The Celephais Campaign:
Slavery
Slavery is a touch issues with any RPG. Throughout history, slavery has been
an institution. Only in the last two centuries has a worldwide condemnation
of
slavery happened.
Even
today
with
worldwide condemnation slavery exists.
Anyone can become a slave, and something as trivial as bad luck can be your
ticket to slavery. Typical slaves are:
- People from barbarian tribes that were captured by rival barbarians and
sold
- The children of a slaves
- A prisoner of war too poor or insignificant to be ransomed
- Criminals
- People who accumulate too many debts
- People exchanging their labor for bare sustenance
- Hostages taken to ensure correct behavior of a rival nation
Types of Slaves
Slavery is not a cut and dry issue. There are many variations. Slaves are
typically owned by the upper classes who consider the total obligation of a
slave to his master a proven guarantee of loyalty and good behavior. The three
most
practiced by the Arcadian League and its neighbors are:
- Chattel Slavery
- The slave is owned outright, and has little rights beyond basic food, shelter,
and clothing. All labor is for their owner. The slave can be bought and sold
at their owners whim. Chattel slaves are never citizens nor can they own
property.
- Serfdom
- Here, the slave is bound to the land and must work it for the owner of
that land. They cannot leave the land without permission of the land owner
and owe
the land owner a portion of their produce. However, serfs can own property.
- Bonded Servants
- Unlike a chattel slave, a bonded servant is a slave only for a set duration.
In the League, there is oversight to make sure that bonded servants are not
mistreated.
Regional Variation
While slavery is endemic, there is much variation in the treatment of slaves.
- Arcadian League
- Should a slave suffer bad treatment at the hands of his master, he had
the right to seek sanctuary at certain sacred places - typically temples
of Hera.
There, a slave could legally claim the right
to be sold to another master. A decision of the court is required for a slave
to be put to death. There are also special laws governing the rights and
treatment of slaves besides that of sanctuary. There are laws which forbid
mistreatment. There is also a law
which granted slaves the right to own property. The murder of a slave carried
the same punishment as the murder of a freeborn citizen. The beating or ill-treatment
of a slave is punishable
by law. Slaves will appear as ordinary members of a household but will wear
an amulet identifying their owner.
- Hazuth-Kleg
- Similar to the League, but slaves are not allowed to own any property
and are rarely manumitted.
- Gak
- (Ken will detail Gak)
- Sea of Grass
- (Ken will detail this)
- Dylath-Leen
- In Dylath-Leen a slave is chattel and can be treated as his owner sees
fit. Surgical alteration, tattoos, and charms are all employed. Dylath-Leen
is famous for the quantity and quality of its slaves. The shear amount of
slaves used in the cane fields and for industry have fostered a type of siege
mentality on the part of the middle and upper classes. This condition results
in reprisals on slaves and extravagant methods to control them.
- Hyperborean Realms
- Slaves are known more as thralls. They are part of a the extended family
structure used in Hyperborea, but are also made to wear an iron collar with
the mark
of their master.
- Mhor
- Slavery is bound up in the Mhorian culture of obligation. A slave is merely
the lowest plebeian of the extended clan and tribe. They may earn their way
to better status and position, and other may be reduced to service status
for failure or dishonor. The employment of foreign slaves is limited to mine
work
or other activities outside the family and clan.
Prices
Slaves are traditionally sold at auctions in the largest cities. The price
of a young male human with a Strength of 13 and consitution of 11 would be
30 gold pieces.