Council members and Head Agent of the Spellguard

Today I was falsly arrested by Agent Manth, who at the time refused to identify himself and wore a mask to hide his face.

{Includes a full description of the man who is tall, has white hair, wears red & black clothing when not in spellguard uniform}

When Dain, my fellow clan member asked for his name which is a perfectly polite and reasonable thing to do, he was arrested for "obstructing justice" and sent to prison for asking such a simple question.

I have to say I know who this person is because I have met with him on at least two occassions in the last few days where he was without a helm and he has introduced himself to me on both occasions. You see, when you've worked together on at least 2 occasions you get to know a thing or two about a person, the timbre of their voice, their gait in the way they walk. So I'd say he's not really all that bright & his disguise was pretty pathetic because I recognised his voice only after speaking to him for a while.

Anyhow, he insisted that I accompany him inside the spell guard tower, which I did. There, to my absolute astonishment, he accused me of serious crimes. Which crimes he refused to specify what exactly they were I may add. He then searched me for illegal items, of which I do not carry. Then, he demanded that I pay a fine to him of 400 gold pieces.

When I stated I didn't have the amount he wanted [of which he knew that because of the search] & the fact that I demanded a receipt from him for the fine, that really flummoxed him! He said I was obstructing justice! I believe the fellow doesn't know what the code of law actually is even if the book became animated and bit him in the arse. Since I was asking, and quite reasonably so in my humble opinion, for a receipt, he become belligerant and used his wand and transported to to the cells in the watchhouse. I must say I enjoyed the quiet there and the stone was nice and cool. I fear though the agent had to walk all the way and he'd no doubt have been a bit puffed out. We continued to debate the rightness of receipts for fines then he left again for a while, no doubt to prepare violent spells of which he was hoping to use to assault my person. While he was gone, this allowed me time to relax in the cells, which are well constructed I may add. He returned and proceded to threaten me with dire consequencesif I did not hand over money to him. He said I was only making it worse for myself and it wasn't easier for him. Don't make me laugh! After all, he was the one on the outside of the bars with the spells ready to fire me as soon as he had the pretext to do so. Which leads me to ask the next logical question: Are the spellguard so desperate for cash that they have to shake down poor honest dwarves for a few coins? Perhaps we could have a sausage sizzle and a cake bake sale to raise some badly needed coin for them since it appears their are on the bones of their arses, destitute and being reduced to extortion to buy goblin stew to feed themselves?

I mean seriously, how could I tell if he was actually going to take the gold and not just put it in his own pockets rather than put it in the citys coffers? With a receipt for the gold for the fine, he'd have shown that he firmly believed in beauracracy, the rule of law and the enforcemnt of the payment of fines. I have no problem with paying LEGAL fines but I'm deeply disturbed when I'm being told by a masked man [who could be a bandit for all I know?] that I have to hand over my gold. I'd have been extremely reassured and slept soundly knowing that Sanctuary is being policed by virtuous & honest men. But this is not the case.

But my point remains: Without a receipt, there is no paper trail and therefore this means that the act was quite unlawful and smacks of a shake down and unjust harrassment of my person.

I'm sad to add though that this agent is as guilty of law breaking as much as I am and that is if casting spells in defense of the city, self defense etc is illegal? If so, I confess that I have used Moradin's blessing to brew healing potions for members of the watch and spellguard, I confess that I stood alone at the top of the stairs trying to hold back the Lizard inavsion, I confess that I used blessing to enhance the strength of my kin to bring down block & tackle to help remove rubble from the remains of the rock, I confess that I've used blessing to fight the chosen down in Barak-Tor. Terrible isn't it that I have made such heinious and wanton abuses of the law all because I tried to do what was best for the city?

I've paid him 112 golds pieces and this was witnessed by the cell guard in the watch house so he can't deny he extorted monies out of me. In addition, he claimed I didn't have a spellguard badge and when I asked him for one, he refused to give one to me! How is this just I ask you? He lectured me on not having a badge but this is the second time I've been fobbed off by an agent when I have asked for one. I'm beginning to wonder if they just make up the law or enforce the bits that suit them on a whim? Hardly the basis of a sound and strong legal system now is it? And isn't that the bed rock of a healthy and vibarant society? Do we want the rule of law to apply evenly to all or is rather it will apply when those that enforce it when they feel like it or they will use parts of the law that suit them and will protect their interests?

I also ask you all, do you want us to continue to help defend this city, help with it's rebuilding and reconstruction or would you rather see a few bad apples try to drive honest hard working and hard fighting dwarves out of town?

The choice is yours...

Porki Thule

Founder, Elder, Sonnlinor and War Chief of Clan Stoutheart

Porki,

I quote you below:

Anyhow, he insisted that I accompany him inside the spell guard tower, which I did. There, to my absolute astonishment, he accused me of serious crimes. Which crimes he refused to specify what exactly they were I may add. He then searched me for illegal items, of which I do not carry. Then, he demanded that I pay a fine to him of 400 gold pieces.

