The Law of the Hand

The Law of the Hand is a law in the Free City of Ralindor that protects members of the Guild of Thieves in their right to steal. Normally, thievery is punished by severing the offender's hand at the wrist, marking them as a thief for all to see. According to the Law of the Hand, members of the Guild of Thieves are protected from this, in exchange for serving in a law-enforcement capacity as informants and spies.

Document Structure

Clauses

• The Law of the Hand states that, if a person is caught committing the crime of thievery, as they await trial, if they can find a member of the Guild of Thieves to vouch for them as a member in good standing, their punishment changes.

• For the first conviction of thievery, a member of the Guild of Thieves in good standing will be exempt from punishment, and released. Each subsequent offense from such an individual will be punished by public flogging and damages paid to the victim of the thievery in proportion to the value of the goods stolen. If the convicted cannot pay the damages, they will be sent to debtors' prison.

• A member of the Guild of Thieves in good standing will never have their hands severed as punishment for thievery.

• Magistrates who sentence a member of the Guild of Thieves in good standing to have their hands severed for the crime of thievery will have their own hands severed in turn.

Caveats

• The Law of the Hand does not protect members of the Guild of Thieves from conviction of any other crimes, including violent crimes, crimes of fraud, or the illegal use of magic.

• Guild Thieves will be called upon by members of the City Watch to aid in investigations. Refusal to cooperate with the Watch will result in conviction of the crimes of obstruction or treason, the latter of which is punishable by public hanging.

Type

Decree, Royal

Location

The Free City of Ralindor