Elient 2, 151 Council Townhall Regard Decree on Slaver Races

I regret to inform you, but this recent law is leaving the Watch in a conundrum. Its made our jobs harder, and more dangerous. Now kobolds and goblins charged with serious crimes face capital charges. So they're going to be inclined to fight to the death to avoid arrest for things as simple as assault, same applies to half-orcs.

This was a poorly conceived measure. We lack the manpower to enforce it. Furthermore, there is no clarification on where "slaver races" are to turn in their citizen stones or the punishment for having one. I seriously urge the Council to revoke this measure at least until it can be redrafted in a manner consistent with the ability of the city to enforce it.

The worst issue is its absolute lack of justice. Many in the Watch, despite a distaste for so called "slaver races" still view murder as murder. Taking a life, any life in cold blood is a grave crime, and this law tells us we can't punish outright murder with more than a few hours in jail? Many privates and more than a few officers object to this, especially on behalf of those who share human blood and can not be blamed for the rapine suffered by their mothers.

Sergeant Fawkes

Varlam sends a reply to the Watch House, making copies for the Council and his own records.

Sergeant Fawkes,

Murder of a guest of Sanctuary is Serious or Capital on the first offense (subsequent arrests always being Capital), making it the arresting law enforcer's choice whether to bring it to trial or make it a few hours in prison. The law on animation of the dead is similarly worded, and Private Ian Lockwood is the only man on record to have given "serious" charges for the crime (he actually put the necromancer in for minor time with some insiginificant fine, if I recall). All other animation arrests I am aware of have been brought to trial.

Possession of a citizen stone by non-citizens could be regarded as theft of city property, although cooperation in its confiscation, at least in these first few weeks, should allow for extreme leniency. All citizen stones not in use have always supposed to have been turned in to the Office of the Herald, although I don't recall this procedure being prominently posted for any of the law enforcement agencies.

On another of your points, why should goblins and kobolds be assaulting citizens in the first place, and what majority of arrests for assault have not required a dangerous scuffle? I've seen men try to kill when attempting to escape Public Nuisance. It's always a dangerous job, not because of the crimes being committed but because of the criminals committing them.

Not only are the Watch's numbers lower than they've been in years, but I'm seeing Privates puzzle over the lawbook when rude, blatantly offensive criminals protest their arrest, when once they were the legal scholars of the city. I'd like a copy of my WCP draft so I can make the revisions we discussed, and work on improving the Watch's manpower and quality.

The Council is still reviewing your letter to consider your request; I have merely replied in what capacity I am able.

Varlam Nikitovich Office of the Herald Second of Eleasis, 151