When men stray from their ideals, when they stray from what they call order, they bring into existence a state of chaos. Chaos is the undoer of power. Power, is the maker of names. When men stray from order, and ideals, they become nobody. That is the prime reason, why we of Tariana must embrace Order. Order brings Power. Rahkzan is the law of Tariana, and his law is Order. Behold the tome of his laws. Treasure this tome. Cherish it with your life. For if you hold this tome in contempt, you hold your very existence in contempt.
Long Live Rahkzan!
I.) Land
I.) To own land in Tariana, one must swear fealty to Lord Rahkzan. In return, you will receive assistance from His Lordship should you be attacked, or threatened by another. If the dispute is between two landowners who are sworn to Rahkzan, then His Lordship will summon both landowners to Adokon Ravenspire, to personally present their case to His Lordship. Lord Rahkzan will summarily decide, based on merit, who will own the contested land. Should he not be able to reach a decision based on merits, he will arrange a duel between the two landowners, with the victor gaining the defeated's land. If the defeated refuses to honor His Lordship's decision, he/she will either be exiled, or executed for treason to the crown.
II.) Those who claim land in Tariana, but refuse to swear fealty to Lord Rahkzan, will be labelled and enemy of His Lordship, and his/her holdings will be destroyed. If the bandit is caught, he/she will be executed or assassinated for crimes against the crown.
III.) Land will be taxed for the betterment of Tariana as a whole.
IV.) Those who own land along the northern frontiers, will be charged with keeping a well-maintained army, for defense of the borders. If the landowner cannot maintain an army, a garrison of Lord Rahkzan's personal army will be stationed on the land. The landowner will be responsible for feeding those troops, and housing them. If the landowner cannot support the troops, their rights to the land will be removed. Landowners along the borders will be charged a lesser tax, to further assist them in utilizing their resources elsewhere.
V.) Landowners with access to water, in the example of rivers, lakes, glaciers, etc., will be responsible for supplying water to those in need of it, whose lands are not adjacent a source of fresh water. Landowners supplying water will pay a lesser tax. In return, Landowners with access to mines, must supply ore to those in the flatlands. Again, a lesser tax will be levied on these landowners.
VI.) In times of war, those who conquer more land in the name of Lord Rahkzan, will be granted ownership of the land they conquered.
VII.) Never will a landowners holdings exceed that of Lord Rahkzan himself. His Lordship will perceive that as an act of rebellion, and will punish the landowner for his crazed ambition.
II.) Roads
I.) A network of roads will be built in the empire, to aid in the delivery of goods from landowner to landowner.
II.) Three different types of roads will bring Tariana together. The first type would be the causeways. These roads radiate out from Adokon Ravenspire to every Imperial province. Secondly, are the provincial roads. These link the provincial capitals to the causeways. Tertiary, are the local roads. A grand goal of the Empire, is to link all landowners to the system.
III.) Landowners who contribute to the upkeep of the roads, will be granted a tax priviledge.
III.) Taxation
I.) Taxes are necessary to provide for the upkeep of the Tarian Empire. Every citizen of Tariana must pay. Those who do not pay, will be exiled, or executed, depending on the reason.
II.) Taxes will be used for the upkeep of defenses, the payment of labor, and the payment of the military.
III.) The rate of tax will be decided according to the current conditions of the Empire. Those with tax benefits will pay only 60% of the current tax rate.
IV.) Landowners belonging to a clan will not have to pay taxes to His Lordship. That will be taken care of through the tax levied on clans in general.
V.) If the Empire is in need of practitioners of a certain profession (ie: a shortage of tailors, blacksmiths, etc.) then tax breaks will be given to those willing to learn that profession, and practice it in the cities of the Empire.
IV.) Internal Disputes
I.) Should two clans decide to war against each other,
it must be done on a set battlefield. His Lordship will
not tolerate a clan dispute ravaging the countryside. Clan
wars will be fought on a selected piece of land within the
Empire. Clan wars can only be fought over resources, land,
or peasants. Personal disputes must be resolved through
duels to the death, or through more civilized methods.
II.) The clan who wins the battle will lay claim to the
spoils, with support from His Lordship. The losing clan
will be relocated to another section of land, where they
will rebuild.
III.) No clans will hold a grudge against another clan.
If the clans repeatedly war against one another, they will
be disbanded by the Imperial Army, and their leaders executed
for crimes against the Empire. If one clan pleads to His
Lordship to end the grudge, the offending clan will be held
solely responsible for the grudge.
IV.) Clans who are found to be acting against the greater
Empire with the assistance of an enemy of the Empire, will
be exterminated to the last man. This will not be tolerated
in the Tarian Empire.
V.) Unity in time of War
I.) As citizens of Tariana, landowners are expected to set aside differences when the welfare of the Empire as a whole is at stake, and contribute to the combined defense of the Empire.
VI.) Table of Wolves
I.) There will be eleven "wolves" assigned to the Table of
Wolves. The responsibility of the Table, is to advise Rahkzan
on policy, and to also act as the judging body in a clan dispute
brought to Adokon.
II.) The members of the Table of Wolves will be comprised
of the Lord Champion of the Crimson Legion, the Imperial Judicator
of Hinn Vrolhamar, the Viceroy of the Empire, and the Eight
Lords of the Empire.
III.) The benefits of being a member of the Table of Wolves
are many. You will be tax exempt. Taxes will only be levied
upon you if the treasury is in need of emergency funding.
Another benefit will be the ability to directly advise Rahkzan
on matters. Defense of your land will be provided by Hinn
Vrolhamar, as well as a garrison of the Crimson Legion.
VII.) Favor with Rahkzan
I.) To serve His Lordship without question, will bring you favor in his eyes. When new weapons are forged in Adokon, you will be among the first to "test" them. You will also be granted extra land, if you so choose.
II.) To gain favor, one must win victories for Tariana. One must do so without disobeying His Lordship, and disgracing the Tarian culture.
VIII.) Conclusion
This concludes the Pax Dicterum. His Lordship Rahkzan reserves the ability and self-given right to amend this charter should he see fit. Any concerns about this document should be addressed to your immediate superior, not to Rahkzan. They in turn will contact Rahkzan with any concerns.
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