Post by flammingcorn on Jun 7, 2011 21:56:02 GMT -5
If you're gonna get in trouble, at least do it right!
While Bartholomew's laws are very few, they are very well enforced. Laws are split into two categories including Number System related and non Number System related. I will split them into these two categories for better understanding...
Number System Related
These laws became effective in 2062 a little after the early stages of the number system. Obviously this rule was not in effect when names were still common to Bartholomew.
1.) No individual, unless stated otherwise by the dictator himself, is allowed to have a name of any kind outside of their assigned number.
The penalty for this offense is that the one with the name will first endure 120 lashes to the entire back of their body quickly followed by being branded with the letter "N" (signifying the word "Name" or possibly "No Number") on their front right hip (opposite of where their number should be). Then, to add insult to injury, they "pluck" the person (meaning shaving their head).
EXCEPTION: While names in Bartholomew are illegal, somehow code names get past the system. It is mainly because they are not real names that anyone takes on, but simply code words their rivals make up for them. It starts with something like, "You take the fat one, I'll get the red head" and it just evolves from their. Next thing you know, rivals often refer to their chosen enemies by these names and know who to target from such. Almost every Bartholian has a code name because if this, and normally do not like the ones their rivals have chosen for them.
Code names normally start with the word "the" and are followed by a word or so based on a physical appearance, such as "the half-pint" or "the greenie" though it can sometimes extend to personality such as "the smartie" or "the loudmouth". It all depends on how observant the tribes are with one another.
2.) Once a child is born, they must immediately be brought to a facilitated area to receive a number.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the child must be brought in.
3.) One must not remove any identification bracelets or collars for any reason.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
4.) If one should need to have any identification bracelets or collars removed for any reason, they must have it done so by authorized individuals.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
5.) If one does manage to remove the identification bracelet or collar, sharing said identification bracelet or collar is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
6.) If one does manage to remove the identification bracelet or collar, disposing of said identification bracelet or collar is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
7.) One's official number tattoo must always be placed on the right side of one's lower back.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will receive 20-40 lashes via public flogging and a tattoo must be received in an established facility.
8.) Having any number at all, including one's own, tattooed on them anywhere else besides the right side of their lower hip is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will receive 20-40 lashes via public flogging and a tattoo placed anywhere else on the body must either be removed by any means possible or covered up.
EXCEPTION: Females, as they sometimes wear dresses, find it easier to have the tattoo on their left upper arm when identification must be seen. This is allowed because of this. This does not count for cross-dressing males. There is still a penalty for them.
9.) One must have said official number tattoo administered by a authorized individual.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks.
10.) No other individual shall administer any number tattoos of any kind to one's body.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks.
Non Number System Related
1.) All dead bodies must be turned in.
To keep the number system in check, anyone that dies must be brought to a facilitated area immediately to begin the process of recycling their number. Bodies from this point are handled by the government. While we would normally be upset by this and would like to handle the remains of our loved ones ourselves, Bartholians are quite alright with this. This is probably either due to strained attachment between Bartholians in general, or the fact that they are just used to this custom.
The penalty for not turning in a dead body is a day in the stocks/pillories, or some other form of public humiliation.
2.) No one shall disrupt the peace.
This law is sometimes hard to judge despite being so simply written. It's somewhat of a all purpose law. This law is used to apply to when legal things get out of hand.
This is because most commonly thought of laws are seen in Bartholomew as "unwritten tribal laws". Namely, things such as murder, rape, theft, assault, etc. are legal in Bartholomew. However, usually when one attempts such things, they are often met with vigilante style punishment anyway. It tends to work itself out, and the authority as no reason to intervene.
There are times, however, when one's assault or one's revenge for said assault goes past their personal war and disrupts the public. Only then are these acts of violence seen as illegal, and the authorities must step in.
The penalty for this penalty varies depending on how out of hand the situation gets. Usually punishments include between 20-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
3.) Any harmful acts toward any form of authority is a felony.
While most forms of harm against everyday individuals is legal in the Bartholian society, any harmful acts (ranging from a simple felony to something extreme such as murder or rape) toward authoritative figures of any kind is severely frowned upon.
The penalty for this offensive varies depending on the extremity of harm shown to the authoritative figure and the ranking of the authoritative figure themselves.
4.) Any form of theft from any form of authority is a felony.
Much like the assault law, this is rather frowned upon. The penalty for this is either 10 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
5.) One may not go past the wall in any way.
According to the dictator of Bartholomew, the world outside the wall is corrupt and evil. Therefore, any person found trying to go over, under, or any other direction past the wall is seen as trying to endanger their society.
The penalty for this offense, be it even an attempt to pass the wall, is the death penalty (hanging or beheading). No exceptions.
6.) One shall not trespass in any restricted areas.
Areas are restricted for a reason. The government does not want you in there. Justly said, keep out.
The penalty for trespassing in an area varies on the area and the strictness level of it. Usually punishments include between 20-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
7.) Any conspiring against the dictator in any form is a felony.
The penalty for this offense is the death penalty (hanging or beheading). No exceptions.
8.) Vandalization or destruction of any public property is a felony.
The penalty for this penalty varies depending on how out of hand the situation gets. Usually punishments include between 10-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
*Stocks/pillories can be substituted with the following punishments:
- Bastinado
- Flute of shame/shame flute
- Shrew's fiddle
- Mute's bridle/brank
- Scavenger's Daughter
- Gibbet
- Ducking stool
*Children are caned instead of whipped. Otherwise, the stocks and their alternatives are still used on children...
