Documented Laws and Punishments of the Imperium Empire

## **Empires Laws and Punishments**

Below is a detailed list of laws within the Empire. This includes punishments.

## **Diplomatic Practices Act**

The term constitution shall include the following;

1. A proposal made by the emperor for the consideration of the Council.
2. An authoritative order issued by the Emperor as the highest magistrate.
3. An instruction given to some particular individual,such as a council member or a magistrate, in regards to an administrative difficulty.
4. A decision made by the Emperor, as the supreme judicial officer,setting some case which has been referred directly to him.
5. An appeal was made directly to the emperor in some dispute, but instead of settling the whole matter he merely states the legal principles applicable to the case.

#### The Hierarchy in terms of constitution

1. The High-Council: In practice,  the High-Council of the Empire played  the central role in the day-to-day functionality of the constitution. A board of the most experienced politicians of this court would  make foreign and military policy and direct domestic policy that the Council of the Empire  are to follow.
2. The Emperor’s Knights: An assembly of Knights. Each Knight shall get one vote before the assembly. Each Knight is assigned a spot in the assembly according to how much property he or she owns. Since the wealthiest Knights are normally picked or requested,  the assembly was very aristocratic.
3. The Court of the Empire: A group of Elected Magistrates of this council direct domestic policy for the lands of the Empire. Each member of the Court is able to vote on any act brought up through court meetings to be passed. Each member of this court is also granted at least one vote, in elections and passing laws. The laws passed by this court are only to be followed by the lands of the Empire.

#### Executive Magistrates

* The Imperial Magistrates (3): The Imperial Magistrates are three high-council members elected by the High-council to oversee affairs regarding law within the Empires court. Any Imperial Magistrate can challenge any ruling of any ruling of a Council member of the Empires courts.

Their titles are as followed: The Imperial Magistrate of Citizen the assembly.

* The Imperial Magistrate of the Empires Council
* The Imperial Magistrate of the Empires Military affairs
* *The Court Magistrate:* The Court Magistrate was a high judge of law made to hear out and address the cases of law within the court of  the empire. Often they were also made to oversee the voting of the High-council.

#### Other Magistrates

* The Emissary of Foreign affairs
* The Emissary of Religious affairs

# **Laws**

## **Electoral Act**

#### **Electoral Corruption**

In the case of electoral corruption, a member of the council is to be removed and will receive permanent exclusion from the court and the Council. In the case of someone attempting to get into the council, if charged with any electoral corruption they will also be permanently excluded from the council.

#### **Definition of Electoral Corruption**

Commonly known as Electoral fraud, Election manipulation or the buying of votes. This interferes with the progress of an election, either by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidate, or both.

*Electoral Bribery can include the following;*

1. *Manipulation of demography;* Artificially control the composition of the electorate in order to produce foregone result, whether it's by moving a large number of votes in the electorate prior to an election; for example, by temporarily assigning them land or, by permanently moving people into an electoral district by granting them land through bribery or as payout for voting for the favored outcome.
2. *Intimidation;* this involves putting undue pressure onto a person or group so that they will vote in a particular way, or not at all. Intimidation can take a range of forms including verbal, physical or coercion.
3. *Violence or threat of violence,* in its simplest form, is when voters from a particular demographic or known to support particular  candidates are directly threatened by supporters of another rival candidate or by those who hired them. In other  cases, supporters of a particular group make it known that if a particular village or city is found to have voted the 'wrong' way, reprisal will be made against that community.
4. *Legal threats;* In this case, voters are made to believe, accurately or otherwise, that they are not legally entitled to vote, or that they are legally obliged to vote a particular way.
5. *Coercion:* Thedemographic that controlled the voting would try to persuade others to follow them. By singling out those who were against the majority, people would  attempt to switch the voters' decision. Their argument could be that since the majority sides with a certain candidate,  they should admit defeat and join the winning side. If this doesn't work, this often leads to the threat of violence.
6. *Vote buying;* Vote buying occurs when a candidate seeks to buy the vote of voters in an upcoming election.  Vote buying can take many forms such as a monetary exchange, as well as an exchange for necessary goods or services.
7. *Vote Fraud:* Some of the forms of vote Fraud include Intimidation and vote-buying.

#### **Court Overseers**

Members of the court or Overseers of the courts shall be made up of at least one person from every noble social class. They will be provided with the means to arrive at their respective courts, so they stand as witnesses to meetings of the council, votes and civil cases to prevent corruption or bribery. Those members of the court who gained tax contracts or presided over courts cannot, unlike members of the council, be prosecuted for extortion.

#### **Enrollment into the Council**

The role of the Council is given to representatives of Houses within the Empire. As such it's their jobs to represent their respective houses by casting votes and voicing concerns on their behalf in regard to council matters.

#### **Constitutional Reforms**

The constitutional reforms or Constitutional refinement is as followed;

1. Absolute supremacy of regular law as opposed to the influence of arbitrary power.
2. Equality before the law.
3. Rights within the law.

