as "Oathbreakers".

Overlord's Right of Destruction

Only Kyros may destroy a loyal vassal. All will die; it is a question of when, not if. Trust the Overlord with the measure of your skein, and it will be glorious from the first moment to the last.

This law states that only Kyros can destroy their subjects. The right can be delegated, forming the basis of the chain of command. The higher one sits in the power structure, the more leeway they have, with Archons formally empowered with the right to destroy in Kyros' name.

The Archon's Privilege

The Archons carry my will, each in their own custom, all for my glory. Serve the Archons as you would serve the Overlord, but serve the Overlord first.

A simple formulation that allows for decentralizing rule. Each Archon is granted authority to create and rule their own fiefdoms as they see fit, provided they follow the Overlord's basic law. Together with the Right of Destruction, the Privilege forms the basis of Archon authority.

Overlord's Right of Adjudication

If two sworn vassals shall come to an irreconcilable conflict, only the Overlord may adjudicate right from wrong, the living from the dead.

The right of Adjudication is the foundation of the justice system in the Empire. Adjudication is the process of determining legal fault as per Kyros' laws, based on the enormous body of legal codes that underlie the Empire. As with the Right of Destruction, the Right of Adjudication is delegated to individual Archons who handle the enforcement of justice. The most significant of these Archons is Tunon, the Archon of Law, who further delegates investigation and settling minor disputes to his Court, the Arbiters.

The Oldwalls Forbiddance

The Oldwalls are forbidden, as are their contents and their denizens.

This law is self-explanatory. The official wording expands on the topic: "Do not remove the trappings of the Oldwalls (possession shall be proof of trespass), nor evoke the imagery from within (endanger not your kin by tempting the Oldwalls’ denizens). Cross the Oldwalls only where Kyros has sculpted the landscape to permit easy passage." In short: Owning any item from the Oldwalls is considered trespass, regardless of how it came into your possession. Don't depict anything from the Oldwalls. Pass only where the Overlord has sculpted the landscape to permit traverse.

The Magician’s Folly

Those who work the powers of magic must do so with Kyros’ explicit blessing. If, in the conduct of the Overlord’s will, a mage inadvertently causes harm due to the unknowable perils of magic, the mage shall not be held liable if the magic was used for the glory of the Overlord.

Practitioners of the arcane arts must be sanctioned by one of Kyros' guilds, such as the Blood Chanters or Forge-Bound. Rogue magicians with a tenuous grasp of unknown powers will not be tolerated. A sanctioned mage whose spellcasting causes damage to life or property is lawfully deemed innocent, as long as they practiced their art in the service of Kyros, all is forgiven. Members of schools absorbed by sanctioned guilds automatically become sanctioned members.

Quota and Sharing

The harvest blooms and blights by the will of Kyros. In times of lean, you will be fed. In times of wealth, you will feed others. To oppose this balance is to starve your neighbor, and such thieves shall forfeit their labors.

This law is a sizable category unto itself, serving many needs at once - trade and tax being only two examples. The broadest intent of the law is to empower Kyros' subjects to care for their neighbor and expect care in return. In trade, a merchant's right to peddle their wares is defined by permits granted annually. The regional authority has the right to decide if a merchant sells cabbage one year and sandals the next. Anyone breaking through their restrictions is subject to immediate forfeiture of all assets. Note that sales in the "immediate circle" are exempt from the law, creating an enormous gray area - which only serves the Overlord's interests, as they can restrict the growth of individual wealth and power by manipulating trade permits.

Forbidden Knowledge

Kyros sets the standards of what can and cannot be known.

These restrictions are rarely enforced, but they are worth taking into account. Before the coming of Kyros - during the ages of anarchy and discord - powerful knowledge in undeserving hands leveled empires without thought or mercy. Kyros has no desire to revisit those dark times.

The Overlord's Name is Not Yours to Use

The Overlord's name is not yours to give - whether to progeny, product, location or abstraction. Slander of the Overlord is punishable by death.

There is only one Kyros, and that name is safeguarded. No one may say Kyros and have it obfuscated by a second meaning. Neither will the name be associated to trivialities. A gambler will not attribute his fortune to 'Kyros' luck,' or his misfortune to 'Kyros' scorn.' Such an association lowers the Overlord in the public estimate, and is rightly considered slander most foul.
Notably, any vow or expression made using Kyros’ name is a binding legal contract. Breaking such a vow is punishable by death.

Right of Appeal

An Arbiter's judgment, once made, is final. There is no right of appeal. That does not mean an Arbiter can make any decisions they want, without fear of consequence or reprisal. If someone is powerful enough, or the favorite of an Archon, they can demand audience with the Archon of Law. Tunon will never completely overrule an Arbiter's decision. Doing so would undermine the rule of law and the integrity of the Court. However, if Tunon decides that an Arbiter has stepped beyond the limits of Kyros’ Law, he will order their immediate execution.