Interstellar Law

The document listed below is the Revised Pathfinder's Edition of The Interstellar Legal System of all Planets and Spheres. This legal document shall provide all Pathfinders with order for the duration of the Initiative’s presence on Locus Astra.

Preamble

By the authority vested in the High Stellar Council through the mutual consent of its member worlds, this Code establishes the common body of law governing all participants of the Pathfinding Initiative. Every individual accepted into the Initiative, regardless of species, citizenship, planetary origin, or political affiliation, shall be considered equal before the law. Setting foot on Locus Astra constitutes acknowledgement of these laws and agreement to submit to the jurisdiction of the High Stellar Council for the duration of this mission. While participating in the Pathfinding Initiative, this code shall serve as the highest legal authority, superseding individual planetary government laws. To disobey the laws presented in this document is to disobey the will of all planets and spheres universally.

This document has been altered to cater specifically to those a part of the Pathfinding Initiative. For the sake of common understanding across every species, homeworld, and collective, this document will largely focus on judgment by intention. All laws provide a minimum level of structure, but can be interpreted to cover more, and no fewer, situations than explicitly stated.

Title I - General Principles

Article 1.1 - Jurisdiction

This code applies to every member of the Pathfinding Initiative, including all personnel assigned by member worlds or organizations. This includes all unauthorized members, should any exist, and not just those registered and recognized by the High Stellar Council.

Article 1.2 – Equality Before the Law

No individual nor groups of individuals shall receive preferential treatment or reduced liability based on species, origin, social standing, military rank, magical aptitude, biological characteristics, or planetary citizenship.

Article 1.3 – Burden of Proof

A guilty verdict shall require sufficient evidence to establish responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof falls upon the prosecution.

Article 1.4 - Governed Proxy

There exists the ability of one party (titled as a “Guardian”) to deny or accept responsibility and repercussions of an acting person or persons. The restrictions of Governed Proxy require the actionable party to accept the Guardian as able and suitable to accept or deny the actions at the time of designation. This article also requires the approval of the presiding judge for charges to be levied towards the Guardian rather than the acting person. (See Allord v Nelson)

Title II – Crimes Against Persons

Article 2.1 – Assault

Assault is the intentional application of unlawful physical force resulting in bodily harm or reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm. The severity of the assault shall be determined according to the extent of injury, use of weapons, intention, and aggravating circumstances.

Mutually agreed physical contests, training exercises, or sanctioned combat shall not constitute assault, provided all parties voluntarily consent. (See Valerie v Virilune.)

Article 2.2 – Homicide

Homicide is the unlawful causing of another individual’s death.

The following classifications shall apply:

First-Degree Murder

A deliberate and premeditated killing that was planned no fewer than twelve standard hours before the initiation of the fatal act. Note that First Degree Murder is murder planned before the time of the attack, not the time of death.

Second-Degree Murder

An intentional killing committed without sufficient premeditation to qualify as First-Degree Murder.

Third-Degree Murder

A death resulting from an act intended to inflict serious bodily harm, but without intent to cause death.

Manslaughter

A death resulting from reckless conduct, criminal negligence, or circumstances lacking malicious intent.

Sentencing

Homicide constitutes the gravest offense recognized under this code. Upon conviction, the court may impose one or more of the following penalties:

• Permanent removal from the Pathfinding Initiative

• Confinement in correctional facilities under High Stellar Council authority, the length of confinement is determined by the severity of the charge

• Assignment to restricted labor or hazardous service deemed necessary for the preservation of the Initiative, including the guilty party attaining the label of ‘expendable’

• Any additional extraordinary measures authorized by the High Stellar Council for crimes of exceptional severity

The sentencing authority shall consider aggravating and mitigating circumstances, mission necessity, prior conduct, and the wishes of the victim’s surviving family where appropriate and necessary.

Article 2.3 - Torture of Others

Torture is specified as the deliberate mistreatment, imprisonment, psychological harm, and physical harm of other parties, which also extends to sapient beings not classified as Pathfinders. Putting other parties in harmful situations deliberately will constitute a torture charge, as well as the offending party being charged for assault and homicide accordingly, where necessary. Alongside torture, the party will likewise be charged for battery, assault, and psychological harm as well for breaking this law.

