The Nemedian Chronicles

The Adventurers’ Code and Commandments

Every day, at mealtime, the company archivist reads aloud the following rules:

1. Each man’s past is his own. Ask no questions. A questioner will be beaten with a birch rod across the back, five lashes.
2. Each man’s belongings are his own. Take nothing from your brothers. A thief will be beaten with a whip across the back, ten lashes.
3. Each man’s woman is his own. Do not touch her. A rapist will be beaten with a whip across the back, five lashes.
4. Each man’s life is his own. Do not strike your brothers. A ruffian will be beaten with a whip across the back, five lashes, and across the front, five lashes. A murderer will be beaten with a whip until dead.
5. The orders of the commander are absolute. A soldier who disobeys orders will be beaten with a birch rod across the back, ten lashes. If brothers die because of his actions, he will be beaten with a whip until dead.
6. The king is life. To break trust with him is death. An oath breaker will be beaten with a whip 30 lashes, then crucified.