Foreword

Know, watchman, that the instruments of the Watch are many, and their manner of use is not always plain. This book is set down so that every guard, from the newest recruit to the most seasoned Serjeant, may find the laws, duties and instruments of the Watch at a glance, and keep to them alike.

Herein are written the Law menus and commands of the Watch, the laws of the city, the posts and assignments of the City Guard, the layout of Kuttenberg that every watchman must know, and the known faults in our instruments, so that none is shamed by a function that will not answer.

This is a living book. It shall be amended by the Scribe of the Watch as the laws, posts and instruments of the city change.

Every post serves the city.
Every guard is accountable for the duty entrusted to him.

Compiled for the Watch of Kuttenberg, with the Scribe of the Watch.
Kept by: ______________________   Last amended: ____________

The Ranks of the Watch

Every man of the Watch answers to the rank above him. Know thy place in the chain, and know whom to report to.

Solid lines: the chain of command. Dashed: offices of the Watch, outside the chain.

The Magistrates

The High Magistrate oversees all, the Watch included. The two Magistrates stand outside the Watch's chain of command. They sit in judgment over matters graver than the Bailiff's Court, which the Watch serves (§ 1).

The Two Ways to the Law

The Watch does its work through the Law menus. There are two ways to reach them. Learn both.

I. Press E on a person

1. Stand close and look at the person. Their name shows above them and Actions [E] appears at the bottom right.

2. Press E. The actions list opens: Watch, Inspect pack, Check the eyes, Introduce yourself, Name them and more. Scroll down and choose Law.

3. The person's Law menu opens. See the next page.

II. Hold Z

1. Hold Z. The wheel opens. Choose Law: "the people, horses and carts around you". Release the key on it, or press its number. Right-click goes back and Esc closes.

2. The Law panel opens. See The Law Panel.

The Person's Law Menu

Reached by Press E → Law. Greyed tiles show what must be done first.

Beneath the tiles, Their Wanted Notices lists any notices already out on them. Open in the register takes you to the full register.

The Law Panel

Reached by Hold Z → Law. It shows everything within 15 m, acting for the Kuttenberg City Guard.

People

Everyone near you, nearest first, with their distance and a mark beside their name:

• no record nothing against them
• wanted a wanted notice is out on them
• unpaid fine: 50 gr. they owe a fine

Each person has Fine, Bind and Check papers. Strangers show as Unknown with a number until you know their name.

Horses

Each horse nearby, with its kind, its owner and distance, and an Impound button.

Carts

Any player's cart nearby. If none, it reads "No player's cart is around you."

Impound Lot

Every horse and cart held, with what it is, its owner, when it was taken, and its fine and state.

Wanted list (top right) opens the register. Esc closes, Tab moves between buttons, Enter confirms.

The Wanted Register

Opened from Wanted list in the Law panel, Open in the register on a person, or /wantedlist.

• Search by name, crime or notice #id. Press / to jump to the search box.
• Filter by jurisdiction, crime and date, and sort newest or oldest first. Reset clears them and Unfold all opens every notice.
• Show everyone lifts the filter to one person's notices.
• How bounties work explains the bounty rules.

The notice #id is what /clearwanted <notice id> needs to take a notice down.

Searching & Impounding a Cart

A cart that blocks the city's roads is to be removed. Under § 60 the owner pays a removal fee of no more than thirty groschen.

Carts are dealt with from the cart itself, not from a person's Law menu. Stand at the cart, and as with people there are two ways.

I. Hold Z at the cart

Hold Z while standing at the cart. The wheel shows The cart, with the kind of cart (e.g. Covered wagon). Choose it.

Two choices follow: Search the cart (1) and Impound the cart (2).

II. Press E at the cart

Press E at the cart. Under Here the list shows Search the cart and Impound the cart.

When impounding

• Give the fine and a clear reason, e.g. Obstructing roads, § 60.
• The cart goes to the Impound Lot (Hold Z → Law). The owner reclaims it at a cartwright or stable by paying the 30 gr. keeping fee and the fine. It is sold after 7 days unclaimed.

