Drevarian Law

1. Procedures

In Drevaria, when someone brings charges against a person, they go to an adjudicator, present their arguments and evidence, then the adjudicator decides who is correct. Legitimate adjudicators are: members of the royal family, lords, mayor, and judges appointed by any of the above people.

2. Slavery

Slavery is illegal in Drevaria.

3. Speech and Criticism of Government

Criticism of the government in Drevaria is partially legal. Polite criticism of policies is acceptable, but criticism that is seen as impolite, uncivilized, or agitating is illegal. Insulting the Queen or her family is also illegal.

4. Theft

Theft is illegal in Drevaria. There are a few different types of theft:

• Petty theft is theft of very low-value objects, things like a loaf of bread, cheap jewelry, small amounts of money, etc. The punishment for petty theft is typically a small fine.
• Grand theft is the theft of very high-value objects, things like a high-end weapon, exquisite jewelry, large amounts of money, etc. The punishment for grand theft is typically a large fine.
• Pickpocketing is when a person steals someone’s property off their person. The punishment for pickpocketing is usually a fine based on the value of the stolen item(s).
• Burglary is theft of objects from a person’s property. The punishment for burglary is usually a fine based on the value of the stolen item(s) and a short prison sentence.
• Robbery is when a person uses force or a threat of force to compel another person to relinquish property without a legitimate legal reason. The punishment for robbery is typically a long prison sentence.
• Fraud is when a person uses lies to convince a person to give them money or property. It has to be an actual lie, not an omission, i.e., saying that you will fix a table, taking money, then leaving without fixing the table is fraud, but saying that you’re selling an “ant killer” and selling two blocks of wood with instructions on how to use them to kill an ant is not fraud. The punishment for fraud is usually a fine based on how much money was stolen, and in some cases, a prison sentence.

Legally, it is not possible for a man’s caretaker to steal from him.

5. Violent Crime

Assault is defined as an attack on a person that does not leave lasting physical damage (e.g. a slap, weak punch, groping, throwing a drink etc.). Assault is typically punished by a fine.
Battery is defined as an attack on a person that does leave lasting physical damage (e.g. a strong punch, stabbing, cutting, throwing a dangerous liquid such as boiling water, etc.). Battery is usually punished by a fine or imprisonment, depending on severity. A caretaker beating her man is legal and socially acceptable, as long as there is only minimal lasting damage.
Murder is defined as unlawfully killing or intentionally causing the death of a person. Lawful killings would be self defense, defense of property, defending another person or their property, war, and hunting outlaws. Murder is usually punished by execution, typically by hanging, though more unusual executions are not entirely unheard of.
Rape is defined as having oral, anal, or vaginal sexual intercourse with someone that did not consent. Consent while impaired (e.g. drunk or otherwise intoxicated) is considered legitimate consent. Consent is not necessary for a woman to have sex with her husband. Rape is typically punished by long periods of imprisonment, and if a rapist causes a pregnancy in their victim, they must work to financially support the child, even after their prison sentence ends.
Poisoning is defined as knowingly causing someone to ingest, absorb, inhale, or otherwise take in a substance that is harmful or impairing (e.g. hallucinogens, toxins, venoms, contagions, etc.) without their knowledge and/or consent. Poisoning can be punished with anything from a fine to execution, depending on severity.

6. Prohibitions

In Drevaria, there are two categories of weapons: civilian and military. Civilian weapons are things like swords, daggers, and quarter-staffs. Military weapons are things like war hammers, war axes, bladed or spiked polearms, and large arms like ballistae, catapults, etc. Special dispensation from the Queen or one of her representatives can be obtained for most of these weapons.
All but the most basic poisons are illegal without special dispensation from the Queen or one of her representatives.
Most drugs are legal.
In order to purchase any of these things, a man needs to be accompanied by his caretaker. In cases where special dispensation is also needed, it is typically procured by her.