These three facts are true for everyone under the rulership of the Empire no matter of class, privilege, or position within the courts.

#### **Holding Votes**

Once a proposal of any law, bill or request is made at least three market days are to pass before any vote can take place. Also requests that differ from the original request shall be denied voting until the day comes to vote upon the first request. If a bill with unrelated material is represented at the voting date the request is to be denied regardless of outcome.

#### **Representing within Court of Law**

Within the Court proceedings, only four representatives could be present: two for the defendant and two for the accuser.  The judge themselves will be the fifth representing the people's interest.

Basic court of law proceedings are to be as followed:

1. Court overseers or jurors represent the people’s interest as well. Ten are allowed within a court of law. These people will vote on a verdict after hearing the case. Though it is in fact the Judge that has the final vote and say within the case.
2. In the case where there is a conflict between the overseers, the majority will be the overall vote and will prevail.
3. If an overseer  expressed no opinion  on the matter the judge will use their  own judgement on the matter.
4. In the event that there is an even number on each side, the judge will use their own judgement.

#### **Secret Votes**

Secret voting is allowed for elections of magistrates or by magistrates and is hereby applied to the election of Court Overseers. This is -Not- applied to cases of treason within the court of law.

Each voter is to announce their votes orally to a teller who will state their vote publicly thus making the voters identity hidden, but it will still count.

#### **Finance Commissioners**

Three finance commissioners shall be assigned to oversee payments received for each Lord County, Lord Duke, Lord Baron of the Empires Court.

#### **Archbishops**

Four Archbishops are to be officially appointed to the Empire Court.

## **Business Practice Act**

#### **Rightful Business days**

It is declared that it is one’s right to decline business within the end of the week being ‘Saturdays’ and ‘Sundays’ or during holiday weeks or days. However, business is required to partake on Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’ as these are the lawful workdays if one owns a local business they wish to keep. This law is applied for all Citizens and Nobles, and you shall be taxed for every legal business day your business is closed by your local landowner.

## **Servant or Slavery Act**

#### **Freeing of Servants**

1. The freeing of a servant or a slave of any race can be done under this restriction; for a slave to be given freedom the master must at least be twenty years old, and the slave must be at least thirty. A free slave cannot become a full citizen within the Empire, but rather will become members of the lower class within the Empire. However, if a slave is freed under the age of thirty, they must only achieve full citizenship after a legal proceeding similar to the way a family law trial would be done. These legal proceedings are to be held at determined times in the province located where the slave was owned. Any slave under the age of thirty could achieve full citizenship rights without need for this hearing, -However- if their master was insolvent and agreed to free them.
2. If a slave under the age of thirty, but was not granted full citizenship rights upon their  freeing, they could be granted  those full citizenship rights if they married a free Citizen of the Empire and had with this person a child who was at least one year of age. If they could prove this to a Magistrate or Governor, he, his wife, and his child would all become full citizens.
3. If a master freed their slaves in order to defraud his creditors due to slaves being pledged as collateral, the freeing of the slave is considered invalid.

#### **Servant and Slave Ownership**

Slaves or servants within the Empire included Prisoners of war, sailors captured and sold by pirates of other nations, or servants bought outside of the Empire's territories. It is not uncommon for desperate Citizens to raise money by selling their children into slavery.  Slaves or servants can be of any race, gender or age.  However, there are still laws to follow for ownership of a slave.

1. A slave who is bought outside of the Empire's territory is to be accounted for and documented as a slave or servant of the Empire.
2. If this slave is used for basic labour, housework or field work they are entitled to the two basic servant rights of the Empire. However,  punishments for misdeeds and severity of them shall still be by right of ownership, the master's choice as long  as it doesn’t break these two rights (See Servant Rights).
3. If the slave or servant is a criminal enslaved by means of punishment the rights are revoked.
4. If the servant or slave is used as a pitfighter or gladiator they are to be examined for prior injuries and it is the responsibility of the master to see to it that their servant or slave fighter is trained  accordingly. However, it is only when the servant steps into the ring that the first right is revoked until he or she steps out of the arena.
5. A slave -CANNOT- be obtained within the lands of the Empire if they are a Citizen and have not been revoked of their citizen rights or convicted of a crime. Obtaining a servant or slave through kidnapping of citizen is in itself a punishable crime to where one can be imprisoned and fined.

#### **Servant and Slave Rights**

Servants or slaves are considered the lowest form of citizenship within the Empire and as such have far less rights than those who are a free Citizen of the Empire. However, if one was born into slavery, sold into it, or was somehow obtained by being within the lands owned by the Empire, they were granted these two basic rights. As a master of a slave or servant breaking these rights could be a punishable offence within the Empire.

