Supreme Court Rules Free Speech Doesn’t Include Verbal Components
“But at the end of the day, the three pig entrails we checked and half of the tarot decks favored the decision we went with.”
The Free Country of Oftoll’s Supreme Court ruled today that verbal spell components are not protected under the free speech protections of the nation’s Rights of the People. The decision came with a vote of 5 to 4. The case at hand, Grzyt v. The Province of Pearttol, was brought before the country’s senior court after an ordinance making spell casting in incorporated cities illegal was upheld and appealed. Chief magistrate, Yerpod Gavelwood told The Dungeon Tribune that the decision was a difficult one to rule on. “You know that whatever we decide, will have a large effect on spellcasters going forward,” says Gavelwood. “But at the end of the day, the three pig entrails we checked and half of the tarot decks favored the decision we went with.”
The dissenting opinion was given by the longest serving magistrate, Villheim Tortright. “Issues of free speech are some of the most serious, and such rulings can threaten one of our nation’s greatest freedoms. It shouldn’t be left to barbaric soothsaying,” says Tortright. “We should have sacrificed a goat. That would have been more scientific.”
The decision means that provinces and cities within Oftoll can continue to pass legislation against spell casting. “It’s a big step toward a safer and less violent society. We need sensible laws against reckless spellcasting, or we risk falling into chaos,” says melee fighter with no spellcasting capabilities, Sver Tsolt, as she sharpens her great sword. “Also, it’s pretty overpowered when you crunch the numbers.”
Proponents of spellcasting, including The Library of Fulte, a political action committee formed by the National Magic Association, are dismayed, but optimistic going forward. “This is of course a step in the wrong direction, and our freedoms are limited because of it,” says spokesperson for The Library, Eas Darkhand. “But it’s motivated many of us to band together, and research the forbidden magics. Soon Oftoll will be ours, and we will be free to scry on whomever we want.”
Those against the ruling are also hoping that other constitutional issues will be brought up in future test cases, as this case only addressed issues of free speech. A promising example is the Church of Selvor, who will contest the ordinances on the grounds that the ban also includes divine spells, which are protected by freedom of religion.
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