Vargor, Laws

Most Gorean behavior is dictated by tradition rather than law. Goreans are, for the most part, traditionalists and law abiding. Vargor's laws specifically address modesty, theft, property damage, assault, merchant law and slave law. Most minor issues are handled by immediate ruling or challenge, with more significant issues being brought before the court for litigation.

Let it be known that the following laws are in effect for the town of Vargor. Let it further be made clear that the laws of Vargor extend only to the boundaries of the town and districts.

Resolution

Vargor recognizes the right of its free people to seek redress or resolution via challenge, mediation or litigation. Challenges are required to take place either within the central arena or outside of town boundaries.

Modesty

It is the privilege and obligation of free women to maintain their modesty. Any person who reduces a free woman's right to traditional modesty, including themselves, are subject to fines as a first offense. <Read More>

Theft or Property Damage

Theft goods or services, or damaged to property is against the law in Vargor. Vargor recognizes a citizens right to seek redress to a financial factor of two for any and all property damage or theft of services.

Assault

Assault is against the law in Vargor and Vargor recognizes a citizen's right to seek redress should they be assaulted. <Read More>

Merchant Law

Merchant Law is recognized in Vargor.

Slave Law

Vargor recognizes the right of free person to punish slaves as long as such punishment does not damage the property, in which case, the property owner has the right to seek redress. <Read More>

Definitions

Bet

A challenge that doesn't require the skill of both players is considered a bet, however, honoring one's bets is expected. Refusing to honor a bet can grounds for challenge, mediation or litigation.

Challenge

If a free man challenges another to any type of duel it is considered binding by tradition. What the challenge is, where it is, what it is for and how it is settled are a factor of tradition and negotiation. Duels are typically weapon-duels but can be anything requiring skill such as Kaissa or other feats of strength. Weapon-Duels must happen either at the town arena or outside of the town's boundaries. Refusal to accept a challenge, specifically that of a weapon-duel is usually cause for the other party to demand a forfeit. If both challenge and forfeit are refused mediation or litigation maybe sought.

Judgement (vs Ruling)

Judgements are passed down during town meetings or court sessions, and are usually by consensus from the officials and magistrates present at the session. Judgements are recorded into the session logs and typically published.

Litigation

Bringing a matter before the court which would result in a judgement.

Magistrate

A magistrate is someone who has been trained in Gorean law, they are often of the scribe caste but the training can be independent of caste, for example in Torvaldsland Rune Priest act as magistrates and law keepers for the thing-fair law assemblies. If you are trained as a magistrate and wish to work for the town as such, please present yourself to the Administrator/Ubar.

Mediation

Bringing a matter before a magistrate or other higher ranked official for the purposes of making a ruling.

Ruling (vs Judgement)

Rulings are unofficial but are generally binding and made by any town official or trained town magistrate. Rulings can be made anywhere at any time and do not require formal documentation nor any specific procedure. Rulings can be appealed.

Ruling, Caste

Caste Head can rule on caste specific business but it could still go to a the court if not settled.

Ruling, District

If one of the three districts has chosen a district representative, such as a Jarl for Torvald's Quarter, a Pasha for Turan Quarter, or Patrician for the Argentum Quarter, they may also make rulings as it relates to district specific business. Any district ruling can be appealed to a court session where a final judgement can be made.

OOC Clarifications

A review of Laws and Legal Principles (Luther) is strongly encouraged by anyone acting as a magistrate or looking to proceed with litigation.

Modesty

This means you can not remove a free woman's clothes or veils to any state below that of "tradition". This includes removing a veil if they choose to wear one - this is called "face stripping" in Gor. The minimum level of traditional modesty is defined on the IC restrictions page. This law also applies to the free woman HERSELF who can also be charged with immodesty.

Entering a place traditionally reserved for free women, especially one with the possibility of viewing a free woman unclothed or unveiled is considered an abuse of their modesty. Stay out of the free women's side of the bath house!

Assault

Assault, not other wise considered a formal duel between men, is defined as causing physical injury requiring medical attention, and can result in fines or imprisonment.

Restraint, including binding, gagging, tethering and coffling, are not considered assault if they do not result in injury which requires medical attention.

Please Note

While free woman have the right to speak their mind - it is a respect given to them. However, they can be "put in time out" should they abuse it. "Time out" can not be assault, but a free woman can be gagged, hooded, tied up or even spanked. Obviously, their companion, guard, or clan/tribe leader might then have something to say about it.

Slave Law

There is no by the book reference to anything called 'slave law' that I am aware of. I am only putting in here because we have enough role-players who are new to Gor and do not understand that this "law" is considered the universal right of all free persons.