§1.1 - Definitions and Interpretive Clauses

For the purposes of statutory construction, enforcement, adjudication, and interpretation of this Codex and all appendices, supplements, amendments, and edicts thereto, the following definitions shall apply unless otherwise expressly stated:

(a) “Rivermarch”
Shall refer to the legally constituted sovereign political entity established under Charter by the Council and acknowledged by its founding instrument on the Day of Proclamation. Includes all lands, settlements, fortifications, waters, and airspace therein.

(b) “Council”
Shall mean the duly recognized governing body of Rivermarch composed of appointed or confirmed individuals holding statutory authority as designated by Titles II and XI of this Codex.

(c) “Citizen”
Shall denote any individual or recognized group formally granted full civic status by decree, oath, or council resolution, including but not limited to humans, kobolds, ysoki, and other sapient races as enumerated by registry.

(d) “Edict”
Shall denote a temporary, situation-specific law or order issued by the Council or Lord Regent in accordance with §11.2. Edicts possess the full force of law unless repealed, sunset, or found ultra vires.

(e) “Ley Authority”
Shall refer to any body, councilor, or office lawfully empowered to enact, interpret, enforce, or repeal any portion of this Codex within the geographic or magical jurisdiction of Rivermarch.

(f) “Magisterial Tribunal”
Shall mean any judicial or quasi-judicial body empowered by this Codex to interpret law, determine guilt or liability, and issue legal remedies or penalties.

(g) “Creature”
Shall include any sentient, semi-sentient, corporeal or incorporeal being capable of speech, contract, violence, or volition, whether native, extraplanar, summoned, or anomalous in origin.

(h) “Arcane Instrumentality”
Shall refer to any magical construct, enchantment, binding, ley-linked device, artifact, or entity possessing inherent, channeled, or derived magical properties, including eldritch technologies under investigation.

(i) “Peacekeeping Force”
Shall encompass the Warden, Volunteer Guard, Initiates of Steel, militia companies, and all other martial or civil units granted authority to enforce this Codex through coercive or defensive means.

(j) “Prohibited Rites”
Shall include any ritual, invocation, summoning, or act designated in §8.2 as contravening public safety, spiritual integrity, or arcane stability.

(k) “Summoned Entity”
Shall mean any extraplanar, synthetic, spiritual, or magical being brought into Rivermarch’s jurisdiction through intentional conjuration, invocation, or accidental breach.

---

§1.1.2 - Rules of Construction

(a) Where ambiguities arise, preference shall be given to interpretations preserving the intent of civic harmony, arcane stability, and Council authority.

(b) The singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine, feminine, and neuter shall include one another unless clearly inapplicable.

(c) Titles, headings, and punctuation shall not affect the substantive meaning of clauses unless expressly referenced in statute.

(d) All references to "days" shall mean calendar days unless expressly stated as "working days."

(e) “Shall” denotes mandatory obligation; “may” denotes discretionary power; “must not” or “shall not” denotes absolute prohibition.

(f) In cases of conflict between general and specific provisions, the specific shall control.

(g) Any silence in the law shall not imply permission; unregulated acts may be subject to ruling by tribunal or council decree.