Lawbook of The Bishopric of Eveningstar

[Prof. Misclick]

OOC: Faction members are treated as law enforcement within Eveningstar and can initiate PvP in front of NPCs without DM oversight.
OOC: When at all possible please get a DM
OOC: Crimes of Penance and Prayer can be done without a DM by any Rank 2 or higher. Crimes of Exile, Execution, or Redemption require DM oversight or Rank 4 in the faction.
OOC: If a member of the faction loses PvP they initiated, the victor must immediately depart.
OOC: Normal PvP rules otherwise
OOC: "Eveningstar" is defined as any area with Eveningstar in the name. Please report anything that seems odd or missing

Laws of Eveningstar

The Divinely Mandated Laws of the Bishopric of Eveningstar
As written by Holy Radiance Bishop Charisbonde Belon

Knowest that all laws are derived by the liturgy of the Church of Lathander and the collective wisdom of his pious and holy priests, and that such laws are divinely inspired. To disobey such laws is to disobey the Will of the Sun and cast shadow upon your soul and mark you a sinner.

There shall be three punishments as ordained by the Sun in this village. First and most merciful shall be prayer and seclusion to reflect upon your sins. Secondly and most beneficently shall be monetary fine, so that the labors of ill-gotten gains go to holier and greater purpose. Thirdly, and most regrettably shall be exile, banished from the holy touch of the sun or execution by the Sun.

The Clergy ordained by the Church and the Soldiery of the Temple can issue any penance of prayer and fine as they see fit without cause for appeal. Only those found worthy and holy are given the golden cloth of the Sun, and thus, their will is the will of the Sun. Their wisdom and judgment found sacrosanct and proper to handle the errors of the mendicant in our care. For the purpose of Exile, only the Holy Radiance, Bishop Charisbonde or future holders of this office may decree it, with return being cause for death. Know that this list is not exhaustive and crimes found to be in detriment of the community may be levied as is proper by overseeing clergy and soldiery. Unless otherwise stated or superceded, all laws of the Kingdom of Arabel shall be enforced, at the sole discretion of the Ordained Clergy and Soldiery of the Temple, as part of the friendship and bond between the Crown and The Bishopric of Eveningstar and lands under its protection. ((Anything with Eveningstar in the area name etc))

1. Crimes of Exile, Execution, or Redemption

Murder (Execution):

• Any who slay another fellow in our demesne shall be banished should they be found of doing so unintentionally.
• In cases of deliberate cause of death or acting with intent to cause the death of another, shall face execution by the Sun, and be staked to the ground and left to die ((this is execution, but with some added thematic stuff))
• Mercy may be granted if the condemned seek redemption and pledge themselves in service to Lathander and the people of Eveningstar. Once redeemed the sinner may rejoin the community with all the blessings of one reborn. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))

Necromancy (Exile or Redemption):

• Shouldst someone be found guilty of witchcraft most foul and delve into the School of Magic known as Necromancy, they shall be henceforth banished with no place for appeal until they abandon their dark path and commit themselves to the light through redemption of service to Lathander and the people of Eveningstar. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))

Infernalism (Exile or Redemption):

• Shouldst someone be found guilty of witchcraft most foul and delve into the summoning of, or enter into agreements, associations, or pacts with beings of the lower planes, they shall be henceforth banished with no place for appeal until they until they abandon their dark path and commit themselves to the light through redemption of service to Lathander and the people of Eveningstar. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))

Heresy (Exile or Redemption): ((This is defined as heresies around Lathander. Aka. The True Sun, the Vigilant Sun, to name a couple))

• Perverting the teachings of the Church and or exalting another name upon the Sun other than Lathander shall result in banishment. Penance may be paid by writing 500 volumes (( 5000 gp fine to represent the effort)) and copies of the Church doctrine to be distributed within the Nation of Arabel. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence but the idea is to talk about Lathander wherever you go for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))

Tainted bloodlines(Exile or Redemption) ((Tielfings basically))

