A call to all would-be law-makers

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Mon May 01, 2006 11:04 pm

Seen on the walls and public posting boards of Waterdeep:

"Citizens of Waterdeep,

The Lords have decided that it is time to endow our prosperous city of Waterdeep with a new, clear, precise, and concise set of laws to guide the City Watch members and the Magistrates in their duties of law enforcement. These new Laws will be written by selected citizens and will be subject to acceptance by the Lords.

Waterdhavian citizens interested in taking part in this project are asked to report to send in a written application to Lady Honoria. The application will have to be written by the applicant him- or herself, as a proof that they can read and write.

Head lawwriters will be selected by Lady Honoria from all the received applications. Those head lawwriters will then be given the list of all applicants and tasked with gathering as many of them as possible, with presiding over the gatherings, and with writing the final text that will then be submitted to the Lords.

For the Lords of Waterdeep,

Lord Piergieron."

OOCly: If you are interested in taking part in this venture, send a mail to applications@forgottenkingdoms.com with "Waterdhavian laws" as the subject topic. Mention your character's name, class, deity (if any), and level (only characters from Waterdeep will be accepted). If you do not want to be a head lawwriter, please mention it in the application. Let's use May 15th as a first deadline (that is, if we don't get enough applications, we might postpone, but if you are interested, try and send your application mail before that date).

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Tue May 02, 2006 10:45 am

Please also indicate your character's alignment in your application mail. (If you have already sent one, no need to send another one with your alignment, though)

Also, if you do not have any existing character who might be interested in this venture but would still like to participate, you are free to create a new character for it (just indicate that it would be a new character created specifically for this roleplay in the application mail). This is one of the few roleplays where level does not matter.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Tue May 02, 2006 3:52 pm

I am not sure if i can post questions in here.... if not... i am sorry...
But in the application... are we to make a list of laws? or just send in the app with name, and all that other info?

Sorry but I was not very clear in the matter

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:20 pm

Just the application. The laws will be made in-game, during the roleplay between the lawwriters.

Argentia · Post by **Argentia** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:57 am

It's been a while since the deadline, but forgive me if my annoying inquiring is premature. I was just wondering if any progress has been made on this RP? I'm really very eager to see it through. Thanks in advance(for putting up with my impatience). =)

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Thu May 25, 2006 6:08 am

Yes, the roleplay got a bit delayed with the mud being down.

It has not been abandoned though, and will happen.

Did you apply though? I don't remember seeing a mail from you.

Kirkus · Post by **Kirkus** » Thu May 25, 2006 6:50 am

are you still taking applications?
I am always looking for a good job.

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:36 pm

As of today, the Lords have received applications from the following citizens of Waterdeep:

- Algon of Tempus
- Caelnai of Selune
- Gwain Rambash of Kelemvor
- Jaenoic of Ilmater
- Maybel of Tyr
- Raona Corbin of Tyr
- Sean Vallar of Tyr

and have deemed all the applicants capable and worthy of the task ahead.

The Lords have selected Raona Corbin of Tyr for the position of Head Lawwriter. This position does not mean that squire Raona's opinions will be give more importance than the opinions of the other Lawmakers, but only that squire Raona Corbin is tasked with

- gathering the Lawwriters and organizing the meetings.
- presiding over the gatherings and making sure that they are held in an orderly manners, where each and every Lawmaker has the opportunity to voice his or her opinion
- collecting the thoughts of all Lawmakers, summarizing them, turning them into the final text, and making sure that all Lawmakers approve of the final text - or - choosing one or several Lawmakers to complete those tasks while still making sure that they are indeed completed

The main task of the Head Lawwriter is thus to organize the whole process, to preside over the writing of the final text, to make sure that all participants (or a majority thereof) agree with the final text, and to present that text to the Lords.

A gathering room, food, and refreshments, will be provided to the Lawmakers for their gatherings, for as long as it will take to obtain a final text approved by the Lords.

For the Lords of Waterdeep,

Lord Piergieron."

