Laws, Hofborg (Lore)

On paper, the laws of Hofborg follow the standard laws of Haafingar:

Breaking and Entering, Trespassing, Assault, Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, Vagrancy, Pickpocketing, and Theft (sometimes called Larceny) are considered crimes punishable by fine or incarceration. While the crimes of High Treason and Smuggling carry an optional punishment of death or exile.

• Definition of Crimes on the Books

Crime in Theory

The following information could be easily obtained by speaking to any NPC in Hofborg:

Just as is likely in every other part of Tamriel the laws of Hofborg are subjected to the social and cultural norms of the population. In a predominantly Nordic town it is not uncommon for crimes against visitors to go unprosecuted while crimes committed by visitors are more likely to be met with swift and potentially violent resolution.

• A visitor to the town caught stealing in a citizen's own home can expect to be attacked rather than arrested.
• The town guards are allowed wide latitude in assigning punishments to visitors such as outrageous fines or simply being escorted out of town.
• Assault without weapons is almost never prosecuted; as fist fights are the cultural norm in Hofborg for settling minor disputes or personality clashes.

Furthermore, the citizen's of Hofborg retain the right to demand wergeld or an honor duel above and beyond any punishments assigned by the town.

• Wergeld is a sum of money or compensation that is paid directly to the victim or their family.
• Alternatively, citizens may demand an honor duel when a crime is committed against them. It is generally considered very bad form to refuse to pay wergeld or settle an honor duel.

If the two parties can not agree on the price of the wergeld or refuse the duel the issue can be brought before the moot.

Criminal Conspiracy, Smuggling or High Treason are handled by the Thane, though it is generally understood that the Saebjorn Captain is very "grateful" if the guards bring the smuggling or criminal conspiracy issues to him first.

Crime in Practice

It is the intention of this town that the laws and punishments support the role-play the members are looking for. To this end, the guard and IC leadership is given the freedom to fit the punishment to the crime. Most crimes are not handled by a trial. Trials and such are typical a result of long term citizen to citizen story arcs.

• Town Guards and IC Leadership are encouraged to pick punishments most suitable for the role-play situation.

• If the players want to stop the roleplay they have the right to just escort the character out of town and tell them not to return.
• If everyone is having fun OOCly the town guard and IC leadership players are encouraged to support and continue the roleplay.
• Simple mistakes can be handled with perfunctory fines, while more sophisticated incarceration and escape may be more fun.
• Negotiation between players is always a good idea.

• If you have an OOC limit that restricts you from being killed, you are obligated to accept being escorted out of town or exiled. If you kill another player, you can not hide behind an OOC limit of no death.

Wergeld

In theory, the ancient practice of wergeld contained detailed lists of what crimes or injuries were worth what sum. However, as the economy has changed, wergeld has in practice become a negotiation between the two parties and can be mediated by the moot if necessary.

Honor Duel

There are two types of duels in ESO Nord lore the political duel and the honor duel. For the purposes of law within Hofborg it is the honor duel which is performed. With little or no details on how ESO honor duels are enacted, the details for the Holmgang by the Viking Answer Lady will guide our rp.

Disclaimer and Copyright

This page may contain a mix of ESO canon and Hofborg fanon. This guild project, including the player homes, the story arcs, the add-on and the wiki, is the combined effort of an entire team of incredibly talented writers, builders and programmers. ESO canon has been credited to its source site and Fanon contributors are on the Copyright page.