The two rights for slave or servants are:

1. *The right to life:* This means under circumstances that a master kills their slave or servant it could be treated as though they murdered a citizen of the Empire.  However, since punishment severity is still up to the master, if death occurs due to a long term injury or if can prove it was accidental the master cannot be charged with murder.
2. *The right to basic needs:* This means a servant or slave has the right to be treated for these basic needs, which includes; the need to eat, the need for hygiene; Bathing, using the bathroom, the need for shelter; a place to rest. A servant or slave master must give their servant or slave all these at least once a day.

#### **Gladiators or Pit fighters**

1. Most Pitfighters are prisoners of war, slaves bought for the purpose, or criminals condemned to serve in the arena pits. Three out of every five Pitfighters often do not survive until their  twentieth birthday. This meant that they still had slave rights but the first one was revoked due to their purpose. However, criminals did not have any rights.
2. Criminals can be thrown into a pit of wild dogs or larger animals as punishments for their crimes.
3. Freemen can volunteer to be pit fighters but as such revoked most of their citizen rights while within the pits.
4. Depending on the severity of a criminal’s crime and sentencing they could be given the option of either trial by honor or fight for their freedom in the arena.

#### **Limited slave freeing**

Though freeing of a servant or slave is allowed within the terms of law one is limited to the number of slaves you may choose to free.

These numerical terms are as followed

1. A master who has three slaves can only choose to free two
2. A master who has four and ten slaves can only free half of them.
3. A master with eleven to thirty can only free one-third of them.

Any freeing of slaves above these limits are invalid.

## **Property Rights Act**

#### **Contributions to property rights**

All citizens of the Empire have the right to add contributions to property rights in the following ways:

1. Any citizen may defend the possessions by two reasons which forcibly appeal to the feelings of the human mind; that whatever they enjoy is the fruit of their own industry and that every man who runs their felicity may purchase similar acquisitions by the exercise of similar diligence.
2. Each field and forest are circumscribed by the landmark of its owner.
3. The active insatiable principle of self-love can alone supply the art of living and wages of industry.

#### **Definition of Property**

Property is the right and interest of which a person holds in lands and chattels to the exclusion of others, provided they make no use of them prohibited by law.

#### **Possession of Property**

1. Possession of a property does not mean one has ownership of it. Within the land of the Empire legal proceedings however, the advantage is more like the individual who has possession. However, if said property is under dispute unless the person who possesses this property can show proof of ownership or claim of illegitimate ownership have been distributed or passed to them by perchas, inheritance or marriage.
2. Forcible entry upon possession is forbidden and is grounds for punishment under the Crime and Punishment Act, second; Trespassing, somebody claiming a property had to show proof that the acquisition was illegitimate, and that ownership had been disputed. Although most can be acquired by marriage or inheritance.

#### **Ownership of Property**

1. In order to be the owner of a property one only has to prove a legitimate transaction and prove that they have unchallenged ownership
2. In the case of structures and homes the owners had secure rights in land
3. Incase of Tenants, they only have the right to use the land during the term of their contractual agreement which tends to be from five year-to-year contracts in the absence of specific agreement. The Tenant was also not tied to the land by any right. If however, this land’s ownership is changed, if the new owner wishes to discharge a tenant, he or she could  do that.  A Tenant who is discharged can claim compensation however, for their improvements on the land, even if the improvements were made in the absence of a specific agreement.

Reasons for discharging a tenant could be as follows:

* Failure to pay the agreed rent
* Failure to extend contract
* Damage to property
* Breach of owners contract
* Owner has been changed and there was  a failure to renew contracts due to this

Rent could be paid in the following ways.

* Through coin
* Through service
* Through Crops
* Through Livestock

It should be noted that the landowner has the right to take possession of or seize tenant's goods in case of failure to pay rent.

#### **Limitations of Ownership**

The only Limitation is right-of-way; meaning a person can contract to buy a piece of land upon the agreement that third parties may travel across part of their land to reach his or her other property.

#### **Seized Property**

The Empire can seize private property to make way for public works projects. Some compensation can be given to these owners upon requesting it at the Empire Court.

#### **According to Land**

Land may be Acquired through the following ways.

* Inheritance
* Marriage
* Real Estate Market
* Service to the Empires Courts
* Soldiers could acquire lands as payment by the Empires Court

#### **Property Damage**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of damaging private property if they are proven by court, witnessed or self admittingly, to damaging an individual's personal property whether it is accidental or with malicious intent.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of damaging stolen property if while stolen the property is in their possession whether itis of their own fault or the fault  of someone else it was damaged with malicious intent or accidental.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of damaging property if while renting land or housing the land or housing is proven to be damaged or left in poorer condition than when the landlord allowed said property to be rented to the accused.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of damaging and injuring live property if they are proven to have caused harm to an individual’s livestock or Slaves whether it is accidental or with malicious intent.

