The laws?

[Grayell]

The council had met inside, now that the council hall was somewhat tolerable thanks to Ranewen's help. The had a desk, 6 chairs and a few extra for anyone that wished to attend the meeting.

The council-folk and their advisors needed to discuss the matter of what laws should be enacted in Wistvale, an entirely touchy subject.

Grayell began.

Well, firstly I think it would be best if we establish what we won't tolerate in Wistvale. We can worry about the legalese much later, but we need to start with our largest concerns.

[Orp Boon]

Orp crosses his legs and puts his ledger on his leg.

"Well let us see."

He writes as he talks.

"Murder, torture, slavery, theft, fraud, damage to property..."

[Serenity]

Serenity crossed her legs and listened intently to Orp, "Well that seems to be the worst of it sure, but my question is what would we allow? Seeing as Orp's adviser is a special sort."

[Grayell]

Grayell nodded and leaned on the desk.

I meant what I said about the criminal element keeping Wistvale alive. Without that trade, that's money we're losing. We need to decide what we will allow traded here - and whether we allow those products to be used in town. A smith can sell a sword but we don't want it used in town, so whilst it seems to be something of a mixed message, I actually think Daenien and the like will come around to it quite quickly.

[Orp Boon]

Orp nodded and then tilted his head.

"What is the opinion of the council on mind altering drugs and herbs? I personally believe that whatever one does in his own house by himself is his own business and no one else's. He is not hurting anyone but himself."

[Grayell]

Grayell made a wincing kind of face and shrugged.

I believe that anything in moderation is fine. I have seem such drugs used effectively and in many tribal rituals. I don't want to interfere in that kind of thing.

My issue with the drugs in this town is that they're dangerous - very dangerous - and that the peddlers are willing to sell them to anyone including kids.

I think if we want to ok SOME drugs in this town, then we need to control it like alcohol. You have to be a reputable merchant and no selling to minors. Anyone doing anything stupid or being disorderly while under the influence would be subject to much the same laws as a drunk who gets out of line.

We can't ignore the issue and we can't simply say NO, that just means it will go on illegally and we'll make more enemies. We're going to anyways, but they'll be hard pressed for sympathy when the rest of the drug using community is ok with what we permit. Assuming that they're ok with it of course.

[Orp Boon]

"I think permitting the sale of risky drugs to and consumption of risky drugs by consenting adults will go down fine with the merchants of Wistvale. The minors market is small enough to get rid of in exchange for permission to sell in the public market."

[Grayell]

Grayell nods and taps the table.

Now, risky drugs are on thing, but poisons that happen to have delirium attached are another. Some of this crap being peddled is a death sentence and I can't condone that.

[Serenity]

"It at least puts my mind at ease that we'll have a police force to monitor the drug trafficking. As for the poisons...I suppose issuing a license wouldn't fix things. People will do with it what they please even if they say its for hunting. I suggest we ban the sell of crafted poisons...and it pains me to say this, but not the herbs used to make them."

[Grayell]

No one hunts with poison. If I had my way, poachers would be prone to prosecution but this isn't the time. Crafted poisons though are considered part of the trade for many people who come to Wistvale and to outlaw them would stop a lot of money coming into this city and draw us a great deal of animosity. We want to make things better but we have to be reasonable. By knowing who's buying what we can hold people accountable if they're stupid enough to use them in town.

If we ban them, they'll get sold anyway and we won't know who is selling and buying.

Seems I'm muddled the issue though, I was not referring to straight poisons. I was referring to the crap peddled as drugs that are little better.

[Grayell]

(Bumping guys.)

[Serenity]

(Honestly didn't want to move your mouth flaps around in this one lol)

Serenity rubbed her forehead for a moment before speaking,

"Well, what are our options then? Ban them and they get sold regardless it seems. Despite that, I would prefer the risk of underground trading rather than an open market. I move to ban the sell of these poisons and immediately arrest those caught selling or in the possession thereof."

[Grayell]

Grayell leans back and squints his eyes. Council work was going to be stressful and tedious but it had to be done.

So you'd like to see both poisons and dangerous 'recreational' drugs banned immediately? I think that could lead to more fallout then we are prepared for. I would settle for getting the crap off the streets. We are going to have to establish a compromise we can live with... otherwise we'll see bloodshed all too quickly.

I can settle for moving both drugs and poisons indoors - that at least should keep it out of the hands of kids. If we see it peddled on the streets, we take severe and immediate action.

Agreed?

[Serenity]

Serenity chuckled a little, this was going to be a long day, "Perhaps I muddled my speech now, I only wanted the ban of these dangerous recreational drugs. While I'm not comfortable with the poisons either, I've no issue with them so long as they're kept out of the hands of children."

[Grayell]

Grayell smiles, relieved.

Alright, Orp lemme know if that's ok with you. I do believe we're in agreement though. We will have to regulate all objectionable or questionable trade, but banning dangerous drugs that play no part in trade otherwise is a good start.

Now, of other things the black market is loathed for, what else can we outright say we don't want? I have a short list - no slavery, theft, muggings, murder, rape, torture or extortion within our town.

Orp covered most of that and I think it's a no brainer. Thieves can live and hawk their wares and talents here, but I would like to see our town free of thieving. That won't come about easily and nor will it be appreciated - but I think us banning theft but allowing thieves to openly promote their trade is a fair deal.