Part I - Overview
Tharda is a complex place, before reading further one should
understand that it is not a feudal kingdom and does hold to chivalric ideals.
For this reason it is often confounding to foreigners, who are sometimes shocked
at the lack of "civilized" behavior by some. Other things to consider
are the rather commonplace practice of bribery, which is not a crime in
Tharda..in fact it is often viewed as a compliment and necessary to keep things
working smoothly. Guards at gates, secretaries of republic officials, even
senators are just some that not only welcome bribes, but outright expect them.
There is a Halean saying that nothing in Tharda is free, not even death.
The system of bribes is complex as well, foreigners are often
expected to pay more, even if important persons on important business.. Indeed
being on important business can actually make it more expensive, as the sentries
may know your need is urgent and that you cannot afford to be left waiting for
long. The more people you have with you, or the more cargo you carry can also
increase costs, it must be understood that the Thardans do not consider this as
dishonorable or illegal, to them it is quite proper and if you have a problem
with paying, then its something wrong with you .. not them. Outright refusal to
pay is almost unheard of, most Thardans are not comfortable with such
unreasonable rudeness as refusal to pay a bribe. Caution should be taken as they
can always kill you for trespassing.
At its heart, Tharda is based on money, you need it to survive
and the amount of it you have often defines your status or caste. Loss of wealth
is deemed sufficient cause for loss of status, the rationale being that if you
cannot afford to retain a position you don't deserve to have it, this is strange
and offensive to foreigners but quite reasonable in Tharda.
Tharda is probably the most accepting country on Harn as far as
religion goes, worship of any god is permitted, though Navehanism is much
despised by many, and Morgathianism is frowned upon by many who remember the
Balshan Jihad. Nonetheless, the policies of religious tolerance reign supreme
and most anyone will be accepted provided they abide by the laws and have the
coin to pay their own way. The most dominant faiths of Tharda are Halea, Agrik
and Peoni. But all others are accepted as well, though Sarajin is very poorly
represented having virtually no native followers.
Part II - The Thardic Senate
The senate has 66 seats. Its members determine taxation, policy
and law during three month sitting (Morgat to Ilvin) each year. With few
exceptions, most all senators come from the patrician class. Senators do not
receive a salary. Instead they rely on their land holdings and "gifts"
to maintain their lavish lifestyle.
All senators have at least two residences; one in Coranan and
one in their district/holding. Senators rely upon a network of clients to relay
information from the capital to its furthest province. Most often letters from
one senator, or patron, to another, is carried along in a legionnaire's dispatch
pouch.
The senate is a patriarchy. Women who excel in politics often
become secretive backers of a senator, or powerful clans.
In the republic a senator is granted certain rights and
immunities due to his unique status as lawmaker. PCs who wish to interact with a
senator will often end up talking to a clerk, scribe or litigant until such time
as their reputations warrant personal patronage.
Part III - Social Castes
Slave
A slave is a member of the Republic without rights or freedoms who is owned by
another. The owner has the right to use the slave however he sees. The owner is
legally responsible for every action and voiced opinion of the slave. The Master
must punish any inappropriate behavior without the intervention of the Republic
else face heavy fines.
Owning slaves is no shame. It is instead a sign of wealth and
position in society. Counted as if heads of oxen - they are, like the oxen - a
workforce who's labor provides the wealth upon which the higher castes depend.
Slaves can walk about freely. They wear no ring on their right hand (index
finger), but wear any clothes or jewelry they, or their Master, has purchased
for them. It may be difficult to differentiate between a slave and a freeman.
Freeman
Somewhere between slave and citizen stands the freemen and
freewomen of the Republic. They are free by either birth or the grace of their
former Masters. A freedman can join any profession, guild or group. Freemen in
the Republic may come and go as they please so long as they do not owe a debt to
any man or woman.
- A freeman can not own land.
- A freeman can not marry a citizen or an patrician.
- A freeman can not serve in the senate.
- A freeman can not barter over his word.
- Should a freeman break a contract (or not fulfill it) he can be indentured
until the debt is paid.
- A freeman may not own slaves (without special dispensation from the local
magistrate.)
- A Freeman may wear whatever he likes, as he likes - be it within current
fashion, or against.
- He may never wear a ring on his right index finger - for that is reserved
for the higher castes of society.
The Citizen
Citizens comprise Republic's "Middle" class. They are
as land hungry as any patrician, and as money-hungry as any freeman.
Citizenship, like Freemanship, is an inheritable status by birth. A citizenship
is granted to any who's father was a citizen and wish to serve a term in office,
or any one who has served a full term in the legion .
- A citizen can not marry a patrician.
- A citizen can not enter the Senate assembly without reason.
- A citizen can not be denied a trial in the forum.
- A citizen must be employed.
- A citizen's "Citizenship" can not be removed without a written
command from the senate.
- A citizen can not be tortured or punished unless so decreed by the Senate.
- All citizens wear a ring (typically copper/brass) on their right index
finger as a denotation of status.
The Patricians (aka equestrians)
Patricians are the wealthy land-owning class of the Republic.
This caste can often provide both horse and armor for the knights in the legion.
The patrician class consists of the 69 older clans within the Republic.
- There is nothing a patrician can not do, provided he can afford the price.
- This class is what most closely resembles Kaldoric "nobility" in
Tharda.
- The worst crime a patrician can commit (short of treason) is to go broke,
bankruptcy often results in loss of status and sometimes reduction to mere
citizenry.
- A patrician may wear a silver ring on their right index finger as denotion
of status
The Senators
Senators are the "rulers" of the Republic. They are
elected, and hold their posts for life. Senators mostly come from the patrician
class and tend to be the head of their clan. The caste includes their wives, and
children up to the age of majority (14.) The Senator gains his rank, and title,
from his seat in the Thardic Senate.
- There is nothing a Senator cannot do "No senator may be restrained,
arrested, or executed except by warrant of treason issued by the Senate.
- Senators have the right to speak in any court of law, examine any
official's records, and stay any execution or commute any sentence not
ordered by the Senate itself.
- A senator may commandeer the services of any slave or citizen for
assistance in exercise of his privileges. Impeding, or failing to cooperate
with a senator who claims exercise of privilege is treason" - [Tharda
6, 4th paragraph]
- Senators may wear a gold ring on right index finger, denotion of status
Foreigners
Anyone not born in Tharda or holding land in Tharda is
considered a foreigner. Because the Republic is so different from the
surrounding countries, special dispensation is given to foreigners. They may
wear a ring on their right index finger for the first day of their visit, and
not be accused of pretending to be something they are not. Foreigners may marry
any caste of the Republic they wish, but their children are automatically
considered "Freemen." The foreigner ranks as an honorary Citizen (if
he has no land) or patrician (if he has land.) He receives all rights,
privileges and must adhere to all laws accordingly.