##### Punishments for Property Damage

1. A Citizen found guilty of damaging private property shall be given the right to trial  by combat. Ifthey refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve time in labour for three months. Meaning; they are to be taken to a labour camp or a neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labour to attend farms or mines. After their time in labour is served they shall be given all Citizenship rights back. They shall then be fined for victim compensation, through payment or properties owned by the guilty. If one in acts their trial by combat right but is forced to yield they will still serve the punishment stated above.
2. A Citizen found guilty of damaging  stolen property shall be given the right to trial by combat. If they are forced to yield during combat or if they refuse this  right they shall be ordered to serve ‘Time in labour’ for five months. Meaning; they are to be taken to a labour camp or a neighbouring person of nobility  who is in need of labourers to attend farms or mines. After this time is served in full they shall be given allCitizenship rights back. Theyshall then be fined for victim compensation, through payments of properties owned by the guilty party.
3. A Citizen found guilty of damaging property while renting shall be given their right of trial by combat. If  they refuse this right or if they are forced to yield during combat, they shall be ordered to serve ‘Time in labour’ for a month. This means that they will be taken to a labour camp or to a neighbouring person of nobility in need of labourers to tent to Farms and Mines. After the time is served in full they shall be given all citizens right back. They shall then be fined for victim compensation, through payments for properties owned by the guilty party.
4. A Citizen found guilty of damaging and injuring live property shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right or are forced to yield, they shall be ordered to serve ‘Time in labor’ for five months. This means that they will be taken to a labor camp or to a neighboring person of nobility in need of labor to tend to farm or mines. After the time is served in full, they shall be given all Citizens right back. They shall then be fined for victim compensation, through payments or properties owned by the guilty party.

#### **Taxes for Property**

The types of property within the lands of the Empire and how they are taxed shall be as follows:

* Type One: Agriculture, grazing, livestock, notes, bonds, stocks, accounts receivable
	+ Type one Property These types are taxed by ten percent of the coin each owned property is worth or ten percent of each produced stocker livestock grown or bred.

* Type  Two: Commercial Properties
	+ Type two Property these  types are taxed by ten percent of the  coin each owned property is worth.

* Type Three: Transportation such as: Carriages, horses and mechanical runned transportation.
	+ Type three Property these types are taxed by two percent of the coin each owned property is worth. In the case of Horses if they are being bred it will be five percent of livestock produced.

* Type Four: Personal property, except Transportation.
	+ Type four Property these types are taxed by three percent of what each owned property is worth but only upon purchase.

* Type Five: Residential and Farm homes.
	+ Type five Property these types are taxed by ten percent by ten of what each owned property is worth.

* Type Six: Swamp and Waste.
	+ Type Six Property These  types are taxed by four percent of each owned property's worth. However, if this is not maintained in terms of stench of biodegradable waste one can and will be fined with another five percent coin for each property worth, while it remains in poor condition.

Within the law shared by the Empire to its people the following is hereby stated by law, shall be true:

* It is hereby law that obligations created by agreement in sale, hire, partnership and mandate have absolutely no need for any special form of words or writing. It is enough that all the parties to the transaction merely come to an agreement. However, another form of such contracts is for each party to come under reciprocal obligations to conform to the standard of what is fair and reasonable.

#### **Business names**

Business names can be claimed as a trademark under the court of law which allows for an owner of a corporation or company that has over three-hundred members to claim a name as their brand there by finding anyone else who uses their brand name under tax or twenty percent of their earnings to said company. Such law is to protect the exclusive enjoyment of trade names and might prevent unfair trading.

#### **Religious Structures**

It is hereby forbidden to construct and dedicate a Temple or place of holy ground for religious purposes unless the following it true.

1. Your a citizen of the Empire
2. You are granted the proper permissions of the arch-baship, the Imperial court and the emperor
3. The religion is in fact approved by law and by the Churches of the Holy Light

#### **Construction of Property**

It is hereby forbidden to construct large structures meant for businesses or living without the approval of the Imperial Court. The only exception is if you are a noble that directly owns the land the structure is to be built on. Being a noble with no overlord.

## **Crimes and Punishment Act**

Here listed are acts which are considered Crimes and punishments to expect if found guilty of such crimes.

#### **Assault**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of assault upon another Citizen if he, while being fully aware of his own actions, attempts to inflict violence against another.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of assault if he causes violent injury upon another, while being  fully aware of his own actions.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of assault if he inflicts grievous injury upon another.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of ‘assault with a deadly weapon’ if he has attempted, or caused injury to another using, a weapon, magic,or enchant that is capable of causing death.
5. A Citizen shall be not guilty of assault if upon committing a violent act upon another they were unaware of their own actions
6. A Citizen shall be not guilty of assault if upon a violent act upon  another, they believed they were acting to protect themselves or others. In this case it would be considered self-defence’ and the act is not punishable within law.

