Epistle of the Lands, by the Great King Arthaios
King Arthaios, Patriarch of House von Beoga, by the grace of the people and the blessing of the Protector, the Crown of Belava sends greetings and his best regards to all whom the present letters, the Belavan Nomoi, are received by.
With power given unto me by the Protector to rule over the land and its people, with the aid of the Church of Light and direct support of the Thrisarcos of Sicherheit, with the approval of the Conclave of Elena, fulfilling my duty under the Golden Oath, I, King Arthaios, in these words concerning the disposition of the dominions of my kingdom, present the Charter of the Kingdom of Belava.
Know that I, with the certainty of the Golden Oath as my guide, honoring our ancestors and ensuring prosperity and order to my people and the descendants of my people, freely and out of my own good will have established, defined and granted incumbency of the lands of my realm solely to those with integrity of the self, devotion to the land and strong will of the mind, the mægen that moulds our kin.
Beoga - 511, 4E
Charter of the Kingdom
Foremost importantly I confirm in this charter the values and teachings of the Light that guides our people, values that are to be followed and cherished in perpetuity throughout the lands and taught through the legitimate efforts of the Church of Light, who maintains its liberties within legal boundaries inside the territories under the rule of Belava.
Section 1 - Structure of Powers
(1) All power to rule the lands is given by Divine Will to the Crown of Belava through the undertaking of the Golden Oath. It is not the man or woman who is the ruler, but the Protector that acts through the Crown, using the Golden Oath to tend for and lead the people of Belava.
(2) The kingdom operates with three types of powers: the Administrative, the Legislative, and the Judiciary, all subject to the Crown of Belava.
(3) It is the competence of the Administrative Power: the maintenance of public property, the protection of the lands, the upkeep of the law, the safeguard of peace and order in the kingdom and the management of the kingdom’s finances.
(4) It is the competence of the Legislative Power: the authority to, in the name of the Crown of Belava, create, amend and dispel laws for the benefit of the Kingdom.
(5) It is the competence of the Judiciary Power: to interpret and apply laws, settle disputes, and ensure that justice is served to all the people within the borders of Belava under the Belavan Nomoi.
Section 2 - Territorial Order
(1) The Kingdom of Belava is hierarchically disposed as follows: the Crown, the Duchies, the Counties and the Communes.
(2) All lands of Belava are held by the Crown, which may, at its discretion, grant charters for the creation of Duchies, Counties, and Communes. Duchies are likewise empowered to establish Counties and Communes within their domain, while Counties may in turn found Communes within their boundaries.
(3) The Belavan Nomoi is effective in the entirety of the lands, with no restriction to its enforcement. Duchies, Counties and Communes are free to build upon the Nomoi within their own borders, without contradicting the Crown’s designs.
(4) The possession of lands in Belava is attested by a deed of the land that has been authenticated by a Crown Office.
(5) The change in possession of lands is to be made through a Crown Office and attached to the deed of the land. In the event of a purchase of the deed, both parties are to be present in the Crown Office for the validation of the transfer. In the event of an heir of the deed, the Crown Office will verify the events and validate the transfer if there are no impediments. In the event of disputes, the Crown Office will summon the need for a judicial verdict to act.
(6) Order within the lands of Belava is to be upkept by any and all citizens, if they are capable to do so without bringing harm to themselves.
Section 3 - Titles of Dominion
(1) The customs of Axios in the Kingdom of Belava are hereby solidified and legitimised.
(2) To be elected an Axio among the men and women of Belava, the individual must be a paragon of the values of Remus: integrity of the self, devotion to the land and strong will of the mind. The individual must be of age, be a model citizen of Belava and follow the rules and customs of our culture.
(3) The election of an Axio is to be made during the Conclave of Elena, which will be held every two years at the Dawn of Light festival. All current Axios are to be present, and after an evaluation of the candidate’s capabilities, each Axio shall vote on whether they would bleed for the candidate and accept their nomination or not. Only with a majority of 2/3rds will the candidate be accepted. If a candidate is not accepted, either themselves or an Axio can request a retrial, and explain the reasoning to do so.
Section 4 - The Laws of Belava
(1) The Belavan Nomoi serves as the supreme legal code of the Kingdom, binding all subjects, from the Crown to the lowliest citizen, under the divine mandate bestowed by the Protector through the Golden Oath.
(2) All subjects are bound to uphold the virtues of the Light - integrity of the self, devotion to the land, and strength of will - in their conduct, ensuring the harmony of the kingdom.
(3) Crimes against the Crown or the Protector, including treason, rebellion, or blasphemy, are classified as high offenses, judged by the High Court of Crimes, with penalties of exile, imprisonment, or execution as befits the severity.
