Laws Regarding Meta-Human Abilities

## Overview

City Charter Code 812.7 establishes the laws regarding the use of superhuman or Meta-human abilities within New Kensington, and largely most of the Empire in General. These laws mirror the laws that were enacted in the early years of Paragon City; they are effective and Emperor Zertstoiten sees no reason to interfere with them.

## Rights and Governances

These laws are applicable to all Meta-Humans active in Paradigm City. Breaking one or all of these laws is considered a misdemeanor. Some, like publicly revealing a secret identity, is considered Attempted Murder by the Empire and action against such individuals is swift and merciless.

For the purposes of law, a **Meta-Human** is defined as any individual person possessing natural abilities, scientific or technical knowledge and/or equipment, skills, or abilities not normally accessible to or utilized by the average Imperial Citizen.

1. **Right to Remain Anonymous.** It shall be the right of every individual identified as a Meta-Human to maintain a civil life independent of his public persona. Without using excessive legalese, this law gives every superhero and supervillain the right to maintain a secret identity. It's considered a Felony to violate this law, which means that no individual person, organization, or foreign nation compel a hero to reveal his civic identity, occupation, family, etc. Any supervillain trying to be clever and reveal a secret identity to the public soon regrets it, as it is extremely difficult to use the Empire-controlled media to produce the revealing material, and it also instantly adds the charge of Attempted Murder to the criminal's rap sheet.
Of course, the Empire does not apply this law to itself. The researchers and brilliant minds operating as law enforcement officials are usually very, very quick to collect as much information on a Meta-Human as possible. Most metahumans therefore fight it much easier to just voluntarily register with their local city government which has the added bonus of making the Empire feel a little more at ease about the individual's habits.
 Of course, if the person is convicted of any kind of crime by a Bane Spider, this law no longer applies in the slightest. That's the second reason almost all heroes and villains abide by it, as being imprisoned exposes you identity and your family, which are no longer protected by this law.

2. **Protection from Indemnity.** This law serves to protect (mostly) superheroes that engage in public battles. It protects them against being held accountable for such charges as destruction to property, manslaughter, etc IF the person's civil identity is known to the Empire. However, 'heroes' that routinely happen to have his foes die unexpectedly or do more catastrophic property damage than is deemed reasonable will not be governed by this law. Criminals can also call upon this right if needed, though few actually do. Insurance companies-particularly those in New Kensington-reap killings offering Meta-Insurance policies to the public.

3, **Right to Bear Witness**. This law allows a hero or villain with a secret identity to testify in court without having to reveal his identity and allows him to appear in court in costume to give their testimony. The only requirement of this law is that the Imperial Government is able to verify that the person is whom he or she claims to be.
Section 2 of this law also forbids the giving of evidence or testimony procured by largely psionic means. The Empire views such testimony as inherently suspicious, because of powerful enough telepath or mind controller could force an individual to do or say anything, including self-incrimination.

## Laws of The Empire

These laws cross territorial boundaries and apply everywhere on Earth. All 52 Nations that make up the Zertstoiten Empire are expected to know and be obedient to these laws. Breaking or defiling these laws in particular are always viewed as a Capital Offense by the Bane Spiders.

1. Non-terrestrial species such as those hailing from another world, time, universe, or dimension shall be immediately considered a Resident of the Empire and entitled to all of The Rights and Benefits enjoyed by all Imperial Citizens. Anthropomorphic Species are covered in detail is sub-section 1108.02 of the Imperial Charter.