While Bartholomew's laws are very few, they are very well enforced. Laws are split into two categories including Number System related and non Number System related. I will split them into these two categories for better understanding...
Number System Related
These laws became effective in 2062 a little after the early stages of the number system. Obviously this rule was not in effect when names were still common to Bartholomew.
1.) No individual, unless stated otherwise by the dictator himself, is allowed to have a name of any kind outside of their assigned number.
The penalty for this offense is that the one with the name will first endure 120 lashes to the entire back of their body quickly followed by being branded with the letter "N" (signifying the word "Name" or possibly "No Number") on their front right hip (opposite of where their number should be). Then, to add insult to injury, they "pluck" the person (meaning shaving their head).
EXCEPTION: While names in Bartholomew are illegal, somehow code names get past the system. It is mainly because they are not real names that anyone takes on, but simply code words their rivals make up for them. It starts with something like, "You take the fat one, I'll get the red head" and it just evolves from their. Next thing you know, rivals often refer to their chosen enemies by these names and know who to target from such. Almost every Bartholian has a code name because if this, and normally do not like the ones their rivals have chosen for them.
Code names normally start with the word "the" and are followed by a word or so based on a physical appearance, such as "the half-pint" or "the greenie" though it can sometimes extend to personality such as "the smartie" or "the loudmouth". It all depends on how observant the tribes are with one another.
2.) Once a child is born, they must immediately be brought to a facilitated area to receive a number.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the child must be brought in.
3.) One must not remove any identification bracelets or collars for any reason.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
4.) If one should need to have any identification bracelets or collars removed for any reason, they must have it done so by authorized individuals.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
5.) If one does manage to remove the identification bracelet or collar, sharing said identification bracelet or collar is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
6.) If one does manage to remove the identification bracelet or collar, disposing of said identification bracelet or collar is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks, and the identification must be replaced.
7.) One's official number tattoo must always be placed on the right side of one's lower back.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will receive 20-40 lashes via public flogging and a tattoo must be received in an established facility.
8.) Having any number at all, including one's own, tattooed on them anywhere else besides the right side of their lower hip is a felony.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will receive 20-40 lashes via public flogging and a tattoo placed anywhere else on the body must either be removed by any means possible or covered up.
EXCEPTION: Females, as they sometimes wear dresses, find it easier to have the tattoo on their left upper arm when identification must be seen. This is allowed because of this. This does not count for cross-dressing males. There is still a penalty for them.
9.) One must have said official number tattoo administered by a authorized individual.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks.
10.) No other individual shall administer any number tattoos of any kind to one's body.
The penalty for disobeying this law is that you will spend four hours in the pillories/stocks.
Non Number System Related
1.) All dead bodies must be turned in.
To keep the number system in check, anyone that dies must be brought to a facilitated area immediately to begin the process of recycling their number. Bodies from this point are handled by the government. While we would normally be upset by this and would like to handle the remains of our loved ones ourselves, Bartholians are quite alright with this. This is probably either due to strained attachment between Bartholians in general, or the fact that they are just used to this custom.
The penalty for not turning in a dead body is a day in the stocks/pillories, or some other form of public humiliation.
2.) No one shall disrupt the peace.
This law is sometimes hard to judge despite being so simply written. It's somewhat of a all purpose law. This law is used to apply to when legal things get out of hand.
This is because most commonly thought of laws are seen in Bartholomew as "unwritten tribal laws". Namely, things such as murder, rape, theft, assault, etc. are legal in Bartholomew. However, usually when one attempts such things, they are often met with vigilante style punishment anyway. It tends to work itself out, and the authority as no reason to intervene.
There are times, however, when one's assault or one's revenge for said assault goes past their personal war and disrupts the public. Only then are these acts of violence seen as illegal, and the authorities must step in.
The penalty for this penalty varies depending on how out of hand the situation gets. Usually punishments include between 20-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
3.) Any harmful acts toward any form of authority is a felony.
While most forms of harm against everyday individuals is legal in the Bartholian society, any harmful acts (ranging from a simple felony to something extreme such as murder or rape) toward authoritative figures of any kind is severely frowned upon.
The penalty for this offensive varies depending on the extremity of harm shown to the authoritative figure and the ranking of the authoritative figure themselves.
4.) Any form of theft from any form of authority is a felony.
Much like the assault law, this is rather frowned upon. The penalty for this is either 10 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
5.) One may not go past the wall in any way.
According to the dictator of Bartholomew, the world outside the wall is corrupt and evil. Therefore, any person found trying to go over, under, or any other direction past the wall is seen as trying to endanger their society.
The penalty for this offense, be it even an attempt to pass the wall, is the death penalty (hanging or beheading). No exceptions.
6.) One shall not trespass in any restricted areas.
Areas are restricted for a reason. The government does not want you in there. Justly said, keep out.
The penalty for trespassing in an area varies on the area and the strictness level of it. Usually punishments include between 20-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
7.) Any conspiring against the dictator in any form is a felony.
The penalty for this offense is the death penalty (hanging or beheading). No exceptions.
8.) Vandalization or destruction of any public property is a felony.
The penalty for this penalty varies depending on how out of hand the situation gets. Usually punishments include between 10-40 lashes via public flogging and/or imprisonment in the pillories/stocks.
*Stocks/pillories can be substituted with the following punishments:
- Bastinado
- Flute of shame/shame flute
- Shrew's fiddle
- Mute's bridle/brank
- Scavenger's Daughter
- Gibbet
- Ducking stool
*Children are caned instead of whipped. Otherwise, the stocks and their alternatives are still used on children...
