The following is an outline of laws and customs within the Ogier Stedding. Please make certain to review these carefully before deciding to create a crime within the Stedding.

NOTE: Because the nature of the Ogier, all humans are -still- subject to the laws of the Stedding, but rather than being tried in the Stedding, they and their accusers will transport the accused to their own nation, where a trial will be held. The Ogier reserve the right to allow that nation to submit their subject to whatever punishments their courts deem necessary to suit the crime, which includes sentences of execution or long-term imprisonment for brutal crimes such as murder and rape done within the Stedding.

Murder
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Murder is defined as taking the life of another either through accidental or willful means. Murder, or any violent act, is prohibited within the Stedding, adhering to what is known as "The Pact" (see "The Pact"). Ogier or humans who are accused of such crimes within the Stedding will be detained by the Ogier Watch until the Council of Elders convenes. The "accused" will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
Those who are found guilty of killing within the Stedding will find stiff penalties within the Stedding. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial will be held. There are varying punishments, depending on if the crime was willful or involuntary. Willful acts or involuntary acts of killing another will result in a sentence of exile from all inhabited Stedding. A sentence of execution -may- be reserved for those who kill a mass number of Ogier or humans. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Duels
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Duels are prohibited within the Stedding, whether to first blood or to the death. Violent acts within the Stedding are heavily frowned upon. Humans or Ogier accused of such crimes will be detained by the Ogier Watch. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
Humans may receive a lesser sentence than Ogier for this crime because they may not be aware of "The Pact" (see "The Pact"). Ogier, on the other hand, have no such ignorance. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial held. Punishment for this crime may include a variety of results: banishment from the Stedding, servitude or a short term imprisonment. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Assault and Battery
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Violent acts of any nature are prohibited within the Stedding. Hitting, punching, and kicking another are all acts of violence. Humans or Ogier accused of such crimes will be detained by the Ogier Watch. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
Humans may receive a lesser sentence than Ogier for this crime because they may not be aware of "The Pact" (see "The Pact"). Ogier, on the other hand, have no such ignorance. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial will be held. Punishment for this crime may include a variety of results: banishment from the Stedding, servitude or a short term imprisonment. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Rape and Sexual Assault
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Forcing sexual activity on another, often times called rape, is something that is beyond Ogier understanding. Ogier are rather prim, proper and polite, however they do have rules regarding such behavior. Rape is prohibited within the Stedding, and it is preferred, OOCly, that such plots not be considered. Rape is one of the worst crimes that can be committed within the Stedding, and will be treated accordingly. Humans or Ogier accused of raping another will be detained by the Ogier Watch. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
The penalty for forcing oneself on another sexually is rather strict and stiff, nor will any mercy be granted to the human or Ogier who committed such an act. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial will be held. Punishments for this crime may include a variety of results: banishment, branding, fines, long-term imprisonment, servitude, or a selection of several punishments at once. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Treason
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The act of consorting with others to over throw the government, causing intentional injury to the Eldest or any of the Elders, or giving away Ogier secrets without prior consent, is an act of treason. Treason, like rape, is beyond most Ogier, however that does not mean it cannot happen. Treason is one of the topmost worst crimes that can be committed within the Stedding. Ogier accused of committing treason will be detained by the Ogier Watch, and held under careful observation until a full investigation is executed and completed. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
The penalty for committing treason is rather strict and stiff, nor will mercy be granted to the Ogier that has committed such an act. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial will be held. Punishments for this crime may include a variety of results: banishment, branding, long-term imprisonment, servitude, or a selection of several punishments at once. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Kidnapping
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The act of forcibly removing and/or confining another away from their family and home, against their will , is prohibited within the Stedding. The exceptions to this are when an Ogier parent sends their child to their room, or when the Ogier Watch detains another accused for a crime. Sometimes, a ransom is demanded for the safe return of the person taken against their will. Humans or Ogier accused of kidnapping someone will be detained by the Ogier Watch, pending a full investigation. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
The penalty for committing treason is rather strict and stiff, nor will mercy be granted to the Ogier that has committed such an act. The Council of Elders will convene and a trial will be held. Punishments for this crime may include a variety of results: banishment, branding, long-term imprisonment, servitude, short-term imprisonment, or a selection of several punishments at once. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Theft
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The act of taking another"s property without their permission. Theft is considered a crime within the Stedding. Ogier depend on one another for a variety of things; food, clothing, and even inner-Stedding trade. Any Ogier or human accused of stealing will be detained by the Ogier Watch, pending a full investigation. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
The Council of Elders will meet and a trial will be held. Punishments for those who are accused of theft and found guilty may include a variety of results: fines, physical punishment, servitude, short-term imprisonment, or a selection of several punishments at once, depending on the circumstances surrounding the event and the age of the accused. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Criminal Cooperation
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Helping a criminal to escape from the law, or hiding a criminal from the law, either within the Stedding, or those from without. as well as actively planning and participating in planned criminal events are considered crimes within the Stedding. Those accused of aiding criminals, or performing such acts, will be detailed by the Ogier Watching, pending a full investigation. They will be assigned a Speaker to defend their case, whether or not they are innocent or guilty.

