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Library of Law - Balanor - 06-18-2012
I would like to request that you post any discussion or questions regarding the Laws, Crimes, and Punishments of Thay in this thread, rather than here.
The laws of Thay are simple, and ruthless penalties for breaking them may be enforced by those in power. When faced with a serious problem Tharchions, Red Wizards, and Zulkirs may consult this tome, heretofore referred to as the Library of Law.
Thayan Rulers and Enforcement of the Law
Section 1 - The Rulers of Thay and Creation of the Law
Subsection A - Red Wizards
The rulers of Thay are the definitive creators, enforcers, and judges of the law. Heretofore, these individuals shall be referred to as Red Wizards. The authority of a Red Wizard shall supersede even that of a Tharchion. (See Thayan Rulers and Enforcement of the Law, Section 2, Paragraph 4)
Subsection B - Zulkirs
Among the Red Wizards, the leaders of the eight schools of magic, heretofore referred to as Zulkirs, have ultimate authority over the other Red Wizards and the realm of Thay. The Zulkirs shall make all pronouncements that affect the populace of Thay, and these may originate from individual rulings on individual cases. Among their other duties, the Zulkirs are the high judges of Thay.
A Zulkir may only be removed if he or she is destroyed utterly, beyond hope of resurrection or existence as a member of the undead.
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Section 2 - Tharchions and Administrative Authority
The land of Thay shall be divided into 11 administrative regions, heretofore referred to as Tharchs. Each shall be ruled by a Tharchion or Tharchioness, who will be drawn from the nobility of Thay and selected by the Red Wizards. In each region, the ruler’s word is law, though each has the authority to rule in a different way from his colleagues.
Tharchions represent absolute power in the Tharchs they rule. However, no Tharchion has ultimate authority for the nation, because that is in the hands of the Red Wizards. Tharchions may appoint local bureaucrats, heretofore to be referred to as Autharchs, into positions at various levels. Autharchs function as mayors, military leaders, and ministers of various organizations such as trade guilds. Autharchs shall have only as much authority as that granted to them by their Tharchion.
The leader of a trade enclave, heretofore to be referred to as Khazark, is the equivalent rank to an Autharch. However, a Khazark shall hold higher status because he or she must always be a Red Wizard as well.
The authority of a Red Wizard shall supersede even that of a Tharchion. (See Thayan Rulers and Enforcement of the Law, Section 1, Subsection A)
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Section 3 - Enforcement of the Law
The laws of Thay shall be enforced by whoever has jurisdiction over the people involved or the location in which the disturbance occurred.
In situations where a Red Wizard is accused of a crime, the local authorities or Autharch shall defer any decision regarding the crime or punishment to their Tharchion.
Written Law and Punishment
Law Regarding Order
Obey the orders of your betters.
The suggested punishment for failing to obey the orders of your betters is at the discretion of he or she whose orders are not followed. This may consist of anything up to and including a fine, imprisonment, enslavement, torture, or public execution.
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Law Regarding Red Robes
Only Red Wizards may wear red robes, so that all shall be able to identify them instantly. The only exception to this law is clerics of Kossuth.
The suggested punishment for wearing red robes to impersonate a Red Wizard is slow, public torture followed by execution. Otherwise, punishment is at the discretion of the local authorities.
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Law Regarding Slavery
Manumission, or freeing, of slaves is forbidden in Thay. Once an individual is enslaved, he or she is a slave for life. Slaves may receive gifts or positions with considerable authority and freedom by their owners, but in the eyes of law they remain slaves. The children of a slave are likewise considered slaves and may never be freed, either.
The suggested punishment for those trying to help a slave escape is enslavement. Escaped slaves who are recaptured must be returned to their masters for punishment.
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Law Regarding Theft
Do not steal from other Thayans or harm their belongings, especially their slaves. Killing a slave is not murder, it is theft.
The suggested punishment for theft is enslavement. For theft from a Red Wizard or important member of society, the punishment may be death. Thieves should, on most occasions, not be branded or maimed as that may decrease their usefulness as a slave.
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Law Regarding Assault and Murder
Do not kill or harm another Thayan. Every assault or murder case shall be handled individually. Tharchions may let their Autharchs or even the constables on the streets administer justice if so decreed. Arguments regarding an assault or murder may be heard by the individual administering justice, if deemed appropriate.
The suggested punishment for assault or murder is enslavement.
However, if the victim is a Red Wizard or important member of society, the punishment may be death.
A slave who commits assault or murder shall be punished dependent upon on how important the victim was, and either given back to its master or else taken by the government and assigned to the gold mines of Thay for the rest of its natural life.
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Civil Laws
Suits for redress and righting of commercial wrongs must be brought before the person in authority. This can be a Tharchion, an Autharch, or even a local Red Wizard.
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Standing Laws of the State
No one, including Red Wizards, may simply seize whatever food they want from farmers or any item they desire from merchants.
Possessing a map of Eltabbar is illegal and punishable by immediate and public execution.
Once a Thayan becomes a noble, only the unanimous decision of the Zulkirs may remove the status of nobility. If deemed prudent however, this is usually done by outlawing the family, arresting all accessible members, and turning the survivors of the arresting process into slaves.
Travelers attacked in the vicinity various monster and creature preserves throughout Thay are entitled to defend themselves. However, the owners of these monsters and creatures are not liable for any damage they cause or deaths they inflict.
The people of Thasselen are now considered Aznar Thrul’s personal possessions. None may leave that town, and escape is a crime punishable by death or torture.
Imprisonment is recommended only for short-term incarceration, such as holding a prisoner for interrogation, torture, or execution. If long-term imprisonment is being considered, the prisoner should instead be enslaved and therefore become an asset, rather than a liability, to the realm.
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Disputes and Clarification of the Law
If there is a dispute between Tharchions, a panel of the Zulkirs shall hear the argument.
Disputes between Red Wizards are settled between the Red Wizards. If necessary, these disputes may also be arbitrated by a Zulkir.
Should a legal dispute occur between Red Wizards that is not addressed by a Zulkir, if there is a legal dispute between Zulkirs, or if clarification of any law is needed, the Judge of the Redhall shall be consulted, in which case his decision is final and binding.