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some laws in eberron

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
nagasaki
Mar 31, 2008 11:00:01 I was running a RP heavy campaign in Eberron and I wanted to just share some of the laws (in respective nations) that came up, things that eveyone knows in our world and effect the ways we act but I don't know if there is anyone who knows these things for Eberron.

Breland: Age of consent; Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 16. Half elf, shifter 22. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 44. Elf 115. Goblin 12. Bugbear 18.

Aundair, Zilargo and Darguun are the same, as they all use the galifar code.

Thrane is the same but minus goblinoids as they are not recognized as fully there.

Karrnath, Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 15. Half elf, shifter 20. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 40. Elf 110. Goblin 10. Bugbear 15. The reason for this is that this policy is to encourage people to have kids at younger ages, so that they can have more soldiers.

more tomorrow.
#2
zadmar
Mar 31, 2008 17:18:46 The ages of consent you've listed seem to be fairly comparable with most western countries, but they only really became the norm by the end of the 20th century - in fact you only need go back as far as the 19th century to find the age of consent in the 10-13 range.

In the UK for example, the age of consent was set at 12 in 1275, and was only raised to 13 in 1875 because young girls were being sold to brothels.

In the case of somewhere like Darguun, I'd be surprised if there was even the concept of "consent", let alone an "age of consent". But for the Five Nations, I'd probably set the legal age no higher than the minimum for adulthood (15 for a human, 20 for a shifter, etc).
#3
Syltorian
Mar 31, 2008 18:37:03 I'd agree with Zadmar for historical reasons, although in an actual campaign, I'd make 'age of consent' heavily dependant on what the players are comfortable with (in the unlikely circumstance I would touch on the topic at all, because IMO it will lead to some problems and discomfort at some point). That's probably closer to what the OP describes, even if it fits in better with modern opinions than those of pseudo-late-medieval settings.

Regarding elves, it also depends on whether you accept the Races of the Wild idea that elves are actually adult at 25, just don't start adventuring - as a rule - until they are 110; so they could be legally adult almost a century before your age of consent. I am not sure how official that is, I don't think Eberron ever officially rejected or accepted this, and I'm as confused by the 100 year childhood as I am by the 100 year 'gap-century' RotW Elves take...
#4
octaviusiii
Apr 01, 2008 1:10:55 Canada's age of consent is (or maybe was?) 13. I ask "was" because the government wanted to raise it to 16 and I'm not sure whether it passed recently or not...

Anyway, I don't think many nations would have the concept of an age of consent, except possibly Breland. Still, I'd like to see what you come up with.
#5
nagasaki
Apr 01, 2008 7:21:27 I agree with what was said about Darguun, but my reasons for that "law" was that the government wanted to appear more civilized in the eyes of its peers, though this would be one of those things that is so rarely enforced that it might as well not be a law. As far as the "5" nations I think that this is just an age I chose, the more important thing is that the ages should be fairly consistent across them all. I just chose this because it was some what of an average across the "western" world in real life. I know that many nations in the real world have far lower or far higher ages of consent but this is just for a made up world and people can argue it any way they want. This is just my opinion and if you want to change it I encourage you to do so.

I can't really speak on the topic of the Races of the wild and elves age of consent because I don't have that book so I don't know what it says, but I usually just make elves live longer then they "should" according to the PHB because It seems they spend about 1/3 of their lives being children where humans spend about about 1/5.

Thanks for the responses.
#6
nagasaki
Apr 01, 2008 10:12:47 Drugs: In Breland the use of "light" drugs is legal but is some what looked down upon. There are places that these drugs can be acquired and they must be used indoors or "in an area where there are no people who might be offended". This last line is typically seen as meaning a good distance (100 feet or so) from others. This is combined with a generally tolerant view toward alcohol but is contrasted by harsh penalties for "hard" drugs. What the drugs are and what category they fall into is up to the DM. The age at which one is able to buy and consume alcohol is the same as the age of consent. For "light" drugs the age at which one is able to buy and consume drugs is, Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 18. Half elf, shifter 25. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 48. Elf 120. Goblin 16. Bugbear 20.

For Audair there is no "light" and "Hard" drug distinction as both are equally illegal. However, there is no law prohibiting a person of any age from buying "light" alcohol (wine, beer, and the like). However "hard" alcohol (liqueur, rum and what not) is prohibited until the age of consent. Some "light" drugs are tolerated in some areas but for the most part they are not, and alcohol use is encouraged.

