The Astedian Cyclopedia - Volume IV: Imperial Citizenship Defined

The Astedian Cyclopedia - Volume VII: Imperial Citizenship Defined is a book within the Library of the Poet in Rydoon.

## Description

One of many in a collection detailing the sweeping changes enacted by means of decree, edict and law following the Astedian Ascension, Volume IV details the legal, social and religious influences on the definition of citizenship beneath Imperial rule.

## Reading

### Completed by Dovruk

*With the sudden expanse of the Astedian Empire over the near entirety of the Ahlusian Realms in but a few decades, the lands of Astedia, and the population contained within had increased by orders of magnitude greater than all but a few surely could have anticipated, and so matters of governance lingered at the forefront of the early restructuring efforts. As mentioned in the second volume of this ever growing series, the occurrence of capitulation following martial, consular or elsewise means was swiftly followed in nearly all instances with the installation of an Ethnarch, a figure placed above any existing hierarchy of a Realm, or in cases were deposition or likewise had occurred, direct replacement of this role. Beneath them, the Realm was oft allowed to function much as it had previously, maintaining historical decrees, edicts and laws.*

*But nonetheless, this presented further questions - and with them challenges. Cultural variations, some deeply entrenched with centuries of precedent, others more recent additions placed the laws of many Realms, now supposedly unified beneath a singular flag at odds with each other, more so than ever before. While official borders between historical Realms no longer functionally existed, individuals on either side of the traditional boundaries would still maintain old teachings and beliefs in response to life, death, virtues and misdeeds. Each Realm maintained a unique identity, and so with great haste drafts were prepared for a consolidated and unified Imperial identity - and at the core of this a need for definition of citizenship.*

*By necessity, Astedian lawmakers advising at the Council of the Moon provided a range of historical definitions from across the Realms, as well as offering up other documentations of cultural, religious or legal significance. After celeritous discussion, it was said that the Emperor and the Increscent Six acknowledged the value of the Ahlusian Pantheon in the process, for the majority of the Realms already held the Sixteen centrepiece in all aspects of life, and as such had used their teachings to dictate matters accordingly. Seizing a common thread already woven, a theological and scriptural solution, and as such based the Imperial Identity upon the writings of the High Priest Ynlileim, whose acolytes were said to have constructed Candle Keep in the Duchy of Rudestein at the behest of the pious Hartsmond family. With musings of the nature of the blessings provided to the Principal Races by the Dawn Matron during Aita's Second Gift, it was decreed that all that had received the imprimatur of being of blood of those created by the Shapetress Aita could apply for Imperial Citizenship, seen as a sweeping invite to all, and likewise an effort to perform an official census of the newfound population of the Empire. This clause was heralded as an open opportunity by most and a positive affirmation of the magnanimity to those that had once fought against the Astedian advance and soon seneschals with the six moons emblazoned upon their charcoal-grey jackets would be scattered across the Realms to aid in the widespread registration efforts for hundreds of thousands of individuals. Religious, ministerial and bureaucratic individuals across Ahlus declared the process a simple but tactful masterstroke, assuring their local populaces as surely a sign of the Imperial efficiency to come, and praising a focus on what unified populations, rather than trying to cast aside what divided them historically.*

*But just as quickly as most up took the benefits afforded in registration of citizenship through the implementation of the Shapetress's Clause, others found themselves unable to do so. Across the Realms, other small populations were excluded and isolated overnight, seemingly only so by nature of fortune of birth. While many had grown accustomed to residing on outskirts or insular communities, a few amongst them struggled to find the opportunities presented to their peers amongst the Principal Races, declined steady employment with Imperial labour guilds, or considered second-so for contracts of trade or service. Goblinoids and orcs, as well as their half-blood ilk, were subjected to a slow decay in rights, declined advantages offered to others and unable to obtain the newly-implemented licenses necessary for all manners of everyday life. Critics of the Shapetress's Clause were quickly quelled by growing public sentiment however, particularly so following a series of protests by those excluded descended into violence, with local leaders quick to point to such matters as truth of the necessity of their preclusion for sake of civilised society. Nonetheless, in spite of the refusal of acknowledgement as official citizens, many of those excluded by the wording of the Clause still maintained lives in civilisation, albeit privately in lesser visited quarters, working for those with either sympathy to their plight, or apathy to Imperial regulations.*