Laws of The Safe Hut

LAWS OF THE SAFE HUT

All Laws and Decisions made by the Leadership of the Safe Hut are to follow these three guiding rules:

ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE FREE

In the ruins, all men and women are free to do as they like, but when one man meets another, all bets are off. A man cannot be truly free if he is not truly safe.

The Leadership of the Safe Hut must provide for the safety of the citizens so they may be free. Let no man impede another's freedom.

ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL

Regardless of age, gender, or job, all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. The protections and privileges of the Hold must apply to the Weakest, as well as the Strongest.

ALL MEN AND WOMEN MUST WORK

All who take advantage of the Hold's benefits must labor towards its success. Everyone must contribute to the Hold, but may contribute in their own way.

This Hold recognizes two types of crimes: MINOR CRIMES, and MAJOR CRIMES. All citizens and visitors to the hold are expected to obey and understand the laws.

A MINOR CRIME is to be punished by IMPRISONMENT in the hole, not to exceed 30 days. With the approval of the Council, FINES paid to the Hold or to the Victim, or a PUBLIC BEATING may replace this punishment.

MINOR CRIMES INCLUDE

BRAWLING

A fight between two or more citizens, unless in a clearly designated fighting pit. Sometimes a good fight is needed, but it must be kept safely out of the way of innocent bystanders.

MINOR THEFT

Theft of items worth Jingle. Theft threatens the right of all citizens to own property.

PUBLIC NUISSANCE

Excessive noise, harassment, or annoyance, especially after being warned by a member of the Guard.

LABOR STOPPAGE

All citizens must work towards the Hold's success. Refusal to participate in work or in preventing others from working threatens us all.

UNAUTHORIZED WEAPON POSSESSION

All citizens may own weapons to protect themselves, their homes, and the hold, in time of need. Heavy weapons are to be owned by the Hold and used for the Hold's defense. Visitors are not allowed to bring weapons inside the Hold.

LAPSE OF MARTIAL DISCIPLINE

Discipline is Strength. All members of the guard must maintain Marital Discipline at all times. They must keep themselves and their weapon in good condition, uphold the laws of the Hold, obey the orders of their superiors in the Guard of the Warcouncil and Hardholder, and be free from corruption.

If the hold is under attack, for their own protection, Citizens must follow safety instructions given to them by members of the Guard.

MINOR ASSAULT

When one man or woman strikes another in anger, and no lasting damage is done, a minor assault has occurred. Citizens must resolve their differences fruitfully.

A MAJOR CRIME is an act that threatens the fundamental safety and security of the hold, and of those in it. One who commits a Major Crime cannot be allowed to remain in the society of the hold. The only sentences are DEATH or EXILE.

REPEATED AND DELIBERATE MINOR CRIMES, OR THOSE WITH SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES

If a man or woman persists in his or her crimes, or if a minor crime has additional consequences, that crime may be treated as a Major Crime by the council, and he or she shall receive trial for such.

MAJOR ASSAULT

When a man or woman attacks another as part of a plan, or does so with a weapon, or does lasting harm, or a man strikes a wife under his protection, that individual shows total disregard for the safety of the victim, and does not respect the laws of the hold.

GRAND THEFT

Theft of items worth Barter. Theft of such items threatens the prosperity and security of free citizens.

MURDER

Only the Leadership of the Hold may declare someone an Enemy of the Hold and worthy of death. Let no man or woman kill another without consent of the leadership of the Council and Hardholder. Those that murder show no regard for the lives of others, and are Enemies of the Hold.

It is no crime to kill those who attack the Hold in war, nor is it to kill in self defense. All citizens have the right and responsibility to defend themselves, and the Hold.

RAPE

It is of the greatest crimes for a man to disregard the safety of another so totally that he chooses to take that person's body and forcibly do what he likes with it for his own pleasure. Let no one rape; and let no rapist live.

THEFT OR DESTRUCTION OF ESSENTIAL HOLD PROPERTY

The property held by the Hold exists for the benefit of all. In damaging the property of the Hold, one damages us all. In stealing from the Hold, one steals from all.

SLAVERY

Let no man or woman own another. No citizen may be held against their will unless charged with a crime by the Hold. No citizen may be forced into a particular work detail. No citizen may own the body or soul of another, or force another into servitude.

TREASON

Action taken against the security of the Hold, to overthrow its Leadership or collaborate with its Enemies, or the planning of such, threatens all. Those who act in this way declare themselves Enemies of the Hold.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS

The GUARDIAN ANGELS of the Hold are charged with the duty of protecting the Hold's citizens and upholding and enforcing the Law.

