Editing The Magistracy of the Evenlode

{{Neath_Location|image1=Evenlode.png|caption1=The Magistracy of the Evenlode|location=[[The Hinterlands]]|allegiance=[[London]]|notable_inhabitants=[[The Light-in-Exile]]<br><span style="background-color:purple">[[The Creditor|<span style = "color:purple">The Creditor</span>]]</span> (formerly)}}<blockquote>''"On one side of the large, dusty square is the railway track, with its attendant buildings. On the other side is a Cyclopean edifice huge enough to rival even the Shuttered Palace. In its shadow, the railway station and offices are little more than a huddle of shacks."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Outside_the_Magistracy_of_the_Evenlode|Outside the Magistracy of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

The '''Magistracy of the Evenlode''' is a legal institution near the '''Evenlode''' river in the [[Hinterlands]]. It is the third station of the [[Great Hellbound Railway]].__forcetoc__

==The West Wings ==
<blockquote>''"It is the most distant post of London law, with its own courts, and its own police force."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Enter_the_Magistracy_of_the_Evenlode|Enter the Magistracy of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

The Magistracy of the Evenlode is an enormous, ancient courthouse built from stone.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Outside_the_Magistracy_of_the_Evenlode|Outside the Magistracy of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] a Cyclopean edifice huge enough [...] In its shadow, the railway station [...] little more than [...] shacks."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}} ''"Breathe an ancient air"''</ref> It handles all cases beyond London's borders,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Build_the_station_at_the_Magistracy_of_the_Evenlode|Build the station at the Magistracy of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] a court that hears all cases of law involving plaintiffs far west of the city bounds."''</ref> as well as cases too unimportant, or esoteric, for London's courts.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_those_who_pass_through_these_vast_halls|Consider those who pass through these vast halls|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] there is a [...] sense of second-rate to the cases that pass through here [...] some are embroiled in cases too... strange for the London courts."''</ref> Despite its distance from the city, and dour atmosphere, it receives frequent visits from lawyers, litigants, police, and legal students.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_bustling_about_the_Evenlode%3F|Who is bustling about the Evenlode?|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] a distant outpost, it's heavily trafficked. [...] two lawyers climbing down from the carriage [...] police carriages stand outside [...] officers climb down, [...] escorting someone in handcuffs [...] this pair [...] they are on either side of a civil case [...] A parade of legal students clamber off a carriage [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Return_Journey|A Return Journey|Fallen London|}} ''"The Evenlode is [...] cold and the architecture unwelcoming. There is no social life [...] no art, or music, or even poetry [...]"''</ref>
[[File:Beer.png|alt=A pint of beer.|thumb|Magisterial Lager]]
The landscape nearby is marked by ancient roads<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dig_at_the_crossroads|Dig at the crossroads|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] beyond the [...] Magistracy, [...] the remains of old roads [...]</ref> and sinister tombs.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Make_the_train_take_you_to_a_designated_stop_in_the_hills|Make the train take you to a designated stop in the hills|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he keeps pointing out hillocks that he says are haunted barrows [...]"''</ref> The Evenlode river itself is home to fish<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_Magistracy_with_new_eyes|Consider the Magistracy with new eyes|Fallen London|}} ''"Fishers gather downriver of the Magistracy."''</ref> and [[drownies]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Find_the_Source_of_the_Uproar|Find the Source of the Uproar|Fallen London|}} ''"The river [...] he is [...] in the murky water, fending off a drownie [...]"''</ref> and its water is used to brew pungent '''Magisterial Lager'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Magisterial_Lager|Magisterial Lager|Fallen London|}}</ref>

The Magistracy can be a daunting place for ordinary humans.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_bustling_about_the_Evenlode%3F|Who is bustling about the Evenlode?|Fallen London|}} ''"A defendant is ushered [...] towards the [...] the Magistracy of the Evenlode. They stop, and look up. And look up. [...] it must look grotesque [...]"''</ref> Its interior is frigid,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Constabulary_of_the_Evenlode|The Constabulary of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}} ''"It is cold; it settles into the bones."''</ref> its stairs are too large for comfort,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Foyer_of_the_Magistracy|Foyer of the Magistracy|Fallen London|}} ''"The stairs would only be practical if you were twelve feet tall."''</ref> and its courtrooms range from huge, open spaces to small rooms resembling caves.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Courts_of_the_Evenlode|The Courts of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the court rooms [...] some are in huge, airy spaces [...] Others are in rooms more [...] cave than [...] courtroom."''</ref> Legal traditions are strange here as well, with some conducted away from the public eye.<ref name = "beneath lurker">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_closer_at_the_daily_practice_of_the_court|Look closer at the daily practice of the court|Fallen London|}} ''"Is the judiciary aware of what lurks beneath them? [...] on [...] complex cases, judges [...] leave to confer. [...] they reemerge [...] as if they've spent some time in the dark. [...] There is also the way guilty defendants exit court. [...] led out a door reserved only for them. [...] never spot any departing the Magistracy building [...] perhaps there are holding cells [...] But, occasionally, particularly obnoxious litigants from civil cases are shown out this way, too."''</ref>

