[EVENT] It's high time to decide these high crimes...

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL
Date: May 10
Location: Courtyard of Public Opinion
Situation: It's time for the Guilds to come together and decide the list of High Crimes - and see if the Foreigners have their Guild organized.
Warnings/Rating: To be added as needed.




Part 1 - On the Matter of the Foreigners Guild

As elaborated to all Foreigners in Keeliai, the rest of the Council has set them the task of assigning leadership within their guild, including spokesperson(s) to participate in the Courtyard meetings and represent the Foreigners Guild's interests. Having been given more than a month of lead time, the assemblage is now waiting to hear the results of those deliberations.

"Who will be speaking for the Foreigners Guild? Please step forward and introduce yourselves."

Part 2 - On the Matter of High Crimes

As part of the new governing structure, the Guilds must now come together to decide a list of High Crimes which require sentencing by agreement of all nine groups. The Guilds will also lay out sentencing guidelines for each of these crimes. That doesn't mean there will be automatic sentencing, necessarily. The guidelines will help dictate minimum and maximum boundaries of punishment, such as length of incarceration, fines, and ramifications post-conviction.

While the Guild representatives will be laying out the initial proposition, all are welcomed and encouraged to partake and add their own input to help smooth out the rough edges. Although there are not designated areas for each of the Guilds, members of each do tend to congregate around their respective leaders.

The list of proposed High Crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Murder
• Kidnapping
• Arson
• Assault (aggravated and/or sexual*)
• Treason
• Terrorism
• Drug Trafficking/Selling

Guilds can propose additions or subtractions to this list, and guidelines for each. It's not a joyful task, but it is a necessary one. Despite the somewhat grim nature of the meeting, there is a sense of determination. The citizens of Keeliai are governing themselves now, and that is indeed a powerful thing.

*Mod note: This is coming up for general IC info, as it exists within the game setting but not as a game function intended to arise outside of this list.

Part 3 - On the Matter of Guild Management

The last order of business for today's Courtyard meeting is to determine if, and under what circumstances, guilds have the right to either refuse membership or revoke membership to anyone. While this thankfully doesn't seem to have been a problem while everyone sorted themselves into their initial choices, it'd be naive to think that it's not an issue that could come up in the future. Since not being affiliated with any guild carries legal repercussions -- fines that can escalate into even jail time -- it seems prudent to have a system in place before it becomes an issue.

Everyone's encouraged to volunteer their thoughts on this matter -- the official decision won't be made until the next gathering, so input doesn't have to be limited to just the spokespeople from each guild, but anyone in attendance.

Right now, the only generally agreed-upon point seems to be that this type of refusal or ejection needs to have some kind of oversight from outside the guild in question, to prevent abuse of the system. Whether that's a case where it would require the whole Council is another matter, and some seem to think that simply getting the motion seconded or thirded would be enough.

Comments

SERVICE WORKERS ASSOCIATION

[veinediron]

Rosyn is one of three representatives for the Service Workers, and her considerable wealth of knowledge about individuals in Keeliai may come to bear here. She knows just where to apply pressure to sway quite a few people at this meeting, and by the glint in her eye she's making sure that everyone knows it.

Her attention, and that of her other two Guild leaders, is especially on the treatment of assault and arson. Service workers of all kinds can be subject to abuse by others, and while it doesn't happen commonly, they sincerely want to ensure it remains that way. As for setting fires? When places of employment or homes are lost, the consequences can be extensive and long-term, especially those working for lower wages.

[celticromanstone]

Heather is wearing the outfit that Rosyn had given her for this little tete-a-tete.

She's interested to see where it goes. The kedan seem unusually welcoming to people in her profession - well, except that one man - but she's still wary of being in the spotlight. In her experience whores in the spotlight are just easier targets. So, she waits. She's here to listen, nothing more, but she'll talk to anyone that approaches her.

[veinediron]

The Foreigners that joined her Guild were of some note, of course. There are all sorts of interesting tidbits to be gleaned from who joins which Guild, and what they might bring to the table.

When Rosyn spots Heather, she's busy at first with someone else, but after a few minutes wanders over to greet her employee.

"Any opinions?" she asks without any preamble.

[celticromanstone]

Heather likes Rosyn's bluntness. There's a comfort in it and reminds her of the days when whoring wasn't political and was accepted... in certain circles, and in certain places. Heather likes knowing her place, and where to step.

She quirks a smile at her madam and continues watching the conversations around them. She still doesn't trust this place with it's supposed acceptance of whores. She doesn't like it. It's.... too easy.

"It depends on if the Foreigners have their act together." She has to admit that without a cohesive leadership, the Foreigners are going to get walked all over. And while she would hate to see that happen, she's not willing to step up for them. Every whore for themselves.

