Laws of Esgaroth

As written upon the sign welcoming visitors through the Gate Archway of Laketown

As a loyal city under the rule of King Brand of the House of Girion, the city of Esgaroth has adopted the following laws and regulations. In concordance with the King's edicts, the King's Men have established a full division known as the Esgaroth Guard and have full authority to enforce these city edicts and the ensuing punishment at their discretion. In most matters, the Council of Guilds will act as judges, pronouncing punishments as they see fit using the following as a guideline. Two fifths of all fines shall be payed to the Council of Guilds, the rest to be received by the victim or victims.

1. Theft shall not be permitted in any manner or degree. In addition to returning stolen items (or paying a sum determined by the Council of Guilds as proper worth of the item should the item be irrecoverable), thieves will be required to pay fines and sums of no less than five percent of the worth of the stolen goods. This punishment can be payed in the form of the King's florins and dimes, or--should the accused be unable to meet the payments--as time in the public stockade. Repeat infractions shall result in greater fines, or fines in addition to time in the stockade. For third time offenders, imprisonment and the amputation of the right hand will be given in addition to a fine. Fourth time infractions will incur a public hanging.
2. Physical assault on another shall not be permitted in any manner or degree. The accused shall pay the Healer's Hall any required fees for the mending of the victim, and shall also be responsible for paying a fine of no less than one-hundred percent of the healer's fees as reparations. Repeat infractions shall result in fines greater than one-hundred percent, or a fine in addition to time in the stockade. For third time offenders, imprisonment of no less than two weeks shall be required in addition fines. Fourth time offenders risk banishment from Esgaroth or from the Kingdom of Dale, at the discression of King Brand or his heir.
3. The murder of another shall be considered a heinous act. Should the victim of an assault die within one year of the incident of wounds or injuries related to their assault, the incident shall be reevaluated as a murder. The punishment for murder is singular: death by public hanging.
4. Forms of trade prohibited by the Council of Guilds are impermissible. This includes smuggling or black marketeering of forbidden goods, or the swindling of customers. These forms of trade will result in a fine of no less than ten gold florins, the amount to increase based upon the relative worth of the smuggled, black marketeered, or swindle involved in the crime. In addition, the trade license of the accused shall be revoked. The accused can repurchase this license from the Council of Guilds after a period of a week or two as determined by the Council of Guilds. Repeat offenses shall result in a revoke of license for no less than one year, and third offenses shall result in a permanent revocation of license to trade. Imprisonment or time spent in the public stockades shall be dealt out at the discretion of the Council of Guilds.
5. Arson or other intentional destruction of structures or properties is forbidden in Esgaroth. The fine for arson are five times the cost of repairs. The fine for other forms of destruction are no less than two times the cost of repairs. Repeat offenses will result in increased payments, imprisonment, and possibly hanging.
6. The impersonation of a member of the Royal or Noble houses shall result in a fine of no less than five gold florins. For repeat offenses, the accused shall be placed in the public stockades in addition to being fined.
7. The unauthorized entry of private or Guild property is impermissible. Such crimes of entry will result in time in the stockades of no less than one week. Repeat infractions will result in increased stockade time, and possibly death by hanging.
8. The citizens of Esgaroth do not maintain the right to bear arms. No blades longer than one handspan, bows of greater than thirty-pounds, spears, axes of more than a handspan, hammers of more than five pounds, scythes, iron-shod staves, or other weapons shall be permitted within the city except by the purchase of written permit from the Esgaroth Guard. Each weapon carried must be registered separately, and the appropriate permit kept with the weapon at all times. Punishment for the violation of Esgaroth's weapons ban includes the mandatory and permanent release of the weapon into the custody of the Esgaroth Guard, and a fine of no less than five gold florins. Repeat infractions may result in time spent in the stockade. In some cases, death by hanging may result.
9. Obstructive behaviour toward a member of the Esgaroth Guard or other official representative of the Council of Guilds or the King shall not be tolerated. A fine of no less than one gold florin may be issued at the discretion of the highest ranking Esgaroth Guardsman present. Repeat infractions will result in time spent in the public stockades, or a declaration of Treason and a death by quartering.

Addendum A

The Council of Guilds has decreed that all foreign trade within the City of Esgaroth requires the purchase of a valid, current trade permit. These can be purchased from the Council's clerk for a fee of 1 gold florin. The permit shall be valid for one year, and must be present at all transactions.

Addendum B

Arms Permits can be purchased from the Esgaroth Guard for a fee of 5 gold florins. These permits must be renewed each year. Arms Permits must be kept with the weapon for which they were purchased, and must be shown to city officials upon request.