Winterweir Rule of Law

This is a short description of the Winterweir legal system. It is, at once, familiar and different from what many people actually may be familiar with. This will play a part in our games as an important part of this case.

The Code of Alacarn

The Code of Alacarn is the Law for the land. This allows all beings the rights to a trial with legal representation. Juries are not used for criminal cases in Winterweir but only civil suits. Crimes that are punishable by death in Winterweir are black magic, heresy (restricted to worshiping Malaxas), kidnapping (often used to punish slavers), murder, rape, and treason. All other crimes are punishable by either fines or by extended service in one of Winterweir's prison camps.

The law is very progressive by the standards of Alacarn but it is also something that has some serious flaws. For example, a peasant cannot testify against a nobleman in Winterweir and a noble can also pardon someone guilty of a crime against a peasant. The only recourse is a Trial by Combat that the Prosecutor must undertake himself. Many murderers have gotten away scott free by being good duelists. The guilty can also request a trial by combat.

Legal Positions

The positions that exist in the Winterweir court of law are as follows.

• Justicar: The equivalent of a Judge. All Justicars are Priests of Heton or Tyros. They can only be appealed by going up the clerical ladder to High Justicars and Grand Justicars.

• Accusor: The equivalent of a Prosecutor. The Accusor brings the state's evidence against offenders. Accusors are almost always Priests of Tyros and skilled combatants in addition to their role as Accusors. Older ones may be awarded a Champion.

• Advocates: Those required to defend the innocent and not so innocent. Advocates are a less beloved profession in Winterweir as the wealthy rarely get accused and the poor often have the odds stacked against them. Advocates, more often than not, do defend the innocent.

• Champion: Allows for Nobles or Clergy. Champions take up the cause of the Defense and, rarely, certain Accusors. Champions are often always hardened mercenaries that exist to get the rich and powerful off crimes.

• Gravemaster: Peculiarly, Forensics actually exists in Winterweir. Gravemasters are almost always Priests of Kaalon (the only way to avoid accusations of blasphemy and spiritual contamination). The best use magic to interrogate the spirits of the dead and plumb secrets.

• Lamplighter: Bizarrely, the people who light Winterweir's lights at night are actually high ranking members of the City Guard and charged with investigating guards. They rarely actually do the lamplighting itself (often handled by poor boys who are apprenticed to them) but keep the name do to their having special red lanterns.

• Wintermen: The equivalent of the city watch. Winterweir men actually work for the army but the best are selected to become Lamplighters and become permanent investigators of Alfein's many crimes.