Any member of the Guard may arrest a citizen or visitor, and imprison them in the Hole. Anyone arrested must be informed of the crime they are accused of. An officer of the Guard will determine the duration of the imprisonment based on the severity of the crime. Those imprisoned lose their rights and freedoms for the duration of their imprisonment.

Only an Officer of the Guard, member of the Warcouncil, or Hardholder may arrest a member of the Guard or a Member of the Council.

FOR MINOR CRIMES

Anyone accused of a Minor Crime may demand to take their punishment in a PUBLIC BEATING. Let them be struck once for each day remaining in their sentence, then be sent free.

Anyone accused of a Minor Crime may demand a TRIAL BY THE COUNCIL.

FOR MAJOR CRIMES

Anyone accused of a Major Crime must be given a TRIAL BY THE COUNCIL. No one man may decide another's guilt or innocence in these matters.

A TRIAL BY THE COUNCIL

A TRIAL will occur for any Major Crime, or for Minor Crimes where the accused demands a trial. The Council will hear evidence and testimony from the ACCUSED, the ARRESTING OFFICER, and any VICTIMS or WITNESSES. The ACCUSED may call upon others to speak on their behalf.

The Council will determine if a crime has been committed, and if so, which one. If the accused is found to be innocent of any crime, they shall be compensated for their time spent imprisoned. If the accused is found to be guilty, the Hardholder will declare a punishment. The Council may recommend leniency or severity in its sentence.

EXILE

Anyone Exiled from the Hold is not allowed to return. They are forever banished. At the Hardholder's discretion, an individual Exiled may be offered an opportunity to perform an EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE to the Hold in exchange for their PARDON. An Exiled individual who performs such an EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE will be forgiven of all crimes and welcomed back as a Citizen of the Hold.

SO I DECLARE, AS HARDHOLDER, THESE SHALL BE THE LAWS OF THE SAFE HOLD.

-DUTCH

Shadow Beasts

Youths growing up around the Two Towers are told stories of the Shadow Beasts. The stories of these monsters are used to teach children caution and the dangers of the world around them. Here are some of the stories told about Shadow Beasts.

• They say that the Jackalope has captured the souls of children who died during the apocalypse.  That he has commanded this shadow army to protect his stronghold, deep in the Two Towers.  These shadow beings attack the psychic soul stuff of trespassers, destroying the mind and leaving the bodies as ravening beasts.  These also become part of the Jackalope's protections.....
• Shadow beasts can be calmed or placated, allowing one to safely pass.  In order to do so, one has to recall the shadow beast to its former self.  
• They say that the city was cleansed in the Fires, that old people and old things were purged so new people and new things could emerge.  This Fire was not red or orange like you might huddle near for warmth on a chill evening, but a dark fire, all cold purples and blues and blacks.  And burned not just the flesh of those it touched, but their souls as well.
• The Fires did not leave ash in their wake, but something else, something worse.  When the Fires are finished with you, all that's left is a Shadow, hungry, lurking, angry, remembering nothing of its old life but hate, hate it bears towards you.
• Deep in everyone's heart, no matter how brave they are, lurks a fear.  And that is the truth of the Shadow Beasts: stray too close to the Towers, and you will catch their attention.  They have no form, but gazing into them, they gaze into you, and they reflect the fears they see.  Perhaps it is Spiders you fear, or Lizards, or Clowns, or something worse.  Whatever it is, the Shadow Beasts know, and that is the form they will take.
• The Shadow Beasts were a legendary biker gang that terrorized the area for years with brutal night time raids. Eventually, the members grew old and few, and went their separate ways. Some settled in and founded what is now known as Night Shadow.
• Shadow Beasts are the ghosts of pets that have succumbed to starvation or radiation poisoning. They guard the last known dwelling place of their masters, attacking anyone who may threaten their owners' eternal slumber.
• Shadow Beasts can be burned by light, but only if it's artificially-produced from a light bulb or an old neon sign, otherwise they have no fear of torchlight, handheld lighters, or bonfires.
• Shadow Beasts ride other creatures and feed on their emotions. You can tell if a human has a Shadow Beast riding them because they will seem emotionless and even humorless, and their shadows will display frills and edges as if quills and fur were growing out of their body.
• Eating human flesh can protect you from the Shadow Beasts.

Some of these are true. Some are merely legends.