* Punishment for Assault

1. If a Citizen is found guilty of attempted assault, the citizen shall be given the choice to use their right to trial by combat or to serve ‘Time in labour’ for three months. This means they are to be taken to a labour camp or a neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend farms or mines. After this time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. However, if they choose to use the right to trial by combat and are forced to yield upon their trial by combat an additional two months will be added to this time making their time in labour five months.
2. If a Citizen is found guilty of assault resulting in injury,the citizen shall be given the choice to use their right of trial by combat or serving ‘time in labour’ for seven months. Meaning they are to be taken to a labour camp or a neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers. After this time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. If  they are forced into yielding in their trial by combat  two more months shall be added to this, making this nine months instead.
3. If a Citizen is found guilty of assault resulting in grievous injury, the citizen shall be given their right to trial by combat or to serve ‘Time in labour’ for eight months. Regardless of choosing the option of  trial by combat or not,they are to receive ten lashes across their back, before even participating in the Combat of trial or being sent to do their ‘Time In labour’. If  forced to yield during their trial of combat another two months will be added to the ‘time in labour’ making it ten months instead.
4. If a Citizen is found guilty of assault resulting in death, the family of the victim shall be given  their right of Blood for Blood in challenging the guilty party  to the death. Regardless of whether  the family accepts this right or not the guilty party shall be given twenty lashes,  and additional five lashes for any given relative who wishes to step up and hand the guilty party the lashes themselves. If the guilty party serves this only then, they may defend themselves during the families right of Blood for Blood or if that right is declined they are to be sent to do ‘time of Labour For five years. Upon after the family is able to call for their right of Blood for Blood again if they wish to do so.

#### **Sexual Misconduct**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of rape if they force themselves upon another in any sexual activity leading up to and including sexual intercourse.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of sexual misconduct if he engages in sexual activity  of any kind with an individual under the age of sixteen to which they are not married to. This includes if one is only betrothed  to the individual.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of sexual misconduct if they engages in sexual activity of any kind with an individual  under the age of twelve, regardless of marital status with the individual; for the individual  must be over the age of thirteen  in order for the marriage to be considered illegal binding.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of bestiality if they knowingly and willingly engages in sexual intercourse with an animal, orshould lawfully own an animal and knowingly allow it to engage in sexual intercourse with a citizen of the realm.

* Punishments for Sexual Misconduct

1. A Citizen found guilty of rape shall be given  thechoice to use their right of trial by combat or face a number of punishments depending on social class of the side accused;  –A Citizen of thesame social statues as the victim they would be required to give the victim compensation, though payment or  properties owned by theguilty party. –A Citizen of a higher class than the victim would be required to give the victim compensation, in the form of marriage; meaning that their properties would also part belong  to the victims as well.--A  citizen flower class then the victim would be required to give compensation in the form of ‘time in labour’ working for the victims family for ten months. –Citizens who are of the same or lower class in addition are to be castrated as part of the compensation. Those who are forced to yield once choosing trial by combat, would also face not only castration but death as well.
2. A Citizen found guilty of sexual misconduct with a person under  the age of sixteen shall be given the choice to use their right of trial by combat  or to compensate the victim with property or coin. Forced to yield in the trial of combat they will be forced to compensate the victim  with coin.
3. A Citizen found guilty of bestiality shall be given the choice to use their right to trial by combat or to simply be castrated. If forced to yield during their trial of combat, the guilty party will still be castrated.

#### **Unlawful Murder**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of premeditated murder if one should willingly and knowingly not only commit an act with the full intent to end a being’s life but plain out said act or ending said being life as well.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of murder if one commits an act knowingly and willingly with the intent of ending an individual's life.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of slaughter  if upon  provocation or emotional disturbance one commits an act of violence which results in the victim  dying within five months of  injuries caused.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of slaughter if said citizen harms the  victim while commenting  on another criminal act or being reckless.
5. A Citizen shall be guilty of slaughter if they are under contract  to care or protect the victim and they breach their duty to protect and  the breach results in the death  of the victim directly.

* Punishments for unlawful Murder

1. A Citizen guilty of premeditated murder shall be given their right of trial by combat. If  they refuse this  right they shall be stripped onto the wheel with all their limbs  extended outwards, after this  the family of the victim who wishes to or is able will be given a large hammer and instructed to hit the guilty party on any limb they wish five times, each family member gets these five hits. When this is done  someone appointed shall take over and break all remaining limbs of the guilty party. The guilty party shall then be left to die after being broken on the wheel.  If they are  forced to yield during the trial by combat they will be forced to  pay the same price. The family of said victim however, can change the trial by combat  to Trial by Blood if they have a person willing or themselves would fight against the guilty  party.
2. A Citizen guilty of murder shall be given their  right of trial by combat. If they refuse they  shall  be met with the same faith as a citizen guilty of  premeditated murder. If there is family to the victim they can choose to  the victim they can choose to change the trial into a trial of blood.
3. A Citizen guilty of slaughter due  to provocation or emotional disturbance shall be given the right to trial by combat. If they Refuse this right they shall be hanged until dead. If they are forced to yield during the trial of combat they will meet the same faith.
4. A Citizen guilty of slaughter while committing another crime or due to recklessness shall be given their right to trial by combat. If they were committing another crime they shall first be punished for that crime. If they were being reckless they would only be punished for slaughter. In both cases the guilty party still shall be strapped to the wheel with all their limbs extended outwards. After the family of said victim, if any are present, would be given the choice to wield a large hammer and instructed to hit any limb of the guilty party five times. The guilty party would then be left to die on the wheel. If the guilty party is forced to yield during trial by combat, will meet the same faith.
5. A Citizen guilty of slaughter due to the disregard of their duties to protect or care for said victim shall be given their right to trial by combat. If they refuse, they will be hanged until dead. If they are forced to yield during their trial of combat, they shall meet the same faith.