(4) Offenses against property, including theft, fraud, or violation of land deeds, are adjudicated by the County Courts, with penalties of restitution, labor, or confinement, and appeals escalating to the High Court of Property if necessary.
(5) All subjects are entitled to a fair trial under the Belavan Nomoi, with access to an advocate trained in the kingdom’s laws. The Crown provides such advocates for those unable to afford representation, ensuring justice for all.
(6) The Church of Light advises on matters of spiritual law and the moral implications of actions, offering counsel to the Crown and judiciary, provided such guidance aligns with the Belavan Nomoi.
(7) Taxation is levied equitably across the kingdom, with rates set by the Administrative Power under the Crown’s oversight. Duchies, Counties, and Communes may impose additional taxes, provided they align with the Crown’s fiscal policies and do not overburden the people.
(8) Slavery, indentured servitude, or any form of coerced labor is forbidden, as such practices violate the principles of free will and integrity upheld by the Protector. All subjects are free to pursue their livelihoods within the bounds of the law.
(9) The use of magic, when practiced, requires registration with a Crown Office and approval by the High Court of Arcana, with the Church of Light providing consultation on its alignment with the teachings of the Protector. Unauthorized use of magic deemed harmful to the kingdom’s order is prosecuted by the High Court of Arcana.
(10) Disputes involving foreign entities or traders are resolved under the kingdom’s laws, with the High Court of Commerce empowered to mediate conflicts affecting trade routes or mercantile agreements.
Section 5 - Legal Disputes
(1) The Judicial system of the Kingdom of Belava is hierarchically disposed as follows: The Supreme Court, The Court of Appeals, The High Courts and The Lower Courts.
(2) The Lower Courts consist of three branches:
(2.1) The Crown Courts, for criminal offenses, present in each County;
(2.2) The County Courts, for civil disputes, addressing property conflicts and family obligations under the Crown’s territorial order, present in each County;
(2.3) The Magistrate Courts, for minor disputes, present in each County and Commune.
(2.4) It is the obligation of the Lower Courts to ensure that the Belavan Nomoi is respected and followed by all in the lands, sparing no effort to resolve rightful claims and cohesively establish order and ensure justice is served in the name of the Crown.
(3) The High Courts, seated at the Duchy Seat, consist of four specialized branches:
(3.1) The High Court of Crimes, for severe criminal offenses, including treason, murder, or acts against the Crown.
(3.2) The High Court of Property, for disputes over land deeds, inheritance, or significant mercantile conflicts.
(3.3) The High Court of Arcana, under the Crown’s authority, regulates the use, registration, and prosecution of magic and its use, with the Church of Light providing advisory counsel on spiritual matters.
(3.4) The High Court of Commerce, for disputes involving trade routes, merchant guilds conflicts and taxation legalities.
(4) It pertains to the Court of Appeals:
(4.1) Review rulings from the Lower Courts and High Courts when contested, ensuring adherence to the Belavan Nomoi and the Protector’s will, with proceedings documented and open to public scrutiny unless deemed a state matter.
(4.2) Mediate disputes between Duchies, Counties, or Communes that threaten the kingdom’s unity, summoning representatives for arbitration and requiring a resolution within thirty days unless extended by the Supreme Court.
(4.3) Issue binding decisions, subject only to review by the Supreme Court in cases of significant legal or divine import, such as disputes involving the Golden Oath or allegations of judicial corruption.
(5) It pertains to the Supreme Court:
(5.1) Serve as the ultimate arbiter of justice, interpreting the Belavan Nomoi in matters of national significance or direct appeal to the Crown, with decisions recorded in the Hall of Justice.
(5.2) Adjudicate disputes involving Axios, the Church of Light, or the Thrisarcos of Sicherheit, ensuring their actions align with the Golden Oath, with hearings held quarterly or upon urgent summons.
(5.3) Appoint and oversee judges of the High Courts and Justices, selecting individuals of proven integrity, devotion, and strength of will, with qualifications verified by the Conclave of Elena every two years during the Dawn of Light festival.
(5.4) Convene a Grand Tribunal in rare instances to address extraordinary cases, such as alleged breaches of divine law by high-ranking officials, drawing upon a panel of five senior Justices and requiring a unanimous verdict.
(6) It pertains to the Crown of Belava:
(6.1) Supreme authority to intervene in any judicial proceeding when the kingdom’s stability or the Protector’s will is at stake, with interventions announced through a royal edict and justified by evidence of crisis.
(6.2) Grant pardons or commute sentences in exceptional cases, guided by the Golden Oath and informed by counsel from the Thrisarcos of Sicherheit and the Church of Light, with records maintained in the Crown Archives for public review.
(7) Thus have I said, thus it shall be, by the Grace of the Gods and the Will of the People.