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Sat May 27, 2006 5:12 pm

(If you have sent an application but your character is not in the list above, please send me a PM).

Ellian · Post by **Ellian** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:57 am

I was looking through a copy of City of Splendors: Waterdeep at a friend's house today, and thought I might post an exerpt of the section titled "Laws and Punishment" for those folks on the law making team.

Legal authority in the City of Splendors rests within the Open Lord and the hidden Lords of Waterdeep. The Lord's Court is chaired by Piergeiron, and is attended by at least two other Lords and two Magisters. The Lord's Court hears all "severe" crimes, including suspicious deaths, rape, misuse of magic, and succession and inheritance disputes.

Twenty-six appointed black-robed Magisters conduct the Common Courts of Waterdeep. Three "Black Robes" are always on duty at the Palace. During daylight hours, a Magister is also posted at each gate. Magisters can pass sentence instantly, but most sentences are conditional on the supporting evidence of witnesses. Magisters are always accompanied by at least six members of the city guard. Any citizen of Waterdeep can appeal to the Lord's Court within two days of being sentenced by a Magister, but most such appeals fail. There is no bail in Waterdeep, and barristers are barred from working in the city (although counsel from "professional witnesses" is grudgingly tolerated).

Waterdhavians are largely law-abiding, and most of Waterdeep's laws remain unwritten, within the "reasonable discretion" of the Magisters (and thus the Lords who oversee them). The Code Legal serves as a basis for sentencing, dividing all crimes into four Plaints and each Plaint into severe, serious, lesser, and minor offenses.

The first Plaint involves Crimes Against the Lords (treason, impersonation, forgery of official documents, destruction of city property, assault, willful disobedience of edicts, and blasphemy against a government official). The second Plaint involves Crimes Against the City (poisoning of wells, murder, spying, sabotage, fraud, fencing, unlawful dueling, bribery, unlawful entry into the city, vagrancy, littering, brandishing a weapon without cause, and reckless driving). The third Plaint involves Crimes Against the Gods (defiling of a holy place, theft of temple goods, tomb-robbing, assault on a religious person, public blasphemy of a god or priesthood, and disorderly conduct at worship). The fourth Plaint involves Crimes Against Citizens (arson, rape, bodily harm, magical assault, forgery, slavery, robbery, burglary, theft/killing of livestock, usury, property damage, assault, hindrance of business, and excessive noise).
Slavery is illegal within the city, and slaves brought into the city are considered free. Selling slaves within the wall is forbidden and strictly policed. Weapons can be worn openly and used in self-defense, but brandishing weapons in other situations is a crime. Waterdhavians also expect debts to be paid in full, even if that means the debtor must serve a form of indentured servitude to the creditor (in the case of small debts) or the city (in the case of large debts).

Duels (for reasons of specific, unprovoked injury) are legal only in specific places, but must be marshaled by a member of t he Watch of a Magister. Lords, Magisters, guard and watch members, and Heralds are exempt from challenges, and the Lords forbid most duels involving heads of guilds, noble houses, or priesthoods. Most importantly, duels are rarely to the death.

Sentences for lawbreaking include instant death, death upon conviction, exile, mutilation, hard labor, imprisonment (dungeon), imprisonment (light work in castle compound), fine (payable to city), or damages (payable to injured party). Perjury, adjudicated by magic, is punished by expulsion from the city. Death sentences vary by station - commoners and soldiers are hung from the Castle battlements, while nobles are beheaded by the sword. Floggings are typically carried out at the Court of the White Bull. Death sentences are sometimes commuted to exile into Undermountain, although this often winds up with the same result.

Raona · Post by **Raona** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:27 pm

Just to keep this updated, the following PC's have been subsequently inducted into the Lawmakers:

Jarus of Helm
Cerise of Tymora (pending)

Thus, the current membership of the Lawmakers stands as follows:

Algon of Tempus
Caelnai of Selune
Gwain Rambash of Kelemvor
Jaenoic of Ilmater
Maybel of Tyr
Raona Corbin of Tyr
Sean Vallar of Tyr
Jarus of Helm