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The Charter of the Sanctuary Town Council

The Charter of the Sanctuary Town Council as dictated by Azrus Azzam, Alturiak 152 last amended by the Council, Eleint 152

The laws, budget and property deeds of the town of Sanctuary are to be deliberated upon by a Council of Five citizens chosen every three two months in a three-day election supervised by the Town Watch.

To ensure the speed and effectiveness of this Council, the death, resignation, extended absence, or exile of a Councilor will result in that Council seat being given to the last ballot's next-highest candidate. The Watch may run new elections should the previous ballot be exhausted.

All Council decisions need only be made by a simple majority vote. The Sheriff may veto any decision that he feels threatens the security of Sanctuary.* As such, it is common practice to have all laws pass the Sheriff.

In addition to deliberating upon the laws, budget and property deeds of the city, an available member of the Council is summoned to judge trials over Capital-level crimes.

  • If more than one Councilor makes themself available as judge, the Sheriff selects one, three or five judges in a manner of his choice.
  • If no Councilor can be reached in a timely fashion then the Sheriff may act as judge.
  • The judge (or first selected judge) is responsible for any trial records that are made.
  • Judgement may be disputed in the following manners:
    • The judgement of one judge may be questioned by the Sheriff or two Councilors, resulting in a retrial before no less than three judges.
    • The judgement of three judges may be questioned by the Sheriff and two or more Councilors or ranking Watchmen, resulting in a retrial before the full Council.

The first task of every new Council is to budget the town treasury, using no more gold than is available.

Footnotes * This power is currently extended by the Sheriff to Chairman Wyric Crowshire.

Passed in Eleasis 152:

Decree for Extended Service To go into effect after the next election: (After Eleint 152)

Surviving, sitting members of a council do not have to pay the candidate's registration fee to be placed on the ballot.

Surviving candidates on the previous term's ballot may register by paying half the standard fee; they may not pay the half-fee again until one term has passed.

Passed in Eleint 152...

Civil Courts Two citizens, representing themselves or opposing groups, willingly submit to the ruling of the court in the matter brought before the judge, a volunteering councilor.

Each party, independently, explains their position, including why they seek help from the court and what their desired outcome is. They are then allowed with the judge one private statement each after hearing the others' position.

The court's ruling, lacking the support of three councilors, may not alter the code of law or change the title of deeds.

Parties submitting to a court willingly that do not abide by the court's ruling shall face capital punishment.

Bodyguard Funds Councilors are given funds for one bodyguard per term. Should a bodyguard die or go missing, a councilor may hire a new one. The bodyguard is entitled to:
  • Spellguard Defender Amulet (to be returned after bodyguard service)
  • 1000 gold per term (payable only if the Councilor survives)
Silent Support After ten days from the calling of a vote on a proposal, all unresponsive councilors are considered to have voted in agreement with the initiating councilor. This does not apply to proposals made in the last ten days of a council term.

Passed in Uktar 152...

Delay to effective legal changes A change to a law becomes effective five days after notification is given to the Watch following the change's approval.