thirteenth rune; frost; video

[deadelfwalking]

[Hello, friends. A cold-eyed elf with a fairly significant skin condition stares at the camera, his jaw set, his mouth a thin, inscrutable line.]

Talk of a council is all well and good, but we have another matter in front of us.

As many of you have pointed out, there is no formal system of law in place. At present, those of you who acted as peace officers have simply continued as you were in your own worlds. If you brought others to justice, if you spoke about justice -- you have continued to see this as your right.

[His eyes narrow, drawing his long eyebrows together.]

But it is not your right. Your laws are not universal. Your morality is not sacrosanct.

We must decide on appropriate conduct as a whole, with consideration given to perspectives outside of our own.

I propose that any code we settle on be simple and direct. For example:

1. Murder shall be abolished. In the case of murder, execution.

2. Theft shall be abolished. In the case of theft, the hand shall be cut off at the wrist. Repeat offenders shall lose both hands.

3. Conspiring with the United Earth shall be considered treason. In the case of treason, suspected or actual, execution.

4. Bodily autonomy shall be respected. Knowing efforts to mind control, telepathically invade, steal, or otherwise forcibly take spiritual or physical authority over another sentient being will constitute assault. In the case of this assault, execution.

And so forth.  These are merely ideas, of course.

[His lower lip twitches, suggesting that he's perfectly aware of the extremes he's recommended. Suggesting that he's just trying to get your attention, to get you to think about how you would define your own terms. What constitutes murder? Theft? Conspiracy? Justice? He's only asking.

Maybe.]

[After several hours, the post is edited with a very carefully recorded text attachment.]

Proposed countermeasures to theft:
public humiliation 
fines
time locked away

Proposed countermeasures to murder:
temporary exile
(where?  to a safe place?  to a random location in time?

General countermeasures
better jail system (?)
compassion (???)
mercy (???)
trials (how?  who receives authority?  who takes what position?  what verdicts should result?)
jail time (general solution?)
punishment via the VR room (?) 

Comments

[deadelfwalking]

I would only apply the laws of the Ebon Blade to its other members, of which there are some, here. But my perspective calls for harsh retribution. I understand it may not sit well with the rest of the transports. But, if not this, then what?

[theguideless]

[Martin is either a bit dense or too secure in his safety to find Koltira's look threatening (probably both to their own degrees).]

A-ah, So we're safe, regardless of the punishment. I think other people should pick it, then...since they might have been robbed before. Or know what works better, right? Even with people from different places.

[deadelfwalking]

Oh? Through what means? Perhaps a post of censure, as was so recently done to another member of our population.

[applethief]

And how much of that was self defense?

[deadelfwalking]

But there are other crimes to consider. More likely crimes. Such as murder, for instance.

[payback]

[She actually laughs a little bit.]

Okay... I'm not actually that sure. I don't know that much about law. But it seems like a lot of people think your ideas are extreme.

[fintastic]

I didn't say anything about other cultures, though. You asked me about mine and I think most trolls would agree that Alternian law shouldn't be enacted here, not most of it. Yes, there was execution we called it culling, but you could also be culled if you were too weak, or if you got injured, or because you said something against the Empress. Murder wasn't always punishable though, unless you murdered the wrong person. Same with theft, and telepathy. So there's nothing to learn from it. It was a bad system and everyone just lived in fear of the day the Empress would decide to wipe out their entire caste.

[theguideless]

Mmm.... [the sound drags on for a couple seconds. he stops.]

Murderers were executed where you're from, right? But...here, people can come back still. [half-squint. right?]

[crocodilesmiles]

Uh, well, that's the idea, that we start getting a direct code! So that part you're right about, and that people way totally don't have the same sets of laws. Murder really should be not okay, along with theft, or working with the United Earth with the intention of betraying the Transports, and that last one too, but the kind of eye for an eye thing -- I can't say that's okay.

For example, if we want something simple and direct, maybe temporary exile? To someplace safe enough, but away from those people who agree to work together. Or even just exile them outside of the Transport group, so they don't have us to help them out, or watch their backs, or do anything directly to keep them safe. But we gotta watch for those people who aren't fighters or are kids no matter what species, and we have to help make it make sense why following a code of conduct is important.

'Cause yeah, murdering everyone over anything won't really help, so like you say, we do need to put heads together to find the acceptable middlegrounds.

[biwinning]

I wathn't talking about you, but that'th besides the point. Would you?

[deadelfwalking]

I would not, personally. Not unless you were also a death knight.

[Even then ... he's not very firm on technology-based crimes.]

[deadelfwalking]

In simple terms: you would leave the viewpoint of your culture by the wayside.

[deadelfwalking]

Of course they do. They are alive.

[deadelfwalking]

You would not kill them, but you would leave them in a position to be killed? This is preferable.

[payback]

Well, um... yes...? Most are?

[biwinning]

What would being a death knight change?

[fintastic]

Leave it by the wayside? I would like to do so much more to it than that if I could!

But yes. Alternian culture as the Empress decided it should be, yes. The viewpoints of me and my friends though, no.

[deadelfwalking]

And what is your viewpoint, Feferi?

[deadelfwalking]

I would be your commanding officer.

not here

[alittlesweptup]

[Charlie's stalking this post like it's his job tbh]

[vocalizer]

[ Yikes... ]

Okay, but what about a case where someone steals something small that doesn't matter like a pen. Do you really think they deserve to have a hand cut off for that?

[ video ]

[hostage]

[Sardonically:]

Sure, why not. Executions for everybody.

[deadelfwalking]

Indeed. Why not.

[deadelfwalking]

I'm not among them.

[biwinning]

And tho ath my commanding officer, you'd have the right to punish me. That'th what you're thaying, right?