#### **Unlawful Detainment**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of abduction if they with malicious intent confined another citizen against their will or if they through violence, threat of violence, or any other means, compel another citizen to accompany them against their will.
2. A Citizen shall not be guilty of kidnapping if they move an injured citizen with the intent to protect or keep them out of harm’s way or if the citizen moves another against their will with the intent of protecting them from immediate risk of  harm.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of theft if they unlawfully seize a mount while it is in transit for their own purpose  OR; if they unlawfully compel the owner of any mount to utilise their transportation against their will.

* Punishment for unlawful detainment

1. A Citizen guilty of abduction shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right, they are to be given sixty lashes across their back per victim they abduct and/ or to serve ‘time in labor’ for three months; meaning they are to be taken to a labor camp or a neighboring person of nobility who is in need of laborers to attend farms or mines. After their time is served, they shall be given all citizen rights back. If the guilty party is forced to yield during their trial of combat, they will be forced to do the above punishment.
2. A Citizen guilty of theft shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right, they shall be given thirty lashes across their arms per item stolen and fined for the victim compensation, through payment or properties owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during their trial of combat, they shall be forced to do the above.

#### **Property Crimes**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of trespassing if they enter private property owned by another without permission of that property owner or if they refuse to leave while present in someone else’s property upon the owner's request.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of breaking and entering if they, without invitation by force or by stealth, enter a private property that does not belong to them.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of theft if they take possession of an item they do not  own with the intent to keep it.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of theft if they enter a home or part of a home with the intent to steal from that home or if they take or attempt to take anything within that home that doesn’t belong to them.
5. A Citizen shall be guilty of robbery if they commit  theft while using force or with the intent of using force, against a citizen.
6. A Citizen shall be guilty of poaching if they slay an animal upon the private property of another without the owner’s permission.
7. A Citizen shall be guilty of vandalism  if they deface or damage private or public property of the Empire with the intent to incite a riot, sedition, or insult to the house of nobles, King or Emperor.
8. A Citizen shall be guilty of criminal damage if  they destroy  or damage any property belonging to another with the intent to destroy or damage the property or while behaving recklessly.
9. A Citizen shall be guilty of arson if they with malicious intent, start a fire or maintain a fire within a structure owned by another.
10. A Citizen shall be guilty of vandalism and theft if they cut down any tree within the limits of a city, for they belong to the Empire. A tree shall be regarded as a plant having a permanently wooden main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a considerable height, and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground.

* Punishments for Property Crimes

1. A Citizen found guilty of trespassing shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
2. A Citizen found guilty of breaking and entering shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this  right they shall be ordered to serve  ‘time in labour’ for five months; this means they are to be taken to a labour camp or a neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend farms or mines. After their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for victim compensation,through payments or properties owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield  during the trial of combat the above punishment shall be served.
3. A Citizen found guilty of theft shall be given their right of trial by combat. shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
4. A Citizen found guilty of robbery shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse the right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; this means they are sent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
5. A citizen found guilty of poaching shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
6. A citizen found guilty of vandalism shall be given their  right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
7. A Citizen found guilty of criminal damage shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
8. A citizen found guilty of arson shall be given their right of trial by combat. If they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.
9. A citizen found guilty of vandalism and theft shall be given their right of trial by combat.  If  they refuse this right they shall be ordered to serve ‘time of labour’ for five months; thismeanstheyaresent to a labour camp or a  neighbouring person of nobility who is in need of labourers to attend forms or  mines. After  their time is served they shall be given all citizen rights back. They shall then be fined for  victim compensation, through payment or properties  owned by the guilty party. If the guilty party is forced to yield during the trial by combat the above punishment shall be served.

## **Civil Act**

#### **Citizenship**

1. An individual can be born  into Citizenship if both parents are already free citizens of the Empire.
2. An individual can also earn Citizenship with the completion of a public service, such as serving the Empires Military.

#### **Classes of Citizenship**

1. Citizen: Full Citizens of the Empire, who enjoyed full legal protection under the Empire's Laws.
2. Foreign-Citizen: A Citizen who had the rights to migrate and live on lands owned by full citizens but not the right to own their own lands under the empire.
3. Foreigner: Any person who is not a full citizen of the Empire.

