Re: Berserk Kinslaying

From: John Hughes <nysalor_at_...>
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 09:37:55 +1000

I initially replied to this on the Digest, but because of instant response, the discussion has taken off here. Apologies for the cross-posting.

Stephen Royle:

> If somebody under the influence of the berserk spell accidently kills a
> fellow clan member, would they have committed a crime, if so what would
the
> normal punishment be.
> If they have not committed a crime, why not?

IMG, yes, most certainly. Uroxi and humakti cultists are responsible before the law, same as everyone else. In humakt's case, it is not the bloodline brought before the courts, but the local cult itself. The final paragraph of Thunder Rebels, page 36 provides details. 'No one is immune: animals, dead ancestors and even storms can be bought to court, for justice is part of the Sacred Order.'

Kinslaying is the most heinous crime imaginable to Heortlings, a crack in the Sacred Order. I don't believe that conveniently going into a frenzy to cover your guilt will work. Even if it happened in extraordinary circumstances, there will be court proceeding and much shame - the person will lose their status and the trust of the clan.

Given the long experience Heortlings have had with such cults (and with tricksters!), they know that prevention is better than cure in such cases, which means restrictions on where dangerous cults can live (Humakt and probably Uroxi lodges are build 'beyond the circle of kin' - TR 118) where they can go and where they must surrender their weapons. This will be reflected in tribal law and custom

There were sections in the draft law chapter of Thunder Rebels that reflected this- like many things, they were edited out because of space restrictions. Your clan law code may well include such injunctions as the following (though costings may well vary):

• If divine madness or passion be called down within the walls of the stead, if the great frothing be invoked within the walls of the lodge, and kin be cut, or allies, or guests, and no enemy be near, then five cattle.
• If an urox be denied his beer, so that ill results, then five cattle..

(lawyer types may note a certain circularity in the above two laws)

• If a humakt or one given to death shares a hearth with a pregnant woman, then five cattle against the mistress of the hearth.
• If a free man or woman be imprisoned or bound, except it be a trickster, then twenty cattle.
• If a trickster be hidden from those who seek her, then five cattle, and the trickster to your keeping.

Of course, no one can make you do anything. But to be counted as a member of society, you must be prepared to fix your mistakes, as Orlanth did.

There's a lot of room for campaign variation of course. Hope this is of some help.

Cheers

John

---

nysalor_at_... John Hughes

 Uleria grant me
 if fired by you
 Oh Loosener of Limbs
 in this our only temple
 Neither
 Honey sweetness
   nor bee sting.

 Priestess of Life and Pleasure
 Most terrible of runic powers.

-Poem scratched upon the
 wall of a stead. Far Point, 1629.