Theocracy of Xochimechatl
LAW

The Theocracy of Xochimechatl has no central code of laws enforced throughout the nation. The central government has no role in law, or in the enforcement of rules. This is partially due to the belief that a government should not interfere with the affairs of its citizens and partially due to the significant differences of views that would exist should the temples attempt to formulate a mutually acceptable legal system.

This does not, however, mean that Xochimechatl is lawless. Any local authority can, if it chooses, implement its own set of rules and regulations which must be obeyed within its jurisdiction. Most cities, for example, have their own code of laws and their own police forces to protect it. This does, of course, result in varying laws throughout Xochimechatl (meaning that Xochimechatlans must be aware of the law not only of their home but of anywhere that they wish to travel to), but they can roughly be divided into two basic classifications. These are the legal systems that are based on Xochimechatlan traditional law and the legal systems that are based on Lendian law, with the difference between the two being quite marked. Provided it is known whether the area in question operates under Xochimechatlan or Lendian law, most things about the legal system in the place can be guessed at without much risk of being wrong.

Besides the local authorities, however, there are several nation-wide groups that enforce their own regulations. By far the largest and most significant of these groups is the Order of Calacoayan, one of the nine temples involved in the country's theocracy. The Order of Calacoayan maintains a paramilitary force dedicated to upholding the Order's views of justice and righteousness, and will use violence against those who it deems to be acting outside the constraints of morality. The Order of Calacoayan is sworn to protect those in legitimate need of protection, and is known in most parts of Xochimechatl as a protector of the weak. Occasionally, however, the Order can be overzealous in its efforts, and because it takes the task of judging guilt solely upon itself, there can be little arguing with it, and no opportunity for appeal. Occasionally, the Order of Calacoayan comes into conflict with the law enforcement agencies of local authorities, and occasionally with the paramilitary forces maintained by other temples.

 

The Theocracy of Xochimechatl is a fictional state on the world of Vexillium.