The Role of Law
One thing that characters must consider in their dealings with the world at large is the law of different provinces.
Because most provinces value their relations with other provinces, you will not usually find strange or senseless laws to ensnare you. On the other hand, some ports are closed, and the authorities in some places, such as Maelmuire or Lantrielle, may send you away, imprison you, or worse, if you attempt to dock on their shores. In Japura they will simply kill or enslave you.
Remember, too, that some provinces are quite lawless, and that in rural areas of even civilized provinces, there might be very little law enforced.
Still, here are some basic guidelines which should serve you well.
In most provinces, it is unlawful to kill another person unless you are a soldier commanded to do so, unless the slain person can be shown to be a criminal who intended you injury, or unless you kill someone in a duel. Duels are usually accepted as a means of settling a dispute, but it is considered unseemly to duel to the death. Still, as long as the duel is publicly conducted, the winner will usually not be pursued by authorities.
It is illegal to steal in all civilized provinces, with punishments usually being a requirement to return the stolen goods and pay the victim a fine equal to the worth of whatever you stole. Repeat offenses often bring tattoos, exile, imprisonment, or even hand-chopping, depending on where you are. Jedda and Masalla tend to be more strict about this than the Old and New World or Moraithe, although Casara, in the New World, is strict in all matters of law, at least when it comes to travelers or common folk.
Magical practice is outlawed by all but royally sanctioned practitioners in Masalla, but in Jedda, Lantrielle, the Old World, Moraithe, and most of the New World (excepting Faol and Casara’s holdings), there are more open attitudes. Here the law is rather loose, forbidding blatant displays of magic which might create public distress, annoyance, fear, or longing. It is well known that some magics can be addicting (such as flight), so public displays are not encouraged. A system of warnings is usually used before punishments are set. These generally forbid the person to practice any more magic at the threat of imprisonment.
Rape is heavily punished in most civilized areas with prolonged imprisonment.
For truly terrible crimes the most potent punishments consist of either long-term imprisonment, permanent tattooing and exile, or in rare cases, execution (this used to be common, but is now almost unheard of). Executions are usually done by hanging.
Of course, the protection of a province’s laws has traditionally extended only to the human inhabitants. Fae creatures, demons, vampires, and other such creatures, no matter how human they might be in appearance or attitude, are often killed if they are intruding on the affairs of humans.
The Old World, seat of the new Renaissance, has adopted perhaps the most permissive attitude toward the concept of law. With no official laws in existence, Queen Lillian has called out for a 'common sense' attitude and an overall tone of respect. Complaints are fielded by officials at the District guardhouses of a city, and situations dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Diviners are sometimes called in to settle extremely important disputes where one party may be lying, and so people seem to be learning that honesty and good judgment pay off. Still, with the clashing of cultures and values present in the Old World, it continues to have the most problems with thieves, kidnappings, and other criminal activities. The one thing Queen Lillian does not tolerate in Aranor is the capture of any Aranorian citizen to be taken into slavery of any kind. Criminals of this nature are usually heavily tattooed and permanently exiled, after they've spent a good, long time in the dungeons.
Characters should remember, then, that if they are in civilized areas, they might run afoul of authorities if they kill someone, start a public display of violence or magic (this would not include 'magic shows' held in an enclosed area, such as a tavern or restaurant, or at a private party), or steal from a person or business. Again, if the crime is not overly serious, threats of future imprisonment, etc. tend to be used instead of actual punishments. Repeat offenders, however, are sometimes used to make an example for others who would defy the authorities of a city.
Lastly, it should be remembered that in almost all lands, excepting perhaps the Old World, laws are often applied discriminately, the application depending on a person’s social standing and even the moods of the authorities.