Tales of Lassane
Slavery in Lassane

(Adapted from the Aracadyn website)

Slavery is a fact of life in many medieval cultures, and Lassane's kingdoms are no exception. The four types of slaves are:

• Slaves by Law: Lawbreakers convicted of murder, treason or ruinous destruction of another's property become slaves of the Crown (if not sentenced to death). These slaves are typically subjected to life-shortening hard labor.
• Slaves by Capture: These people were captured in distant lands and sold as slaves.
• Slaves by Choice: Desperate people may sell themselves into slavery as a way to raise money to pay a debt or fine (often on a loved one's behalf), or when they can no longer support their children.
• Slaves by Birth: The child of a female slave is the property of that slave's owner.

Slavery is for life, though all but the first type may be freed by friendly owners.

Slave markets primarily sell slaves by capture or by birth, with a few slaves by choice. All slaves by law are owned by the Crown, and can never be bought, sold, or privately owned. A slave's market value is typically equal to what he could earn in five years as a freeman, using his best skill. This value will be modified by physical disabilities, attractiveness, and other factors.

Slave characters have the Social Stigma: Valuable Property (-10 points) and are Social Status -4 (-20 points). See p. B193 to determine the loyalty of an NPC slave.

In general, the attitudes/laws/customs regarding slavery are as follows, by kingdom or region:

In Theodrin and Tunes, slavery is legal, and slaves are considered "valuable property." All slaves are either by law, capture, choice, or birth. The majority of slaves are Kurg captured from the Forbidden Islands, Shev captured during the Crimson Thaw, or the descendants of the two races. Because they are considered property, it is up to the owner to see that (if ever) the slaves are treated well. Runaways are usually made slaves by law or put to death, depending on the owner.

Walere's policy in slaves is much more strict. Slaves are either by capture or birth, and the death penalty is usually used in place of slavery by law. Slaves are also treated better than in Tunes and Theodrin, and are protected by laws that insure their well-being. Slave-owners must have papers detailing the circumstances of the enslavement. Freed slaves are required to carry papers denoting their freed status.

Among the northern kingdoms, the Church of the Light strongly discourages slavery, so Gimas, Hewnon, and Pannet have all made the practice illegal. However, those laws are broken in parts of Gimas, especially along the Red Coast. Slave traders capture Shev, and send them to Theodrin via ships.

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