Capital Punishment in Stribrna Joraje

Capital punishment has a long history among the Jorans, and comes in many different forms, varying by time, location, and type of crime committed. Ranging from simple beheading to staking, to crucifiction. These executions are done as a punishment for various crimes, and are often performed in publics places, such as a town square, village common, crossroads, or town gate, to serve as an example for others. The body is usually then placed in a public location, where it may be seen by more people, and dissuade would-be criminals.

## Hanging

Hanging is a common form of capital punishment in Joraje. used for many different crimes. The condemned are usually hung in a public space, where a large crowd may watch the proceedings, and the body may then be left there for many days, to serve as a reminder. Eventually the body will be removed, and will usually be interred in an unmarked grave in the nearby wilderness. Throughout the ordeal, the condemned usually wears a sheet or long cloak, so that they will remain nameless, representing one of many whom justice finds. Hangings may be conducted at a purpose built gallows, tower, or a particularly tall tree.

### Forms of Hanging

There are two common types of hanging in Joraje, which may be used either interchangeably or for specific offenses.

#### Lift Hanging

Lift hanging is the most common form of hanging in Joraje. The rope is first cast over a branch of a tree or the top of the gallows, and is then tied around the victim's neck. Following this, the executioner and his henchmen will heave downward on the rope, causing the condemned to be lifted off the ground, and begin to choke. As the victim struggles, the rope will then be tied around the trunck of the tree or a post in the gallows, and the victim will asphyxiate, and die.

Lift hanging is often done at an important crossroads or in a town square, where many will pass the body, and it will serve as a warning to would-be bandits and other unsavory characters.

#### Tower-Dropping

Tower dropping is a less common type of hanging, where the condemned are hung from the tower of a castle or a city's wall. First, the rope is tied around the ramparts, then the noose is tightened around the condemned's neck, before they are then thrust off the tower. The neck will break when the rope is pulled taut, and the body will then be slammed against the wall in a spectacular fashion, on occasion causing decapitation of the victim.

Some cities have specifically designed *Hanging Towers*, where the stones are cut more roughly, so that the jagged edges may cause further damage to the body. Some well-used towers have large blotches of dried blood where hangings would occur frequently over time.

### Punishable crimes

There are many crimes which can be punished by hanging, ranging from relatively minor offenses to grievous ones. A selection are listed below

* Banditry
* Desertion
* Murder
* Robbery
* Rape
* Suicide
* Poaching
* Insult of honor (by lowborn unto noble)

## Beheading

Beheading is a relatively common form of execution in Joraje, generally reserved for the nobility. Often, beheadings are performed in a public place, or in a castle's courtyard. After the beheading is complete, the head is mounted on a spike, and the body is then left in the wilderness to rot.

Beheading as a punishment is reserved for the nobility, as it is a cleaner and "more pleasant" method of execution than hanging, and it is seen as a way to dispose of noble prisoners cheaply rather than feeding and housing them for long periods of time

### Forms of Beheading

There is one primary form of beheading found in Joraje, common to the rest of the world as well. The subject is knelt over a block, log, or tree stump, before the executioner swings down on their neck with a large, heavy sword. Often, the head will not come off immediately, rather the executioner will have to swing two to five times to perform the decapitation. Sometimes they will need to use a knife to fully sever the head from the body. The head is then held up, and the crime of the condemned is announced, before the head is then mounted on a spike.

### Punishable Crimes

* Treason
* Heresy
* Desertion
* Banditry

## Breaking by the Wheel

Breaking by the wheel is a common method of execution. The condemned are usually executed in a public space, and are tied to a wheel or scaffold, before a large bludgeon or small wheel, reinforced with sharp iron edges, is brought down on the victim, breaking their bones. For less severe crimes, the punishment starts at the head, intending to kill the prisoner immediately (the rest if the blows being exemplary), while for more severe crimes, it begins at the hands and feet, and slowly makes its way up the body, ending at the neck.