In Karrnath all Drugs are illegal and the punishments are exceptionally harsh, though all forms of alcohol can be bought at the age of consent. Alcohol is not seen with any stigma but drugs are considered a tool of the weak and fooling, not fit for true warriors of Karrnath.

Thrane has laws that are fairly close to those of Karrnath. As such drugs are illegal and alcohol use is looked down upon.

Most of the other nations in Khorvaire have laws closer to Aundair though some have no laws (Droam, Lhazaar Principalities, and the Demon wastes) while others have only lightly enforced (Darguun, the Eldeen reaches and the shadow marches).
#7
zadmar
Apr 01, 2008 17:32:57 Once again your views seem to be based on the modern western world. But go back a few hundred years and you'd find people of all ages drinking wine and beer - not just because it was safer than (often contaminated) water, but also because it provided energy and served as a painkiller. While drunkenness was usually looked down upon, alcohol itself was typically viewed as something positive - often even holy.

Of course Syltorian is absolutely correct when he says it should depend on what you and your group feel comfortable with. If you have strong views about alcohol or drugs then there's no reason why they shouldn't be restricted or even outlawed in your campaign, but personally I'd tend to have a more relaxed attitude.

Although Eberron has magic that can purify water, such magic isn't going to be available to everyone. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages can be stored for months or even years without spoiling, making them ideal for sieges (where wells might be contaminated by the enemy) and long voyages.

In Karrnath, which suffered terribly from plague and famine during the Last War, beer might even be a staple food, available to people of all ages. Instead of laws against drinking, I'd tend to envision Karrnath having laws against drunkenness.

Similarly, the Lhazaar Principalities would find alcohol very useful for long voyages, and I can't imagine them letting someone die of dehydration just because they were under a certain age.

I could see Thrane going in either direction, so I think I'd probably give them a divided opinion; some hold that alcohol is a gift from the Silver Flame (but that drunkenness is a sin), others believe that not imbibing is wisest, while a hardcore minority believe in prohibiting all ordinary consumption of alcohol.

Breland is the nation that I can most envision having drinking laws comparable with the modern world - particularly in urban areas. I'd envision farmers brewing their own beers and ciders out in the country, while somewhere like Sharn would be stricter about enforcing the laws. I could see Zilargo adopting the same laws as Breland.

I'm not sure about Aundair, but I've always tended to think of them as more of a wine nation. Similarily, I'd imagine Cyre (as the heart of Galifar's culture) would likely be more into specialised wines and spirits (although this probably doesn't mean much in a post-Mourning campaign, unless you're looting the Mournlands or reminiscing over the past).

Darguun, Droaam and the Demon Wastes are places where I don't imagine there being any laws against alcohol (or pretty much anything else for that matter). Similar with Q'barra, the Shadow Marches, and perhaps also the Talenta Plains, although I could see them punishing drunken behaviour.

In the Eldeen Reaches, I'd envision alcohol being more medicinal and religious than recreational, and as such I probably wouldn't give them actual drinking laws. Drunkards might well be treated with contempt, however.

I'm not quite sure what Valenar's stance would be on alcohol, but it could make a possible candidate for prohibition - or perhaps they distill their own spirits, as I imagine the halflings of the Talenta Plains would.

The Mror Holds could probably support the dwarven stereotypes of beer, ale, mead, etc ;)

I'm sure some of the above contradicts official sources, but it's really just some random thoughts off the top of my head.
#8
nagasaki
Apr 03, 2008 6:12:23 I am aware that my views of the laws of Eberron are based off of modern western societies, but I think that it makes sense because the general feel of the 5 nations is that they are very much a western societies. This is just me. I don't think that these laws would be heavily enforced in any nation. As far as the non-5 nation I imagine there would be some form of law but it would be lightly enforced if at all.

Just an opinion.
#9
rania
Apr 04, 2008 20:45:51
Canada's age of consent is (or maybe was?) 13. I ask "was" because the government wanted to raise it to 16 and I'm not sure whether it passed recently or not...

Anyway, I don't think many nations would have the concept of an age of consent, except possibly Breland. Still, I'd like to see what you come up with.