Punishment:
The Council of Elders will meet and a trial will be held. Punishments for those who have been found guilty for this crime will correspond to the crimes committed or aided, and may include a variety of results (see corresponding punishments from previous crimes outlined). All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Privacy
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All Ogier are entitled to their privacy. It is considered rude for another Ogier to root through the private collections of another, or to enter a home without prior permission. There is no formal law for those that invade the privacy of another, however any one who is caught invading the privacy of another may find themselves facing some sort of consequence, resulting in some form of physical punishment.

Nuisance Behavior
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All Ogier and visitors are expected to act and behave in an appropriate manner. Public drunkenness, nudity and outright rudeness to visitors, peers or Elders will not be tolerated. There is no law regarding such behavior, however those who deem it necessary to act in such a manner may find themselves confined to their homes or guest rooms for periods of time or earning some sort of physical punishment as a reminder to act appropriately.

OOCly we discourage you to RP nudity of any sort in public areas, keeping in line with the MUSH"s PG rating. If you wish to hold this sort of role-play, you may do so in a private room with invited guests.

Marriage
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There are no formal laws governing marriage within the Ogier Stedding. Marriages are arranged through the mothers of the potential bride and groom, should the bride have an interest in the potential young male. Male Ogier have no say in who they marry, and must abide by the decision of their mother. There is no divorce amongst the Ogier, the word being foreign, however if the Ogier couple is so unhappy that a marriage cannot workout, the mothers get together once more and make whatever arrangements necessary. Should a male Ogier run from his wife, his family is responsible for providing for any children that he may have left behind. Running from his wife -might- get him exiled from his home Stedding, as well as his wife"s Stedding. He would be marked as a deserter.

Legal Laws
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The Ogier Watch is there to serve and protect the community. There comes a time when they need to investigate matters to aid the Council of Elders in their case for or against a particular person or groups of people. False accusations, corruption of witnesses and interfering with an investigation are all crimes within the Stedding. Those caught involved doing any of the three will be detained by the Ogier Watch until such a time the Council of Elders can decide what to do with them. If it comes to a trial, a Speaker will be assigned to them.

Punishments:
The Council of Elders will meet and a trial will be held. Punishments for those who have been found guilty for any of these crime may result in physical punishment or short-term imprisonment. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.

Oaths
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Ogier take their oaths very seriously. Once they give an oath, they will never break it, even if they were tricked into giving one. Those Ogier who break their oath have committed a serious offense within the Stedding society. Depending on the type of oath that was made and broken, the punishments may include a variety of results, with or without the Council of Elders intervening: banishment, branding, fines, physical punishment, servitude, or a various selection of those mentioned combined into one punishment. Should the Council of Elders reside over a case of Oathbreaking, a Speaker will be assigned to defend the accused, whether or not they are guilty. All decisions of the Council of Elders are final upon this matter.