Government, Crime and Justice
Isstia is ruled by the emperor who is always a blood decedent of the first emperor, Helios Remes. The current emperor, Aristophantes Remes, and his beloved consort, Anticleia , rule over the city proper and surrounding countryside up to the Serinese Deadlands, located to the far south. The emperor is highly involved in the day to day running of his city.
Government
Isstirian politics are pretty straightforward. At the very top of the pyramid is the Emperor, the ruler of Isstia and the lands encompassed by its territory. Beneath him is the Sentinel, headed by the the High General who acts as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces is Isstia and communicates matters with the Emperor. Also the Heirophant, mouth of the gods and leader of the religious groups in Isstia.
Behind the High General and Heirophant, stands the Watchmen, who are part of the Sentinel and act as law keepers of the city. The hierarchy of the Sentinel is found below.
After the Watchman are the Eight Tribunes, which are responsible for the daily running of the districts. The Tribunes are responsible for overseeing things such as disagreements, marriage arrangements and other local affairs not important enough to be brought before the Emperor. The Tribune can call upon lower ranked Sentinel (known as Watchman) to aid in security and matters that may result in violent reactions from the masses.
Beneath the Tribunes and the Sentinel are the High Families, who have no rule over the commoners or other families, but do have some political power and influence.
Following the High Families are the Common Families which represent the largest population of Isstia.
All the way at the bottom of the ladder of influence rest the Clanless. The clanless call the Ninth District home, and are made up of criminals, bastards and those exiled fro their clans and families.
Despite this, all members of the city have the right to request a hearing with the Emperor, should they feel that the system is failing them.
In Short... 1. Emperor -> 2. High General & Heirophant -> 3. Watchman -> 4. Tribune -> 5. High Families -> 6. Common Families -> 7. Clanless
Crime Justice
The Law
The laws of Isstia have not evolved very much since they were written almost 500 years ago. These laws, also known as the Imperial Law, are recorded and bound in a large leather tomb known as the Imperial Codex. This book is so large that it requires multiple people to move it. There numerous decrees and statutes in the Imperial Codex. Some are exceedingly obscure and many little to no sense, such as the prohibition leading a black mule across the path of a married woman after the sun has reached its highest point, or the statute declaring it illegal to feed a feral canine cheese on the eve of the full moon. Thankfully, despite the many strange and amusing laws, only the more common laws are enforced.
The Sentinel are expected to know the Law inside out, as they are responsible for ensuring it is correctly enforced. Only the Emperor has the power to make amendments to the laws.
The Courts
Those who find themselves on the wrong side of the laws are arrested by the city Watchmen. For those offenses that are viewed as minor, a citizen may simply be punished by spending a night or two in the cells of the watchhouse or getting roughed up by the Guard. Such minor offenses consist of things like:
- Public fighting where no one is seriously injured
- Drunk and disorderly behavior
- Disrespecting a member of the Emperor's Sentinel
- Trying to insight a public disturbance
Those individuals who are arrested on more serious charges are also taken to the cells, but are held there until the Sixth day of the week when they will face the Emperor during their trial.
According to the Imperial Law, all citizens of Isstia have the right to a fair trial before the Emperor and his chosen council (Often the Daughters of Vestoria). During the trial the Emperor and his Council will hear the citizen's version of events and request to see any proof of the transgression or hear from witnesses if necessary.
Once the evidence has been heard, the Emperor and his Council will deliver their judgement. Those that feel the citizen is innocent of the charges, or should be pardoned will silently issue a simple thumbs-up. Those who feel the citizen is guilty and should be sentenced will issue a silent thumbs-down. The only vote that truly counts is that of the Emperor, but the leader of Isstia takes great pride in fairness and puts trust in his council. Trials tend to be swift and rarely last longer than an hour. Naturally, as with most matters of the court, spectators are permitted, though they must remain silent during the entirety of the proceedings.
After the verdict and sentencing, a Watchman will escort the citizen from the room. If they were found innocent or were pardoned, they may go free. If they were found guilty and sentenced, the Watchman will deliver them to their cell where they will remain until their sentence is carried out.
Civil Disputes
In the case of civil disputes, the Emperor is not involved. Instead civil disputes are brought before the Tribune of the district in which the offense was made. Issues heard by the Tribunes include things such as:
- Disagreements over the quality of goods or services supplied
- Arguments between neighbors
- Separation of house (in cases were a marriage is permitted to dissolve)
Tribunes may not place sentence for serious crimes. Tribunes also cannot issue death sentences, but instead may deal out fines and short term (no longer than four days) confinement to a cell. In more serious civil offenses, a Tribune can justify a sentence of hard labor in the mines for up to one month.
Crime and Punishment
Below we have provided a chart of the most common (and less common) offenses along with their most common sentences.
In regards to fines, they are dealt with as follows:
- 10 gold piece for petty crimes
- 100 gold pieces for lesser offenses
- 500 gold pieces for major offenses (or the amount equal to damage caused, whichever is the greater)
- Those who cannot pay the fine are sentenced to hard labor in the mines, until their debt is paid in full.
| Crime | Punishable By (days are measured in RL Days) |
|---|---|
| Arson | Fine or imprisonment (1d20 days, & Financial reimbursement for damages) |
| Assault | Fine or imprisonment (1d10 days) |
| Blackmail | Flogging |
| Blasphemy | Fine |
| Bribery | Fine |
| Embezzlement/Fraud | Fine or imprisonment (1d20 days) |
| Extortion | Fine or imprisonment (1d20 days) |
| Kidnapping | Imprisonment (2d20 days) |
| Murder | Imprisonment (2d20 day) or a year as a gladiator |
| Murder, Mass | Death by public execution |
| Perjury | Imprisonment (1d15 days) or removal of tongue |
| Rape | Death by public execution |
| Rioting | Fine and public stocks (1d3 days) |
| Sedition | Exile |
| Slave Trading | Fine and imprisonment (2d20 days) |
| Smuggling | Fine and public stocks (1d20 days) |
| Theft | Fine and public stocks (1d20 days); removal of hand for third offense |
| Treason | Death by public execution or a year as a gladiator |
| Vandalism | Fine |