Article 2.4 - Poisoning and Drugging of Others

This is classified as purposefully adding harmful substances or contaminants to other parties’ consumables (such as dispersal in the air, in food, in beverages, in injectables, etc) without consent.

Article 2.5 - Non-Consensual Body Transformations

The act of purposefully transforming and changing parts of other Pathfinders and sapient Non-Pathfinders alike without explicit consent of the individual being altered is strictly illegal and will be charged severely. This includes removal of body parts, additions of body parts, and changes to existing body parts. (See Renn v Harland)

Article 2.6 - Mutilation of Bodies

The act of disturbing and mutilating the bodies of the deceased is strictly illegal and is a grave offense. This includes harvesting body parts, clothing, and items/articles. Consumption of the deceased is among the gravest offenses. (See King v Semetary of Sauris)

Article 2.7 - Imprisonment

Imprisonment is considered the unauthorized capture and perpetual captivity of any Pathfinder or sapient Non-Pathfinder individual. Imprisonment is strictly forbidden and will be treated as a criminal offense, alongside a hostage charge. (See Heiter v Jenny)

Article 2.8 - Hostages

The act of utilizing a Pathfinder or sapient Non-Pathfinder as means to an end is strictly prohibited. This includes harboring individuals against their will and can result in charges of Entrapment as well. Utilizing a Pathfinder or sapient Non-Pathfinder as a sacrifice counts as a hostage as well as murder if they are sacrificed. (See Nakotami v Gruber)

Article 2.9 - Battery

Battery is the unlawful physical contact on a person or persons that is harmful or offensive. Battery is strictly physical contact, unlike assault, which can be psychological as well as physical.

Title III – Property and Possessions

Article 3.1 – Theft

Theft is the unlawful taking, retention, or transfer of property without the owner’s consent.

Sentencing shall consider:

• Material value
• Scientific or strategic importance
• Emotional or sentimental significance
• Whether the property is irreplaceable

Restitution shall be prioritized whenever reasonably possible. (See Sobaka v Krysa for the case that decided emotional significance. See Light v Wily for the case that decided scientific importance)

Article 3.2 – Estate of Deceased Personnel

Upon the confirmed death of a Pathfinding Initiative member, all personal possessions shall remain protected property. Such property shall be transferred according to the individual’s registered will or, in the absence of one, to their lawful next of kin. If in the extraordinary case that the deceased party has no will and no kin, the items will be dispersed amongst Pathfinders after one week of the party becoming deceased. (See Byleth v Estate of Sothis) Unauthorized appropriation of a deceased member’s possessions shall be prosecuted as aggravated theft.

Title IV – Council Property

Article 4.1 – High Stellar Council Infrastructure

Unauthorized dismantling, harvesting, modification, or destruction of High Stellar Council facilities, satellites, vessels, equipment, or infrastructure is prohibited.

The Anchor and other designated settlement zones may be altered through renovation projects, being notable exceptions. Renovations must be decided by Pathfinders on a vote, with at least a two-thirds majority of votes in favor after twenty-four standard hours.

Title V – Judicial Procedure

Article 5.1 – Trials

All criminal proceedings shall be presided over by an appointed judge acting as an impartial authority responsible for determining both questions of law and findings of fact. The prosecution shall bear responsibility for presenting evidence supporting the alleged offense. The defense shall have full opportunity to challenge evidence, question witnesses, present testimony, and submit arguments. The judge may question any participant in the proceedings whenever clarification is necessary.

The appointment of a judge and legal representation can be done within the Initiative or by requesting a High Stellar Council-appointed official to fill the role. In the case that the individual is appointed by members of the Initiative, the individual must be agreed upon by both the defendant and the plaintiff.

Article 5.2 – Appeals

A convicted individual may petition the High Stellar Council for appellate review if substantial procedural error, newly discovered evidence, or judicial misconduct can be demonstrated. In these cases, High Stellar Council-appointed officials will be dispatched to be involved with the judicial process.

Title VI – Public Order

Article 6.1 – Trespassing

No individual shall knowingly enter or remain within restricted facilities, laboratories, administrative buildings, private quarters, or other secured areas without authorization from the lawful owner or custodian of such location. The unauthorized entry resulting in compromise of security, research, or personal safety shall constitute aggravated trespassing.

