Guards and OCers

From FiranMUX

GUARDS AND OCERS

The relationship between the First Division (the Guard) and the denizens of the Old City is a rough one. The Old City itself does not fall into the jurisdiction of the Republic First Division, and the guards don't lightly penetrate outside the walls, even in cases of 'hot pursuit' of a crime undertaken within the walls. This is due, most folks believe, to a combination of the tendency to 'disappear' in the Old City and the political work of the Underworld. In any event, the Old City is 'officially' under the legal jurisdiction of the Gold Dragon Clan, but in practice, keeping the peace inside of it was usually handled by the criminal organization.

This, of course, leads to resentment and bad treatment by the Guard inside the Walls. Merely /living/ in the Old City tends to put one on the list of 'usual suspects' referred to in the phrase, 'round up the usual suspects'. As most Old City denizens, regardless of ostensible social class, are basically considered 'outcasts', if you are even peripherally involved in any criminal activity--or just look like you might be, or possibly once did in the past, or just happen to be standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, you can count on getting arrested by the Guard within the Walls.

This isn't a gentle arrest either; usually it involves heavy beating, interrogation, inquisition, and all sorts of trumped-up charges. The justice system in the Firan Republic is *NOT* fair, it is *NOT* based on the American justice system, and Old City folks can count on getting the bad end of the stick in many cases. This is why OCers tend to avoid the Walls if they can.

By the same token, however, the Guard also tends to avoid the Old City. While occasional meetings on the 'neutral ground' of the Barnacle Inn might happen, the only time the Guard goes into the Old City is to visit the whores of the White Dove, unless they're under very specific orders and arrive en masse. Spotting a guard in the Old City (for Old City denizens) is a good reason to contact the thugs and criminals--and it's also likely that that Guard will not leave the Old City intact.

Bridging the gap between the two armed camps is Sangreos and his crew. If you're arrested in the Walls and taken to jail, it's likely that he or one of the people involved with him will come and take care of things. This doesn't necessarily mean they'll get you out of jail, though in most cases they'll try; what it does mean is that they'll make sure that you get as good a trial as they can manage. If you've committed a huge crime and are under suspicion and try to flee to the Old City, however, you'd better tell them first, and even then there's no guarantee you won't be turned over to the guard (though they'll usually still make sure you get a good trial). The peace is a fragile one.