Zdamuzh Code

A system of laws applied by the Mazjaru.

As subjects of the K'kree (and low-ranking ones at that), Mazjaru are subject to the law of their K'kree masters. The zhmadda "deputies" work hard to keep dissent hidden, because if they don't, the consequences are dire. There is thus a strong incentive for issues to be resolved locally. The Mazjaru do this through the öèlë, who apply the legal heritage of the Zdamuzh Code to these matters.

The Code usually calls for the material compensation of victims, the use of fines as sanctions, and for a public expression of remorse by the guilty party, but it does also include corporal and capital punishment. These have to be disguised as industrial accidents. Cases are heard by a judge acceptable to all parties, who has independent legal counsel; these officers drawn from the öèlë. The judge has to be thoroughly satisfied by the evidence offered, and is obligated to be merciful whenever possible.

Dissent or actual rebellion against the K'kree isn't strictly speaking an offense. However, it endangers the long-term plan for Mazjaru survival -- that of outliving the Great Herd -- and could lead to Mazjaru being killed in reprisal, so rebellion is construed as both treason against the people and the murder of persons unknown.

References

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• David Thomas. "Mazjaru, Part I", JTAS Online May 22nd, 2000 (2000)
• David Thomas. "Mazjaru, Part II", JTAS Online September 18th, 2000 (2000)
• Alain Dawson, Monica Stephens, Loren Wiseman. The Best of JTAS (Steve Jackson Games, 2004), 46.