Re: Formal Decrees of the Dukes
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 12:45 am
On a clear, sunny day, the 19th of the Time of Flowers of the year of 1350 to be precise, the Watch of Baldur's Gate—carrying shoulder bags brimming with parchments of similar size and make plus tools for posting upon wall, fence or post—fans out like flooding water, from the High Hall through every street until reaching the multiple gates of the City, where the Watch makes contact with Flaming Fist soldiers, they in turn continuing to travel away from the Gate to the edge of claimed lands...and some even traveling further.
Both the Watch and Flaming Fist, within this action of travel, periodically stop to post a parchment of places of certain view, were best to be seen by any that make their way towards or through the Gate taking the usual pathways.
The parchments are copies made from an original decree, direct from the Council of Four, the self-proclaimed Dukes of Baldur's Gate. It is written in the common tongue of the Sword Coast, with reason that any that claim the Coast as their homeland or simply travel within it for merchant activities or more, will be fully informed.
It reads:
Time eternally moves forward, and with this understanding and acceptance, we the Dukes of Baldur's Gate send you this decree from which you may sit under our protection, as true citizens of the great city of Baldur's Gate or as but travelers that seek shelter for a time.
The Arm of our Protection—
The Council of Four, the Flaming Fist and the Baldur's Gate Watch—while protectors of the lands claimed under Ducal sign and seal—are not the private guards nor justice system for autonomous agents, guilds or factions that are housed or show activity within our reach. Those autonomous agents, guilds or factions that may have treaty with the Council and/or the Merchant League of Baldur's Gate, do not automatically benefit from preferential forms of Justice, nor special protection of individual person...especially outside Ducal Lands currently under protection of the Flaming Fist [read: NPC Fist in the Map]. Ducal Law and Justice will only be called into play when Ducal Laws of the Land are broken within Ducal Lands [read: Maps/Areas where NPC Fist are stationed]. Ducal Laws are currently posted at each gateway to Baldur's Gate, and it is the responsibility of all persons to be informed of these Laws, for as you step into our Lands, you have taken agreement to them.
Disputes and violence perpetrated outside of Flaming Fist oversight [read: no NPC Flaming Fist on the Map/Area], and in the lands of Tradeway between towns and cities, and in the lawless northern regions, as well in lands ruled over by autonomous entities or nation-states [read: Friendly Arm Inn, Candlekeep, Gullykin, Amn, Darkhold...], are under no lawful jurisdiction, or under private jurisdiction.
Our Relationship to South of Wyrm's Crossing—
The Council of Four declares the current situation of the Tradeway south of of Wyrm's Crossing, to be thus: Baldur's Gate is in league, a friend, to Bentley and his wife, and their bold undertaking in providing a safe and secure Inn, for wayfarers upon the Tradeway. Though Bentley and Baldur's Gate have agreed to come to each others assistance in times of great need, Bentley operates his own guard force and upholds independent Laws within his guarded walls...and extending to the nearby fields that effect his business. Those Laws shall be posted outside his establishment. Violation of those Laws will be met by justice under Bentley himself, a famed wizard and true friend of this Council.
Feuds and Violence between Parties—
Battle and taking up arms, in either offense or defense, must be done often in a region known for dangers always lingering outside of enclaves of civilization. The act of battle is a respected tradition, though within Lawful Lands, honor and agreement must be upheld, in all forms of Combat.
Violence perpetrated in Ducal Lands in which Flaming Fist soldiers are present [read: Maps with Flaming Fist NPCs] is considered a violation of Ducal Law. Thus, unless combat is agreed upon in the tradition of the duel before by both parties [read: cannot use "Move away or die" as agreed upon means of lawful combat and following the Server PvP Rules], it is combat based in defiance of the Ducal Law to maintain lawfully protected peace. Those that force combat upon others that do protest it, are in violation, and subject to prison. Those who fall with Ducal Lands are given protected recovery by Fist Healers, or burial, at the discretion of the Captain(s) of the Flaming Fist [read: DMs after screenshots provided].