Lawful and authorized entry into these facilities can be expressed by the following:

• Written permission via communicator messages
• Verbal permission

If a party is accused of unauthorized entry, the party affected may be allowed to grant permission the following hours after unauthorized entry. This action will also function to grant permission for the individual to access the facilities in the future unless strictly stated otherwise.

In the case of investigations that take place in restricted sections, the trespassing restriction will be lifted for those authorized to partake in the investigation and case. (See Dick v Pelagia)

Article 6.2 – Criminal Mischief

The intentional destruction, defacing, or misuse of another individual’s property or public infrastructure is prohibited. Damages shall be assessed according to the cost of repair, replacement, interruption of mission operations, and sentimental or historical significance, where applicable.

Article 6.3 – Public Disorder

An individual shall not intentionally create disturbances that significantly disrupt official operations, emergency responses, or the peaceful conduct of the Initiative. Repeated acts intended solely to provoke conflict, interfere with personnel, or obstruct lawful duties may constitute disorderly conduct.

Minor interpersonal disagreements shall not be considered criminal unless they escalate into prohibited conduct under this code of law.

Article 6.4 – False Emergency Reports

Knowingly reporting false emergencies, fabricated threats, or fraudulent distress signals is prohibited. Sentencing shall consider any resources diverted, injuries sustained, or mission objectives compromised as a result of the false report.

Article 6.5 – Obstruction

Knowingly interfering with High Stellar Council personnel, emergency responders, scientific investigations, or judicial proceedings while such individuals perform their official duties is prohibited.

Article 6.6 – Arson

Arson is the intentional or reckless ignition of fire, explosion, magical flame, or any other destructive phenomenon upon property, land, structures, vessels, or installations without lawful authorization. For the purposes of this Article, “fire” shall include conventional combustion, magical or elemental flame, plasma, corrosive reactions, uncontrolled energy discharge, and any other phenomenon capable of causing comparable destructive effects.

Where an act of arson results in injury, death, or significant disruption to the Pathfinding Initiative, the offender may additionally be charged under any other applicable Articles of this Code, including Homicide, Sabotage, or Criminal Mischief.

Title VII – Scientific and Academic Conduct

Article 7.1 – Unauthorized Experimentation

No individual shall conduct scientific experimentation upon another living being without that individual’s informed and voluntary consent. Consent obtained through deception, coercion, manipulation, or incapacity shall be considered invalid. Experiments involving minors, prisoners, or incapacitated individuals require explicit authorization from the High Stellar Council. (See Lawrence v Kramer)

Article 7.2 – Prohibited Biological Research

The intentional creation, cultivation, or release of biological agents reasonably expected to endanger fellow Pathfinders, ecosystems, or inhabited worlds is prohibited. This includes engineered pathogens, invasive organisms, uncontrolled magical organisms, and any lifeform designated as hazardous by the High Stellar Council. (See Starling v Bill)

Article 7.3 – Dangerous Artifacts

Objects exhibiting unknown, anomalous, magical, extradimensional, or otherwise unpredictable properties shall not be dismantled, activated, replicated, or transported offworld without authorization from qualified High Stellar Council officials. Discovery of such artifacts shall be reported immediately. Unauthorized concealment of dangerous artifacts constitutes a criminal offense.

Article 7.4 – Scientific Integrity

The fabrication, alteration, destruction, or concealment of scientific data, research findings, academic records, or other research logs is prohibited. Scientific records are to be preserved and protected.

Article 7.5 – Environmental Preservation

Pathfinders will take all reasonable measures to minimize unnecessary ecological disruption during exploration. The intentional extinction of native flora or fauna, the destruction of culturally or historically significant locations, or the irreversible contamination of newly discovered environments is prohibited unless expressly authorized, provided that such destruction is necessary to preserve life or prevent a greater catastrophe. (See Reynolds v Reynolds)

Article 7.6 – Controlled Weapons

No individual shall manufacture, acquire, possess, transport, transfer, or deploy a Controlled Weapon except as authorized under the regulations of the High Stellar Council. For the purposes of this Code, a Controlled Weapon is any instrument, device, construct, organism, spell, or mechanism designed primarily to inflict widespread destruction, indiscriminate harm, or catastrophic disruption beyond that reasonably achievable through ordinary personal armaments.