No, the age of consent here is 14. I know because it's ridiculous; you can drive at 16, vote at 18, drink at 19, and screw at 14. Sheesh people, make up your minds already!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nagasaki Mar 31, 2008 11:00:01	I was running a RP heavy campaign in Eberron and I wanted to just share some of the laws (in respective nations) that came up, things that eveyone knows in our world and effect the ways we act but I don't know if there is anyone who knows these things for Eberron. Breland: Age of consent; Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 16. Half elf, shifter 22. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 44. Elf 115. Goblin 12. Bugbear 18. Aundair, Zilargo and Darguun are the same, as they all use the galifar code. Thrane is the same but minus goblinoids as they are not recognized as fully there. Karrnath, Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 15. Half elf, shifter 20. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 40. Elf 110. Goblin 10. Bugbear 15. The reason for this is that this policy is to encourage people to have kids at younger ages, so that they can have more soldiers. more tomorrow.
#2 zadmar Mar 31, 2008 17:18:46	The ages of consent you've listed seem to be fairly comparable with most western countries, but they only really became the norm by the end of the 20th century - in fact you only need go back as far as the 19th century to find the age of consent in the 10-13 range. In the UK for example, the age of consent was set at 12 in 1275, and was only raised to 13 in 1875 because young girls were being sold to brothels. In the case of somewhere like Darguun, I'd be surprised if there was even the concept of "consent", let alone an "age of consent". But for the Five Nations, I'd probably set the legal age no higher than the minimum for adulthood (15 for a human, 20 for a shifter, etc).
#3 Syltorian Mar 31, 2008 18:37:03	I'd agree with Zadmar for historical reasons, although in an actual campaign, I'd make 'age of consent' heavily dependant on what the players are comfortable with (in the unlikely circumstance I would touch on the topic at all, because IMO it will lead to some problems and discomfort at some point). That's probably closer to what the OP describes, even if it fits in better with modern opinions than those of pseudo-late-medieval settings. Regarding elves, it also depends on whether you accept the Races of the Wild idea that elves are actually adult at 25, just don't start adventuring - as a rule - until they are 110; so they could be legally adult almost a century before your age of consent. I am not sure how official that is, I don't think Eberron ever officially rejected or accepted this, and I'm as confused by the 100 year childhood as I am by the 100 year 'gap-century' RotW Elves take...
#4 octaviusiii Apr 01, 2008 1:10:55	Canada's age of consent is (or maybe was?) 13. I ask "was" because the government wanted to raise it to 16 and I'm not sure whether it passed recently or not... Anyway, I don't think many nations would have the concept of an age of consent, except possibly Breland. Still, I'd like to see what you come up with.
#5 nagasaki Apr 01, 2008 7:21:27	I agree with what was said about Darguun, but my reasons for that "law" was that the government wanted to appear more civilized in the eyes of its peers, though this would be one of those things that is so rarely enforced that it might as well not be a law. As far as the "5" nations I think that this is just an age I chose, the more important thing is that the ages should be fairly consistent across them all. I just chose this because it was some what of an average across the "western" world in real life. I know that many nations in the real world have far lower or far higher ages of consent but this is just for a made up world and people can argue it any way they want. This is just my opinion and if you want to change it I encourage you to do so. I can't really speak on the topic of the Races of the wild and elves age of consent because I don't have that book so I don't know what it says, but I usually just make elves live longer then they "should" according to the PHB because It seems they spend about 1/3 of their lives being children where humans spend about about 1/5. Thanks for the responses.
#6 nagasaki Apr 01, 2008 10:12:47	Drugs: In Breland the use of "light" drugs is legal but is some what looked down upon. There are places that these drugs can be acquired and they must be used indoors or "in an area where there are no people who might be offended". This last line is typically seen as meaning a good distance (100 feet or so) from others. This is combined with a generally tolerant view toward alcohol but is contrasted by harsh penalties for "hard" drugs. What the drugs are and what category they fall into is up to the DM. The age at which one is able to buy and consume alcohol is the same as the age of consent. For "light" drugs the age at which one is able to buy and consume drugs is, Human, half orc, changeling, hobgoblin 18. Half elf, shifter 25. Halfling, gnome, dwarf 48. Elf 120. Goblin 16. Bugbear 20. For Audair there is no "light" and "Hard" drug distinction as both are equally illegal. However, there is no law prohibiting a person of any age