The Non-Citizen Law Articles
1. All persons who enter the territories of Laura, or the city proper, are subject to her laws, guidelines, and customs. It is the responsibility of the visitor to be aware of these laws, guidelines, and customs, and to comply with them. The City of Laura is not liable for those who do not know the laws.
2. Any who seek to enter the territories of Laura with ill intent, or who break the laws of Laura, while within the city, are subject to detainment, punishment, or expulsion, depending upon the severity of the offense.
3. Those who seek entrance to the city of Laura, without permission, gained either at the gates, or from a sponsor of the city, are subject to impalement.
4. Those who seek entrance under a banner of truce, messengers or heralds, or ambassadors will be granted amnesty, and may proceed without impediment. However, those, that this law applies to, are still subject to the laws, and guidelines of Laura. Their compliance is expected.
5. Those of the caste of players, entertainers, musicians, singers, and poets, may enter the city of Laura freely. While they are not subject to the reduction of slavery, they are still expected to follow the laws and guidelines of the city. Those of the aforementioned castes are still subject to the consequences of lawbreaking.
6. Those of the caste of Assassins shall be granted entrance to the city of Laura without impediment to their duties, with the provision that they bear the mark of the black dagger upon their forehead Those of the Assassins are not otherwise permitted entrance to Laura.
7. When one is publicly denied salt, fire, and bread, their allegiance to the city and home stone (provided said person was an ally) and their welcome within the territory of Laura is terminated. They, like outlaws, are subject to impalement.
8. Outlaws are not permitted entrance to the city of Laura. Any found within the walls, or territories of Laura are subject to impalement, or hanging.
9. Those of the Taluna and Panther girl bands are considered allies in the eyes of the Laura law system. If any are seen within the City, they are to be treated as any other Guest of the City. The Taluna and Panthers make up a portion of our import/export commodities, both goods and slaves.
10. Any who attempt to export the goods of Laura; including, but not limited to, maps of the city and surrounding territory, emblems, and items marked with the city standard; without the proper permit, have committed theft in the eyes of the law and are subject to punishment.
2. Any who seek to enter the territories of Laura with ill intent, or who break the laws of Laura, while within the city, are subject to detainment, punishment, or expulsion, depending upon the severity of the offense.
3. Those who seek entrance to the city of Laura, without permission, gained either at the gates, or from a sponsor of the city, are subject to impalement.
4. Those who seek entrance under a banner of truce, messengers or heralds, or ambassadors will be granted amnesty, and may proceed without impediment. However, those, that this law applies to, are still subject to the laws, and guidelines of Laura. Their compliance is expected.
5. Those of the caste of players, entertainers, musicians, singers, and poets, may enter the city of Laura freely. While they are not subject to the reduction of slavery, they are still expected to follow the laws and guidelines of the city. Those of the aforementioned castes are still subject to the consequences of lawbreaking.
6. Those of the caste of Assassins shall be granted entrance to the city of Laura without impediment to their duties, with the provision that they bear the mark of the black dagger upon their forehead Those of the Assassins are not otherwise permitted entrance to Laura.
7. When one is publicly denied salt, fire, and bread, their allegiance to the city and home stone (provided said person was an ally) and their welcome within the territory of Laura is terminated. They, like outlaws, are subject to impalement.
8. Outlaws are not permitted entrance to the city of Laura. Any found within the walls, or territories of Laura are subject to impalement, or hanging.
9. Those of the Taluna and Panther girl bands are considered allies in the eyes of the Laura law system. If any are seen within the City, they are to be treated as any other Guest of the City. The Taluna and Panthers make up a portion of our import/export commodities, both goods and slaves.
10. Any who attempt to export the goods of Laura; including, but not limited to, maps of the city and surrounding territory, emblems, and items marked with the city standard; without the proper permit, have committed theft in the eyes of the law and are subject to punishment.
The Slave Law Articles
1. Slaves are not permitted to legally own anything. This includes their clothing, name, or collar. Gifts given them still belong to their owner.
2. Slaves are considered property and animals in the eyes of the law. They may be used and disposed of in any manner their owner sees fit.
3. The property of a free person who has been reduced to slavery is passed to their closest male relative. If no male relative comes forth, the property will be passed to the nearest female relative, or to the city of Laura. If the person is freed from slavery at a later date, they have no legal claim on their former property.
