The Gauntlet

“A Gauntlet has been duly called, and these assembled breachers stand accused of failure to enforce the grave tax, breach of contract, failure to defend contracted entity in court of public opinion, failure to maintain Mortis vents per contract, and other sins of a vagrant-like nature.” - Reckoner-General Rampart

The Gauntlet is a tradition of the San Saba that functions similar to a “sentencing” in our modern justice system. When a person has been found guilty of violating the Laws and Charter of the San Saba during a Crime Scene, the Justices of Sin, roving representatives of the San Saba Board that assess their crimes and assign an appropriate punishment, will determine the punishment that will levied on the accused.

After a violent incident at a Gauntlet in Bravado last year, The Justices of Sin have established a new format for the Gauntlet that helps ensure it remains timely, professional, and orderly.

The Gathering

During the Gathering, the Justice of Sin will establish the structure of the Gauntlet and explain each step of the process. All citizens of a town are invited to attend a Gauntlet, and they will be alerted at least one month before a Gauntlet is to commence.

“The Gauntlet is Commenced. Today’s Gauntlet will be run thusly: we will have a presentation of sin by the aggrieved contracting party. Then each Breacher, or their duly appointed representative, will have 2 minutes to appeal for Mercy, and then a Sentence of Absolution will be passed. Should anyone obstruct the law and order of this Gauntlet, the Law Dogs will enforce peace.”

The Presentation of Sin

During the Presentation of Sin, the Justice of Sin will introduce the evidence presented by the Law Dogs during the Crime Scene. They will outline why the decision of guilt was reached and the appropriate public evidence that should be considered by the attendees. New evidence cannot be presented during this step, as the word of the Justice is law and the accused has already been determined guilty.

“The accused is guilt of violating the San Saba Charter and the Laws of the San Saba Territories. The Law Dogs will present their proof of evidence for consideration to the public. The accused has been found guilty, and no new evidence will be considered.”

Appeal for Mercy

During the Appeal for Mercy, the Justice will consider any mitigating or aggravating factors in determining the sentencing for the accused. Character witnesses or past good behavior is commonly considered during this step, as is information that might confirm the evidence presented by the Law Dogs. Each contractor or stakeholder that chooses to do so will have 2 minutes to speak, or may pass their time to another person. The breacher may also use their two minutes to ask for Mercy from the Justices, or appeal to logic or reason.

“Now each Breacher, or their duly appointed representative, may have two minutes to appeal for mercy, before their sentence is passed.”

Sentence of Absolution

Once all breachers have spoken, the Justice will determine the outcome of the punishment. Violators can either be assessed a hefty fine of Brass or materials, assigned mandatory work tasks for factions of the San Saba or service within the San Saba Militia, assigned a collective punishment of their peers present, or be labeled a contract-breaker and Vagrant.  In rare instances, the strikers of the Red Ledger may be tasked as Hellhounds, and simply remove the threat to the Board through sanctioned murder.

“We have heard the accounting of Sins and the appeals for Mercy, now we are ready to deliver Absolution. For the crimes of breaching their contract, we find…”