For those from civilised lands the laws of Galinia must seem barbaric. Indeed even to my good self, from the hinterlands of Melmonia (an area destroyed in the last war) the customs seem strange and unusual and occasionally very violent. There are more crimes that attract capital punishment than anywere else I have ever seen.

Firstly the Law is in the hands of the Richard Briganda, Earl of Galinia - and he has decreed the following.

All villages and settlements of Galinia will give hospitality to travellers, as per their custom. I found that a bit confusing at first, but it is done to allow the different villages their different customs. So expect to pay for your lodging in some places, but in other to be treated like members of the family. Just remember in those places, it is common to thank your host with a gift, and money can sometimes offend.

No person under the protection of the Earl's Writ shall harm another under that protection. A real doozey, this one. But basically put, if you do something that is considered harmful to someone else - while you are both in an area protected by The Earl's Writ - you can be punished. This can be physical harm or harm to their reputation, or possesions - so be really careful what you say and do.

Penalties are normally fines (but they can be very large) or banishment from the area, although minor cases might attract humiliating punishments such as the stocks or being dumped in a water trough, instead. In some cases, particularly where personal honour is involved, there can be trial and punishment by combat - at the discretion of the presiding officer. More serious cases can result in mutilation or death as a sentence, the method of execution, or type of mutilation, being left up to the presiding officer and according to local custom.

The Earl's Writ describes the people who can preside over the law and enforce punishment according to it. These are:

Earl Richard Briganda over the whole of Galinia
Viscount Jen Jensen over the whole of Galinia
Lord Segovax Treveri, Ri, in Dingaic
Sir Edwy Treveri, Lith Ri, in Dincaoc
The Honorable Rami Ben Affah in Mistaton
The Torriff in Semasay
The Torriff in Ramasay
The Torriff in Nersay
Rolf Liefson, Constable-Warder in the outlands.

In all cases it is possible to appeal to higher authority, but beware of doing so. In every case referred upward, so far, the penalty has actually been increased.

It is also possible for offences to be heard by a druidic court, but again try to steer clear of these, although they can claim jurisdiction over any case involving a druid. Druidic courts often hand down much stiffer sentences than secular courts, and once the case has passed into their hands there is no appeal - except to the Earl himself. Druidic courts must be presided over by a fully recognised druid, who has both arms tattooed with the symbols of his or her calling.