Cazduxan Legal System

Cazduxan laws are incredibly strict, and the punishments are known for their severity.

Crimes fall into three main categories: Crimes of the Clay, Crimes of the Flesh, and Crimes of the Silk.

For a Crime of the Clay, something like shoplifting or destruction of property or something to do with property, the punishment is public lashing, and then the criminal has to fully recompense the stolen or defaced item.

Crimes of the Flesh fall under harm brought unto another sentient creature. This can range from assault, to animal abuse, to rape and murder. Crimes of this caliber are punished far more severely that Crimes of the Clay, ranging from lashing (for the most minor assaults), removal of hands, to exile, torture, and execution. Generally speaking, the punishment of the criminal takes inspiration from the harm they did. Crimes like rape and murder have a zero tolerance policy, and the immediate punishment is death. The preferred method of execution is this: the criminal is taken to a designated grove of trees deep in the Mbayo Rainforest and crucified. Then, they are either eaten by jungle creatures or they starve or asphyxiate. If they are uneaten by the wildlife, that is a sign of an evil soul, so the corpse is smoked over salt and holy herbs and scattered into the sea. If they are consumed, the skeleton is stripped of meat and flesh, which is left for the fauna. The bones are taken back to Tatuli and are turned into mortar.

Crimes of the Silk are any crime concerning the government, government officials, or religious officials. They are seen as the most heinous, and have the most severe punishments. For assault of a guard or priest, the punishment is commonly lashing combined with removal of both hands. For assault of a government official, the official chooses the punishment, which is commonly the standard execution charge. For crimes like piracy, conspiracy against the government, or murder of a government official, the charges are determined on a case by case basis by the Magistrate, the Exarch, and the Council of Five, who are the five highest ranking elected judges. The punishments are almost always severe.