Nov Ostoya

Nov Ostoya, also sometimes called the "City of Gargoyles", is ruled by the tyrannical vampiric Crimson Court, where 'laws' serve to maintain a strict blood tax and absolute noble control. The society is governed by fear, vengeance, and a rigid, treacherous, and oppressive hierarchy where the commoners are mere sustenance.

Key Points

Laws

Laws is a term used loosely, they are more like expectations. There are few laws like you would find in other city but some do exist, while others are more, vague or more of a expectation.

During the blood hour these do not change. The city does not provide any extra protections citizens, do not normally have rights per-say normally and thus would not gain them during the blood hour the only kindness provided is a warning of its approach with the changing of the lanterns.

Nobles as refer to here after, are defined as those that are recognized by the Crimson Court be they domestic or foreign.

"The state is the only one truly protected."

I. Crimes Against the State

First Tier - High Treason

Punishable by execution, undeath, or permanent disappearance.

Sabotage of state or noble property
Espionage for foreign powers or rival nobles
Theft of state secrets

Second Tier - Crimes Against Authority

Punishable by imprisonment, blood‑tithe increases, or forced labor.

Bearing false accusations against any official of the Court or its appointed agents

Third Tier - Crimes of Deception

Punishable by fines, branding, or public humiliation.

Impersonating government officials
Forging official documents, seals, or blood‑tax receipts

Crimes against the state are enforced by the Scarlet Watch in the name of the Crimson Court. Seated Council members of the Court act as the final judge should the accused wish to appeal. The nature of the crime will determine which seated member will be assigned by the Grand Duke to pass judgment.

II. Taxes & Expectations of the Populace

The Blood Tax

All settlers and citizens must provide a regular blood tithe, at the “Indentured Stills”, there is no payment for a required tithe. Those of a vampiric nature, or who are property (blood dolls) are exempt.

Refusal is treated as rebellion.

Violators face imprisonment, forced labor, or time in the courts ‘care’ where the all blood taxes will be paid in full.

Absolute Subjugation

Nobles are owed unquestioning obedience.
Striking a noble or resisting their authority results in forced servitude, undeath, or public punishment.

III. The Law of Vengeance

The primary common law of the city.

1. Right of Retaliation

Any mortal wronged by another mortal holds the right to answer the harm. In the case of death that right falls to the next of kin, if there is documentation via a will or other notarized form proving that right is theirs.

2. Authority of the Wronged

The wronged party determines the form of vengeance.
Accepted forms include:

Duels
Public challenges
Blood‑price demands
Retaliatory acts of equal severity

3. Communal Support

Assistance to the wronged party is permitted.
Obstructing rightful vengeance is an offense.

4. Non‑Interference by Nobles

Vengeance disputes are not interrupted by the nobility unless they threaten noble interests.

5. Closure of Vengeance

A dispute ends when the wronged party declares satisfaction.
Continuing action beyond this point is treated as a disturbance.

IV. The Blood Hour

Legal classification of harm occurring during the final hour of each date.

1. Crimson Marking

The Blood Hour is signaled by the city’s arcane lights shifting to deep red while it typical marks the last hour of each date, on occasion it can occur without warning.

2. Act of Nature Classification

Harm inflicted by creatures active during the Blood Hour is legally designated an "Act of Nature ".

3. No State Responsibility

The state, the nobility, and municipal authorities hold no duty to avenge, pursue, investigate, or compensate any harm caused during the Blood Hour.

4. Vengeance Rights for Blood Hour Harm via Beasts

Citizens retain the right to seek vengeance for harm suffered during the Blood Hour against the source of the harm.

5. Private Pursuit

Citizens may personally pursue vengeance or may hire mercenaries, hunters, or adventurers, and may even try to bride the Scarlet Watch to locate and attempt eliminate the responsible creature.
(OOC: The responsible creature must be identified ICly.)

6. Mortal‑to‑Mortal Harm

If a mortal harms another mortal during the Blood Hour, the Law of Vengeance applies in full.

V. The Great Culling

A sanctioned struggle among vampire lords to fill empty seats in the Crimson Court.
Sabotage, assassination, and political maneuvering are permitted.

VI. Criminal Organizations

Criminal groups operate only with the silent approval of the Crimson Court.
Those who overstep are eliminated.
Those who serve noble interests are tolerated.

VII. Misc.

Within the confines of the city walls, public nudity and solicitation outside of a brothel are prohibited.

Violators are subject to imprisonment, public humiliation, or time in the stocks.

Other minor offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis. Reports should be made to the Scarlet Watch regarding low-priority offenses such as theft, vandalism, assault, and similar matters. Where vengeance is out of reach.

Each case is determined individually according to the details of the report. All relevant details, including known names and a thorough description of the subject, should be noted with high precision..