#### **Civil Crimes**

1. An individual shall be guilty of claiming false citizenship if they speak of having citizenship in documentation or by word of mouth as an individual who is not born into the Empire or who is not in public service to the Emperor or Empire itself.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of treason if they have committed an  act that is  against the Empire's people or against their safety.

* Punishments for Civil Crimes

1. An individual guilty of claiming false citizenship shall be given their right of trial by combat.  If they decline or if they are forced into yielding, they shall be stripped of their titles and given Items and deported from the Empire or enslaved.
2. A Citizen guilty of treason to the Empire shall be whipped one-hundred times before given the right of trial by combat. If they win, they are to be exiled from the empire with their life spared, however if they refuse if they lose, they are to be executed or tied to a hanging stake and left to the elements until dead.

## **Tax Act**

#### **Citizens and working-Class Tax**

1. All Citizens living under the rulership of the Empire is to pay ten percent of the produce being produced in their lands in goods or in Coin to the Emperor of the Empire.
2. All Citizens under a lordship are to pay tax to their respective landlord, which in turn will  pay ten percent of tax of the product he or she receives to the high-council of the Empire.
3. All Citizens are to pay five percent tax on inheritance, exempting inheritances from close relatives.

#### **Servants of the Empire Taxes**

1. Kings and heads of Councils are required to also pay taxes; however, their taxes are lowered to five percent of their goods and their Coin income.
2. A Soldier, Guard, Knight or direct servant to the Empire, in current service to the Empire is only required to pay ten percent taxes if they become landed nobles. If not as long as they are able bodied, they will pay no taxes.
3. The Council gets inheritances tax free.

## **Rights Act**

#### **General Rights**

1. The right to Trial by combat; all citizens have the right to request a trial by combat, this means allowing the ’faiths’ to decide if they are guilty or not. Normally if the guilty party wins, they are seen to have earned their innocents and only would have to pay a fine to the court for their time. However, if they lose often, they are forced to serve the full punishment without any chance of pardon. However, winning freedom doesn’t save the guilty party from retaliation from victims of crime towards the guilty.
2. The right to Blood for Blood or trial by Blood; all citizens have the right to request a trial by combat, however in crimes where the victim is left dead or gravely injured the family or victim can change this trial to a Trial of blood and select a champion to fight on their behalf against the guilty party. This is a fight to the death. Normally if the guilty party wins, they are seen to have earned their innocents and only would have to pay a fine to the court for their time, along with lashes for life taken. Losing for the guilty party means death.

#### **Tributes of Citizens**

1. Citizens are to pay an interest of two percent for every week of unpaid Taxes, in goods or in Coin.
2. Citizens are to deduct five-percent interest for crops and livestock if they are on time for paying taxes on their lands and home.
3. Citizens can own only up to three-hundred acres of land claimed by the Empire.
4. Citizens can own only up to one-hundred cattle on land claimed by the Empire.

#### **Tenants and Land**

1. Unused land claimed under the empire is brought under cultivation and is the Empires to do with it as the council pleases.
2. Tenants shall pay rent in crops or livestock to the land owner, as  their tax.
3. Rents are one third of the total crop  of wheat, barley, wine and olive oil. Additional Rents include  one quarter or one fifth of  beans and honey.
4. Rents shall not be  charged on newly planted crops for the first five years, and newly planted trees for the  first ten years.
5. Grazing livestock shall be taxed by every four  animals owned. Taxes for them can come from wool, milk, the breeding of said livestock or Coin.
6. Damage  that is avoidable to other tenants crops or livestock shall be paid back by the offender in crops and livestock.
7. Land  under tenancy can be given to an heir in a  legally binding contract.
8. Confiscation of land can only occur due to land that is neglected and uncultivated  for two consecutive years.  This allows landlords to reclaim them.
9. Labour Services are to be supplied for two consecutive days of ploughing and two for harvesting, in turn weekly. That is in addition to rent. The Tenant must also watch over and care for all livestock on said land.

#### **Status of Freedman**

1. A Freedman is classified as a free slave who is granted rights as a foreigner of the Empire.
2. A Freedman shall be granted  rights available to foreigners under conditions set out by the council.
3. A slave must be freed by the  age of  forty or older, the owner had to have released ownership and the ceremony must be made public, to be given a Freedman title.
4. For slaves under the age of thirty, the manumission must be approved by the council.

#### **Rights of Empire Citizens**

1. The right to vote
2. The right to hold office
3. The right to make contracts
4. The right to own property
5. The right to have a lawful marriage
6. The right to have  children  of any such marriage become citizens of the Empire automatically
7. The right to sue in court and be sued
8. The right to defend  oneself in court
9. The right to have a legal trial with the council; The right to appeal a decision.