from buying "light" alcohol (wine, beer, and the like). However "hard" alcohol (liqueur, rum and what not) is prohibited until the age of consent. Some "light" drugs are tolerated in some areas but for the most part they are not, and alcohol use is encouraged. In Karrnath all Drugs are illegal and the punishments are exceptionally harsh, though all forms of alcohol can be bought at the age of consent. Alcohol is not seen with any stigma but drugs are considered a tool of the weak and fooling, not fit for true warriors of Karrnath. Thrane has laws that are fairly close to those of Karrnath. As such drugs are illegal and alcohol use is looked down upon. Most of the other nations in Khorvaire have laws closer to Aundair though some have no laws (Droam, Lhazaar Principalities, and the Demon wastes) while others have only lightly enforced (Darguun, the Eldeen reaches and the shadow marches).
#7 zadmar Apr 01, 2008 17:32:57	Once again your views seem to be based on the modern western world. But go back a few hundred years and you'd find people of all ages drinking wine and beer - not just because it was safer than (often contaminated) water, but also because it provided energy and served as a painkiller. While drunkenness was usually looked down upon, alcohol itself was typically viewed as something positive - often even holy. Of course Syltorian is absolutely correct when he says it should depend on what you and your group feel comfortable with. If you have strong views about alcohol or drugs then there's no reason why they shouldn't be restricted or even outlawed in your campaign, but personally I'd tend to have a more relaxed attitude. Although Eberron has magic that can purify water, such magic isn't going to be available to everyone. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages can be stored for months or even years without spoiling, making them ideal for sieges (where wells might be contaminated by the enemy) and long voyages. In Karrnath, which suffered terribly from plague and famine during the Last War, beer might even be a staple food, available to people of all ages. Instead of laws against drinking, I'd tend to envision Karrnath having laws against drunkenness. Similarly, the Lhazaar Principalities would find alcohol very useful for long voyages, and I can't imagine them letting someone die of dehydration just because they were under a certain age. I could see Thrane going in either direction, so I think I'd probably give them a divided opinion; some hold that alcohol is a gift from the Silver Flame (but that drunkenness is a sin), others believe that not imbibing is wisest, while a hardcore minority believe in prohibiting all ordinary consumption of alcohol. Breland is the nation that I can most envision having drinking laws comparable with the modern world - particularly in urban areas. I'd envision farmers brewing their own beers and ciders out in the country, while somewhere like Sharn would be stricter about enforcing the laws. I could see Zilargo adopting the same laws as Breland. I'm not sure about Aundair, but I've always tended to think of them as more of a wine nation. Similarily, I'd imagine Cyre (as the heart of Galifar's culture) would likely be more into specialised wines and spirits (although this probably doesn't mean much in a post-Mourning campaign, unless you're looting the Mournlands or reminiscing over the past). Darguun, Droaam and the Demon Wastes are places where I don't imagine there being any laws against alcohol (or pretty much anything else for that matter). Similar with Q'barra, the Shadow Marches, and perhaps also the Talenta Plains, although I could see them punishing drunken behaviour. In the Eldeen Reaches, I'd envision alcohol being more medicinal and religious than recreational, and as such I probably wouldn't give them actual drinking laws. Drunkards might well be treated with contempt, however. I'm not quite sure what Valenar's stance would be on alcohol, but it could make a possible candidate for prohibition - or perhaps they distill their own spirits, as I imagine the halflings of the Talenta Plains would. The Mror Holds could probably support the dwarven stereotypes of beer, ale, mead, etc ;) I'm sure some of the above contradicts official sources, but it's really just some random thoughts off the top of my head.
#8 nagasaki Apr 03, 2008 6:12:23	I am aware that my views of the laws of Eberron are based off of modern western societies, but I think that it makes sense because the general feel of the 5 nations is that they are very much a western societies. This is just me. I don't think that these laws would be heavily enforced in any nation. As far as the non-5 nation I imagine there would be some form of law but it would be lightly enforced if at all. Just an opinion.
#9 rania Apr 04, 2008 20:45:51	Canada's age of consent is (or maybe was?) 13. I ask "was" because the government wanted to raise it to 16 and I'm not sure whether it passed recently or not... Anyway, I don't think many nations would have the concept of an age of consent, except possibly Breland. Still, I'd like to see what you come up with. No, the age of consent here is 14. I know because it's ridiculous; you can drive at 16, vote at 18, drink at 19, and screw at 14. Sheesh people, make up your minds already!