Dear Adelia Tyrell, I was advised to seek your council by a senior member of the cities clergy. I am led to believe that you are the foremost lore keeper of this town, and might be able to explain some matters of local custom and law. I am interested in the formalities of property ownership within Sanctuary.

Firstly, is the purchase of a property based on the handing over of a deed, or other item of ownership, or is it rather an informal, occupier owns kind of affair? If there is some due process that must be followed in the legal acquisition of property, how does one go about it? Is there a specific person in the council or the watch who must authorise a transfer of land or buildings?

Secondly, how might one go about renting of a property? Upon acquiring the owner’s assent, is a contract system in force, or is it an informal affair? Are their any legal safeguards protecting either the owner or the tenant? Again, does it need to be authorised by any governmental or official figure?

Thirdly, how would one go about legal occupation of an area surrounding sanctuary, but not yet used for accommodation? I am thinking here about the tunnelling of a new area into the rock face, or occupation of an insert section of our predecessors’ machinery. Would this require a permit, or at least verbal consent, and to whom would one need to apply.

Finally, is there any difference in custom or law between the upper and the lower areas of sanctuary that I should be made aware of, regarding the above mentioned topics of ownership, renting or occupation of dead space?

I thank you in advance for any illumination you might shine on the matter, Yours Sincerely, Frudoc Maynare.

The note is forward to an official who responds.

Mr. Maynare,

Thank you for your inquiry.

In discussing property matters, the Council divides all lands into three categories.

(1) Areas beyond Sanctuary (areas beyond the two main gates, that is to say any area not part of the original gnomish settlement).

(2) Claimed areas within Sanctuary ("Sanctuary" being defined again as any part of the original gnomish settlement, and including the main caves in which our two gates are located)

(3) Unclaimed areas within Santuary (areas beyond the direct patrols of either the Watch or Tigereyes, or ruined buildings or sections within these patrols)

A claimed area within Sanctuary is transfered from one party to another through the use of a deed, in which the original owner must sign and seal a formalized deed and have it approved it by an official or other representative of the Council. Properties are tracked for the purposes of taxation. This process is handled through the office of the herald.

Rental arrangements are handled entirely with a contract between the proprietor and rentor, this contract can be reviewed and enforced as necessary by the Watch but in general is somewhat more informal.

Expanding into an unclaimed area within Sanctuary (as defined above) does require a permit from the Council. Expanding into an area beyond Sanctuary is not something the Council concerns itself with generally.

There is no legal difference that I'm aware of in terms of property ownership between the Upper and Lower quarters, however the Tigereye Mercenary Company may have instituted other regulations that they seek to enforce.

Your sincerely,

Office of the Herald