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LEGAL RULING SPELLS DANGER FOR ADVENTURING MONSTERS
Dateline: 20-
The Royal Courts have issued a statement in response to a demand from the Regent for a clarification of the law over the rights of adventuring monsters. A hypothetical case was put to them where, if a Berenian Citizen were to attack a monster, and companions of the monster who were also Berenian Citizens were to respond by defending the monster and killing its attacker, would they be guilty of murder.
The Court's answer was unequivocal that they would be, and that because a monster enjoys no legal protection from the Crown, even if it holds an adventuring licence, then any companions or minions it may have who are citizens have no legal right to protect it.
However the statement did add some clarification. "The accused can still present their defence to the courts. In this situation they would explain who they had protected and why," said Court Clerk Lord Gandet Merline. "Although I would be hesitant to comment on the exact nature of this case without all the details, from the summary described I would expect the Courts would view this as a reasonable defence and either release the defendants, or reduce the sentence significantly."
"Equally, the Regents word is Law within the actual Law. The Regent could overrule this, or any other law, without explanation, prevarication, precedent or consequence. So if the Regent decided that the "murder" was to be treated as a murder, it would be."
There is a suggestion that the Regent would be less inclined to intervene if the attackers declared their intention to kill the monster to its companions first, such that they could not reasonably make the defence that they were reacting instinctively to an unknown situation.
Sources within the Royal Court have told the Bugle that the Regent has been under pressure from the Council of Guilds to issue the statement, and that a faction within the Council has been pushing for the law to be changed such that a citizen who attacks a monster is no longer protected in law from counterattacks by other citizens acting to defend the monster.
Although the Court's statement is applicable to any adventuring monsters such as lizardmen, goblins or serpenti who hold an adventurer's licence, the Bugle understands that it is renewed concerns about vampires who openly hold adventuring licences that have prompted the Regent's demand.
A leading church insider told the Bugle "There has been boiling discontent with the
presence of vampires as adventurers ever since they began to appear. The priestly
population in particular has chaffed and grumbled about the tolerance of vampire
adventurers for years. It is to the credit of the High Priest, the Lord Crusaders,
and to a lesser extent the Dei Eligere of Dei Vigilare, that this resentment has
been managed and contained -
For the Crusading Orders, the Lady Crusader of Shanna declared "I'd say, if another adventurer knowingly defended a monster, then they would lose their Bereny Citizenship at least...and should become outlawed!"
The ruling seems to raise the possibility of a renewed campaign against vampires
such as that waged by the so-
NEW HEAD FOR CRUSADING ORDER OF SHANNA
Dateline: 24-
The Crusading Order of Shanna has a new leader following the decision of Lady Jasmine to step down as its Lord Crusader. But the new Lord Crusader, Lady Faile, has lost no time in asserting the Order’s role in combating evil.
In an exclusive interview with the Bugle, Lady Jasmine explained the reasons behind her decision to hand on the leadership of the Order. “The reasons for my stepping down are perhaps understandable by the Citizens of Bereny, perhaps not. After the battle with the Reaper, I found myself tormented at times by the 'fear' affliction given me by this Reaper. Sometimes I questioned my decisions ... and sought solace with Shanna's Wisdom. I tried to keep my focus on the Order and helping the Citizens and the Sisters of the Order. And I am also getting older each day.”
“And then the Antithetical church threat appeared, along with the goblin invasion. I promised myself that the task to rid Bereny of this evil would be my last official mission .... and to see the mission through. But we all know, evil will always be there to fight!”
“Another aspect is the desire to go where the whim takes me ... I may now have this opportunity. But, if the Lord Crusader calls, or Shanna's Will takes me, I will be there with my sisters.”
The Regent was quick to recognise Lady Jasmine’s service to the Kingdom, and grant her the title of Lady in her own right. “It simply doesn't feel right to call you merely "Jasmine" after so long, and such fine service to the Kingdom. Long may you continue to serve the Crown.” Lady Jasmine has also been confirmed as a continuing member of the Royal Commission for the Protection of Adventuring Monsters.
The new Lord Crusader of Shanna also paid tribute to Lady Jasmine. “I have the highest respect for my predecessor and I am sure she will be a great asset to the Royal Commission,” Lady Faile told us.
One of the new Lord Crusader’s first acts was to welcome the Regent’s recent edict granting protection to Unicorns, which are widely recognised as blessed creatures of Shanna. “I am delighted to hear this edict. The Crusaders of Shanna will ensure that any incidents involving attacks on unicorns are investigated to the full and that anyone outlawed for killing a unicorn is hunted down,” she announced.
However she has indicated that she will no major changes to the rules of the Order of Shanna under her rule, and that the Order will continue in its opposition to Vampires within the Kingdom. “I fully support the High Priest's edicts on the status of vampires,” Lady Faile told us, “and will take all steps allowable within the law to see that they are laid to rest.”
Dateline: 26-
While the Royal Army is engaged in mopping up operations against the last remnants of the d’Agrillac rebellion, a new threat has emerged to the nearby city of Torlia, as Royal Army units defending the city have clashed with a force of Midnight Elves.
“My men and I successfully slew 18 enemies, including the evil Loremaster Jarahil,” reported Captain Ephelius Mayhew, the Officer commanding the Royal Infantry. “However, there are now two monstrous Quartermasters and a Fire Elemental within sight of the city walls. My men and I will prepare the defence. “I have informed my superiors, and I am sure General McMahon will keep an eye on the situation, and deploy further resources if necessary. Fortunately there is already a large Royal Army presence in the area.”
However the the dark elf Babylon Darkwind, the presumed leader of the attacking force, has mysteriously vanished, and there are fears that, using the dark arts of the Midnight Elves, he somehow slipped past the defenders and is at loose within the city of Torlia. From reports, he was wielding a powerfully enchanted sword and appeared to be well equipped.
Duchess Juliette of Torlia, who is commanding the Royal Forces on the d'Agrillac Estate, said “My retainers and I were planning to depart shortly, leaving the other Royal Units to mop up and receive the surrender of the Castle. But I was alarmed to hear of so many monstrous minions near the D'Agrillac Estate. This monstrous presence is a dangerous and worrying distraction from the main business of suppressing the Rebellion.”
Meanwhile Baroness Sophia d’Agrillac has arrived to reassert her claim to be the lawfully appointed Baron of the Falkone Estate, a claim which has been confirmed by the Regent. The Regent has also called on the surviving d’Agrillac forces still holding out in Kerak Falkone to surrender, and has offered to commute their sentences of outlawing and death to life imprisonment if they will surrender themselves to justice (although it is not clear where so many will be imprisoned). “Your leader has fled ignominiously with his tail between his legs. Your little rebellion is over in all but name, and you can achieve nothing now but further loss of life; most especially, your own,” the Regent declared in his terms.
The rebels have been given one day to accept and surrender the castle, after which the Regent has threatened to withdraw the offer.