== The Constabulary of the Evenlode ==
<blockquote>''"The police quarters fill only a wing of the Magistracy, but it is more than sufficient. Rooms have been set aside for cells, interrogation, police dormitories and offices."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Constabulary_of_the_Evenlode|The Constabulary of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Constablebadge.png|alt=A badge with a fist.|thumb|A Constable's badge.]]
The '''Constabulary of the Evenlode''' police all territory outside the scope of [[London|London's]] [[Constables]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_for_your_good_sense_and_reasoned_judgement_to_be_recognised|Ask for your good sense and reasoned judgement to be recognised|Fallen London|}} ''"The Constabulary of the Evenlode performs all police-work in the Neath not covered by our inner-London colleagues."''</ref> They work out of the same Magistracy building as the courts,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Constabulary_of_the_Evenlode|The Constabulary of the Evenlode|Fallen London|}} ''"The police quarters fill only a wing of the Magistracy [...]"''</ref> and consider themselves a cut above their city counterparts. However, some disagree and refer to their haughty colleagues as "self-righteous bullies."<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hear_what_he_has_to_say|Hear what he has to say|Fallen London|}} ''"They told me they were better than the London lot. [...] But they're self-righteous bullies [...]"''</ref> The Constabulary may bestow privileges called '''Special Dispensations''' which, in their words, allow an officer to "act according to their best judgement rather than the exact letter of the law."<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_for_your_good_sense_and_reasoned_judgement_to_be_recognised|Ask for your good sense and reasoned judgement to be recognised|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Special_Dispensation|Special Dispensation|Fallen London|}}</ref>

Evenlode constables adhere to unique superstitions and traditions, such as staying clear of small whirlwinds.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_bustling_about_the_Evenlode%3F|Who is bustling about the Evenlode?|Fallen London|}} ''"There is a whirl of dust [...] a little dirt cyclone. [...] The police [...] skirt the edges. [...] You superstitious?" The police are [...] quiet in response."''</ref> New recruits are required to partake in "drownie duty" by repelling [[drownies]] who come ashore,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Let_him_be|Let him be|Fallen London|}} ''""Drownie duty. [...] Every Evenloder has to do it. Keep the [...] away from shore.""''</ref> among other rituals and tests.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Rite|The Rite|Fallen London|}}</ref>

==The Magistracy's Depths==
{{spoiler}}
<blockquote>''"The Magistracy is already unrecognizable as soon as you are below the water. Green moss covers the walls. Tiny, misshapen fish swirl around your diving bell."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Diving_in_the_Magistracy|Diving in the Magistracy|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>''"Glimpses: Of monster-light and vast, curved needle-teeth. Something about this glow, this point of light in the dark water, draws you to it. Has drawn you to it."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_the_lowest_Floors|Search the lowest Floors|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Glowingeyes.png|alt=A creature with glowing eyes and sharp teeth.|thumb|[[The Light-in-Exile]]]]
The lower levels of the Magistracy are completely flooded.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Construct_a_Diving_Bell_in_the_Magistracy%27s_Basement|Construct a Diving Bell in the Magistracy's Basement|Fallen London|}} ''[...] who knows how many flooded basement levels the Magistracy has."''</ref> They are home to [[Lamp-Cats|lamp-cats]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Observe_a_gilled_lamp-cat|Observe a gilled lamp-cat|Fallen London|}}</ref> and a diverse, self-contained aquatic ecosystem.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Go_spear-fishing|Go spear-fishing|Fallen London|}} ''"There are fish swimming down here, [...] The basement of the Magistracy [...] [...] No two look exactly the same."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Send_your_Abyssal_Sawtooth_out_to_hunt|Send your Abyssal Sawtooth out to hunt|Fallen London|}} ''"The creatures of the Magistracy have flourished [...] cut off from the ecosystems of the Neath."''</ref> They contain detritus from the inhabitants above,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_the_upper_floors|Search the upper floors|Fallen London|}} ''"Things from the Magistracy above fall into the water here [...] waterlogged files [...] tin of zzoup [...]"''</ref> as well as relics from the [[First City]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_the_upper_floors|Search the upper floors|Fallen London|}} ''"You [...] identify what you have [...] unmistakeably First City. There must be more, down below."''</ref> Some areas have evidence of human habitation, as well as architecture meant for larger creatures.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Study_drowned_architecture|Study drowned architecture|Fallen London|}} ''"People lived here, once. The signs of habitation are clear [...] But the proportions are too big. [...] People lived here, but alongside what?"''</ref>

