Slavery

The act of keeping Humans and humanoids as property and utilizing them for labor or other needs.

Abstract

Slavery within the Aelyrian Empire is a legal practice in which an owner may deem another individual as their property. The only legal law surrounding slavery is that the individual in question be Barbari, or a non-citizen of the empire.

Commonality

Slavery is found throughout the empire although it is most commonly found in the largest cities, where ports and trade markets provide the heaviest saturation not only of slavers and their wares but also of those seeking to purchase them. Some of the biggest cities known for their slave trades are Vortex, Aelyria Prime and Ziel Aerca, although any large port city is bound to have a slave market. While slavers are a common sight in Arium province and around the Arakmat Desert lands, they may also be found in various Provinces throughout the empire, rooting out Barbari and overturning the occasional village (see unethical slavery below).


Because slaves are non-citizens of the empire the general attitude towards slavery is apathy--they are Barbari and do not deserve the same rights or comforts as those who hold Citizenship in Aelyria. There are no laws that govern the treatment of slaves. As such, treatment ranges from wonderful masters who take excellent care of their property to those who keep slaves in terrible and unhealthy conditions. Since the slaves are not considered citizens to be protected by the law, the courts do not regulate their living conditions.

Merchants and landowners are frequently found to own slaves, designating them to menial or hard labor tasks. While slavery is often thought of to be the pastime of the rich, some middle class tradesmen, merchants and politicians have been known to own at least one slave. Quite often, the ownership of another individual is viewed as a mark of wealth, given that slavery requires caring for the health of their property.

The Slaves

As stated, slaves are barbarians, non-citizens of the empire that have no legal rights. They are often captured from tribes found throughout the empire that do not consider themselves governed by Imperial rule. To help bolster stock, some slavers will come in off the seas after having captured individuals from nations distant from Aelyria, such as from Trelore or Kattaria. As well, small villages may also be at risk of being raided by slavers as the bestowment of Citizenship often requires the presence of an aedile to provide the necessary Imperial Visa paperwork. It is up to any citizen to provide proof of Citizenship by having this document on their person at all times. Without it, being mistaken for a barbarian is a high risk out in the wilds of the empire.

Unethical Slavery

To meet demand, some slavers may become unethical in their practices, preying upon citizens of the empire. If this method of slavery is found to be practiced, anyone knowingly assisting in it may be arrested and tried for the crime of enslaving a citizen of the empire. This may include the slave merchant himself, his employees and, if the citizen has been purchased, the owner of the slave. Punishment for this crime varies depending on the court hearing the case but have ranged from a lengthy imprisonment, to death and even to the stripping of citizenship for enslavement.

Slavers' Marks and Slave Papers

Nearly all slavers are known to have their own branding marks that they place upon the flesh of their merchandise. These are typically small but easily accessed, placed on such areas of the body as the wrist, ankle, pectoral or even ear lobe. Rarely do slavers mark faces, given that a pretty face is often a selling point. These marks are enough to identify that the individual is a slave and, if found away from their master or the slaver, might be a runaway.

Once a slave is sold, either in a private sale or at auction, the slaver signs the slave over to the owner, producing ownership papers. These papers are kept by the owner who may present them at any time to show proof of ownership of the slave. Quite often they state the background, people, name and any identifying marks of the slave, although papers have been known to vary from one trader to another.

Runaway Slaves

When slaves runaway, a general notice goes up for bounty hunters and any like-minded individuals to pursue the individual. Identifying marks and appearance are passed around to better identify and entrap the fleeing slave. Should the fleeing slave be recaptured, if it is owned only by a slaver merchant the slave is typically marked for its defiance. Punishments vary throughout the empire, with the lightest being a whipping and moderate punishment being the lose of a limb (quite often a hand). The heaviest punishment of all is death, sometimes a worthwhile decision to the slaver since the price of the slave is often reduced for a troublesome purchase. If the slave has been sold, it is up to the owner to determine the appropriate punishment, which can be just as varied. It is rare for owners to maim or kill their slaves, given the investment placed upon them, but it has not been unheard of either.

Granting Freedom

If a slave is granted freedom by their master, a second set of papers is drawn up and signed by the owner of the slave. The brand incurred at the time of slavery is 'canceled out' by a second crossing brand. However, because anyone can cancel out a brand with a hot poker, the papers are what truly matters when demonstrating freedom to anyone who might spot the brand and leap to the assumption that the individual is a runaway. Without those papers, the slave may be rounded up again. Ideally, the old master is found but many slavers simply take the opportunity to add to their own stock, leaving the potential for uncovering the mistake very low.

It should be noted that while a slave may be granted freedom this does not mean that they automatically are issued citizenship. To truly be free of any potential future enslavement, the freed slave must also have and Imperial Visa. Even with the freedom papers, a barbarian may become a slave once again.

The Church and Slavery

The Church of Faith, the official church of the empire, does not oppose the practice of slavery and those high within the hierarchy have been well-known to possess their own collection of slaves to take care of hard labor or chores within their own households. The Church does actively condemn those who would enslave citizens of the empire but seldom involves itself in conflicts where slavery is concerned.

Vysstichi and Slavery

The Religion of the Vysstichi, heavily focused upon Haya, almost requires that slavery be practiced or upheld among its people. Many times slaves are used in religious offerings or rites, rather than the Vysstichi themselves. Nearly all households of the Vysstichi own slaves but because Vysstichi households are typically underground they are not a part of the Aelyrian Empire, meaning that their art of slavery is not bound by the same constrictions as those practiced by the empire. Vysstichi slavers do not quibble over citizen or non-citizen but rather grab surface-dwellers without prejudice.

Debtor's Bondage

Debtor's bondage is not to be confused with the enslavement of an empirical citizen. Debtor's bondage occurs when someone who has borrowed money or goods has been found in breach of a repayment agreement. The matter is taken to the local Imperial court where a trial occurs to determine the length and manner of the bondage so that the debtor may pay off the loan.

It must be noted that those in bonded laborers are not slaves and may not be treated as such. The debtor must be given proper food and housing and treated in accordance to Imperial law or charges might be faced at the courts. Debtors have every right to bring matters of poor handling to the courts. This does not mean that debtors may walk free from their bondage at any point in time. Those who have fled from bondage are often hauled back with service extended for the time, coin and effort spent chasing after them.

Bonded labor may last anywhere from a few days to many years, depending on the debt owed.

Credit

Nimh