4. When a person is enslaved, they begin a new life, with a new identity. They cannot, then, be held responsible for crimes they committed as a free citizen.
5. A slave is not permitted to claim a caste. To do so is punishable by death.
6. Women taken from Earth do not have a Homestone, and therefore there are no legal restraints to their capture and enslavement.
7. The testimony of slaves in legal proceedings may be taken under torture. This is at the discretion of the presiding magistrate.
8. Any free person may discipline a slave who has erred, been insolent, or who has been the least bit displeasing to the free. If a slave is permanently maimed, or slain, the free person who administered the punishment must compensate the owner for reduction of value, or loss of property.
9. If a slave strikes a free person, they are subject to lengthy torture followed by impalement.
10. It is illegal for a slave to touch or handle a weapon without being ordered to do so. The breaking of this law will result in death. This does not apply to the handling of kitchen cutlery in the preparation of food under the supervision of a kitchen master.
11. Slaves are not permitted to play kaissa or handle the pieces.
12. Slaves are not permitted to build anything. This is reserved to free persons.
13. Slaves are not permitted to touch or handle any legal documents. Unless the slave is a scribe slave, Slaves are, with permission, permitted to teach children.
14. Female slaves are not permitted to wear veils resembling those of a free woman, or to don the clothing of a free woman. To do so may result in death.
15. Female slaves must wear a visible token of their bondage (i.e., a collar, brand, earrings) at all times within the city of Laura. Male slaves are not required to do so.
16. Slaves are not permitted outside the city walls unless they are accompanying a free person. Slaves attempting to leave the city without a free person will be stopped at the gates and returned to their owner's dwelling.
17. Running away is a serious crime. A first offense will usually result in a heavy beating. Punishment for a second offense is not uncommonly hamstringing, or death.
18. If a slave is stolen, lost, or runs away and has been captured by another, the owner has two hands in which to regain the property before it legally belongs to the new owner.
19. Freed slaves must have their papers of manumission in order. Women who were branded, or had their ears pierced are cautioned to have these papers available at a moments notice.
20. It is illegal for any free person to sell a slave that is not under their direct ownership, without the permission of the owner. To do so will result in enslavement for a woman, or expulsion from the city of Laura for a man.
21. It is illegal to sell a female slave who has been cosmetically altered to increase her price (such as dying of the hair, painting of the nails, etc.), who has not been branded, or to forge the pedigree of any slave. If the buyer of the slave becomes aware of any fraud on the part of the seller, the buyer is entitled to monetary compensation.
22. A child born to a slave is automatically considered a slave in the eyes of the law, and becomes the property of the mother's owner.
2. Slaves are considered property and animals in the eyes of the law. They may be used and disposed of in any manner their owner sees fit.
3. The property of a free person who has been reduced to slavery is passed to their closest male relative. If no male relative comes forth, the property will be passed to the nearest female relative, or to the city of Laura. If the person is freed from slavery at a later date, they have no legal claim on their former property.
4. When a person is enslaved, they begin a new life, with a new identity. They cannot, then, be held responsible for crimes they committed as a free citizen.
5. A slave is not permitted to claim a caste. To do so is punishable by death.
6. Women taken from Earth do not have a Homestone, and therefore there are no legal restraints to their capture and enslavement.
7. The testimony of slaves in legal proceedings may be taken under torture. This is at the discretion of the presiding magistrate.
8. Any free person may discipline a slave who has erred, been insolent, or who has been the least bit displeasing to the free. If a slave is permanently maimed, or slain, the free person who administered the punishment must compensate the owner for reduction of value, or loss of property.
9. If a slave strikes a free person, they are subject to lengthy torture followed by impalement.
10. It is illegal for a slave to touch or handle a weapon without being ordered to do so. The breaking of this law will result in death. This does not apply to the handling of kitchen cutlery in the preparation of food under the supervision of a kitchen master.
11. Slaves are not permitted to play kaissa or handle the pieces.
12. Slaves are not permitted to build anything. This is reserved to free persons.
13. Slaves are not permitted to touch or handle any legal documents. Unless the slave is a scribe slave, Slaves are, with permission, permitted to teach children.