"If they do, they could become a real force within the system." She's savvy enough, at least. "If they don't, well, I honestly believe that the violence against them will grow worse. They need to become a community, not merely individuals."

[veinediron]

Heather can have her suspicions, baseless as they are. Prostitution is and always has been an acceptable part of their society (with the usual rare outliers), at least in Rosyn's long life. The fact that Fire Sector hosts any number of successful brothels speaks to that acceptance rather strongly. Other cultures do seem less receptive.

"I'm sure they'll find that having official representation will be to their benefit," Rosyn replies, one eyebrow barely arched. "Although I'm not seeing why you single them out as targets of violence. Kedan have been victims of the same incidents. Are you referring to the general distaste for Foreigner rabble-rousing?" Her expression twist wryly. "Because that's not going to go away with the institution of a guild."

[celticromanstone]

Heather snorts. No, that's not what she's talking about. And yes, she will always be suspicious of the brothels doing so well. It's a survival skill where she lives, normally.

She shakes her head. "I think it will become worse, because it's easier to take down an individual than an institution." She says. "And if they remain individuals, they will never have protection under the law." She shakes her head. "They need to be seen as a group that is cohesive enough to have a say, no matter what."

[veinediron]

Rosyn studies Heather for a moment, her expression unreadable.

"Everyone in this city has protection under the law, so long as they follow it. And even then, certain protections remain," Rosyn points out, measured. "The Foreigners will only run into trouble if they don't have any kind of guild leadership and structure. Paltry will do to meet the standard; it will not, however, gain them much credit or respect. That's a very different thing than breaking our new system in any way."

The madame's gaze narrows for a moment. "Would you rather see them fail?"

[celticromanstone]

She's explaining herself badly, and knows it. However, she's seen what should have been a stable institution fail because of individuals not wanting to be cohesive. But, she can't say that.

Heather actually thinks about it for a moment. Would she like to see them fail? "No." It's honest, at least. "Not fail." She sighs again. "But, see some of them be shaken into understanding that lone wolfing it will not be good for the whole? Yes." Kylo, she's thinking about you.

[veinediron]

"Well, wrangling cohesion will be up to them. Many Foreigners throughout the years have not seemed especially inclined towards being a unified force."

The madame snorts. It's clear that she thinks this is a good part of the reason why the Foreigners have bungled so many things. Sometimes it's amusing to watch; other times, it has meant death and destruction.

"I suppose we will just have to wait and see. If they ask for help, I certainly don't see the point in denying them. Better for us all to do well than let a weak link sink the whole system," she adds. "But they have had poor role models for unification of late."

[celticromanstone]

Heather hums, softly. She agrees with everything that Rosyn has said, but there's not much she can say about it, without simply repeating the woman's words back to her.

"Do you think they'll ask for help?" She hopes so, but she doesn't think they'll actually do it. She thinks their arrogance, and inability to become a cohesive unit will stand in the way.

[veinediron]

"No." It's blunt. Some part of her wants to be proven wrong, though she doubts she will be. "Although one of their representatives - Sonja is her name - she seems like she's willing to push for things she wants without much in the way of fear. She lacks subtlety in that regard, which Miss Zatara may be able to balance."

Rosyn offers Heather a smile that's sharp at the edges. "The great dance of politics. I'm too old to care if it kills me, at this point."

[purered]

a. High Crimes Discussion

Klaus had arrived fairly early that day dressed in a crisp three-piece. He was seated, polite and attentive, jotting down the occasional note.

When it came time for the Foreigners to speak up, Klaus certainly had a few things to say.

"On the matter of additional High Crimes, I would like to propose torture, embezzlement and worker exploitation be added to the list."

He shuffled through his notes, expression a bit more grave as he spoke his piece. He really didn't agree with Cheym's proposal, but it seemed popular among the assembled Kedan.

"On the matter of the murders of Foreigners, I will concede that we are brought back. However, that doesn't mitigate the lasting trauma afterward, nor does it excuse the slap on the wrist Cheym proposes with regard to the murder of Foreigners by Foreigners. I would counter that murder of Foreigners, whoever the perpetrator, be treated with the same weight as Aggravated Assault."


b. Guild Management

There wasn't a lot for him to say here, but it wouldn't hurt to put forward an idea.

"Perhaps instead of removal from the Guild, there be a number of probation positions that carry less or minimal benefits," he suggested.

b

[veinediron]

"Certain things will still be grounds for dismissal or refusal," Rosyn replied. "But intermediate steps do seem prudent. There's always a need for good janitors."

Was she joking? She might be joking.

"Perhaps those individuals who are not clearly objectionable should require sponsorship by an existing Guild member. What do you think, Mr. Reinherz?"

Re: b

[purered]

"I think that sounds quite reasonable," he said with a nod, and jotted it down.

