Laws

Legal authority in the City of Splendors rests within the Open Lord and the hidden Lords of Waterdeep. The Lord's Court is chaired by Piergeiron, and is attended by at least two other Lords and two Magisters. The Lord's Court hears all "Severe" crimes, including suspicious deaths, rape, misuse of magic, and succession and inheritance disputes.

Twenty-six appointed black-robed Magisters conduct the Common Courts of Waterdeep. Three "Black Robes" are always on duty at the Palace. During daylight hours, a Magister is also posted at each gate. Magisters can pass sentence instantly, but most sentences are conditional on the supporting evidence of witnesses. Magisters are always accompanied by at least six members of the city guard. Any citizen of Waterdeep can appear to the Lord's Court within two days of being sentenced by a Magister, but most such appeals fail. There is no bail in Waterdeep, and barristers are barred from working in the city (although counsel from "Professional Witnesses" is grudgingly tolerated).

Waterdhavians are largely law-abiding, and most of Waterdeep's laws remain unwritten, within the "reasonable discretion" of the Magisters (and thus the Lords who oversee them). The Code Legal serves as a basis for sentencing, dividing al crimes into four Plaints and each Plaint into severe, serious, lesser or minor offenses.

The first Plaint involves Crimes Against the Lords (treason, impersonation, forgery of official documents, destruction of city property, assault, willful disobedience of edicts, and blasphemy against a city official). The second Plaint involves Crimes Against the City (poisoning wells, murder, spying, sabotage, fraud, fencing, unlawful dueling, bribery, unlawful entry into the city, cagrancy, littering, brandishing a weapon without cause, and reckless driving). The third Plaint involves Crimes Against the Gods (defiling a holy place, theft of temple goods, tomb-robbing, assault on a religious person, public blasphemy of a god or priesthood, and disorderly conduct at worship. The fourth Plaint involves Crimes Against Citizens (Arson, rape, bodily harm, magical assault, forgery, slavery, robbery, burglary, theft/killing of livestock, usury, property damage, assault, hindrance of business, and excessive noise).

Slavery is illegal within the city, and slaves brought into the city are considered free. Selling slaves within the wall is forbidden and strictly policed. Weapons can be worn openly and used in self defense, but brandishing weapons in other situations is a crime. Waterdhavians also expect debts to be paid in full, even if that means the debtor must serve a form of indentured servitude to the creditor (in the case of small debts) or the city (in the case of large debts)

Duels (for the reasons of specific, unprovoked injury) are legal only in specific places, but must be marshaled by a member of the watch or a Magister. Lords, Magisters, guard and watch members, and Heralds are exempt from challenges, and the Lords forbid most duels involving heads of guilds, noble houses, or priesthoods. Most importantly, duels are rarely to the death.

Sentences for lawbreaking include instant death, death upon conviction, exile, mutilation, hard labor, imprisonment (dungeon), imprisonment (light work in castle compound), fine (payable to the city) or damages (payable to injured party). Perjury, adjudicated by magic, is punishable by expulsion from the city. Death sentences vary by station - commoners and soldiers are hung from the Castle battlements, while nobles are beheaded by the sword. Floggings are typically carried out at the Court of the White Bull. Death sentences are sometimes commuted to exile into the Undermountain, although this often winds up with the same result.