Waejir

National Overview

Dominant Culture

Waejiran

Population

The majority of free persons within Waejir are Treahni and considered ethnically Waejiran, however with the vast area the empire covers, regional subgroups exist.

The Ethnicity of slaves are again mostly ethnic Waejirans, but foreign ethnic groups are certainly present.

Castes

Waejiran society is divided into castes, each with different legal rights, responsibilities, and status. With the exception of the High Nobles, it is possible for persons to rise and fall within and between these social strata.

High Nobles

The royal caste of Waejir, the High Nobles form the highest level of government and enjoy near complete freedom within the empire.

Nobles

The nobilty of Waejir are acknowledged by the high nobles to administer the empire, and act as the bulk of the government decision making on municipal level throughout. Many Nobles own land, from which they should be able to support themselves. Even those who do not can expect a certain guaranteed income from the crown.

Guildspersons

The tradespeople of Waejir who have organized into groups of related trades for mutual protection and profit. The guilds came to be as a means of collective bargaining with the government regarding issues which affect their operations.

Military

Military persons come from all castes within Waejir, with one's social status generally equalling to their rank within the military itself. Nobility as Senior officers, free soldiers in the middle ranks, and slaves at the lowest ranks.

Clergy

Those Waejirans who are committed to a life of worship and service to the gods form a separate class of citizen, They have their own standing and rank amongst the clergy of their particular faith, and each temple has its own hierarchy. Commoners and others may join temple as lay-members having a connection to the temple, but not being considered part of the clergy proper.

Commoners

The bulk of Waejir's citizens, the common folk work at whatever trades they can find gainful employment in. They have little political power, and are largely at the mercy of the Nobility or other wealthy patrons. Some commoners find themselves in near serfdom, working land in exchange for property rights, and a place to live. It is circumstance more than social class that keeps families attached to the land for generations.

Slaves

In Waejir slavery is an open and common practice, originating in the days of the seven cities when thralls were captured in war and forced into servitude. One may become a slave by choice, effectively selling themselves and gifting the profit from such sale to a person of their choosing. Every town large enough to support a regular market has a slaver's block where slaves are auctioned.

Being a slave in Waejir isn't as bad as it may seem on the outset. Many slaves are specialists and highly skilled or educated in their fields. While a slave lacks the full rights of any common citizen there are still a few rights afforded to all Waejirans:

• Slaves must be allowed to attend temple services appropriate to their chosen patron deities.
• Slaves may marry (another slave) and have children, however any resulting children are born slaves and are the property of the slaves mother's owner.
• Slaves may own property, with the permission of their owner, although this is often a contentious issue.
• A significant number of the lower ranks in the Waejiran military are slaves; whom can earn their freedom through service.
• Slaves can be granted their freedom through a legal process by their owner.

Government

Head of State

Emperor, Waejiros.

Capitol

The imperial capitol and site of the Emporer's Palace is Waejiradur.

Levels

National

Waejir as a whole is ruled over by the Emperor, who is the head of the royal family.

Principalitiy

The empire is divided into a set of principalities, ruled over by the local high noble Prince of Princess from each major city.

Principalities may be sub-divided and under the direct purview of individual high nobles other than the Prince or Princess, as the local Royal family member sees fit.

Fief

Individual Noble families may have control over one or more estates containing farms and other lands upon which a commoner class may dwell and labour at the behest of the nobles controlling that land.

City

Within cities the local nobility forms a senate, which decides matters of municipal importance. The city is governed under the oversight of the local high nobles, who hold power of veto over any decisions made by the senate or their elected representative chair.

Town

Within towns, where a high noble does not reside, a council similar to the senate in cities may exist. This council usually is formed from a mix of nobles and the wealthier guildpersons residing in the town. An elected chair may represent the town as a singular figurehead.

Legal System

At all levels of government laws are decided upon after debate and voting by the council which oversees that level. Any law made by the nobles or councils can be overruled, or repealed by the high noble who holds jurisdiction over the territory in which the law was decreed.

Enforcement

Due to the multi-tiered nature of the Waejiran populace, they have a complex legal system for enforcing laws upon the different castes.

Police

Cities will have a city watch composed of professional soldiers whom enforce the laws and edicts of the empire and the local municipality.

In towns, or smaller settlements, there may be a small militia force, comprised of volunteers or the local noble's own soldiers, who maintain the local laws.

Courts

A system of courts exists for determining guilt and punishments.

Lower Court

At the lowest tier is the public court, where accusations of criminal actions can be heard and countered before a publicly appointed judge. Contract disputes and property disputes are also generally heard at this level.

Landholders

Within the domain of a noble family, they may choose to hold court, sitting as judge over any tenants on their land, or persons alleged to have committed an offence within their territory.

High Court

For serious breaches of Imperial law, the local High Noble may decide to hold court on the matter, and sit as judge over the matter.

Guild Tribunals

Within the guilds themselves is a system of enforcement and contract law which is entirely under the purview of the guilds themselves. Generally used for keeping fair practices and deciding on matters of concern specific to their membership.

