[Royal Guard] Magistrates: FAQ

[J.D. Strausse]

A few common question and answers about the magistrates for new players:

Q: Do the magistrates have a uniform?

A: Yes, they do. Magistrates are strongly encouraged to wear black robes and
chancellery gorgets (a steel chain with a sort-of banana-shaped steel
medallion emblazoned with the chancellery seal). Those who don't wish to
wear the robes can substitute black clothing, but the gorgets are
non-negotiable; they must be visible at all times a magistrate is on duty.

Q: Are magistrates armed?

A: Invariably. In Drache, the adage goes, justice carries a sword. As
magistrates deal with the worse elements of society on a daily basis, they
are often attacked. The magistrates must be able to defend themselves and,
if necessary, assist the guard.

Q: Can magistrates arrest?

A: If there are no guards present to make an arrest or are unlikely to be
summoned before a suspect escapes, a magistrate is empowered to make an
arrest. In the absence of a guard at the scene of a crime, a magistrate may
detain and interrogate witnesses and begin an investigation. Such
circumstances are rare.

Q: Who hires the magistrates?

A: Magistrates are appointed by the Lord Chancellor and work out of the
Royal Chancellery, a building in the Blackdragon District, where they have
offices, a law library, and archives. However, most magistrates choose to be
self-sufficient and work on their feet, off the back of their horse, or a
barstool in the local inn.

Q: How does a magistrate try someone?

A: It's easier than it sounds. A magistrate questions the accused about the
alleged crime, the guard who made the arrest, and any other witnesses s/he
deem appropriate; however, it's enough to simply question the accused. Each
magistrate is equipped with a ring whose stone will change colors in the
presence of untruth (truth being the log of the event). If the accused is
guilty, they are punished. If they are innocent, then they're released. Laws
and guidelines for punishment can be found at
http://www.blkdragon.com/code.htm If you want to see what a trial looks
like, just ask; I've got lots of trials logged for your reading displeasure.
Also, in choosing your punishments, be creative. What's on the website is
just a guideline. Think of all the cool things you can do with a geas!

Q: How do I report of a trial?

A: Easy. Here's a sample report I sent to the guard list earlier this week;
it shows all you need.

"Bulletins from the Royal Chancellery:

On 7/10 Karie Sandars was tried and found guilty of four counts of assault
on a crown official. She was sentenced to a flogging of indefinite length
and received a geas which will prevent her from using her magical abilities
save in self-defense, healing, or meditation. Should she use her magical
abilities to attack, she will suffer the damage resulting from that attack.
The Honorable Abraxas ul-Bralk Caros was presiding." (Not so hard, eh?)

Q: Do magistrates get paid?

A: Yes, but very, very poorly. You should've been a schoolteacher.

Q: Can magistrates grant citizenship?

A: Yes, magistrates can grant citizenship; however, they're encouraged to
consort with the applicable law and their fellow magistrates before doing
so, citizenship being a thorny issue at the chancellery for the Lord
Chancellor's pronounced dislike of Drow, the undead, and other "exotic"
races. For the laws on citizenship, the undead, opium and other non-criminal
laws, consult http://www.blkdragon.com/laws.htm

Q: This FAQ sucks and didn't answer my question. Who do I call?

A: Me. I co-wrote the laws with Dan and have been running the chancellery /
magistrates for awhile. If you've got a question, don't hesitate to ask.

--JD