Punishment Systems: Sun Kingdom

## **Trial by Combat**

If an individual has been accused of a crime, or accuses another person of a crime, then a trial by combat may be initiated.

A standard trial by combat involves the accused party fighting another party chosen either by the accusing party or a neutral party.

If the accusing party’s accusation is unclear or unfounded then a neutral party must decide the trials validity. Although in most instances, the accused party will seek to accept the trial by combat, as declining is seen as a grievous insult to ones honor. However, if a neutral party finds the original accusation invalid then the previously accused party may become accuser and initiate a new trial by combat.

While accusations can be initiated by anyone over the age of 3, the effectiveness of the accusation can be affected by a few factors, mainly what social class either party is from, and the number of previous accusations successful against or from an individual.

Should an accusation be levied against an individual of a higher social class than the accuser, a neutral party of equal or higher standing is required to judge the validity of the trial. Similarly, if an accuser has initiated multiple false or unclear accusations before then a neutral party is required to judge validity.

Once a trial by combat is confirmed then the accusing or neutral party are required to set the time, date, location, combat type and finishing conditions of the trial. The combat type refers to what weapon or weapon(s) are available to both parties, while finishing conditions involve either to the wound, to the surrender, or to the death. To the death finishing conditions are usually reserved for the most heinous accusations, such as murder.

If an accusing party is unable to fight in the trial themselves, they may choose another individual to represent them, although in most trials by combat the accusing party will be the accuser’s opponent.

Should the accused win the trial their honor is restored and they are considered pardoned from the accused crime. If they should lose then their honor will be stripped from them, the back of their hands are branded as a warning to others, and they are finally expelled from their community.

**Laws which commonly utilized trial by combat as a punishment:**

* Murder, Accent of Murder, Fever of Murder, Fool of Murder
* Assault, Accent of Assault, Fever of Assault, Fool of Assault
* Arson, Accent of Arson, Fever of Arson
* Property Damage
* Trespass, Tool of Trespass
* Fraud, Tool of Fraud
* Theft, Fever of Theft, Tool of Theft
* Disturbance, Accent of Disturbance
* Perversion, Fever of Perversion, Tool of Perversion
* Deviancy, Accent of Deviancy, Fever of Deviancy

## **Binding Trial**

If an individual has been caught committing a crime, accused of a crime by multiple parties, or accused committing a certain crime then they are subjected to a binding trial.

A standard binding trial involves the accused to be blindfolded and have their shirt removed before being required to be in a sitting bow as a sign of submission and humility. Rocks are placed around and on top the accused’s hands and lower arms to keep them in place throughout the binding trial.

Once the accused is in position a warden is tasked with inflicting lashes on the accused, the amount is determined by the severity of the crime. Once the lashes have concluded the warden is tasked to watch the accused for a minimum of a week, and may not inflict any further punishment.

During the binding trial the community are allowed to inflict punishment upon the accused, most commonly lashes, throwing stones or leaving food out of reach of the accused. During this time however the warden is required to ensure the accused is kept alive, and only allow them to drink water during the trial.

After the initial week is up the community may decide the trial has concluded, if an individual decides the trial should be extended another week they must present a case as to why. The maximum amount of time for a binding trial is considered 4 weeks.

Once the accused has completed the binding trial they are absolved of their crime(s). However should the accused be killed by a member of the community it is considered murder, and the murderer must enter a trial by combat against the warden.

**Laws which commonly utilized binding trials as a punishment:**

* Murder, Accent of Murder, Fever of Murder, Fool of Murder, Tool of Murder
* Assault, Accent of Assault, Fever of Assault, Fool of Assault
* Fool of Arson, Tool of Arson
* Accent of Property Damage
* Trespass, Fool of Trespass, Tool of Trespass
* Fraud, Fool of Fraud, Tool of Fraud
* Theft, Accent of Theft, Fever of Theft, Fool of Theft, Tool of Theft
* Abduction, Accent of Abduction, Fever of Abduction, Tool of Abduction
* Possession, Accent of Possession, Tool of Possession
* Manufacturing, Accent of Manufacturing, Tool of Manufacturing
* Smuggling, Accent of Smuggling, Fool of Smuggling, Tool of Smuggling
* Disturbance, Accent of Disturbance
* Casting without Bounds
* Perversion, Fever of Perversion, Tool of Perversion
* Deviancy, Accent of Deviancy, Fever of Deviancy, Tool of Deviancy
* Fool of Conspiracy

## **Prison Pits**

Individuals who commit multiple offenses of what are considered ‘redeemable’ crimes, or accused by multiple parties with inconclusive evidence will be sent to a prison pit.

Prison pits are large quarries where prisoners are tasked with working to mine stone under the supervision of wardens. Wardens are separated by suspended structures over and around the quarry, such as watch towers.

The main way for a prisoner to leave is to become the pit champion for a set amount of weeks determined by the nature of the prisoner’s crime(s). To become the pit champion a prisoner must participate in several duels with other prisoners to gain the respect of one or more of the wardens. Once they have enough respect they may challenge the current pit champion in a duel, or if there is no pit champion, the wardens will declare a pit war for the following day.

While a pit war is in effect all prisoners are encouraged to brawl, the last individual standing will hold the title of pit champion. Should a prisoner not want to participate or is unable to, they will lay on the floor.

Prisoners while in the pit are not referred to as the name they were assigned at birth, rather they are only referred to as ‘prisoner’ until they are given a ring-name, which is a title given by either other prisoners or wardens when the prisoner does something of note.

Once a pit champion has lasted their allotted time they are freed, absolved from their crime(s), and occasionally offered a place in the Beholders.

* **Prison Pits are an applicable punishment to all laws within the Kingdom.**

## **Executions**

Executions are reserved for individuals who are considered irredeemable or a danger to society, this can be due to the nature of the crime committed, or the accused committing multiple offenses.

Before the accused is executed they are caged publicly for three days without food or water, and to further make an example of the accused the same crime, if applicable, is inflicted on them. If this mirrored punishment does not kill the accused an anonymous warden will deal a finishing blow, most commonly with a sword or an axe.

After the execution the body is burnt on a stake, and the community is permitted to throw offerings on the fire as a form of apology to the Blaze on behalf of the accused.

**Laws which commonly utilized execution as a punishment:**

* Murder, Accent of Murder, Tool of Murder
* Assault, Tool of Assault
* Arson
* Fraud, Tool of Fraud
* Abduction, Tool of Abduction
* Manufacturing
* Casting without Ethics
* Perversion, Tool of Perversion
* Conspiracy, Accent of Conspiracy, Tool of Conspiracy

## **Trivia**

* There are some recorded instances in the Sun Kingdom of individuals who failed their trial by combat removing their hands afterwards to avoid persecution.
* Pit champions often keep their ring-name in conjunction to using their birth name.