Following the breakage, a second stage is carried out, where the executioner and his henchmen will braid the condemned into the wheel, causing further pain. Then, the condemned with either be mounted over a burning fire to choke and burn, will be decapitated, or will be mounted in a public place for all to see, to die of his wounds.

The punishment is carried out naked, so as to shame the convict, and is only used for male prisoners.

### Forms of Breaking over the Wheel

There are two common methods for breaking over the wheel, using the Bludgeon or using the Wheel

#### Using the Bludgeon

When using the bludgeon, the condemned is tied to a large wheel, and they are then set upon by the executioner and his henchmen with large, heavy, iron-studded clubs and cudgels.

#### Using the Wheel

When using the wheel, the prisoner is tied to a scaffolding designed to spread the arms and legs. The executioner then raises a small *Execution Wheel*, a wheel reinforced with sharp iron edges and blades, and smashes down, breaking the victim's bones.

### Punishable Crimes

* Murder
* Arson
* Treason
* Robbery

## Burning by the Stake

Burning at the stake is rare punishment, reserved for those whom the Farars declare as needing execution. It is strictly used in religious contexts, such as when dealing with heretics and blasphemers, but is so uncommon that there are only a handfull of records of this punishment occurring in the last two centuries.

The punishment was imported from Reyllea in about the 350's, and became the standard method of dealing with heretics by the time of Duke Johazlos Taepe.

This punishment is only carried out when a majority of the *Rada Cirkevni,* meaning the majority of all Farars, agrees it is necessary to maintain the stability of the faith.

### Forms of Burning by the Stake

There is naught but one form of burning by the stake, where the victim is coated in pitch, tied to a stake, then tinder, wood, and pitch is placed round them, which is then set alight. The victim will usually asphyxiate from smoke inhalation before they die, though the heat of the fire will cause great pain to the condemned.

### Punishable Crimes

* Witchcraft
* heresy
* Blasphemy

## Running the Gauntlet

Running the Gauntlet is a military punishment used by several mercenary companies in Joraje, and is also employed by Ducal armies in times of war. This is conducted in an open field, where the army is assembled to watch, and it is then carried out.

The punishment is carried out by the company which the condemned is a part of, to further discourage cowardice, and serves as an exemplary punishment. The alternative to the gauntlet is hanging or beating, and many soldiers would prefer the more honorable gauntlet, for the soldiers may "Take it standing up like a man" rather than face the jeering of their comrades.

### Forms of the Gauntlet

There is one form of the Gauntlet, wherein two lines of men are assembled, with about 3 metres between the two, each armed with weapons (typically spears or other polearms). It is then that the condemned are stripped to the waist, and are made to run between the lines, all the while they are stabbed and pierced by their comrades. Should the condemned make it to the other side of the gauntlet, still alive, they are usually given a quart of beer to drink, and are then sent back in.

### Punishable crimes

* Desertion
* Cowardice
* Insubordination
* Treason
* Insult of Honor (Lowborn unto Highborn)

## Beating

Beating is another form of military punishment, considered less honorable than running the gauntlet. It consists of several men surrounding the condemned, and then beating the man to death with cudgels or whips.

The punishment is always undertaken by soldiers to punish one of their own.

### Types of Beating

Beatings come in two forms, using either clubs or whips

#### Using the Cudgel

In the use of the cudgel, the victim is forced onto his knees, then set upon by his comrades with large, heavy clubs, until he is dead. The executioners are encouraged to jeer and dishonor the victim, to further shame him while he dies

#### Using the Whip

When the whip is used, the victim is striped to his waist, and tied to a narrow pole. Then, his comrades and officers will whip him. The condemned cannot move or escape, and it is said that if he screams, his soul is doomed to wander the forests and fields until the end of time. Throughout this whipping, the man's skin will be flayed off of his body. Following the execution, his body is then dumped in an unmarked grave.

### Punishable Crimes

* Desertion
* Cowardice
* Insubordination
* Treason
* Insult of Honor (Lowborn unto Highborn)