Controlled Weapons include, but are not limited to:

• Weapons capable of mass casualties or large-scale environmental destruction
• Weapons, structures, or implements that utilize nuclear radiation
• Biological, chemical, magical, radiological, or anomalous agents intended for offensive use
• Self-replicating weapons or autonomous constructs designed for combat
• Reality-altering weapons
• Structures, installations, rituals, or mechanisms whose primary function is the destruction, domination, or destabilization of populations, settlements, celestial bodies, or ecosystems
• Any weapon or technology individually designated by the High Stellar Council as a Controlled Weapon

Possession of ordinary personal weapons, including conventional melee arms, ranged weapons, and magical implements, shall not constitute an offense unless otherwise prohibited by law or by mission regulations.

Unauthorized possession of a Controlled Weapon shall constitute a criminal offense. Manufacture, deployment, or use of a Controlled Weapon resulting in injury, loss of life, ecological devastation, or sabotage of the Pathfinding Initiative shall be treated as an aggravated offense.

Article 7.7 – Prohibited Magical Practices

The practice of magic is not, in itself, unlawful. However, no individual shall knowingly employ magic that:

• Presents an unreasonable risk to uninvolved persons
• Permanently alters or corrupts sapient life without informed consent
• Creates self-sustaining or uncontrollable destructive phenomena
• Endangers the stability of reality, space, time, or other fundamental natural laws
• Violates containment procedures established by the High Stellar Council
• Has otherwise been designated a prohibited discipline by the High Stellar Council

The discovery or creation of previously undocumented magical phenomena capable of posing a significant threat to public safety shall be reported promptly to the appropriate authorities.

Title VIII – Emergency Authority

Article 8.1 – Declared Emergencies

In times of hardship, the Pathfinders may vote to officially declare a state of emergency, requiring a two-thirds majority. During officially declared emergencies, designated commanding officers, whether appointed by the Pathfinders or sent by the High Stellar Council, may temporarily restrict movement, ration supplies, suspend ordinary access privileges of individual members, and issue mandatory directives to preserve life. Such authority shall cease upon the termination of the emergency declaration.

Article 8.2 – Quarantine

Any individual reasonably believed to carry an infectious disease, magical corruption, anomalous influence, or unknown contaminant may be placed under mandatory medical quarantine. Knowingly violating quarantine constitutes a criminal offense.

Article 8.3 – Failure to Render Assistance

When offering aid poses no unreasonable danger to themselves, Pathfinders are expected to provide aid to one another when facing imminent danger. Deliberate abandonment of fellow Pathfinders during emergencies may constitute criminal negligence.

Article 8.4 – Evacuation Orders

Official evacuation orders will be obeyed without unreasonable delay; knowingly disobeying or preventing another from obeying will constitute ‘Obstruction’ and is a criminal offense. If a party continues to resist evacuation and endangers others, that party will be left behind and charged with a criminal offense in the event of their survival.

Article 8.5 - Removal and Appointment of Emergency Authority

Should an appointed individual in a temporary emergency authority position be declared unfit to serve the public due to psychological or physical limitations, a new emergency authority individual will be appointed by a vote of the remainder of the current emergency authority at the time of removal. In the event of an emergency authority figure being removed, the rest of the emergency authority should prioritize appointing a new figure to fill the empty seat. (besides the well-being of Pathfinders and Non-Pathfinders, but this should go without saying)

Title IX – Fraud and Deception

Article 9.1 – Fraud

Knowingly obtaining property, services, privileges, or authority through deception constitutes fraud.

Article 9.2 – Forgery

The unauthorized creation, alteration, or use of official documents, licenses, research credentials, identification records, permits, judicial orders, or High Stellar Council seals is prohibited.

Article 9.3 – Identity Misrepresentation

Knowingly impersonating another individual, assuming false authority, or presenting fabricated credentials to obtain privileges or influence official operations is prohibited under this code.

Article 9.4 – Perjury

Knowingly providing false testimony during judicial proceedings or official investigations constitutes perjury. The severity of sentencing will reflect the degree to which the false testimony influenced the proceeding. (See Dahlia v The Courts of Sauris)

Article 9.5 – Evidence Tampering

Destroying, altering, concealing, fabricating, or planting evidence relevant to any official investigation or criminal case is prohibited. (See Edgeworth v Courts of Virilune)

Title X – Crimes Against the Pathfinding Initiative

Article 10.1 – Sabotage

The intentional damage, interference, or disruption of critical systems, spacecraft, communications, navigational equipment, technology, power generation, or other vital infrastructure is prohibited. Sabotage resulting in loss of life or damage to the overall Pathfinding Initiative mission goals shall be considered an especially grave offense.

