EnforcemenT & Capture
In matters of Law and Order, the Law Dogs, Hell Hounds and Justices of Sin enact the will of the Board as their Voice and their Vigor, empowered to wield Death and Duty in their name.
If a person is accused of violating one of The Laws or the Charter, the San Saba Board sets forth the marshals and agents of the Law Dog Union to collect the offender and investigate their crime. Those caught are brought before the Justices of Sin, roving representatives of the Warden that assess their crimes and assign an appropriate punishment.
The Law Dog Union is responsible for investigating, detaining, and finding evidence to present to the Justices of Sin. The person accused of breaking the law is known as a “Breacher”. Once the Law Dogs have found and detained the Breacher, the Crime Scene will commence. If the Law Dog cannot present sufficient evidence of the crime, the accused will be released and the contract for capture ended.
These enforcers serve no single master other than the Law Dog Union and their “Boss” but hold distinct contracts with the major Financial Institutions of the San Saba Board - paid by the head to enforce their Standards of Practice. The weight of their jurisdiction lies in their ability to enforce under the San Saba Law and Charter, in accordance with their contract with the Board.
Justices will sometimes travel with Law Dogs, to ensure a quick resolution to whatever issue is at hand, but this is not a requirement of the job and they are not allowed to participate in the actual retrieval, which is the duty of Law Dogs and Hell Hounds. They can vary in their application of justice, and never seem to agree with each other, but somehow maintain a strong sense of rightness in their decisions.
The steps of punishment for violations of the law consist of three steps:
The Investigation - The Law Dogs will investigate the events of what happened, question witnesses, and try to find the source of the trouble. Once proof of a crime has been determined, the Law Dog Union will issue a arrest warrant for capture of the Breacher. Once captured, the Law Dog will present evidence of the crime to the Justice and help keep the peace while the Justice deliberates. The Law Dog submits a custom form of an Action Request at the Post Office, submitting their Law Dog Report to the Storytellers.
The Crime Scene - The scene between The Justice and the LC who committed a crime is a personalized scene ran by a Storyteller that melds the player’s goals and comfort level with the story and consequences brought about through their play. A player can never be a Justice of Sin, and this role will always be portrayed by a Storyteller or Gamerunner.
The Gauntlet - This is a public event telegraphed in advance that happens near Noon during a DR:TX live event. This is the “sentencing” part of the trial and is where the Justice of Sin will hear mitigating and aggravating factors, as well as an appeal for mercy from the crowd. Once completed, they will announce the punishment for the criminal and return them to their standing as a citizen of the San Saba.
Players (LCs) may hold roles as Law Dogs in game, but Justices of Sin will always be a member of the DR:TX staff.
The rules for CVC still apply for Law Dogs in pursuit of a criminal, and even members of the Union must abide by the restrictions outlined in the Dystopia Rising corebook.