Slavery in Stribrna Joraje

Part of Culture of Juhnvechteya

Stribrna Joraje has a long history of slavery, which has existed in the region long before Jarotajep the Ploughman first ascended to the throne of the First Kingdom. It has become increasingly uncommon in the Duchy, reaching its peak during the First Anarchy, and slowly declining throughout the Second and Third Dynasties, due primarily to the rise of Manorialism and the influence of the Farars. It is present in Joraje today, though it has largely replaced with serfdom among the lords. Only between half and one percent of the population of Joraje are enslaved.

There are a few ways that one may be enslaved in Joraje. A person may become slave under the following circumstances:

* Being captured in war (soldier or enemy civilians captured may be enslaved by the victorious soldiers as war booty)
* Being sentenced to slavery as punishment for a crime (crimes such as murder, rape, and ironically suicide are punishable by enslavement)
* Being born to a slave mother (regardless of the father’s station, any child born to an enslaved woman will be a slave themselves)

Other laws also regulate who may hold or be held as a slave, and the trade itself. These include but are not limited to:

* Werran slaves may not be sold to non-Werran masters
* Knights may not be enslaved
* Werran slaves may not be sold to pagan lands

## The Slave Trade

Throughout much of the recent trade, demand from Atukhen and the Erigi dominated the trade. Thus, Joran traders, who made up a sizable percent of slavers in Juhnvechteya, sought to fill these lucrative markets. Thus, tens of thousands of slaves went south from Werran lands, primarily from Syhtia and Kautenlland, though despite many Bishopal ordinances, particularly those of Bishop Supreme Karl VI, many thousands of Werran slaves went to the ever hungry markets of Atukhen.

It was not merely one way, however, there was also a significant number of slaves, particularly Zegets, Erigi, and Atuhken themselves, found themselves for sale in Joran markets.

### Urban Markets

Indeed, such markets were large. The city of Harda is the largest city in Stribrna Joraje, and is the largest slave market in the country. Between 591 and 600, over 10,000 slaves passed through the market. In Joraje, as is commonplace, female slaves are more valuable than males. A female slave on average is valued at over 5 times the amount a male slave is. Gelded slaves are also considered more valuable to Jorans, and the city of Harda has over a dozen gelding houses.

Harda was far from the only slaving hub in Joraje, with other towns, such as Buorna also selling slaves from as far afield as Khu and Astherya, and selling them to lands just as distant.

### Outside Traders

Other groups have a stake in the Joran slave trade, as Vechtese and Cinelli merchants are involved. Vechtese merchants are a major force in the Joran slave trade, with traders from Brankonya and Tanderland traveling to Joraje to buy or sell slaves in Joraje. In the city of Harda, a hub of the trade, there are two Cinelli traders, out of a total of eleven slavers. Traders from Cinelli tend to focus on selling slaves north, toward their homeland, and thence onward to Fingerland and other regions. Even Zeget traders are found wandering the lands of Joraje, though they both sell slaves from the south, as well as enslave Jorans to take there.

### Sources of Slaves

The most common source of slaves in Stribrna Joraje is military conquests. It is common for soldiers to take captives as booty, be they enemy soldiers after battles or non-combatants such as women or children after a siege. These unfortunates are then sold to slavers, who process them into the trade.

Another source of slaves is non-Werrans. These are most often Syhtians and Kauts, or High Karredesh, who are often enslaved by traders making armed forays into their lands. As with the Joran prisoners, they are then processed into the system, their fates as servants, or worse.

Another source of slaves are the merchants bringing slaves from the south. Often Zegets, they bring north slaves from the markets of Atukhen, which sees slaves from the Erigi, Kisuran, and further afield in the south. These slaves, especially the females, are highly desired for their beauty and exotic features.