Matters of the Law

Can I kill/arrest followers and/or clerics of Evil Gods within Ptolus?

From Troy Aug 19, 2006

Again, no, unless it's a Cleric of Destor, Gorgoth-Lol, a Demon-God, or a Chaos cultist.

Are the following illegal?

1. Undead

2. Demon/Devil

3. Evil (as in detect Evil works on you)

from Troy Aug 17, 2006

a)Yes, b) yes, c) technically no, but in practice yes (WHY you detected evil determines your actual crime and therefor your punishment).

Can the above be killed on sight?

The first two absolutely. The third is a bit more "iffy" though in practice it's probably a "yes" as well. The law doesn't technically allow for executions without a trial (although a Watch Captain can excercise a punishment without a trial, its very rare for him to call for an execution). But "If the criminal resists, the guard can use lethal force to deal with him, if necessary. Brutality to criminals and even suspected criminals is expected."

The City Watch is said to be more like an occupying military force than a police force. You don't resist a City Guard unless you can survive the beating he's *expected* to give you, no matter how minor your crime, or even if you are actually guilty.

As for PCs - "The concept of citizens 'taking law into their own hands' is not considered a bad thing in Ptolus." Basically City Guards or Officials are quite happy to look the other way in the name of maintaining order and avoiding paperwork. As long as illegal or destructive magics are avoided, and property damage is kept down, there will never be an issue.

What can be killed on sight?

The punishment for the crime of being a Dark Elf in city limits is Death. Demons and demon-worshippers and summoners are pretty much killable on sight.

Also nonhumanoid creatures have no rights under Imperial law, so "its not murder to slay a dragon, its not assault to attack a troll, its not theft to steal from a manticore's hoard."

What is the legal situation with somebody who is a criminal outside of Ptolus but not in Ptolus? Does it matter if "not in Ptolus" is inside the empire or not?

Ptolus follows Imperial Law. And pretty much Ptolus doesn't care about a criminal until they commit a crime in Ptolus, or in the Empire if its severe enough.

So, who in the Church can give [Carsten] orders?

From Troy Aug 22, 2006

Anyone other than another itenerant priest, really. Though in practice, probably only High Priests or Curates. Acolytes probably don't go around ordering itenerants unless its really important.

Paul: Given its a "L" structure I'm kinda assuming that there is something very, very similar to a military Chain of Command where there are only a small number of people that I HAVE to obey (lots and lots and lots of people that I'd give a great deal of respect to, wouldn't want to piss off, would strongly consider their words, etc etc etc of course).

Troy: Hmm, yeah, fair enough probably just High Priests or Curates. Though if an Acolyte asks you to do something, you'd best have a good reason to refuse him, unless he's a brand new acolyte with no political clout yet.

How much legal authority do the Priests of Lothian have?

from the .PDF file "Ptolus: The World of Praemal" page 31, "SECULAR AND HOLY EMPIRE"

Since the Church is tied directly to the Imperial government, all official members of the Church hierarchy are also Imperial officials. This not only affords them a special status under the law, but it grants them some measure of authority. A cleric or paladin falls somewhere between an Imperial soldier and an Imperial captain in terms of rank - not unlike the level of most low-ranking Imperial bureaucrats, such as an inspector. A cleric of Lothian can make a request of an Imperial soldier and expect it to be granted. Even private citizens are required by law to carry out the simple, shortterm orders of clerics of Lothian.

Most clerics are careful not to abuse this power, else they be reprimanded by their superiors in the Church hierarchy. And as long as they do not abuse it, the secular Empire does not burden them with onerous Imperial duties and responsibilities to go along with this authority.

Is Poison illegal?

Not sure; poison is only detailed in the Ptolus Camapign guide, Page 427, to be sold at the Dark Market in the Undercity. Posion is not detailed in any other place of market in the city. By this logic, poison is banned from the city unless there is a need for an individual to have it (such as rat catchers). In such instances poison is allowed only by permit.