Here-in contains the Common Law of D'nashk Re'at, for which all citizens and visitors shall be governed.

 

Concerning the Knowledge of the Most High

 

The Knowledge of the Most High shall not be made secret, nor shall it be prevented from public declaration.

 

A portion of funds that the Royal Family gathers from donation and taxation shall be used to secure the presence of at least one Monastery dedicated to the spread of the Knowledge of the Most High in every major city, town and military outpost.

 

No citizen shall be forced to accept the Knowledge of the Most High or to offer worship to the Most High. All study and worship must be voluntary.

 

Though the Knowledge of the Most High casts doubt upon all other gods of the Known World, citizens who  migrate to D'nashk Re'at shall have the right to continue to worship the gods of their fathers and shall not be prevented from doing so, if they choose not to receive the Knowledge of the Most High. However, those citizens must gather their own funds to build their places of worship, or secure city and town leaders over them who will direct local taxation on their behalf.

 

Concerning the Dark Magic of the Undead

 

The practice of all forms of the Dark Magic of the Undead are forbidden through-out the land of D'nashk Re'at. Any such violation will result in loss of citizenship and banishment from the kingdom. Those who try to return without pardon from the Royal Family will be imprisoned indefinitely in the Garrison at Hil'Derrin Point.

 

Concerning Slavery and Contests to the Death

 

Slavery of any kind and all Contests to the Death are forbidden through-out the land of D'nashk Re'at. Any such violation will result in loss of citizenship and banishment from the kingdom. Those who try to return without pardon from the Royal Family will be imprisoned indefinitely in the Garrison at Hil'Derrin Point.

 

Concerning the Rights of Persons

 

Unwarranted murder of a citizen or foreign visitor will be swiftly punished.  Blood will be required for blood. Claims of self-defense will be resolved by the Courts of Justice.  If self-defense is determined, no punishment shall be inflicted.

 

Negligent death or injury of a citizen or foreign visitor will require monetary compensation and imprisonment. 

 

Malicious assault or kidnapping of a citizen or foreign visitor are forbidden.  Any such violation will result in imprisonment. 

 

A child citizen whose parents have passed away or have abandoned him or her shall be provided for by funds from taxation. An elderly citizen who does not have surviving family members shall be provided for by funds from taxation. Any citizen who is unable to work by means beyond his or her control, and does not have able-bodied family members who can provide, shall be provided for by funds from taxation. A foreign visitor who becomes destitute because of wrong doing from a citizen who cannot pay compensation, shall be provided for by funds from taxation.

 

Concerning Property

 

All citizens shall have the right to enjoy the fruits of their labor and own property.  Ownership of property by citizens shall be respected by those who govern. If property is required during times of war, compensation will be given to the original owner or the owner's family afterwards.

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Ownership of property shall not apply to persons (for all forms of slavery are forbidden under the Common Law), nor shall it prevent access to water (for water is the Gift of Life from the Most High to all creatures) except in the case of granting boat access along shore lines of private land.  No one shall be allowed to stop a natural spring or river from flowing to others who may depend on it, or spoil the water so it cannot be used. No one shall prevent access to fishing zones, though the Royal Guard may be required to regulate between different parties and prevent over harvesting by imposing limits on fresh fish stock in the market places. The ownership of land is limited in scope and does not allow for the turning of land into desolation, and lands deemed public shall not be allowed to sell for private use.

 

Theft of another person's property or refusal to pay for services is forbidden. Any such violation will result in monetary compensation or imprisonment.

 

Concerning Marriage, Families and Heritage

 

Citizens shall have a right to marry one another and pass down inheritance to their children. 

 

The children of citizens are also citizens of D'nashk Re'at, including those outside of a marriage covenant.

 

Children shall not be held accountable for the crimes of their parents, with the exception of unpaid compensation from an inheritance.

 

 

 

Concerning the Royal Family

 

The King and Queen shall have joint title and reign together, and they shall be the highest authority in all the land. Each one shall share authority and speak on the other's behalf if one should be unavailable for decision. If a stalemate happens in the decision process, then the Elders of the Kingdom shall gather and determine the outcome.

 

The King and Queen shall secure donations and taxation from the people of D'nashk Re'at and use the funds to support the declaration of the Knowledge of the Most High through out the land, to maintain the Royal Guard and all of its military outposts, sea vessels and roads, to maintain the Royal Court of Magicians and their primary residence and major Academies of Study, and to maintain the Royal Palace and the citizens who serve and live there.  

 

The King and Queen shall have authority to declare war upon another kingdom, but shall not do so unless evidence is presented of unwarranted provocation or imminent threat to the sovereignty of D'nashk Re'at.  If the King and Queen are not available and circumstance requires such a declaration, then the Elders of the Kingdom shall have authority to declare war.