#### **Right of Empire Council**

1. The right to wear the Empire's Royal colors.
2. The right to their titles given by the Emperor and fellow council
3. The right to participation in meeting of the Council
4. The right to clean Bloodline,  meaning prohibition from entering marriages with slaves or descendants of slaves.
5. The right  to not pay certain  taxes
6. The right to be appointed for life unless charged with crimes or prove unworthy.
7. The rights of all Citizens

#### **Right of the Emperor**

1. The right to vote.
2. The right to hold meeting with the council.
3. The right to participation in meetings of the council
4. The right to hold the final vote in all matters.
5. The right to remove council within reason from the high council.
6. The right to clean Bloodline, meaning prohibition from entering marriage with slaves and descendants of slaves.
7. The right to not pay taxes.
8. The right to be appointed for life.
9. The right of all citizens

#### **Right of Foreigners**

1. Foreigners are not protected by Empire laws.
2. The right to tenant under a landowner

## **Marriage Act**

#### **Suitability of the Match**

1. Council shall be forbidden from marrying a slave, entertainer, gladiator, prostitute or descendants of such.
2. The  Emperor is forbidden from marrying a slave, entertainer, gladiator, prostitute or a woman whose father or mother was within the entertainment profession.
3. Slaves shall be forbidden to marry.
4. Children of Council members shall be forbidden from marrying a slave, entertainer, gladiator, prostitute or descendants of such.
5. Inheritance left to a person on condition of not marrying which in effect prevented marriage,shall be deemed non-binding in such terms and will be rewarded as if the gift was unconditional.
6. Inheritance conditions, can be not to marry a certain specified person or persons; or it might be to marry a particular person,but then the person must be that is of suitable match.
7. Council and  their descendants shall be  forbidden to marry freedwomen, or women who have themselves  followed the profession of the  stage, or whose father or mother has done so.
8. Citizens shall be forbidden to marry a common prostitute, or a woman caught in adultery, or one condemned in a public lawsuit, or a woman who has the profession of the stage.

#### **Promotion of Marriage**

1. A Citizen cannot take a legacy if they are unmarried; however if they are unmarried at the time of the Head of their house death and was not otherwise  disqualified, they may take on the legacy of their house, if they marry within  one-hundred days.
2. Widows are allowed a term of one year from the death of a husband and divorced women are allowed a term of six months before being able to marry once again or suffering any penalties for being unmarried.
3. A man, once he has reached the age of sixty and a woman, once she has reached the age of fifty are not penalised for being unmarried in  terms of Legacy and inheritance.
4. A Freedman who  has  more than four children within the Empire shall be released from their patrons.
5. A Husband or Wife shall  only leave  one-tenth of their  property to each other as an inheritance; but children either  born of the marriage or by another marriage of one of the parties, which allowed free disposal of a larger part, given to said children as inheritance.
6. Marriages can be arranged  by parents of a young couple.
7. A marriage shall be acknowledged as a contract between two families; the groom’s family shall pay a bride price to the bride's family when the couple is married.
8. At a  marriage, the bride’s father shall pay a dowry. Since both families have financial responsibility for the new couple. It shall be required if the marriage is arranged.

#### **Adultery**

1. A Citizen shall be guilty of adultery if they are found to have dishonored the marriage bed of another.
2. A Citizen shall be guilty of adultery if they are found to have dishonored their own marriage bed.
3. A Citizen shall be guilty of adultery if they are found to have indulged in deviance acts with males or females.
4. A Citizen shall be guilty of seduction if a person, without the use of force, deflowers a virgin or seduces a respectable widow.
5. A Citizen is not committing adultery if they take in concubines and chooses to lay with said concubines.

* Punishments for adultery

1. An individual guilty  of seduction shall be given the penalty of confiscation of half  their estate if they are of respectable standing.  Corporal punishment in cases of  Citizens.
2. A Citizen guilty of adultery shall be banished. The two guilty shall be sent to different islands.
3. A Citizen guilty of adultery is permitted to be killed by their fathers and  their partners in adultery may also be killed.
4. A Citizen guilty of adultery could be killed by their wife or husband could kill the partners under certain circumstances, an answer required to divorce adulterous partners.

## **Military Act**

#### **Military Champions**

1. A Citizen of the Empire has the right to vote to elect Military Champions.
2. Champions hold the right to Command magistrates, council members outside the High-council and any military member in the enlisted.

#### **Military Rights**

1. The right to counsel to appeal against capital sentences.
2. The right to appeal.
3. The right to be exempted from degrading and shameful punishment, such as crucifixion and public flogging.
4. The right to legally kill any citizen who was plotting to establish a tyranny.

#### **Military Powers**

1. The power to execute anyone without trial that poses direct threat.
2. They are not required to submit any legislative proposals to the citizen assembly.
3. Governors (Commanders) powers are limited to military matters
4. Governors could not enter war without prior authorization from the Council
5. Governors could not leave their province  unless it is granted by the Council
6. Governors must depart his province within thirty-days of his successor’s arrival