One Law; Five Freedoms

One Law, Five Freedoms
----------------------

Introduction
------------

Being the City of Freedom, Gaudiguch upholds the values of Liberty, Truth and Justice above all else. While outsiders might consider the citizenry as wayward hedonists with a rather questionable set of morals, some citizens might agree with these outsiders and consider it a compliment.

Although the citizens are free to pursue their freedoms and follow their hearts, the city has put together the One Law as a general guideline to ensure that none are trampling upon the freedoms and rights of fellow citizens while exercising their own. Although the One Law appears simple at first glance - plainly stated as "Love is the Law; Love under Will." - analyzing the deeper meanings behind it and applying them in real situations is anything but. While the Law is vague enough that it has historically caused numerous disagreements in scope and interpretation, it has been generally accepted that the Elected Leaders of the Free City hold the power to interpret it.

All citizens of Gaudiguch have been granted five Freedoms that they enjoy under the elected leadership. These Freedoms are stated as being the Freedom of Will, the Freedom of Being, the Freedom of Choice, the Freedom of Love, and the Freedom of Expression. I will now proceed to expound upon each Freedom and what it entails.

Disclaimer: This is my personal interpretation of the One Law. If you do not agree with some of these interpretations, feel free to write and publish your own analysis.

- The Freedom of Will

The Freedom of Will is defined as the right to be respected as a Child of Freedom, as long as it does not inhibit the Will of another, or pose danger to the City herself. In order to understand the Freedom of Will, it is imperative to know what Will signifies. "Will" can be quite a tricky word to define: it can be described as your desire to live your life as you wish, but it can also refer to the inner strength to push forward when things seem hopeless and bleak. The Freedom of Will is designed to protect citizens from undue removal of civil liberties, and it is intrinsically linked with the Freedoms of Choice, Love, Desire, and Expression wherein it gives you the right to have your own Will: to make your own choices, to love who we please, to follow your ambitions, and to express your true self.

-The Freedom of Being

Every citizen of the Free City is granted the Freedom to choose who they are, and grow into who they may become. The City of Gaudiguch does not consider any race to be superior or inferior to another, even though individual citizens might have their own preconceptions or biases. Unlike most of the other cities and all of the communes of the Basin, Gaudiguch does not place a bar on citizenship based on race. The Freedom of Being is inherently tied to the Freedoms of Choice and Expression - you can choose to take the form of any race, and you are free to express your true self through your appearance.

-Freedom of Choice

The city grants its populace the Freedom to choose how they desire to live, so long as the path they choose to follow does not negatively affect Gaudiguch's growth, advancement, and public image. Under the Freedom of Choice, citizens are given the right to join any guild or follow any Divine as they wish, while accepting that any choice they make can have its own set of consequences. This Freedom is significant in that it is inherently linked with all of the other Freedoms: under the Freedom of Choice, you are free to not partake in activities that interfere with your Will, choose your physical form, love someone of your own choice, chase your goals, and express yourself the way you choose.

-Freedom of Love

The Freedom of Love bestows the right to love who you wish, so long as they and their actions do not inhibit the Will of the city as a whole. Under this Freedom, citizens are free to court, marry and start families outside of the city, so long as it is not with an enemy of Gaudiguch - it is, by structure, linked to the Freedoms of Will, Choice, and Desire. It grants the Freedom to love as you Will, choose who to get involved with, and pursue your heart's Desire.

-Freedom of Desire

Living in the Free City grants you the Freedom to create, pursue, and obtain whatever it is that you might desire, although it must be kept in mind that the Freedom of Desire does not grant you the right to unlawfully take what belongs to another citizen, be it a physical item or a design idea. This Freedom is, at its root, linked to the Freedoms of Will, Choice, and Love - you are allowed to have your own aspirations, reach these aspirations through any means, and pursue whatever or whoever you love.

-Freedom of Expression

As a member of Gaudiguch, each citizen possesses the right to express themselves artistically, physically, and emotionally - as long as it does not disrespect the City as a whole. Living together in a diverse city of myriad voices, thoughts and desires, it is common to run into disagreements while you are exercising this Freedom in particular. However, it is advised that your actions do not lead to another feeling harassed or belittled. While exercising the Freedom of Expression, you are also acknowledging that you are, by every action you take, representing your guild and your city. This Freedom is fundamentally linked to the Freedoms of Will, Being, and Choice: it grants the freedom to express your Will and your Being in any way you might choose.