Lord Justice(Raghnall) and Lady Mercy (Arwen)
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Appearance:
Raghnall appears as a red haired and bearded man. As shown here, he is often seen occupying an elaborate chair from which he renders judgement. An hourglass, often seen with him, signifies the time to be served by those who break the law. In combat, he prefers heavy, 2 handed weapons – an oversized club, great sword, or great axe. Any being in the presence of Raghnall is compelled to tell the truth. Arwen appears as a blind folded young woman in a flowing white robe and carries a crystal ball. She can also appear as blind crone or one with very poor eyesight. However, Arwen is capable of seeing into the soul of any creature brought before her. In combat, she blankets an area in darkness that has no effect on her combat abilities…. |
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Symbols: The oath rod (see below) and a balance or scale.
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Areas of Concern:
Justice and mercy. Almost all justice systems rely on making examples of the few criminals they catch in order to scare off others. The priests of this area have created a strict and effective system that is much more merciful than the ones used by Anglesey’s neighbours. Courts/trials are presided over by a priest or priestess. The local militia commander provides the armed might and a jury of local citizens give input on the sentencing. Three components separate Anglesey justice at this point: 1. The oath rod. While holding the rod (each cleric of justice can access one for a trial) it is impossible to lie and still hold onto the rod (which slips out of a liar’s hands); 2. The bracelets of justice. These can only be put on or removed by clerics of justice. They confine a person serving a labour sentence within certain boundaries set by the cleric (for more serious crimes or repeat offenders, there is a sentence of slavery to the State. Lesser crimes = fines/restitution to the victim and the most serious crimes= death penalty); 3. The use of thief catchers as law enforcement officers. These people can track evil, are trained investigators, and have legal authority to arrest and bring to justice people who break the laws. (See character classes for more detail.) Thief catchers are answerable to the local secular authority (usually a militia captain, but ultimately the king). Once the accused is brought to court, the clerics run the trial with one exception (the thief catcher becomes simply an expert witness if needed). The exception is thief catchers are to investigate any irregularities with justice and mercy clerics and, if necessary, bring them to a trial presided over by the local secular authority. A cleric from outside the area is brought in to administer the Oath Rod testimony (which is publicly tested at the trial). Thus the clerics of justice and mercy preside over a very effective legal system; but are subject to that same justice system.
Duties of the Priesthood:
These clerics run the justice system, ensure everyone follows the law, and that justice is served.
Thus, clerics of the justice/mercy domain are expected to:
1. Run the court and justice system with the local secular authorities.
2. Ensure the laws are followed by bringing criminals to trial and, if necessary, having thief catchers investigate where a suspect is not readily apparent.
3. Ensure the sentences of the court meet all of these criteria in order: 1. Society is protected and justice has been served. 2. The greatest good for the greatest number has been reached. 3. The sentence has the least negative and most positive impact on the criminal. Note: In this justice system, magic is used so all parties are positive the criminal is guilty if the verdict is guilty. Second, the priests have considerable powers and support with their sentencing. For example, a person who commits crimes (especially assault) because he/she loses control when drunk will be sentenced to both time and treatment. Clerics of this domain will call in clerics of Health and Healing who will give treatment that makes the criminal allergic to alcohol. In the meanwhile, clerics of this domain will work with the criminal’s family. Clerics of this domain can impose sentences ranging from some sort of service to the victim of the crime, to fines, to a period of slavery to the State, to the death penalty (only in cases where they feel the criminal would continue to be a danger to society).
Powers:
1. Clerics are able to cast “Detect Magic” at will (to ensure no magical countermeasures during a trial) within a ritual circle.
2. Clerics are able to “Detect Lie” using the Oath Rod in a ritual circle. With the use of both the Oath Rod and Detect Magic in a ritual circle, there has been no recorded instances of someone being able to lie during his/her testimony.
3. Bishops and higher in this domain can enchant/create oath rods and bracelets of justice (10th level and higher) .
Justice and mercy. Almost all justice systems rely on making examples of the few criminals they catch in order to scare off others. The priests of this area have created a strict and effective system that is much more merciful than the ones used by Anglesey’s neighbours. Courts/trials are presided over by a priest or priestess. The local militia commander provides the armed might and a jury of local citizens give input on the sentencing. Three components separate Anglesey justice at this point: 1. The oath rod. While holding the rod (each cleric of justice can access one for a trial) it is impossible to lie and still hold onto the rod (which slips out of a liar’s hands); 2. The bracelets of justice. These can only be put on or removed by clerics of justice. They confine a person serving a labour sentence within certain boundaries set by the cleric (for more serious crimes or repeat offenders, there is a sentence of slavery to the State. Lesser crimes = fines/restitution to the victim and the most serious crimes= death penalty); 3. The use of thief catchers as law enforcement officers. These people can track evil, are trained investigators, and have legal authority to arrest and bring to justice people who break the laws. (See character classes for more detail.) Thief catchers are answerable to the local secular authority (usually a militia captain, but ultimately the king). Once the accused is brought to court, the clerics run the trial with one exception (the thief catcher becomes simply an expert witness if needed). The exception is thief catchers are to investigate any irregularities with justice and mercy clerics and, if necessary, bring them to a trial presided over by the local secular authority. A cleric from outside the area is brought in to administer the Oath Rod testimony (which is publicly tested at the trial). Thus the clerics of justice and mercy preside over a very effective legal system; but are subject to that same justice system.
Duties of the Priesthood:
These clerics run the justice system, ensure everyone follows the law, and that justice is served.
Thus, clerics of the justice/mercy domain are expected to:
1. Run the court and justice system with the local secular authorities.
2. Ensure the laws are followed by bringing criminals to trial and, if necessary, having thief catchers investigate where a suspect is not readily apparent.
3. Ensure the sentences of the court meet all of these criteria in order: 1. Society is protected and justice has been served. 2. The greatest good for the greatest number has been reached. 3. The sentence has the least negative and most positive impact on the criminal. Note: In this justice system, magic is used so all parties are positive the criminal is guilty if the verdict is guilty. Second, the priests have considerable powers and support with their sentencing. For example, a person who commits crimes (especially assault) because he/she loses control when drunk will be sentenced to both time and treatment. Clerics of this domain will call in clerics of Health and Healing who will give treatment that makes the criminal allergic to alcohol. In the meanwhile, clerics of this domain will work with the criminal’s family. Clerics of this domain can impose sentences ranging from some sort of service to the victim of the crime, to fines, to a period of slavery to the State, to the death penalty (only in cases where they feel the criminal would continue to be a danger to society).
Powers:
1. Clerics are able to cast “Detect Magic” at will (to ensure no magical countermeasures during a trial) within a ritual circle.
2. Clerics are able to “Detect Lie” using the Oath Rod in a ritual circle. With the use of both the Oath Rod and Detect Magic in a ritual circle, there has been no recorded instances of someone being able to lie during his/her testimony.
3. Bishops and higher in this domain can enchant/create oath rods and bracelets of justice (10th level and higher) .