Slavery In The Elven Empire

**Slavery In The Elven Empire**

Whilst slavery has been the common fate of any person captured by the Orcs and Trolls of the Northern Kingdoms, and has occasionally been reported in the Lizardmen cities it has not been a common practice.

The recent Elven invasion saw mass enslavement of human populations, and genocide of most of the non-humans within the newly formed Elven Empire. What has driven this behaviour is not really known, but it would seem to be championed by religious zealots within the Hahsandra church supported by large elements of the military. Whilst the policy appears universal and mandatory, its’ implementation and interpretation varies across the conquered territories.

Governor Oranzor has recently passed a law stating that within the Empire slaves:

* Have the right to follow their own religious beliefs provided that religion does not conflict with the Empire or those beliefs prevent the slave from carrying out their duties
* Have the right to retain gifts, which must be registered and stored (in the case of valuables) at a church of Hahsandra to be recognised as their property
* Have the right to buy their own freedom, at a price of not less that 50gp, although the price may be higher as the slave owner decides. Of this money, 50% is tithed to the Hahsandra church
* Have the right to apply for ‘Freedom By The Sword’, effectively signing up for 2 years military service (in what sound like suicide regiments) in the service of the Empire

Generally the Elves themselves simply treat slaves as property, with a certain amount of indifference to their suffering. Dark Elves however, long seen as the underclass within Elven society seem to take great pleasure in having the opportunity to take out their frustrations.

**Grainger & Willston**

In these cities only elements of the population have been enslaved, and the slaughtering of non-human populations limited to those who resist the Elven Empire. However in both of these cities, the enslaved individuals are seen purely as property, with no personal rights or even identifiable routes to freedom. All slaves are used purely for manual and unskilled labour. These cities have not implemented Oranzors reform as yet.

**Riverside & Dalzon**

Here the policy was carried out with enthusiasm, both cities now have had all humans enslaved and local non-human populations eliminated or driven away. Slaves are again seen as property and with no route to freedom, these cities have not implemented Oranzors reforms.

Note: There are rumours that Eliezure in Dalzon is now weakening in his stance, trading organisations are being allowed to establish offices and he has recently passed a law allowing slaves to worship their own gods in line with Oranzors laws. Also, those slaves with a recongnisable skill or trade can be employed as such within the state or noble households.

**Stormhaven & the rest**

Whilst the vast majority of the human populations have been enslaved, some – particularly those that are willing to ‘cooperate’ with the Empire have been allowed their freedom but are still regarded as second class citizens. Within these cities, non-human populations still exist as well, although again have suffered badly.

Oranzors reforms have all been implemented across these cities.

**Sarantaplo**

Sarantaplo, for whatever reason, opted to join the Empire. It has retained its own local laws and customs and the Empire has made no move to impose any of its policies upon the populace. Indeed at the moment many merchant houses and organisations are using Sarantaplo as the route into setting up operations within the Empire.