These customary laws are kept by the Temple of November, where they reside in the written records and oral accounts of the forebearers. And no, you may not see them! If it is required, an excerpt may be requested of the temple priests, and they will go check it themselves. According to the priests, untrained eyes cannot be trusted to interpret law.
Table I: Trial Proceedings
- A plaintiff summons a defendant to court. If they will not go then the plaintiff must call a witness. Only then may force be given.
- If the defendant tries to run, the plaintiff will stop them.
- If the defendant is too old or sick to come to court, then the plaintiff must carry or drag them upon a stretcher, or otherwise arrange transportation upon the shoulders of a porter. Said porter need not be cushioned.
- When the parties are agreed on the subject of the matter, a judge shall announce it.
- If terms are not agreed, then the matter shall be put forth to the magistrate or proper assembly.
- If one party should flee during the proceedings, then the judge shall rule against them.
- No trial shall last longer than the judge can remain awake.
- The testimony or witness of birds is invalid.
Table II: Crimes Against Gods
- Defilers and expropriators of citizens' tombs shall be whipped and then burned alive, as sacrifice to Hydur.
- Matricides will be crushed by a giant boulder if they are of equestrian class. If lower, then they shall be thrown into a pool to be devoured by sea creatures, to appease Tiamat.
- Those found trespassing in sacred spaces will be scourged with a flail of bees. If they are a thief they shall be crucified and given to parasitic wasps to be eaten from within.
- Violators of the observations of sacred days will be tied to a stone for up to six weeks. [Note: stone weights may vary]
- Kin killers shall be crushed by a giant boulder.
- Poisoners shall be thrown into a pit of angry snakes and bees.
- It is forbidden to dedicate for consecrated use that of which ownership is a matter of controversy.
Table III: Crimes Against Individuals
- A matron who defrauds her client will be cursed.
- Whoever falls through their neighbor's roof or awnings, or becomes liable by producing ineffective load-bearing structure, should pay them 150 silver pieces.
- If one commits an outrage against another, they should pay them 50 silver pieces.
- One who lures away another's mushrooms shall be buried alive as sacrifice to Dolena.
- Whoever drops a tool or stone from a high place and kills someone below, and did not purposefully aim and hurl it, to atone shall offer a flagon of honey and a silk spider as peace offering.
- Whoever enchants another by evil incantation shall forfeit one third of their property to the victim.
- Should cultivated insects escape and steal another's crops, then the insects shall be forfeit, and the victim shall receive a flagon of honey.
- One whose bees nest in another's cattle shall pay the full price of the livestock, plus 1/3rd the produce of the hive.
Table IV: Rights
- The mother shall have the power of life and death over her children.
- If the mother attempts to sell her daughter into slavery three times, then she (the daughter) shall become free of her.
- A notably deformed child shall be given to the Sea.
- Slaves granted weapons for the purpose of war or defense shall become free immediately.
- Godchildren shall be free of the mother or of bondage if they enter service into a Temple.
Table V: Necromancy
- A dead person shall not be raised, or suffered to exist within the city, except during the Carnalia. [Note: Within the Pomerium]
- If a Novan citizen dies intestate and without direct heir, and the body has not been burned, the body shall be brought before the temple priestesses and given question.
- A dead person shall not be questioned within six weeks of their own funeral, or as long as mourners remain at their grave. [Note: 'Whichever comes sooner' implied]
- A house of a wraith or spirit shall not be kept within one twenty feet of another home. [Note: Within another house]
- The corpses of children shall not be raised if they have been named.
- Wasps shall not be given to a corpse which is to be burned.
- Undead given weapons for the purpose of war or defense shall be unbound of all contracts.
Table VI: Gods Against Gods
- If the priestesses of two orders shall come into conflict over the use of a forum, and in the absence of the Queen Surrogate, they shall flip a even-sided coin to determine the outcome.
- No meeting shall be held within the city during a Red Moon.
- One who claims a god by rite of Invocatio, upon verification and institution by the Conclave, shall come into effect as a noble House, with all privileges granted thereby.
- Gifts given to idols or temples will not be donated second-hand to other deities, nor given to sacrifice for other gods.
- Deconsecrated religious materials will be given to land, air, or sea in accordance with their proper protocol. No home or temple shall be built within 100 feet of such a well or burning place.
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