Couching Laws
If a free woman that is found speaking to, referring to, hinting to, or actually follows a slave in order for sexual intercourse, that is not of her of her House's property, she is subject to enslavement by the owner of the slave. However, the act must be witnessed by a free person. If the act occurs within the woman's own house, judgment in these matters will generally be deferred to her House Master.
Logs from the slave will only be permissible if a free char, NPC or otherwise, is realistically played walking in on the act.
If the free woman disputes the decision of the house master, she may appeal to the Administrator, prior to enslavement, in writing. The Administrator may chose to hear the case or not. If he hears the case, his decision is final. If he chooses not to hear the case, then the House Master's decision will be the final decision. If the act does not occur within the woman's own house, the Master/Mistress of the slave should submit an application for a "Writ of Enslavement" from the Administrator or one of his commanders.
Stealing
1st offense - A notch will be placed in the left ear.
2nd offense - The dominate hand is removed.
3rd offense - Life sentence in the silver mines.
Kidnapping a Free Woman
Kidnapping a free woman from outside the homestone though discouraged, places you at the Administrator's discretion. His decision on your actions are final. It may put you at his steel or at the victim's sword's/family's/house's hands if the free woman is from a city not an enemy of Piedmont. Weigh the action carefully and decide if she is worth the outcome.
Kidnapping a free woman of the homestone, is tantamount to the crimes of theft and rape and will be judged as such.
Rape
Rape of a slave is defined as sexual intercourse with a slave. Rape of a slave is punishable by a fine not to exceed the market rate for paga, unless the slave is a white silk and was properly attired. Rape of a white silk slave is punishable by a fine of up to one gold tarn and possible loss of the perpitrator's caste status. The actual fine will be determined by the value determined to be lost to the Master/Mistress by a registered slaver of the city. Repeat offenses of rape of a properly attired white silk may be escalated to be considered theft.
Rape of a free woman is defined as the act of revealing a woman's face, ankles, or sexual organs by a man not properly justified. This is regardless of it progressing to actual sexual intercourse or not. Also, considered rape is the act of beguiling a free woman to engage in sexual intercourse on false or deceptive promises. Rape of a free woman of the city or an allied city is punishable at the judgment of the Administrator by any combination of the following:
Hard labor - One passing of hard labor in the mines, tarn cots or in the house of the woman's family.
Loss or suspension of caste status - Determined by caste leadership.
Banishment - This would strip the man of his station and cast him outside of the city walls forever.
Impalement - Requires a "Writ of Execution" from the Administrator.
Death - By torture at the hands of her family, caste or city. Warriors in good standing at the time of the offense are exempt from this punishment provided that they are sworn in fealty to the Administrator.
Murder
Murder of a free person is punishable by death. Punishment for murder of a free man by anyone not a member of the black caste, with less than honorable actions, is at the Administrator's discretion. Warriors do experience a small immunity in their codes from sentences concerning murder, this does not protect them from the decision of their peers as to the justification of their actions.
Those registered within the black caste that follow the rules of the black caste, are allowed to hunt within the city wall's after they have scrolled the Administrator to allow him to make the city guardsmen aware. [This is a mun courtesy and no ooc information about the hunted is necessary.] Any blacke caste member failing to notify the Administrator before hunting in the city, will be hunted by the cities guards as it will be assumed that such is an assassination attempt.
Collaring a Free Woman
If one collars a free woman from outside Piedmont, they are to use a temporary collar and the case must be brought immediately before the Administrator who will weigh all evidence [Logs, testimony from witnesses, ect.] and he will have the final say if the free woman acted improperly or not. If she is found innocent, then she is to be released to her former status. If she is found guilty, then the one who collared her may keep her. If the free woman is of the homestone the case must be taken to the Administrator prior to any collaring and a "Writ of Enslavement" will be issued at his discretion. All free women must be aware that although the collar may not happen immediately, the Administrator may receive a complaint and decide later that your actions warrant a collar.