14. Female slaves are not permitted to wear veils resembling those of a free woman, or to don the clothing of a free woman. To do so may result in death.
15. Female slaves must wear a visible token of their bondage (i.e., a collar, brand, earrings) at all times within the city of Laura. Male slaves are not required to do so.
16. Slaves are not permitted outside the city walls unless they are accompanying a free person. Slaves attempting to leave the city without a free person will be stopped at the gates and returned to their owner's dwelling.
17. Running away is a serious crime. A first offense will usually result in a heavy beating. Punishment for a second offense is not uncommonly hamstringing, or death.
18. If a slave is stolen, lost, or runs away and has been captured by another, the owner has two hands in which to regain the property before it legally belongs to the new owner.
19. Freed slaves must have their papers of manumission in order. Women who were branded, or had their ears pierced are cautioned to have these papers available at a moments notice.
20. It is illegal for any free person to sell a slave that is not under their direct ownership, without the permission of the owner. To do so will result in enslavement for a woman, or expulsion from the city of Laura for a man.
21. It is illegal to sell a female slave who has been cosmetically altered to increase her price (such as dying of the hair, painting of the nails, etc.), who has not been branded, or to forge the pedigree of any slave. If the buyer of the slave becomes aware of any fraud on the part of the seller, the buyer is entitled to monetary compensation.
22. A child born to a slave is automatically considered a slave in the eyes of the law, and becomes the property of the mother's owner.
The Free Men Law Articles
1. All free men of Laura are expected to have knowledge of, and train with at least one weapon of their choice.
2. In times of war, all free men of Larua are expected to defend their city and Homestone. If needed, all men of Laura regardless of caste, will take up arms to defend their city.
3. The only exception of the above law regards the men of the Physician's caste who may contribute to the war effort by healing those in need, but may not take up arms as combatants. Doing so will result in expulsion from the caste of Physicians.
4. A man who is unable to pay his debts may offer his daughter for payment, thus enslaving her. She may be placed up for public auction, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the creditors of her father.
5. Any man, whether or not he is a Citizen of Laura who is seen threatening, or heard of threatening, any member or guest of the City of Laura will be detained until the Administrator or Magistrates(the High Council will stand in for the Magistrates when they are not available) can address the situation. As all who abide within the walls of Laura are offered protection, it is the duty of all Free Men to ensure that safety is maintained. The only Caste exempt from detainment is that of the Assassins, and only when they are attacking their mark. No other exceptions will be afforded.
2. In times of war, all free men of Larua are expected to defend their city and Homestone. If needed, all men of Laura regardless of caste, will take up arms to defend their city.
3. The only exception of the above law regards the men of the Physician's caste who may contribute to the war effort by healing those in need, but may not take up arms as combatants. Doing so will result in expulsion from the caste of Physicians.
4. A man who is unable to pay his debts may offer his daughter for payment, thus enslaving her. She may be placed up for public auction, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the creditors of her father.
5. Any man, whether or not he is a Citizen of Laura who is seen threatening, or heard of threatening, any member or guest of the City of Laura will be detained until the Administrator or Magistrates(the High Council will stand in for the Magistrates when they are not available) can address the situation. As all who abide within the walls of Laura are offered protection, it is the duty of all Free Men to ensure that safety is maintained. The only Caste exempt from detainment is that of the Assassins, and only when they are attacking their mark. No other exceptions will be afforded.
The Free Women Law Articles
1. The enslavement or face-stripping of a free woman of Laura is a serious crime. A free woman of the city may not be enslaved for any reason without a public trial in which she will have a chance to defend herself, or have another do so on her behalf. A woman may only be enslaved for the breaking of the laws listed within these articles.
2. Robes of concealment and veils, while a custom in many cities and required in others, are not required by law in the city of Laura but encouraged. If the freewoman is of another cultrure, such as from the plains, or of red savage they may of course wear their naitve clothing.
3. Any free woman found committing fraud, theft, vagrancy, prostitution, indecency, garbing themselves as a slave, spying on Masters with their slaves, garbing themselves as a man, dancing sensually, lingering on the street of brands, exhibiting a fascination with bondage, baring too much flesh, or other shameful behavior, will be tried on the grounds of suitability for the collar. If found guilty the free woman in question will be reduced to slavery and publicly sold.