Horses: use Impound in the Law panel, or by word /himpound standing beside the horse.

Of the Commands

Beside the Law menus, the Watch's instruments may be called by word, written in the chat with a stroke before them, thus: /fine. Some work, such as bounties, records and trials, can be done no other way. Learn their shape before thou needest them in haste.

How a command is written

Plain counsel

• Check the name before you strike: a fine laid on the wrong man must be undone.
• Where a command asks for a reason or crime, write it plainly. It goes on the record.
• When unsure, ask thy Serjeant first. The Watch's name is spent by every mistake.

Commands · I

❧ Binding & Release

❧ Justice & Punishment

Commands · II

❧ Bounties & Records

❧ Horses

❧ Tidings

The Laws of Kuttenberg

What follows is drawn from the General Compilation of the Kuttenberg Laws, as much as a watchman needs upon the street. The full Compilation stands above this book. Where they differ, the Compilation is right.

The Watch's authority

• § 1: The Bailiff's Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanours, minor offences and disputes. The City Guard may impose judgment under the authority of the Bailiff's Court. Graver matters go to the Magistrates and the Council.
• § 48: Guards may deal with offences summarily, especially if the crime was done in broad daylight, witnessed by the guard himself, or the offender was caught in the act (flagrante delicto).
• § 6: A guard in good standing is himself a witness sufficient for summary judgment. Even so, the accused shall, where possible, be given the chance to defend himself.
• § 4–5: One eyewitness, prior convictions, or ill repute in the community are sufficient grounds to act. Check a man's convictions with /record.
• § 31: A wrong not named in the code is judged by the nearest crime that is.

((OOC: civil and criminal law were not separate in this period. Someone who has been wronged ought to bring the case himself, or report it to the Fiscalus, the appointed investigator.))

Summary Offences

These are the Watch's daily work, to be dealt with on the spot under § 48.

Where the code sets no penalty, the offender is given a fine and/or the pillory, according to the seriousness of the deed (§ 70).

Capital Offences

Self-defence (§ 36)

One attacked with deadly force who cannot reasonably escape may defend himself, and is not guilty if the attacker dies. Weigh this before laying a charge of murder.

Liability, Evidence & Punishment

Who may be held liable (§ 63–66)

• Those of sound mind and over 14 are liable. Under 7, never. From 7 to 14, only if mature enough to know the consequences.
• The sick and mentally ill may not be held liable.
• Harm done without knowledge or intent earns a considerably lighter sentence (§ 64).
• A failed attempt is punished as if it had succeeded (§ 65).
• Whoever aids, abets or incites is punished as the doer (§ 66).

When the guard is a witness

• Proof must be "clearer than the mid-day light": two or three credible witnesses speaking from their own knowledge (§ 10, § 13). Hearsay weighs much less.
• A false witness suffers the penalty he sought to bring on the innocent (§ 15). Paid witnesses are punished (§ 12).
• The accused has the right not to incriminate himself (§ 16).
• A summons must be served at least twice, by a witness in good standing or posted at the Rathaus or parish church door (§ 7).

Punishments the Watch may see carried out

• Public humiliation: the pillory, branding or flogging (§ 69), and putting the condemned in the stocks in the market or square (§ 21).
• Corporal and capital punishments are for the judges alone, never for the guard (§ 66–68, § 70).

City Posts & Assignments

All members of the City's Guard are to be assigned a primary post or duty by their Serjeant or Quarter Captain. These assignments are essential to maintaining order, protecting the citizens and ensuring the laws of Kuttenberg are upheld.

Your assigned post is your primary duty until you are relieved, rotated or otherwise instructed by your Serjeant or Quarter Captain.

The posts of the Watch

• Gate Watch: the gates and entry into the city
• Market Watch: the market and its streets
• Street Patrol: the streets between posts
• Guard Post: buildings, persons and places of import
• Archery Detail: ranged support from the towers

Every post serves the city.
Every guard is accountable for the duty entrusted to him.

I. Gate Watch

Duty: Guarding the gates and controlling entry into Kuttenberg.

