12-29-2019, 08:07 AM
Okay, so here are my thoughts on a solution for a couple of problems.
The problems are thus:
Right now, the First Light has a lot of power and authority. One aspect of this are their abilities to arrest, imprison, and judge those involved in the former two cases. A high ranking member of the First Light (say for example an Exarch) is currently quite literally Judge, Jury and Executioner. Now, while this isn't necessarily a horrible, terrible very bad thing, we have a perfectly good group that could decentralise a little of that power: The Church.
Right now there's a relatively widespread (from what I've seen) opinion that the Church is an organisation that in a word is boring. Some of the remaining clergymember's players are trying to fix that, which is good! However, they could use a little help in that matter, so I come now to the meat of my proposal. It is thus: introduce criminal trials for Major or above crimes. Minor crimes are usually relatively short stints in prison, so it hardly needs to have significant discussion of punishment. Major crimes, however, carry harsh penalties that can leave prisoners with very little chance for RP for extended periods of time without much in the way of significant thought behind decisions. So, have trials for them.
Trials in this context wouldn't include lawyers -because lets be real, we don't want to get too complicated. Instead it would be the arresting member of the First Light (or appointed substitute, such as an Exarch) against the Accused, with both arguing their cases and a Judge delivering a sentence based on the situation. Trials could also be made open to the public if particularly important, such as a trial where execution is to be argued. Clergy ranking Bishop or above would serve as judges -a role they're already given in established canon, if not in practicality. There's actually a room that'd be pretty fitting for a courtroom in the Church, or alternately a Courthouse could be added in the planned map changes coming soon.
So, this might be extra work. Why do I think its merited?
Having one organisation handling both arresting and sentencing criminals can be rough, and not allow for much in the way of interesting RP. Having the Church act as Judges would allow scenarios where, for example, an Exarch pushes for a harsh sentence whilst the Judge disagrees, leading to interpersonal conflict that is unlikely to be legally settled through combat. Or perhaps a captured criminal's allies ambush a group of First Light escorting him/her to the courthouse? Captured, significant antagonists get interesting roleplay prior to their death. Antagonists in general get at least the illusion of agency of the way they go out, rather than a capture and quiet, execution at the hands of the same person or group.
I think its worth making a proper addition, but as always, I encourage other opinions, agreeing or disagreeing, so go ahead and leave some feedback!
The problems are thus:
- Rushed Executions
- Lack of real felt importance of the Church and Clergy
- Imprisoned players upset at the current farce of a justice system.
Right now, the First Light has a lot of power and authority. One aspect of this are their abilities to arrest, imprison, and judge those involved in the former two cases. A high ranking member of the First Light (say for example an Exarch) is currently quite literally Judge, Jury and Executioner. Now, while this isn't necessarily a horrible, terrible very bad thing, we have a perfectly good group that could decentralise a little of that power: The Church.
Right now there's a relatively widespread (from what I've seen) opinion that the Church is an organisation that in a word is boring. Some of the remaining clergymember's players are trying to fix that, which is good! However, they could use a little help in that matter, so I come now to the meat of my proposal. It is thus: introduce criminal trials for Major or above crimes. Minor crimes are usually relatively short stints in prison, so it hardly needs to have significant discussion of punishment. Major crimes, however, carry harsh penalties that can leave prisoners with very little chance for RP for extended periods of time without much in the way of significant thought behind decisions. So, have trials for them.
Trials in this context wouldn't include lawyers -because lets be real, we don't want to get too complicated. Instead it would be the arresting member of the First Light (or appointed substitute, such as an Exarch) against the Accused, with both arguing their cases and a Judge delivering a sentence based on the situation. Trials could also be made open to the public if particularly important, such as a trial where execution is to be argued. Clergy ranking Bishop or above would serve as judges -a role they're already given in established canon, if not in practicality. There's actually a room that'd be pretty fitting for a courtroom in the Church, or alternately a Courthouse could be added in the planned map changes coming soon.
So, this might be extra work. Why do I think its merited?
Having one organisation handling both arresting and sentencing criminals can be rough, and not allow for much in the way of interesting RP. Having the Church act as Judges would allow scenarios where, for example, an Exarch pushes for a harsh sentence whilst the Judge disagrees, leading to interpersonal conflict that is unlikely to be legally settled through combat. Or perhaps a captured criminal's allies ambush a group of First Light escorting him/her to the courthouse? Captured, significant antagonists get interesting roleplay prior to their death. Antagonists in general get at least the illusion of agency of the way they go out, rather than a capture and quiet, execution at the hands of the same person or group.
I think its worth making a proper addition, but as always, I encourage other opinions, agreeing or disagreeing, so go ahead and leave some feedback!