The Council of Four believes all that stand under our banner will profit from the decrees listed above, either in long life or protected trade.
—Signed and sealed with wax by the Official Scribe of the Council of Four.
Both the Watch and Flaming Fist, within this action of travel, periodically stop to post a parchment of places of certain view, were best to be seen by any that make their way towards or through the Gate taking the usual pathways.
The parchments are copies made from an original decree, direct from the Council of Four, the self-proclaimed Dukes of Baldur's Gate. It is written in the common tongue of the Sword Coast, with reason that any that claim the Coast as their homeland or simply travel within it for merchant activities or more, will be fully informed.
It reads:
People of the Land under the Watch of the Dukes of Baldur's Gate
Time eternally moves forward, and with this understanding and acceptance, we the Dukes of Baldur's Gate send you this decree from which you may sit under our protection, as true citizens of the great city of Baldur's Gate or as but travelers that seek shelter for a time.
The Arm of our Protection—
The Council of Four, the Flaming Fist and the Baldur's Gate Watch—while protectors of the lands claimed under Ducal sign and seal—are not the private guards nor justice system for autonomous agents, guilds or factions that are housed or show activity within our reach. Those autonomous agents, guilds or factions that may have treaty with the Council and/or the Merchant League of Baldur's Gate, do not automatically benefit from preferential forms of Justice, nor special protection of individual person...especially outside Ducal Lands currently under protection of the Flaming Fist [read: NPC Fist in the Map]. Ducal Law and Justice will only be called into play when Ducal Laws of the Land are broken within Ducal Lands [read: Maps/Areas where NPC Fist are stationed]. Ducal Laws are currently posted at each gateway to Baldur's Gate, and it is the responsibility of all persons to be informed of these Laws, for as you step into our Lands, you have taken agreement to them.
Disputes and violence perpetrated outside of Flaming Fist oversight [read: no NPC Flaming Fist on the Map/Area], and in the lands of Tradeway between towns and cities, and in the lawless northern regions, as well in lands ruled over by autonomous entities or nation-states [read: Friendly Arm Inn, Candlekeep, Gullykin, Amn, Darkhold...], are under no lawful jurisdiction, or under private jurisdiction.
Our Relationship to South of Wyrm's Crossing—
The Council of Four declares the current situation of the Tradeway south of of Wyrm's Crossing, to be thus: Baldur's Gate is in league, a friend, to Bentley and his wife, and their bold undertaking in providing a safe and secure Inn, for wayfarers upon the Tradeway. Though Bentley and Baldur's Gate have agreed to come to each others assistance in times of great need, Bentley operates his own guard force and upholds independent Laws within his guarded walls...and extending to the nearby fields that effect his business. Those Laws shall be posted outside his establishment. Violation of those Laws will be met by justice under Bentley himself, a famed wizard and true friend of this Council.
Feuds and Violence between Parties—
Battle and taking up arms, in either offense or defense, must be done often in a region known for dangers always lingering outside of enclaves of civilization. The act of battle is a respected tradition, though within Lawful Lands, honor and agreement must be upheld, in all forms of Combat.
Violence perpetrated in Ducal Lands in which Flaming Fist soldiers are present [read: Maps with Flaming Fist NPCs] is considered a violation of Ducal Law. Thus, unless combat is agreed upon in the tradition of the duel before by both parties [read: cannot use "Move away or die" as agreed upon means of lawful combat and following the Server PvP Rules], it is combat based in defiance of the Ducal Law to maintain lawfully protected peace. Those that force combat upon others that do protest it, are in violation, and subject to prison. Those who fall with Ducal Lands are given protected recovery by Fist Healers, or burial, at the discretion of the Captain(s) of the Flaming Fist [read: DMs after screenshots provided].
The Council of Four believes all that stand under our banner will profit from the decrees listed above, either in long life or protected trade.
—Signed and sealed with wax by the Official Scribe of the Council of Four.