• Creatures descended from tainted and evil beings, including by not limited to Devils, Demons, and other fell creatures are not permitted in Eveningstar and the lands it protects. ((Anything with Eveningstar in the area name etc)) unless expressly given permission for set duration by the House Clergy or Soldiery of the Temple. They face exile and are subject to execution should they not abide by the mercy of a life offered elsewhere.
• As rebirth and renewal is the gift to all from Lathander, these wretched creatures may be absolved of the sin of their birth if they pledge themselves in service to to Lathander and the people of Eveningstar. Once redeemed the sinner may rejoin the community with all the blessings of one reborn. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))
• All others are judged by the their actions and service to Good, Lathander, and People of Eveningstar, regardless of birth.
• Creatures of evil such as Drow, Lycanthropes, Undead, and other monsters are to be killed on sight. ((PvP rules apply))

2. Crimes of Penance (Exile or Fine- See below for specifics)

Theft

• The theft of an object shall have the object returned, and payment procured to the victim based upon the time and value lost as it was away.
• Further fines may be administered based on the overseeing judgment of the Holy Man.

Worship of Gods Other Than Lathander:

• Lathander shall be the only faith practiced in Eveningstar without leave of the Bishop.
• Clergy proselytizing without leave of the Church shall pay fine based on the length of sermon and content as determined by the issuing person.
• Fines not below 5000gp and not to exceed 15000gp or act of contrition ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence but the idea is to talk about Lathander wherever you go for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))
• A monthly permit may be purchased from the church for a sum of 5000 gp at the sole discretion of the Clergy or the Soldiery of the Temple.

False Representation:

• To preach the word of Lathander without being clothed by the Church, even if you claim to be faithful servant, shall result in the Church’s displeasure, for orthodoxy stems from the Church.
• Fines not below 5000gp and not to exceed 15000gp or act of contrition ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service will be decided on a case by case basis))

Perjury:

• All statements made to the representatives of Lathander are under an oath of Truth and thus, lying within the demesne of the Bishopric while speaking to clergy or knight shall be considered perjury.
• Fines not below 5000gp and not to exceed 15000gp or act of contrition. ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case bases))

Disobeying a reasonable directive:

• The Ordained Clergy, Soldiery of the Temple and any others named by the Bishop are sanctified and holy. They are entrusted with protection of the People of Eveningstar and the lands under the protection of Lathander ((Anything with Eveningstar in the area name etc))
• Shall include but not limited to:"
  a. Failure to answer questions
  b. Abide a search
  c. Deny access to the demesne.
  d. Undertaking actions actions of rebellion against the good, proper, and Just Church of the Sun
• Fines not below 5000gp and not to exceed 15000gp or act of contrition ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service will be decided on a case by case basis))

Assault:

• Should a sinner inflict harm upon another they are responsible for treatment of the victim and restitution to the People of Eveningstar
• Fines not below 5000gp and not to exceed 15000gp or act of contrition ((Means being basically a prisoner like the old penal legion, working off your sentence for the duration of the required service. Will be decided on a case by case basis))

3. Crimes of Prayer

• Failure to attend Church at the Bell: When the Church Bell rings, and should you not be sick, infirm, or otherwise indisposed with an excuse previously granted by the Church, you shall be made to pray for forgiveness.
• Failure to remove one’s hat in the presence of a Church Knight/High Dawnknight ((rank 4)) or Bishop/High Dawnlord ((rank 4)) shall earn the sinner time in Prayer for forgiveness for their lack of respect.
• Fines are a donation to the church of no less than 50gp and no more than 250gp though repeated abused will result in the charge of Disobeying a reasonable directive
• One hour in silent prayer

[Prof. Misclick]

Updated

• Execution sentences must be authorized by Belon Charisbonde ((DM must ok prior to sentencing))
• Rank 4 can do the exile and and redemption but make sure there is documentation along the way leading up to it so there is feedback from NPCs/DMs as needed.
• We'd much prefer creative use of the redemption to promote fun and story instead of character death, though exceptions apply.