4. A free woman who cannot pay her debts may be enslaved. If a man chooses to pay her debts in her stead, she will become legally embonded to him, and he may enslave her at his will. If no one comes forth to pay her debts, she will be publicly auctioned. The proceeds of the sale will be used to pay her creditors.
5. Any free woman who couches with the male slave of another, or prepares to do so, will legally become enslaved to the owner of the male. This does not apply to male slaves legally owned by the woman.
6. If a free woman submits herself to a certain man, even in privacy, and the man refuses her, she is subject to collaring by the first free person who wishes her. This is irreversible.
7. A free woman may, if she wishes, legally sell herself into slavery. However, once this process has been completed, it is irrevocable.
8. If a free woman kneels before a man in the manner of a slave, or calls him Master, she has reduced herself to legal embondment and is subject to all of it's implications. Though what happens behind closed doors of a joined couple is strictly between them as long as it remains behind those closed doors.
9. In the city of Laura it is illegal for a woman to be upon the streets of the city without proper escort (at least two guards, or kinsmen).
10. A woman of Laura may not leave the city without the permission of her family or guardian, and the proper escort for her station.
11. Free women who do not belong to castes such as the Warriors, Metal Workers, Slavers, Animal Handlers, Fishermen, Players, etc. (all non-participation castes for free women), may freely engage in training and work in her given field with the exception of women of the caste of Physicians. Women of the Physician's caste may not fully run a practice or work completely on her own until she has borne two children. At the age of fifteen, free women of the Physician's caste must don two bracelets on their left wrists, removing one after the birth of each child.
12. Unless a free woman is found to be a suitable candidate for raising caste, a woman will be considered a member of her father's caste until she is joined in free companionship. When joined, a free woman may either take the caste of her companion, or retain her own.
2. Robes of concealment and veils, while a custom in many cities and required in others, are not required by law in the city of Laura but encouraged. If the freewoman is of another cultrure, such as from the plains, or of red savage they may of course wear their naitve clothing.
3. Any free woman found committing fraud, theft, vagrancy, prostitution, indecency, garbing themselves as a slave, spying on Masters with their slaves, garbing themselves as a man, dancing sensually, lingering on the street of brands, exhibiting a fascination with bondage, baring too much flesh, or other shameful behavior, will be tried on the grounds of suitability for the collar. If found guilty the free woman in question will be reduced to slavery and publicly sold.
4. A free woman who cannot pay her debts may be enslaved. If a man chooses to pay her debts in her stead, she will become legally embonded to him, and he may enslave her at his will. If no one comes forth to pay her debts, she will be publicly auctioned. The proceeds of the sale will be used to pay her creditors.
5. Any free woman who couches with the male slave of another, or prepares to do so, will legally become enslaved to the owner of the male. This does not apply to male slaves legally owned by the woman.
6. If a free woman submits herself to a certain man, even in privacy, and the man refuses her, she is subject to collaring by the first free person who wishes her. This is irreversible.
7. A free woman may, if she wishes, legally sell herself into slavery. However, once this process has been completed, it is irrevocable.
8. If a free woman kneels before a man in the manner of a slave, or calls him Master, she has reduced herself to legal embondment and is subject to all of it's implications. Though what happens behind closed doors of a joined couple is strictly between them as long as it remains behind those closed doors.
9. In the city of Laura it is illegal for a woman to be upon the streets of the city without proper escort (at least two guards, or kinsmen).
10. A woman of Laura may not leave the city without the permission of her family or guardian, and the proper escort for her station.
11. Free women who do not belong to castes such as the Warriors, Metal Workers, Slavers, Animal Handlers, Fishermen, Players, etc. (all non-participation castes for free women), may freely engage in training and work in her given field with the exception of women of the caste of Physicians. Women of the Physician's caste may not fully run a practice or work completely on her own until she has borne two children. At the age of fifteen, free women of the Physician's caste must don two bracelets on their left wrists, removing one after the birth of each child.
12. Unless a free woman is found to be a suitable candidate for raising caste, a woman will be considered a member of her father's caste until she is joined in free companionship. When joined, a free woman may either take the caste of her companion, or retain her own.