The depths are inhabited by the [[The Light-in-Exile|Light-in-Exile]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Light-In-Exile|The Light-In-Exile|Fallen London|}} ''"You [...] see a fraction of the creature before you; [...]"''</ref> who befriends outcasts<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reach_for_it|Reach for it|Fallen London|}} ''"The Light-in-Exile makes friends of outcasts that disappear beneath the water [...]"''</ref> and returns any other would-be visitors to dry land.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reach_for_it|Reach for it|Fallen London|}} ''"The Light-in-Exile [...] it rejects Constables, and sends them back up to their fraternity above. [...] neither does it accept you. [...] You wash out on the banks of the Evenlode [...]"''</ref> The Evenlode constables traditionally send new recruits for a dip in the Light's waters: if they return, the Light has rejected them,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Rite|The Rite|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] at the bottom, a light gleams [...] the novice constable [...] He is fully submerged."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reach_for_it|Reach for it|Fallen London|}} ''"The Light-in-Exile [...] rejects Constables, and sends them back up to their fraternity above."''</ref> making them a true member of the group.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Keep_watching_3|Keep watching 3|Fallen London|}} ''"He emerges from the water [...] "Not outcast. I'm not outcast." [...] The gathered officers [...] reassure him that he has passed, [...] he is one of them, part of the law of the Evenlode."''</ref> It is implied the judiciary also incorporates the Light in their practices: it may play a role in discussing tough cases, or processing guilty defendants and "particularly obnoxious litigants."<ref name = "beneath lurker"/>

== The Place of the Judge ==
<blockquote>''"One defendant at a time came before this Judge – summoned here if they tried to pass through these lands without leave. The Chamber built anew for every trial, by workers who all resembled the defendant exactly."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>''"FROM EACH HER OWN LAW; AND NONE SHALL ESCAPE THE LAW SHE HAS MADE."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Study_the_evidence|Study the evidence|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Creditor.png|alt=Arid terrain.|thumb|[[The Creditor]]]]
Long ago, the Magistracy served as the court of the [[Creditor]]:<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Deeps_of_the_Magistracy|The Deeps of the Magistracy|Fallen London|}} ''"The Creditor used to live above," [...] "The Magistracy belonged to him; he [...] held his court [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_how_she_learned_about_the_Creditor|Ask how she learned about the Creditor|Fallen London|}} ''"Once the Creditor presided over judgements at the Evenlode [...]"''</ref> where trespassers through the [[Hinterlands]] would be judged.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] defendant [...] came before this Judge – summoned [...] if they tried to pass through these lands without leave."''</ref> Interlopers were summoned to the court's throne room,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_for_the_Throne_Room|Look for the Throne Room|Fallen London|}} ''"Look for the Throne Room [...] the Bazaar's Creditor held court here."''</ref> which was rebuilt and redesigned for each defendant.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}} ''"The Chamber built anew for every trial [...]"''</ref> Defendants' promises were written on the walls,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Place_of_the_Judge|The Place of the Judge|Fallen London|}} ''"The masonry is inscribed with your own promises [...] Before you is a chair, hardly worth the name of throne [...]"''</ref> and the room would be more compact the weightier the promises they made.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}} ''"Sometimes it was [...] hardly constraining at all. The Merchant, [...] had promised so much to so many people that he had to crawl [...]"''</ref>

The Creditor abandoned its court sometime during the era of the [[Second City]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Deeps_of_the_Magistracy|The Deeps of the Magistracy|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] his court vanished, sometime after the Second City." [...] the Creditor. He must have gone elsewhere."''</ref> but the ruins,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_how_she_learned_about_the_Creditor|Ask how she learned about the Creditor|Fallen London|}} ''"Once the Creditor presided over judgements at the Evenlode. Its throne room is still down there."''</ref> and ancient memories, still remain.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Breathe_an_ancient_air|Breathe an ancient air|Fallen London|}} ''"Fill your lungs with the past, and see this room as it was."''</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Formatted]]
[[Category:Cited]]
[[Category:The Neath]]
[[Category:The Hinterlands]]