 

If either the King or the Queen outlives the other, they shall have the right to find another spouse and grant shared title to him or her, as long as the new spouse is accepted by the majority of the Elders of the Kingdom. The single King or Queen shall maintain power during this process as long as he or she is of sound mind, which can be determined by the majority of the Elders of the Kingdom. Or, the surviving King or Queen can voluntarily pass their title to the next generation of the Royal Family without any granted permission.

 

Though the King and Queen are the highest authority, they shall not place themselves above the Common Law. They shall not be treated different by the Courts of Justice, but shall be held accountable with every other citizen.

 

Concerning the Elders of the Kingdom

 

The Elders of the Kingdom shall balance the power of the King and Queen.  The Elders of the Kingdom may also hear complaints and make judgments concerning Governors and Magistrates.

 

One person from each of the people groups shall be chosen by election to be members of the Elders of the Kingdom - one each for the Elves, the Humans, the Dwarves, the Halflings, the Half-Orcs and the Half-Elves.  When a person becomes a member of the Elders of the Kingdom, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by majority vote of the other Elders.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom by majority vote shall break decision stale mates between the King and Queen.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom shall have power to declare war on another kingdom if the King and Queen both are absent to make such a declaration in time of need.  This decision must be unanimous.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom shall not place themselves above the Common Law, and may be called into account before a Magistrate by the other Elders or by the King and Queen.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom by majority vote shall call the King or Queen to accountability under the Courts of Justice if the King or Queen set themselves above the Common Law.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom shall by majority vote approve a new King or Queen, in the event that one passes away and the surviving King or Queen remarries and wants to grant shared title of reign.

 

The Elders of the Kingdom shall by majority vote determine if a single King or Queen is of sound mind to continue to rule the kingdom, or if transfer of power to a rightful heir is required.

 

If, by unfortunate circumstance, the Royal Family in its entirety are no longer available to rule, and there are no rightful heirs to the throne, the Elders of the Kingdom must find a new Royal Family to put onto the throne from the citizens of D'nashk Re'at, and that decision must be unanimous among the Elders.

 

Concerning the Royal Guard

 

The Royal Guard shall provide protection against foreign enemies, enforce the Common Law through-out the land, and ensure public order.

 

The Royal Guard's headquarters shall be located in Landreer, and there shall be appointed by the King and Queen a Head Commander of the Royal Guard who will act as policy maker and military general. When a person becomes Commander of the Royal Guard, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by the King and Queen.

 

Service in the Royal Guard shall be voluntary. However, Service in a local Militia by all able-bodied fighting men and women during times of war or social upheaval may be required based on circumstance.

 

There are no restrictions concerning marriage for Royal Guards.

 

Each established fortress, town or city will have a Royal Guard Garrison with a ranking Captain and sufficient Guards to provide security against foreign enemies and maintain public order. 

 

The Garrison maintenance and its Guards shall be funded from taxation. 

 

Regular patrols by the Royal Guard shall be made along established roads of commerce and sea trade routes.

 

Concerning the Royal Court of Magicians

 

The Royal Court of Magicians shall advance in study and practice of the Magic of Nature on behalf of the kingdom, for as far as the wisdom of the Most High allows.

 

The Royal Court of Magicians shall do everything in its power to protect the Royal Family and the kingdom against attacks from Agents of Darkness who practice or are empowered by the Dark Magic of the Undead.

 

Service in the Royal Court of Magicians shall be voluntary. 

 

There are no restrictions concerning marriage for the Royal Court of Magicians.

 

The headquarters for the Royal Court of Magicians shall be located at Kel'Calathorn in the Central Mountains, and they shall also manage Academies of Study in the capital city of Landreer and its sister-city Zule.  There shall be appointed one (or two if they are married) Head Practitioners of Magic to manage the Royal Court of Magicians by the King and Queen.  When a person becomes a Head Practitioner, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by the King and Queen.

 

The maintenance of Kel'Calathorn and its Academies of Study shall be funded by taxation.

 

Concerning the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Most High

 

There shall be a Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Monks that are dedicated to serving the Most High in the Monasteries located in every major fortress, town and city.

 

The headquarters for the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Most High shall be located at the Cathedral of the Most High in the capital city of Landreer.  There shall be a Head Monk appointed by the King and Queen. Once a person becomes the Head Monk, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by the King and Queen.

 

Service in the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Most High shall be voluntary. 

 

While members will be encouraged to remain single during service, marriage shall not be forbidden.  However, both spouses must be part of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood, and must be stationed at the same Monastery.

 

Maintenance of the Monasteries shall be funded by donation and taxation.

 

Concerning Elected City and Town Governors

 

Each established town and city shall maintain a Governor selected by the residents to represent their interests to the Royal Family and the Elders of the Kingdom, and to collect additional taxation for local use.  Local taxation shall not be excessive and shall not overlap with taxation from the Royal Family.

 

Once a person becomes a Governor, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by a forced vote from the residents, the Elders of the Kingdom, or the King and Queen.

