Crime and Punishment - Rise of the Runelords

[Seornep]

Ok so I just finished a Rise of the Runelords session where a player decided he might shocking grasp an NPC in Sandpoint that was irritating him. It was largely unprovoked, but the attack could have killed the smart mouthed shop keeper.

I feel I need to make some sort of in game punishment for PCs that defy in game law, these guys are supposed to be the heroes after all. If I overlook the whole situation, the player will think it is all fine and may repeat the action against another NPC, so I need to bring in a punishment.

My questions are;

1) What is pre written as far as crime and punishment in Varisia

2) What do people think I should convict his character of, a slap on the wrist or something more?

[Rub-Eta]

The NPC should report the PC to Hemlock, make him deal with it. At the beginning of your next session you can have him approach the PC and tell him that it's not okay to assult people, even for a hero of the city. Maybe Hemlock is lenient this time BUT if he does it again, he will have to face charges.

[Secret Wizard]

I take my players to prison, where they slowly lose XP every night. Since I'm not an anti-fun GM though, the attack needs to be proven (a Shocking Grasp should be easy to surmise), the constable needs motivation for arresting the PC (sure, they might let it slide sometimes if they like the PC, but eventually they'll want to enforce laws), and, while in prison, they might be offered shorter sentences in exchange for performing a task that the sheriff offers them.

[Rub-Eta]

Seornep wrote:

1) What is pre written as far as crime and punishment in Varisia

Don't know any specifics, though I'd guess it's somewhat like a fine for damages and a few days/weeks in jail.

Seornep wrote:

2) What do people think I should convict his character of, a slap on the wrist or something more?

Anything that does leathal damage, 100%. Even nonleathal if it's fully intentional (as in punching people).

Make the player understand that people being snarky isn't a free pass for them to do what ever they want to them. Their PC isn't special.

PC: "But Sir Officer Hemlock, he said I was a poopy-head"
Hemlock: "Oh, I see. Well assult, robbery and murder is still illegal"

[Seeric85]

The trick is handling the crime in a believable fashion without punishing the players for roleplaying their characters.

I had a similiar situation, where the summoners Eidolon attacked an NPC (the squire of a deceased Paladin PC) over an argument concerning the deceased PCs gear and valuables, with potentially deadly force in full daylight on the big marketsquare in front of the cathedral. Charges brought against the PC where assault with a deadly weapon and disturbing the peace. Considering the fact that the PCs had just returned from dealing with the Thistletop threat (and the fact that jail time renders the character pretty much unplayable), the Summoner got a slap on the wrist in the form of a hefty fine after a short hearing in front of the mayor and the sheriff, involving a Zone of Truth cast by Father Zanthus.

[khovaros]

Couple points:

1) shocking grasp - i have seen recently that a lost of players seem to look on this like a taser. maybe you should take steps to make it clear that it isn't such.

2) casual brutality - very common in most ancient and feudal societies. slapping someone for giving you lip. no problem. relative social class will be a major concern regarding whether or not charges are brought. see many interactions in "Rome" and "Deadwood." "Lonesome Dove" also comes to mind when Gus pistol whips the bartender. Or when the Army Scout is whipping Newt.

3)Murder might be a different animal. "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages as a general thing because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split a s a general thing." Robert E. Howard. - should be noted that Conan killed the guy who was mocking him out. No police involvement.

4) actual charges - if shocking grasp is deadly, then it is assault with a deadly weapon and probably attempted murder, at least within modern criminal jurisprudence. jail time was not a common punishment for feudal societies. for that sort of crime, if banishment or execution is not an option, then fines or branding would be likely.