Missive from the Council, free city of Thornhold, to the Consul, Imperial Ambassador to Thornhold, dated 12th of Frostfall, Year 714 CR.
A Welcome to Our City
Consul Arren,
Allow us to be among the first to congratulate you on your appointment to our beloved city, home of the Free Merchants, and gateway to the Western Wilds. Many of our people have spent time in your Empire, which we respect greatly, however we have found that many of the Empire’s people have spent little in ours. We are providing this message so that you, in your duties here, may come to understand our people and our way of life.
The Council
Thornhold is governed by the Council rather than a monarch. As a city of merchants, seats on the Council are determined by a House’s contributions to the city. Some build roads, others provide for defenses. It is truly a city that rewards investment with influence, and is a system we have found to be most equitable for our residents. Should your office need assistance, we recommend approaching the independent Merchant Houses first before bringing a matter before the Council.
Imperial Agreement
As we have arranged with the Empire, we are eager to employ your services in arbitration between Houses and in settling domestic disputes. The Empire’s impartiality will be greatly helpful in ensuring matters are handled fairly, but with finality. We respectfully ask that Imperial arms remain in Imperial territory, and that domestic issues be resolved with domestic resources. That is our way.
Service Agreements
The Council is aware that there are those in the Empire who are concerned with the subject of slavery in the region. ‘Slavery’ itself is a slanderous word, and it is our duty to correct these preconceived notions. We can state it cleanly: Thornhold has no slaves.
You may confuse the various service agreements within the city for something sinister, and that is part of what this Council wants to clarify as you assume your station.
The Varad - Servants
In our culture, the varad are the ones who serve, and are the ones who suffer most under Imperial assumptions. The varad are more than just a source of labor: they are artists, bards, soldiers, farmers, representatives of the Merchant Houses, respected aids to our city’s leaders, and fill many other important roles within our society.
To help you understand our ways, we will assign a varad to attend to your wife as a handmaid at cost to the Council. We are sure you will find her services most helpful during your stay in our city. Should you find her lacking, simply submit a request for a replacement through the Council and we will provide a new varad at our expense.
The Tavrid – Becoming a Varad
The paths to becoming a varad greatly impact the prospective roles one can fulfill, and the length of service for the varad. Our culture refers to this as a contract between the varad, and the one who will be responsible for them.
Debt Service: Failing to pay one’s debts is the simple way that many can become a varad. Thornhold is a city of commerce, and failing to pay a debt significantly impacts our society. As such, one who fails to pay their debt may become a varad under their creditor. This is how many enter into service for the Merchant Houses, and most choose to continue their service to the House upon fulfillment of their debt obligations. For many, this is a pathway to becoming a productive member of the community, giving them opportunities they may not have otherwise had.
Criminal Punishment: Thornhold does not imprison many. Most crimes are adjudicated quickly, and criminals are provided the option of becoming varad or competing in the arena for their freedom. Allowing criminals to redeem themselves through service is a mercy few decline.
Captured During War: The Council of Thornhold recognized a need to provide safe harbor for prisoners of foreign wars. The Council also recognized that providing safe harbor for these peoples incurs great cost. Therefore, the Council permitted victims of true wars to participate in the tavrid and become varad.
Orphaned Youth: Unfortunate souls who may have been orphaned, whether by war, disease, famine, or other circumstance, may become varad. Varad who have not reached childbearing age may only serve until they reach such age, at which point they are free to decide their own path.
In all cases, to be accepted as varad requires a specific beginning and end to service. Upon completion of service, the varad is free from their obligation to serve and may choose their way from that point forward.
The Mavrid – Caretaker of the Varad
The mavrid are the caretakers of the varad. Our laws have decreed upon them several requirements to ensure fair treatment of the varad. These requirements include:
A mavrid must maintain accurate records of the varad. The record must include how they came to become responsible for the varad, the date the varad’s service began, and the date it will conclude.
A mavrid must provide for the varad’s basic needs – food, water, adequate shelter and clothing.
A mavrid may trade the varad’s service with others, either temporarily by contract or permanently. If the arrangement is permanent, the record of the varad’s service must be provided to the mavrid assuming responsibility for the varad.
A mavrid may declare a varad’s contract fulfilled as they see fit, even if this occurs before the contract would otherwise expire.
Restrictions on Varad
Varad are forbidden from holding property or status within the Merchant Houses. By nature of becoming a varad, the individual is assumed to have no assets and has entered into a contract to serve a debt. Once the debt has been repaid, they are no longer varad.
Varad are not forbidden from establishing a family, however many find it difficult to do so while serving.
A varad is required to remain in service of the mavrid until the conditions of their contract are satisfied.
Forbidden Practices
There are several practices the Council has determined to be forbidden as they cause great suffering to the people:
Varad cannot be forced into service through unlawful raiding.
Varad cannot be forced into service simply though being born, unless that child would be an orphan.
Varad contracts cannot be made permanent, even in the service of crimes committed. An individual whose crimes are so egregious would not be permitted to become varad.
In Service of the City
The Council would like to once again offer our congratulations on your appointment. We hope this letter will help you understand our culture and adapt to our ways. The people of Thornhold look forward to the Empire’s participation in our systems and upholding of our laws.
By our authority,
The Council of Thornhold