When I stated I didn't have the amount he wanted [of which he knew that because of the search] & the fact that I demanded a receipt from him for the fine, that really flummoxed him! ... He said I was obstructing justice! ... He returned and proceded to threaten me with dire consequences if I did not hand over money to him.

But my point remains: Without a receipt, there is no paper trail and therefore this means that the act was quite unlawful and smacks of a shake down and unjust harrassment of my person.

I'm sad to add though that this agent is as guilty of law breaking

None of the above is illegal. Point to me where in the lawbook where not offering receipts and not telling a person their crime is illegal. Additionally, we have paper records of the event, so the Agent was not trying to cover up anything.

Though know that not cooperating with law enforcers will most likely elevate your fine. Your behavior during this event was not acceptable. Instead, accept arrest, accept paying the fine then kindly and formally make a complaint to the Spellguard, in which case Officers such as I will deal with them.

No crimes have been committed by Agent Manth. Until then, you owe us 288 gold to finish your fine. I hope you decide to pay this willingly, as it will save both the Order and the Stouts trouble.

-Field Officer Ferrington Order of the Spellguard Mages

If that is your final judgement then you wil have to wait for your money a long time because I have none.

Simply put, I can not work or cast blessing for fear that I will be breaking the law again. I have no money at all and I refuse charity from my kin.

So, if someone can make me a badge, free me to work and cast blessings, I'll oblige but until then, my hands are tied.

Come get a badge at the Tower, and you may do your work within warded areas, just like everyone else.

-Field Officer Ferrington Order of the Spellguard Mages

Mr Thule,

You are being ridiculous. Your entire career is not based on criminal disregard of the Spellguard Laws. You were told that you could come to the Tower in your own time to register. You are also well aware by now where it is and isn't appropriate to be casting spells. If you plan to travel in unwarded areas and know that you cannot manage without magic, either avoid going entirely, or cast in advance and make use of magical items which don't attract Magic Eaters and similar threats.

You are not exempt from our laws, Mr Thule. We have no intention of reconsidering your fine, and we most certainly don't intend to give you permission to cast spells wherever you like. Rather than complaining, take this as an opportunity to learn and improve from the older, criminally reckless Mr Thule to one who respects, abides by and represents the laws which help protect Sanctuary.

- Agent Rahmun Manth Order of the Spellguard Mages

Agent Rahmun Manth

Johannes

Your entire career is not based on criminal disregard of the Spellguard Laws.

You are absolutely right there, couldn't agree with you more. My entire career ,which I may add you know nothing of, is not one of law breaking or criminal disregard for Sanctuary's laws. I have had a clean record until you started your vendetta against me based on hearsay and lack of evidence. After all, do not you respect and revere the rule of Law and there fore believe that the chain of evidence be followed? Isn't it upto the prosecution to proof guilt before condemnation? I'm positive you do hold dear to the rules and chain of evidence otherwise you'd be no more than a common thug yourself.

Johannes

You were told that you could come to the Tower in your own time to register. You are also well aware by now where it is and isn't appropriate to be casting spells...

You are not exempt from our laws, Mr Thule. We have no intention of reconsidering your fine, and we most certainly don't intend to give you permission to cast spells wherever you like.

That's perfectly fine. I shall get the badge and I do sincerly hope that I'm not fobbed of yet again or that there will actually be someone in the tower who will take the time to grant me this priviledge.

Also from now on, I will fill in a form and send it to you every time I intend to cast a spell. However I perceive this may lead to some problems if Sanctuary is under threat or I'm in unusual circumstances that are beyond the normal kind and I'm in a placed in a position where I may be forced to cast magic in unwarded areas. So, rather than break the law, I will no longer use my magic to defend Sanctuary against it's foes. I obey the -letter- of the law. In fact, Iam actively going to encourage all I know to follow my example and cease casting spells because of the terrible crimes they are committing. Lets set a fine example and stop magic now! No more magic I say, end it. In fact, I strongly urge the spell guard to lead the way by ceasing casting magic because it only sets a bad example to others. What's that expression you humans have, "monkey see, monkey do?"

Johannes

Rather than complaining, take this as an opportunity to learn and improve from the older, criminally reckless Mr Thule to one who respects, abides by and represents the laws which help protect Sanctuary.

Heavens forbid that I earn the reputation as a wanton law breaker. In fact, I'd be very grateful if you could catalogue my entire list of alledged crimes and present them to me in tripplicate so that I am certain what it is I am charged with. Please include times, dates, witness statements and affidavits so I can fully understand the true enormity of my crimes and prepare a legal defense and be able to appeal, in a court of law, this summary judgement?

In addition, I'd like to see the law be applied without fear or favour to all and sundry here in Sanctuary. Lets make sure that ALL spellcasting activity is rigidly monitored and policed to the utmost limits. Perhaps instead of badges, we could have have tatoos carved into our flesh and of course, be issued with a pad of request forms [triplicate] to cast spells handy so that no one will be breaking the law.