Crime and Punishment

      Welcome to the crime and punishment pages of Mysthia. Here in you will discover what exactly happens to thieves ruffians and other disturbers of the peace. And what becomes of them. This will also explain the reasons and position of Mysthian Slavery Laws. As well as the laws of servantry, and indentured service. These areas are far and different and are part of the society of Mysthia.

So let us come to the legal side of Mysthian society. And explain some of the reasons behind the rather odd ways of slavery and the governing laws within the Empire.

Capital Offenses

   The laws below carry the ultimate capital punishment an elf can be punished with. If found guilty of violating them, death is not what is issued, as death leads only to another stage of life. Herewith, if found guilty of performing the crimes, the soul itself, is encased and Magically Jared to remain eternally in the halls of the damned. Never to truly die, and never to truly live.

Murder: Now murder is defined as the premeditated senseless slaughter of an Elven life. Death brought on by duel, or feuds of houses is not classifiable as a true murder. Murder in the eyes of the courts of Mysthia, is defined by a senseless killing of another, often brought on for shear lust of dark desires. Murder in its true form is exceedingly rare within the lands of Mysthia, for the penalty is not a loss of life. But a loss of ones eternal soul.

Treason: Treason against the crown, and the nation itself has always held the penalty of eternal encasement within the halls of the damned. Most persons who have committed treason in its true sense rarely see the courts due to the fanatical loyalties of the shadow guard, whom often slay the individual outright before he or she is captured, and brought forth to face the Judiciary council.

Non Capital Offenses

   Non Capital Offenses run the gamut of penalties, and punishments inflicted by their breaching. Most often it is handled by the individual or house in which the crime was committed. However there are times in which the state itself will intervene on behalf of, or in lieu of a houses internal prerogatives. Often it is in the cases of outsiders performing the crimes within the nation, or the crime including more than two houses. Such as in the case of a serial thief.  As there are so many potential crimes against persons and property that a person could commit, we shall simply touch base on the most common or in the very least the worst ones that can be done to an individual or property.  Now Elven society unlike that of many other races do not imprison criminals in jails, as elves in general cannot abide by captivity to the point that they slip off into death, and escape from the captivity in that manner. So hence imprisoning an elf, is reserved more for Capital Level Offenses.

Theft: Thievery is rather frowned upon by society in general. And often it is handled by the house robbed and the thief in general. However there is an established thieves trade, and though not acknowledged in general as being a valid trade of living, they (the thieves guild) has provided many valuable services to the nation itself as a whole. By providing information often unobtainable by the more regal and less shadowy members of Mysthian society. If a thief is caught it depends mainly on the mood of the house lords, and what was stolen. Often a simple return plus interest upon the value of the item suffices. Should one be unable to pay the fine associated. Indentured servantry is enforced, based on a contracted usually fairly standard daily rate. Till such time as the fine has been worked off. In the event of an exceedingly valuable item being lifted, and the length of time necessary to pay off the interest fine, exceeds a life time of time, permanent slavery is enacted for the general life of the individual.

Rape: Rape is considered one of the most vile, and dark crimes an elf can commit. It is sanctimonious to their beliefs, and a violation of their societal founding's. Depending on the house involved and the individual raped, more often than not, the perpetrator is executed summarily by the house personnel. In some cases, imprisonment is enacted until the death of the criminal occurs.

Assault: Physical violence within the realms is oddly common place amongst the densely populated areas of the city. Most assaults are generally caused due to minor violations of honor. Most actions are handled by the houses of the members involved in the Brawl. The state usually will not get involved in matters of this nature, as they are considered a fact of life. In the event of a death caused by the brawl, extenuating circumstances, may call for an investigation of murder, if the fight was not ensued and conducted in a matter consistent with an honor duel. Muggings fall under this general area as well, within the laws of thievery. The terms of theft are traditionally carried out before any sentencing regarding the assault occurs during a mugging incident. However as thievery is considered a grand game, and test of skill, most who resort to mugging are marked for their crime once the terms of the sentence have been carried out. And they remain forever shunned by the populace in general.