L'Morai

L'Morai
Culture Level	Renaissance (9)
Ecology	Full
Climate & Terrain	Temperate Plains, Forest
Year Formed
Population
Races (%)
Languages
Religions
Government
Ruler(s)	Council of l'Morai
Darklord(s)	The Puppetmaster
Nationality
Analog
Related Categories
Locations in L'Morai
Transportation in L'Morai
Inhabitants of L'Morai
Former Inhabitants of L'Morai
Flora of L'Morai
Fauna of L'Morai
Native Monsters of L'Morai

Depicted in the Ravenloft product line novel Carnival of Fear, the land of L'Morai was the original home of Hermos and the rest of the circus performers that eventually went on to form Carnival (Society). It is a land stained by the abusive relationship of the City of l'Morai and a community of freaks and circus performers known as Carnival l'Morai.

Geography

The currently abandoned Carnival l'Morai was located on an unnamed stretch of heathland simply referred to as the black heath in Carnival of Fear. (It is a crime punishable by death for carnival workers to trespass over into the heath. Beyond the heath, the City of l'Morai is nestled inside the relatively greener Valley l'Morai. The Vinrouge River runs through the City of l'Morai. An unnamed forest contains the hidden graves of hundreds of dead carnival performers.

Authority

Law Enforcement

The Gendarmerie of l'Morai is the primary law enforcement agency within L'Morai, though they are primarily responsible for ensuring law and defending the rights of the citizens in the City of l'Morai. The Puppetmaster oversaw most matters of law enforcement and justice involving only the inhabitants of Carnival l'Morai.

Government

The Council of l'Morai oversees matters of state and justice within the city of l'Morai. Although the Puppetmaster was a member of the Council, he ruled Carnival l'Morai as his kingdom.

Law

The Statutes of l'Morai are the law of the land for the people of l'Morai. Although the Statutes in theory provided stability and order for l'Morai, the Statutes are so restrictive that relatively minor transgressions (such as disobedience to one's [sometimes abusive] parents) could be considered serious crimes and thus earn the mandatory punishment of the living death: transformation into a carnival freak, the stripping of the transgressor's personal identity and memories, and exile to Carnival l'Morai.

Matters of justice within the City (and in matters where carnival folk interact with city folk) are decided by the collective vote of the city's citizens, whom are called by the Chimes of l'Morai whenever a trial is to occur. Although this may seem to add an element of populist democracy to l'Morai, the collective will of the people is decided more based upon emotional whim and groupthink than evidence or any true standard of justice. Citizens can serve as character witnesses and bring up charges spontaneously as they deem. Even the Council of l'Morai bows to the people's whimsy. In effect, this setup creates a rule of formalized mob rule/ochlocracy. Moreover, there is a strict delineation of rights between "citizens" (as in, residents of the city) and "freaks" (as in, residents of Carnival l'Morai.) Freaks are not recognized as people in the same way citizens are. Moreover, the Grand Charter of l'Morai forbids freaks from formally accusing citizens on their own. (Of course, Marie the Blind Juggler and Morcastle the Magician showed through bringing Dominick the Butcher to court the Charter may not stop freaks from bringing citizens to trial and working up popular sentiment against them.) The reason for the deprivation of freak rights is a dark one, for the very existence of Carnival l'Morai is a conspiracy of exploitation against the Carnival's people.