 

The Governor and his or her family shall reside in the Royal Guard Garrison, and he or she will have authority over the Captain of the Royal Guard there. The Governor shall be under the King and Queen, the Elders of the Kingdom, and the Commander of the Royal Guard.

 

The Governor shall not place him or her self above the Common law, and complaints can be filed with the local Magistrate, the Commander of the Royal Guard, the Elders of the Kingdom or the King and Queen if such circumstances happen.

 

Military Fortresses and non-established villages may not have an elected Governor.

 

Concerning Commerce and Taxation

 

Citizens will not be taxed too heavily or forced to pay tributes beyond what is needed to maintain the kingdom as a whole, and the local needs of established fortresses, towns and cities (for the residents who live there).

 

Residents and merchants within established fortresses, towns and cities must register with the local Royal Guard and pay taxes.  Residents and permanent merchants must pay taxes monthly. Traveling or seasonal merchants  must pay taxes weekly. 

 

Residents who live outside established fortresses, towns and cities but still within patrolled areas by the Royal Guard will be visited to collect taxes on a seasonal basis.

 

Any resident found living for an extended time without registration or up-to-date payments will be fined.  Any merchant found conducting business without registration or up-to-date payments will be fined.  Failure to pay fines will result in imprisonment and/or confiscation of property in proportion to payments due.

 

Towns and cities maintain the right to ask for taxation upon entry for any non resident or merchant not staying long enough to register for a week (which will pay for a day pass for commerce for that merchant).

 

Residents and merchants maintain the right to complain to the Courts of Justice if they feel they have been taxed excessively or treated unfairly during tax collection, imprisonment or property confiscation.

 

Concerning Public Conduct

 

Established fortresses, towns and cities maintain the right to require residents to carry the symbol of the fortress, town or city as proof of residency.

 

Established fortresses, towns and cities maintain the right to lock their gates at night and prevent unauthorized entry or exit.  

 

Non-residents who do not have authorization or are not with a traveling dignitary or other person of authority will be asked to leave weapons at the gate with the Royal Guard.

 

Peaceful public assembly will not be prevented as long as permission from the Royal Guard Captain has been sought and approved.

 

Any civil unrest or rioting shall be met with the full force of the local Royal Guard, and the instigators imprisoned.

 

Theft, refusal to pay for goods and/or services, drunken disorderly conduct or any type of violence will be swiftly responded to by the local Royal Guard.  All parties involved will be taken to the Garrison for questioning by the local Captain, and if justified, imprisoned until appearance before a Magistrate.

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Concerning the Courts of Justice

 

The Common Law shall be posted at the Garrison and no person shall be harassed for or prevented from reading it, or from making a complaint to the local Courts of Justice.

 

Established fortresses, towns and cities will use local taxes to employ a Magistrate, appointed by the Governor or by the Commander of the Royal Guard (in the case of fortresses), to make judgements according to the Common Law. Each Royal Guard Garrison will provide a secure place for the Courts of Justice to meet. Larger cities may have a Council of Magistrates. 

 

The Magistrate shall have full legal authority over any person who comes before him or her, and shall not take orders or be persuaded in judgements from a Governor, from the Commander of the Royal Guard, from the Elders of the Kingdom, or from the King and Queen. 

 

Once a person becomes a Magistrate, he or she will serve as long as they are willing and as long as they are of sound mind, which can be determined by the Governor, the Commander of the Royal Guard, the Elders of the Kingdom or the King and Queen.

 

A Magistrate shall not place him or her self above the Common Law. If complaints against a Magistrate are brought before the Governor, the Commander of the Royal Guard, the Elders of the Kingdom or the King and Queen, they shall have authority to remove a Magistrate from public service if such circumstances happen.

 

Two experts in the law shall be provided by funds from taxation, one to prosecute and one to defend, for any citizen or visitor who is accused of a crime and must stand before a Magistrate for judgement.  These experts in the law will be responsible for presenting witnesses and evidence for and against the accused.

 

Any judgement that results in imprisonment will also require payment as determined by a Magistrate before release is granted.  Any unauthorized escape or aiding in the escape of a prisoner will result in further imprisonment and required payment. 

 

Any judgement concerning capital punishment or banishment that has reasonable doubt may be appealed to Landreer or Zule for a Magistrate there to review the case and render judgement.  That Magistrate may in turn appeal directly to the Elders of the Kingdom or the King and Queen.

 

Citizens and foreign guests shall not be subjected to torture during imprisonment, and maintain the right to complain to the Courts of Justice if such behavior is conducted or suspected.  For Fulskatar the Great, the founder of the Kingdom of the Free, witnessed the cruel and brutal treatment of his fellow slaves at the hands of his wicked warlord, and he himself suffered greatly from merciless and demented beasts in the dark belly of a dungeon. Thus Fulskatar swore such injustice shall not happen again - and so says the Common Law of D'nashk Re'at.