Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

168 2. THE ELDER SCROLLS CHAPTER 2: DAGGERFALL
[31] Legal Basics
Legal Basics
by Anchivius, M.Z.F.
Ignorance of the law is no defense. Be forewarned that the following are but the most
universal of Tamrielan laws and regulations. Your own local province or principality may
have unique laws of its own. As a citizen of Empire, it is your right and responsibility to know
and follow these laws of the land.
Breaking and Entering: This refers to any act including, but not limited to opening, breaking,
incinerating, magically transporting, or in any way causing a door, window, or other portal
that has been magically or mundanely locked or which a reasonable person would assume to
be so restricted to be passable, and the act (though the act is not required for the definition) of
entering the house, business, or public location through said defined portal. The punishment
for this crime may include a fine or incarceration, or a fine and incarceration. The fine and
incarceration, or both, or neither, may be less in a crime of Attempted Breaking and Entering.
A crime of Attempted Breaking and Entering is defined as an any act that a reasonable person
would perceive as the preparation for, an attempt (whether successful or not, or perceived to
be possibly successful or not) to bring about the opening, breaking, incinerating, magically
transporting, or in any way causing a door, window, or other portal that has been magically or
mundanely locked or which a reasonable person would assume to be so restricted to be
passable, and the act (though the act is not required for the definition) of preparing or
attempting (whether successful or not, perceived to be possibly successful or not) entering the
house, business, or public location through said defined portal.
Trespassing: This refers to walking, flying, riding, teleporting, floating, or in any way moving
or existing on a property without the explicit written or spoken permission (or permission a
reasonable person might infer) of the owner or caretaker of the property. The punishment for
this crime may include a fine or incarceration, or a fine and incarceration.
Assault: Any threat or attempt (whether successful or not) to do physical, emotional, mental,
or magical harm or injury to another person, group of persons, or entity a reasonable person
might assume to be sentient. The punishment for this crime may include a fine or
incarceration, or a fine and incarceration.
Murder: Any act of premeditated or malicious or premeditated and malicious (or an act that a
reasonable person would call premeditated and malicious or premeditated or malicious) or
accidental but criminally intended (or what a reasonable person would call criminally
intended) purpose that results directly in the death (or destruction with implied death) of a
person, group of persons, or entity a reasonable person might assume to be sentient. The
punishment for this crime may include a fine or incarceration, or a fine and incarceration.
Criminal Conspiracy: Any meeting, communication, or encounter with the purpose (or which
a reasonable person might assume had the purpose) of preparing or arranging a crime of any