Article 10.2 – Espionage

Knowingly transmitting confidential information to unauthorized individuals, governments, organizations, or hostile entities constitutes espionage. This includes scientific discoveries, navigation data, classified communications, strategic planning, and protected research of any kind.

Article 10.3 – Mutiny

Any coordinated effort to unlawfully overthrow the recognized command structure of the Pathfinding Initiative through force, intimidation, or organized refusal of lawful orders constitutes mutiny. Peaceful criticism of leadership, petitions for review, or lawful appeals shall not constitute mutiny. (See Donaldson v Advance)

In the event that the Pathfinders have an elected leader holding administrative office, and such an individual is considered to be unfit and acting in such a way that no longer represents the majority of the Pathfinders’ best interests, the Pathfinders may hold a vote to decide what to do with the leadership. If a two-thirds majority of votes finds that the commanding official is unfit to rule, govern, and lead the Pathfinders, the official is required to step down, and new elections will be held immediately following. If the vote is ignored or suppressed, the Pathfinders are permitted to forcefully remove the corrupt leadership without being charged with mutiny..

For Emergency Authority specifically, refer to Title VIII, Article 8.5.

Article 10.4 – Collaboration with Hostile Entities

Knowingly providing aid, resources, intelligence, or sanctuary to organizations or individuals actively threatening the safety of the Initiative constitutes unlawful collaboration.

Article 10.5 – Negligent Endangerment

Any individual whose reckless disregard for established safety protocols creates a substantial risk of catastrophic harm to personnel, settlements, spacecraft, or entire worlds may be charged with negligent endangerment. Actual harm need not occur if the risk created was both significant and reasonably foreseeable.

Article 10.6 – Dereliction of Duty

Pathfinders entrusted with essential responsibilities who knowingly abandon or refuse those duties without reasonable justification, resulting in significant harm to the Initiative, may be found guilty of dereliction of duty.

Title XI – Amendments and Legislative Authority

Article 11.1 – Authority to Amend

Limited authority to amend this Code is hereby delegated to the members of the Pathfinding Initiative for the duration of the mission. Such authority exists solely to address the circumstances unforeseen by the High Stellar Council and to ensure the continued safety, stability, and governance of the expedition.

No amendment may conflict with the fundamental principles established by the High Stellar Council or with universally recognized rights afforded to all member species. All amendments will undergo final review by High Stellar Council officials, who reserve the right to veto an amendment.

Article 11.2 – Proposal of Amendments

Any registered member of the Pathfinding Initiative may submit a proposal to:

• Create a new Article
• Amend an existing Article
• Repeal an existing Article
• Clarify ambiguous language contained within the code of law

Each proposal shall clearly identify the Article affected, provide the exact language to be adopted or removed, and include written justification explaining the necessity of the proposed change.

Article 11.3 – Public Review

Upon submission, proposed amendments shall be made publicly available to all members of the Initiative. A reasonable period of discussion shall be provided to allow questions, debate, and suggested revisions before any vote is held.

Article 11.4 – Ratification

Following public review, all active members of the Pathfinding Initiative shall be entitled to cast one vote. Unless otherwise specified by this Code, an amendment shall be adopted upon receiving a two-thirds majority of votes cast.

Every amendment adopted during the mission shall be transmitted to the High Stellar Council, and shall be subject to permanent ratification, modification, or repeal by the Council.

Upon ratification, the amendment shall immediately become part of this Code and possess the same authority as every other Article contained herein.

Article 11.5 – Record of Revisions

Every amendment adopted shall be recorded under its respective Article. Each amendment will feature the vote tally, date of ratification, and identity of the proposing member.

Article 11.6 – Judicial Interpretation

Where the language of this Code is ambiguous, the presiding judge may issue an official interpretation for the purpose of resolving an active dispute. Such interpretations shall establish legal precedent, but do not permanently alter or amend this Code. A judicial interpretation may be superseded only by a duly ratified amendment.