Social Law

Overview

Movement between districts is physically possible but socially restricted.
Access is controlled through appearance, behaviour, and perceived status.
Enforcement is carried out by both:

• 👉 Faction: Police (formal)

• 👉 Locals, staff, and environment (informal)

Presence alone can trigger response.

Core Rule

• You are judged immediately on:

  • clothing

  • posture

  • speech

  • confidence

• If you do not “fit” the district:

  • attention is drawn

  • intervention follows

District Access Behaviour

👑 Royal Grounds

• Access: invitation only

• Any unknown presence:

  • immediate challenge

  • rapid removal

• Lower class / foreign:

  • not tolerated

  • removed instantly

• Force level: maximum

🏛️ Mayfair / Belgravia

• Access: restricted but not sealed

If lower-class individual enters:

• Immediately noticed

• Watched within minutes

• Approached or removed shortly after

Behaviour required:

• calm, controlled

• well-dressed

• purposeful

• Force level: high

🏘️ Kensington & Chelsea

• Access: semi-restricted

• Out-of-place individuals:

  • observed

  • questioned if necessary

• Can pass briefly if not disruptive

• Force level: moderate-high

🏢 City of London

• Access: open but conditional

• Judged on:

  • purpose

  • behaviour

• Lower-class presence:

  • tolerated short-term

  • removed if disruptive

• Force level: moderate

🎭 Soho

• Access: open

• All classes present

• Judgement exists but rarely enforced

• Force level: low

🏭 Southwark / Bankside / East Southwark

• Access: open

• Mixed population

• No enforcement based on class alone

• Force level: low

⚓ Docks (North & South)

• Access: open but rough

• Outsiders judged on strength and behaviour

• No formal enforcement

• Force level: informal / environmental

🏚️ East End / South London

• Access: open

• Outsiders:

  • watched

  • tested socially

• No formal restriction

• Force level: low

☠️ Slums

• Access: open but dangerous

• Outsiders:

  • immediately identified

  • at risk

• No formal control

• Force level: environmental

Response Escalation (What Happens When You Don’t Belong)

Stage 1 — Observation

• Noticed immediately

• People watch, whisper

Stage 2 — Suspicion

• Followed or monitored

• Staff / locals alerted

Stage 3 — Approach

• Questioned directly

• Asked purpose

Stage 4 — Removal

• Escorted out

• Forced to leave

Stage 5 — Force

• Physical removal

• Detainment if necessary

What Triggers Suspicion

• Incorrect clothing

• Poor grooming

• Wrong accent or speech

• Hesitation / lack of confidence

• Being alone in the wrong area

• Moving without purpose

What Allows Access

• Confidence

• Clean, appropriate clothing

• Clear purpose

• Being accompanied by someone who belongs

• Acting like you should be there

Class Movement Rules

• Elite → can go anywhere (rarely choose to)

• Middle → can move most places with care

• Working → limited upward movement

• Slums → effectively restricted to lower districts

Race / Origin Impact

• English → baseline access

• Irish → more scrutiny in upper areas

• European → tolerated in City / Soho

• Indian / African / Caribbean → higher scrutiny, especially in elite districts

Key Insight

• Movement is not about distance

• It is about believability

DM Rule

• If a character looks like they don’t belong:

  • they have minutes before attention

  • longer = escalation