"Though the matter of what to do about those who are clearly objectionable remains. Perhaps instead of completely removing their status, they remain a member in name only. They would not be permitted at functions, they would gain no benefits, but they would, at least, not be committing a crime by existing. In this case, I would also suggest mandatory rehabilitation programs so that they could eventually rejoin as functional members."

[veinediron]

Rosyn's smile grew by a fraction. "Yes, we mustn't punish them unduly," she said dryly. "Membership with no benefits seems a reasonable alternative."

A secretary at her elbow records the ideas for later review.

"Rehabilitation is an interesting idea, but there is the problem of funding such a program. I believe our resources must first go to our members who haven't squandered their lives on becoming reprobates," Rosyn continued. "We can look into the budget, however. They ought to be kept under some minimal observation regardless, to ensure they're not getting into more trouble."

[purered]

Klaus nodded.

"That seems reasonable. I will put forth that while rehabilitation may be initially expensive, studies in my own world have shown it's far more effective and cost efficient in the long run than incarceration."

[veinediron]

"Coming from anyone but you, Mr. Reinherz, I'd call that presumptuous," Rosyn replied, and there was a teasing edge to her tone. Assuming what worked in one world could work in another might be seen as uppity, but Klaus was nothing if not a gentleman.

"Should we be building rehabilitation centers rather than jails, do you think? It'll be a hard sell, particularly to victims and their families."

[purered]

"I say this fully aware of the improprieties," Klaus acknowledged, with an apologetic dip of his head. "However, even from a strictly financial point of view, having rehabilitation programs within the prisons will significantly reduce repeat offenses, which will ultimately lower costs in the long run."

He rubbed his chin the way he always did when deep in thought.

"Beyond that, striving to make functional members of society out of those leaving the prisons should be a worthy cause."

[veinediron]

Rosyn was generally in agreement with this - it sounded like a better use of time and resources. "It's not as though we have a great deal of space for prisoners, either, and I'd like to not make a habit of filling up what we do have if at all possible."

She tilted her head then, studying Klaus with a wry look on her face. "You seem exceptionally forgiving for a man who only recently made a nice kedan-sized hole in one of the Hotel walls." Her tone didn't suggest a problem there, necessarily.

[purered]

He gave a firm nod. "It is important that justice be served - not vengeance satisfied."

He did manage to look sheepish at the remark.

"Ah. Well. I did not know who or what the target of their aggression was - but yes, I reacted too hastily."

Not that he was terribly cut up about it, but he made a mental note to reign in such abilities in the future.

[veinediron]

"You may have a time of it, explaining the difference between justice and vengeance. Occasionally, they've ended up being the same thing in this city." She'd lived a very long time, and seen a great deal. What was law and what was right didn't always intersect, but keeping her own head meant going along with it.

Rosyn offered him a wicked little smile. "Rest assured - I'm not against putting rascals in their place every now and again, but you might find yourself in as much trouble if you make it a repeat performance." Lower, teasing: "Just don't throw them through a wall that leads outside where people can see."

Wink.

[purered]

"I won't pretend the line between the two is not incredibly hazy, nor is it something anyone will figure out in a single afternoon. However, extending the opportunity to be able to move beyond their crimes the opportunity to do so is a good place to start. "

The unspoken words there were 'and perhaps an opportunity to move beyond the shadow Malicant cast'. There were few things more healing than becoming stronger than the thing that left such scars.

Klaus ducked his head at the wink, flushing a bit in the ears out of sheer embarrassment.

"I don't foresee another incident of that sort, though should it arise, I'll certainly keep that in mind."

[veinediron]

"Looking forward, and not back." Rosyn considered that for a moment, glancing around at the collected group of kedan striving to make a better future, and then nodded. "I might call upon your..." A brief pause to allow her gaze to rove up and down Klaus' substantial figure - he was quite tall and she comparatively quite short. "...imposing figure and good manners to help clear some of that haze, if you're willing."

Ah, that blush. Excellent. She'd make a note of that for later.

"Oh, don't feel too bad about it. I don't think anyone but the little twit you tossed disagreed with you on that one," Rosyn assured him, nudging Klaus with an elbow gently. "Just see to it that I won't have to mete out punishment not of your choosing."

[jinzhong]

Jackie's standing nearby, looking a little shy. He's not totally sure how Rosyn's going to treat a Foreigner business, but he's willing to find out.

Hence why he's here, of course.

[veinediron]

Rosyn is doing her best to chat with as many people as she can, although that's challenging; the Service Workers are quite numerous. Foreigners are always noteworthy, however, and at some point in the evening she finds herself at Jackie's elbow.

"Good evening, Mr. Ma," she says. Then, wryly: "What do you think of our new world order?"