• Collect the appropriate tolls from wagons and other liable travellers.
• Inform those entering the city of its laws and ordinances where necessary.
• Watch for wanted persons, known criminals and individuals sought by the city authorities.
• Inspect suspicious persons, goods and wagons when circumstances warrant it.
• Keep the gate passage clear and defend the entrance against threats.
• Report suspicious activity and any serious incidents to the Watch command.

II. Market Watch

Duty: Maintaining order throughout the market and its surrounding streets.

• Patrol the market stalls and nearby trading areas.
• Keep the peace between merchants, customers and other townsfolk.
• Ensure horses, wagons and other conveyances do not obstruct streets or entrances.
• Inspect suspicious persons, goods and wagons when circumstances warrant it.
• Watch for theft, disorderly conduct and other breaches of city ordinances.
• Assist in settling disturbances and summon additional guards when necessary.

III. Street Patrol

Duty: Keeping order throughout the streets and between assigned posts.

• Patrol the streets and lanes of Kuttenberg by day and night as assigned.
• Respond to disturbances, suspicious activity and calls for assistance.
• Carry messages and orders between posts and the Watch command when required.
• Check on fellow guards and temporarily relieve those who require assistance or a short absence from their post.
• Remain observant and ensure the laws of the city are upheld throughout the town.

IV. Guard Post

Duty: Protecting designated buildings, persons and important locations.

• Remain at the location assigned by Watch command.
• Protect the premises, its occupants and any property entrusted to the Watch.
• Monitor visitors and report suspicious or unauthorized activity.
• Maintain order in and around the assigned location.
• Do not leave the post until properly relieved or given new orders.

V. Archery Detail

Duty: Providing ranged support and observation from designated defensive positions.

• Assigned to guards with demonstrated skill in the use of the bow.
• Commonly stationed in active gate towers or other suitable elevated positions.
• Observe the surrounding roads, approaches and areas beyond the walls.
• Provide warning of approaching threats and report suspicious movements.
• Be prepared to provide ranged cover when the gate or town comes under threat.

✠ Post Rotation & Order

These assignments are primary duties, not permanent appointments. Watch command and the Serjeants may rotate guards between posts as the needs of the town change.

• Remain at your assigned post until ordered to move or properly relieved.
• Follow instructions issued by your Serjeant or Quarter Captain.
• Do not exchange posts or leave your assignment without authorization.
• If you must leave your post due to an emergency, notify the appropriate superior.
• Report for duty prepared, attentive and equipped for your assigned responsibilities.

The City & Its Gates

Touch the map to see it larger.

The gates

• 1North Gate: main
• 2North Side Gate: side
• 3East Gate: main
• 4West Gate: main
• 5South-West Side Gate: side
• 6South Side Gate: side
• 7South-East Side Gate: side
• 8East Side Gate: main

Main gates are the primary entrances through the walls. Side gates are smaller, secondary entrances. Know which gate you are posted to and the nearest pillory and town hall from it.

Noble Houses & Their Arms

A watchman must know at a glance whose colours ride through his gate. Learn these arms, for a lord is owed his due courtesy, and his men answer to him before they answer to thee.

Touch the sheet to see it larger.

Counsel at the gate

• Mark the arms on shield, banner or livery before the man speaks.
• Address a lord as my lord, and do not lay hands on him without the order of thy superior.
• Where a house's men break the law, report it to Watch command. Do not quarrel with the house thyself.
• If thou knowest not the arms, ask. Better a question than an insult to a lord.

Known Faults & Limitations

No instrument is without its flaws. Those known to the Watch are written here, so that no guard is caught out before a citizen. If thou findest a new fault, report it to the Scribe that it may be entered.

Open not working · Check unreliable, confirm before relying on it · Mended fixed

What to do when an instrument fails

• Stay in character where you can, and do not argue it out with the citizen.
• Note the time, the command and what happened.
• Report it to thy Serjeant and the Scribe.

Record of Amendments

Each change to this book shall be entered here by the Scribe.

Here endeth the Book of the Watch.
Deo gratias.