|
I'm wondering how crime and punishment work in civilized areas of the Inner Sea. I'd guess most countries use the death penalty for murderers, and I know slavery is sometimes used as a punishment, though I'm not sure for what crimes. When would someone go to jail as a punishment? Would this be the same for juvenile offenders? How old would be considered "adult" for a human in the eyes of the law?
I'm assuming Sarenrae worshipers would be most likely to try and reform criminals, given her role as the goddess of redemption. In a country without Sarenrae worship (Taldor being the obvious, but also countries where she just isn't popular), what other deity's worshipers would take the lead on this sort of thing?
I'm asking because I have an idea for a battle cleric who is big, dumb, and strong (high physical stats, dumped int and cha), has a history as a thug, and found religion in jail (gaining wisdom from experience, despite his low int).
|
Going from the bit of background on Harrowstone, not every mass murderer was summarily executed. All five
I would assume different countries would have different crime and punishment systems, with those heavily involved in Sarenrae offering more rehabilitation programs than say Ustalav, which just tossed folks into Harrowstone rather than executing them (probably because dead folks in Ustalav like to become undead). Nations like Qadira and Taldor probably have indentured servitude as punishment for crimes against property, and I can even see some of the middle east / north africa inspired nations having principles in the vein of the Hammurabic Code.
Another thing to note is how socially advanced some nations are. Much of southern Avistan, for example, seems to feel 15-18th century (minus gunpowder), where other areas (almost all of Garund, the north tier of Avistan) are high middle ages or even dark ages. The socially advanced ones would be more likely to have a functional prison system, where say Land of Linnorm Kings would just assume hand a murderer an axe and say fight this dire polar bear, let the gods decide your innocence.
|
|
Actually the five big prisoners in Harrowstone were awaiting their executions. "You are hereby sentenced to live the remainder of your short life in Harrowstone, which, I hasten to add is a blessing compared to the extent of your crimes and the suffering of your victims. There you will reside in the misery of your thoughts until such time as you are drawn, hanged, and quartered. May the gods have no mercy on your blighted soul." - The final sentencing of Vance Saetressle ("The Lopper") in 4661 AR by Jurisdeclaris Axenris the Third -- Haunting of Harrowstone, 6
|
Another thing to note is how socially advanced some nations are. Much of southern Avistan, for example, seems to feel 15-18th century (minus gunpowder), where other areas (almost all of Garund, the north tier of Avistan) are high middle ages or even dark ages. The socially advanced ones would be more likely to have a functional prison system, where say Land of Linnorm Kings would just assume hand a murderer an axe and say fight this dire polar bear, let the gods decide your innocence.
Though it's worth noting that 16thC England had the death penalty or mutilation for virtually everything - prisons were where people were kept awaiting trial (and later, to keep them from reneging on serious debt). Prisons are expensive to maintain (it's why so many prison systems in the modern west have problems) and execution is simply more cost-effective. A historically-based early modern style penal system will place emphasis on dealing with offenders rapidly, unless said offenders have political clout (in which case, they may be locked up - in relative comfort - indefinitely).
Contributor
|
Though it's worth noting that 16thC England had the death penalty or mutilation for virtually everything - prisons were where people were kept awaiting trial (and later, to keep them from reneging on serious debt). Prisons are expensive to maintain (it's why so many prison systems in the modern west have problems) and execution is simply more cost-effective. A historically-based early modern style penal system will place emphasis on dealing with offenders rapidly, unless said offenders have political clout (in which case, they may be locked up - in relative comfort - indefinitely).
Another thing to note is how socially advanced some nations are. Much of southern Avistan, for example, seems to feel 15-18th century (minus gunpowder), where other areas (almost all of Garund, the north tier of Avistan) are high middle ages or even dark ages. The socially advanced ones would be more likely to have a functional prison system, where say Land of Linnorm Kings would just assume hand a murderer an axe and say fight this dire polar bear, let the gods decide your innocence.
Civil law was also very important - fines and such were usually how minor infractions and disputes were resolved. If a person stole from a merchant, damaged property, or even killed someone in a fight, they might be sued rather than condemned. There is also the weregild system in Scandinavia, which also used monetary penalties as punishment. This system was even cheaper than executions.
More isolated and rural communities could also adopt a 'wild west' style that would be fun for a party to encounter.
The sheriff keeps order with sword and spell, his deputies patrol the town, if they make an arrest they toss 'em in the town jail until the marshals come by to cart 'em off to the capitol for trial.
Then the PCs get wrongly accused, or maybe recruited into a posse to hunt down a bad guy.
|
|
Like I said, the point of asking was for a PC back story. He was a big, strong, and very dumb teenager who was easily manipulated into being the "muscle" for a gang of street thugs, until he found religion and abandoned his thuggish ways. Jail just seemed like the likely place for that conversion to take place. Imagine in the real world if a former inner city gang banger found Jesus in prison and became a preacher - that's the feel I'm going for.
But in my case, my guy doesn't have the brains or social skills to be a preacher (low charisma and intelligence, talks like someone who's a bit "slow"). He's big, strong, and lives in a world where evil beasts threaten innocent lives every day, so he uses the gifts he was born with to become a traveling adventurer to protect the innocent instead.
After thinking about it, I really want to make him a cleric of Shelyn. I want to do a reach weapon cleric, and she's got the glaive as her favored weapon, along with some nice domains. Also, the idea of a cleric to the goddess of beauty, art, and music who isn't bard-like and doesn't have good looks or any artistic or performing talent really appeals to me for playing against type. This is a guy who truly believes Shelyn's teachings that there's beauty in everything, even the most disgusting of monsters. Just picture an adventurer who leaves flowers in the sewers he's wandering through to try and brighten up the place.
Now I'm just trying to nail down some back story details for this guy, like where he comes from, what type of crime he was involved with earlier in life, where his conversion would take place, etc. Since I'm probably going human for this one, I'm thinking of making him Taldan by birth, so it will make sense that he was redeemed by a goddess other than Sarenrae. I still need to work out the rest of the details.
Isn't a "prison" basically a "dungeon"?
Regardless of who's in power locally or regionally, if they have a dungeon they pretty much have the authority to use it, right? Probably a lot of that in Taldor. What's "legal" probably always comes second to what's politically acceptable/advantageous.