Gauntlet Reform Act

{As authored by the Office of Steward Noctis and the Constable Drenmir.}

I. Preface (IC)

In the wake of unrest within the Spire and in service to the public peace, the Guard has undergone a measured restructuring—henceforth called The Gauntlet Reform Act.

These reforms exist to secure fair judgment, orderly procedure, and accountability for the sworn Guard and for those who pass beneath its charge. Justice shall be firm but measured; mercy shall be considered, not squandered. The Gauntlet —both symbol and authority—shall operate under the following tenets.

II. Structure of the Gauntlet (IC)

For the present trial period, The Gauntlet shall consist of five Fingers. Each Finger is an entrusted extension of the Guard’s authority and duty, charged with the protection of the Spire and the fair application of its law.

If proven necessary and sustainable, The Gauntlet may be expanded to a full Two Hands in later reforms. Limiting the number of Fingers at first ensures cohesion, accountability, and a predictable chain of command during our trial run.

III. Response Protocols

In-Character Guidelines

• A Guard Alert is the formal summons to all on-duty members of The Gauntlet. It marks the beginning of coordinated Guard action and must be respected as such.
• Anyone wishing to enter the Guardkeep—whether for visitation, official business, or petition—must ensure a notice (in #alert-the-guards) has been posted and logged prior to entry. Visiting hours are not exempt from this requirement.
• The Guardkeep as a whole is suffused with an anti-magic field, colloquially called The Closed Fist. The origin of this field is unknown; experimentation, tampering, or unapproved research is strictly forbidden.
  • The use of magic is strictly prohibited within the Guardkeep, unless for life-saving or medical purposes. Aside from those instances, the use of magic will result in punishment according to Magick Crimes, Section II: Unlawful Spellcasting. The punishment will depend on the severity.

Out-of-Character Notes

• Player Guards must wait five (5) real-world minutes after a Guard Alert post before replying to the alert. This delay reinforces plausible response time and preserves pacing for roleplay.
• NPC Guards may respond immediately in service of narrative flow.
• Any entry to the Guardkeep or holding areas without an appropriately logged message in #alert-the-guards may be considered invalid RP. If it for the sake of casual RP, this is still needed (just without a ping). If you will be doing dubious things such as breakouts, attacks, inciting dissent, passing along letters, or delivering threats (written or verbal), a ping and oversight from a guard is required. 
• Guards will uphold the requests imprisoned players may have in declining visitors.

IV. The Closed Fist

In-Character Explanation

When the lich Idris laid waste to the Guard Keep so many months ago, the Gauntlet took notice. It wouldn’t happen again. And so, the Fist Closed, suffocating the reconstructed keep in a field of arcane countermeasures, preventing the casting of any magick.

But magic has changed since then. It has grown stronger. The Closed Fist has grown tighter and tighter in grip, not to restrict magic more, but simply to maintain that same shield it first established. The cracks have begun to show, and so a pragmatic decision is made. The use of magic is strictly prohibited within the guard keep, unless for life-saving or medical purposes. Aside from those instances, the use of magic will result in punishment according to Magick Crimes, Section II: Unlawful Spellcasting. Punishment will depend on the severity of usage.

V. Bounties and Rewards

In-Character Guidelines

The Guard acknowledges the value of those who aid in upholding law and order. To protect the integrity of this system:

• Individuals who hold a bounty upon themselves may not claim that same bounty by turning themselves in.
• No bounty lawfully claimed shall be denied on the basis of personal affiliation to the accused alone; all claimants—friend, ally, associate, or stranger—shall stand equal before the reward, subject only to lawful investigation of fraudulent or collusive intent, and wherein such fraud is proven, the claimant shall instead be fined in the sum of twice the stated bounty.
• Bounty hunters or good samaritans who directly assist the Guard in effecting a lawful arrest shall be eligible to receive the promised reward, provided their participation is genuine and verifiable.

In addition, the introduction of a Bounty Hunter license will be implemented. 

Out-of-Character Addendum

• Disputed bounty claims or suspicious hand-ins should be resolved through private communication with affected parties or server moderation, not public OOC escalation.

VI. Medical Custody and Evaluation

In-Character Guidelines

Claims of being cursed, afflicted, or under severe mental duress will be treated with compassion and caution:

• Such persons will be conveyed under guard to the Spire Hospital for immediate evaluation.
• A licensed hospital staff member must be present for all assessments.
• The Guard may not compel hospital staff to discharge a patient; the authority to retain or release rests with medical personnel.
• A member of the Guard shall be present for the entirety of the medical assessment to ensure lawful custody and safety.

Out-of-Character Addendum

• Medical staff have narrative autonomy and final say in treatment and confinement; Guard members must respect this IC authority, lest they wish for harsh IC punishment.
• This procedure exists to preserve character-driven storytelling and to prevent conflicts that stem from misapplied enforcement.

VII. Tribunals and Penance

In-Character Guidelines

By Steward Noctis’ decree, an accused person may elect their path: whether to face a tribunal of judgment or to undergo penance through The Gauntlet. No Guard may force the accused into either option; the choice is the accused’s alone.

Should one choose the route of tribunal, they may—at the Constable or Steward’s discretion only, the latter overruling the former—be put on parole. Meaning, so long as they swear to remain in the bounds of town, they will be freed from the cells. A mage will perform a scrying ritual once per day at random to ensure proper etiquette.

In coordination with the Petitioner’s Forum, the following accommodations apply:

• Members of the Forum have immunity from the standard guard escort requirement for official entries into the prison, for the purpose of petitioning or representation. However, upon entry, a guard must be present even if out of earshot for the duration of discussions.
• Only one Forum member may enter the holding area at any one time; non-Forum visitors are prohibited during such sessions.
• A Forum member may assist in building the accused’s case at tribunal or may be assigned as a formal representative during proceedings.

Out-of-Character Addendum

• Forum exemptions are IC privileges and do not remove OOC safety or consent rules.
• These provisions aim to balance fair representation with necessary custodial safeguards.

Closing Decree

Let this Reform stand as both shield and sword of the Spire’s justice—firm in hand, steady in purpose. May those who wear the Gauntlet uphold honor and equity, and may those judged beneath it receive a trial that is measured, just, and true.

Signed and sealed,

The Gauntlet
Steward Meriel Noctis
Constable Drenmir Fesyla

OOC NOTE;

Due to recent questions and concerns regarding the Guardkeep, this is post is provide to clarify expectations and prevent further confusion. The In-Character Guidelines also outline what players should expect to see player guards (Section II) abide by once the Undercity is officially released. 

However, these changes are not currently in full effect (meaning no player guard group just yet). This part of the guard reform will not be implemented until the Undercity becomes available to players. This is to ensure that criminal roleplayers do not feel pressured, blindsided, or disadvantaged by the shift in policy. 

Additionally, players should take note that the bounty system will also undergo revisions. Future plans, as mentioned in the post, include the introduction of bounty hunter licenses. This is intended to address the surge of players that pursue bounties, and to promote a more consistent, respectful conduct between all parties.