In Game Rules
In Game Rules: Elysia
Posted on various bulletin boards though out the city
In Elysia and the lands it controls, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. This holds true for citizens and non-citizens alike.
Murder - The willful or accidental killing of anyone in Elysia is against the law, unless done in self-defense. The law sees no difference between a citizen and non-citizen, noble or commoner.
The first offence carries a 1,000gp per victim fine, paid to the city of Elysia. This money will be distributed to the victims or their family.
The second offence carries a 5,000gp per victim fine, paid to the city of Elysia. This money will be distributed to the victims or their family.
The third offence carries a 5,000gp per victim fine, as well as exile from Elysia, on pain of death. This money will be distributed to the victims or their family.
Theft - Stealing is illegal in Elysia and the lands it controls. If caught, the thief, will be forced to either return the stolen property or pay restitution equal to the value of items stolen, plus a 1,000gp fine paid to the city of Elysia.
Summoned Creatures - Elysia does not bar summoned creatures of any sort with in the city limits, but the person who summoned said creature is fully responsible for any act the creature takes. And will be treated as if he or she was the one who committed the act. This includes payment of fines and possible exile from the city.
Drugs - The use of drugs within the city limits is illegal and caries a 500gp per offence fine paid to the city of Elysia. Also the person will be held fully responsible for any act committed when under the influence of drugs.
Signed by the ruling council of Elysia
OOC: Ok here's what all that means:
Innocent until proven guilty, this means unless you actually see the act, or the person admits to it, there isn't much you can do. Naturally a DM can work around this if he or she wishes, by providing proof of the crime. Everyone is allowed to help enforce these laws, but if you act without proof, you will be guilty of whatever act you commit.
So for example, you see someone fighting a NPC in Elysia, you move in and attack the PC, kill him and make him cough up a fine. Only to find out afterwards, that the PC was attacked by the NPC first due to a faction bug. You will then be guilty of murder yourself, and need to pay all appropriate fines, including the possibility of the 1,000gp fine for stealing, if you forced the person to pay the murder fine. So make damn sure you know the full story before acting.
Murder, if you see someone whacking NPC's feel free to stop them. But keep possible faction bugs in mind. If the person is unwilling to cough up the fine, your allowed to take a item to hold for ransom, until the fine is paid. Accidental death counts the same as willful murder. So if you catch a NPC with a fireball, you?re guilty of murder. People exiled from Elysia will have their names posted on the tavern boards, feel free to kill this person on sight, and take a single item given back to them only after they leave the city and surrounding area.
Stealing, again you have to actually catch the person in the act, seeing someone walk out of a house isn't enough. If someone picks a PC's pocket, you're free to subdue them and take back what they took, but nothing more, unless you need to hold a item for ransom.
Summoned creatures, anything goes here, you can't stop someone from walking around with a Balor or undead, let alone a familiar or animal companion. But if the summoned creature goes apeshit and starts whacking NPC's or something, feel free to nail the creature and make the person pay the fine required.
Drugs are illegal to use or sell in Elysia, because they do not promote the greater good in any way. This doesn't mean you can attack someone who you think is using them, but if you see someone in the act of using a drug or selling drugs, you can try and force them to pay the fine. I would say killing them to take a item for ransom would be going to far.
Fines will be paid by dumping the money in a donation box in the temple of O'Ma. It's not there yet but I asked Orleron to put one in.
Ransom of items. The only way to make a PC do something quite often is to hold on to an item they want back. In order to avoid hard feelings and such, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to hold a item for ransom, please limit it to one item, and not something that will prevent the person from being able to effectively play anymore. Taking someone's only weapon for example would be IMO bad, take a ring or something else instead. If you do take someone down, you must stand guard over their corpse and make sure no one loots them.
All in all, common sense must be used in these situations. So if you see someone fighting a NPC but they seem to be trying to get away, don't assume they are guilty of murder. But on the other hand, if you see someone kill a NPC then stand around waiting for the other NPC's to attack him or her, you don't have to buy their story about a faction bug either.
Lastly, there are other laws in Elysia. But for the most part, they aren't something a PC can do, for example arson would be illegal, but there's no way for a PC to set fire to a building in NWN, so I didn't bother addressing it. Bottom line, Elysia is a Neutral Good city, and as such, the laws always take a back seat to the greater good.