Military Tribunals

For offences committed by and within the military, senior officers will hold trials and determine guilt and punishments according to their internal regulations.

Lawyers

Lawyers and Litigants are members of the Litigant's guild. These scholars of law and jurisprudence may be hired to argue on behalf of anyone facing trial on either side of case. Lawyers specializing in contract law may also be hired during negotiations to ensure a fair and legally binding contract between two or more parties.

Scaenar

Scaenar are appointed members of the nobility or senate who serves as record keepers of legal decisions and outcomes from trials.

One can usually appeal a decision at all but the highest courts, asking to be tried at one level higher than the trial they just underwent.

It is the scaenar whom hear these appeals, and decide whether some fault in the legal proceedings occurred which warrants a change to, or veto of, the decision. They may also decide to pass the matter up to a higher court for a retrial.

Generally a matter can only be appealed once, and almost never will they be appealed after being given to a higher court for retrial.

Punishments

Waejiran law requires dictates two forms of punishment for those found guilty of breaking the law.

Restitution

Restorative justice in which the goal is making the victim whole, returning them to the state prior to any loss incurred. If it is not possible to restore the victim the guilty party may be caused to suffer some equivalent loss themselves.

Deterrence

Punishment which imposes additional fines, jail time, enslavement, or similar additional burden upon the guilty party, as a deterrent to further criminal action. For example a noble guilty of certain crimes could be stripped of their social rank, and privileges.

Specific Laws

Beside the general laws of most places against body violence, theft, destruction of property, and the like, Waejir has some unique laws which shape the behaviour and social order of its citizenry.

Hair

In Waejir membership in a guild or status as a slave involves being tattooed with a mark on the nape of the neck designating one's affiliation to a specific Guild or Noble House. As such, laws dictating socially acceptable hair length for various strata of society exist to easily spot a person's guildmark or slavemark.

• Only the nobility may wear their hair past their shoulders, but often wear it in a up style to avoid confusion.
• Free citizen's hair should not hang lower than their chin
• Slaves have the back of the head shaven. The lowest their hair may hang in the back is in line with the back of their jaw and earlobes on each side.

Slaves

Slavery is legal in Waejir, and slaves are afforded a certain rights which are for all citizens of the empire. While considered property, they are still a special case, so killing or other body crimes, are viewed differently when a slave is the victim. Slave's themselves have very little legal recourse if they are accused of criminal behaviour, as well their owner may be held liable for any law-breaking committed by their slaves.

Slaves are always marked with a circular slavemark upon the nape of their neck which identifies their owner's family. Should a slave be transfered to a new owner or granted their freedom this mark is altered to indicate the change in status.

Vocanei

Breeding of vocanei outside of the purview of the Breeders guild is considered a crime. The guild takes this matter very seriously.

Taxation

Taxes in Waejir are collected at regular times to ensure the crown has monies for public works, and to provide income to those working public offices. Additional taxes may be levied as required for specific reasons if agreed upon by the local government as necessary.

Land

Free persons who rent land will pay a tax to their landlord, or the crown at some annual rate.

Import and Export

Duties collected on certain goods being imported and exported from Waejir provide compensation for the material wealth leaving the empire.

Tolls

Imposed on anyone passing through gates, across certain bridges or along the imperial roads these taxes are collected for the local government, and help offset the public costs in maintenance and construction of such.

Public Works

The government of Waejir does build and maintain public works for the benefit of the populace as a whole. Each Principality or municipal government is responsible for its own areas, but generally the more urban and wealthy regions have better funded projects.

Roads

City streets, and major roads connecting Waejirs cities and towns are paved with cobble or flat stones. This improves travel time along these roads, both due to surface material, long straight lines, bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, and levelling of hills and gullies. Improved roads will have regularly placed toll houses to collect taxes and duties used for the maintenance.

Secondary roads will see some improvements to the road beds, bridges, ferry crossings, and the like as needed.

Tertiary roads are more likely just commonly used track ways that wind and twist their way through the local terrain avoiding steep slopes and other hazards. Often crossing watercourses at fords, rather than having bridges or ferries.

Irrigation

In agricultural regions systems of dikes, flooded patties, and aqueducts help spread water sources to more distant fields.

In urban centres pressurized water systems are possible depending on local terrain. Usually just public fountains or wells from which water is collected and carried by household members or servants or slaves.

Slave or livestock powered pumps are used to lift water when a natural source at sufficient elevation is not available.

Most homes will have a cistern for collection of rain water, in dry seasons these may need to be filled from public water sources.

Where pressurized water systems are not practical wells will be dug into underground aquifers to provide public or private water sources.

Sanitation

Only a few areas of the major urban centres has effective sewer systems, which provide an outflow to the nearest flowing water.

Most villas, and larger houses will have a latrine pit built into their basement, which needs to be shovelled out periodically by dung haulers.

Poorer homes will use simple chamber pots, and either dump their wastes into the gutter, or give it to the dung haulers when they make their rounds.

Public Baths

Bathhouses, both public and private, are available for the citizenry of Waejir. They are regulated by the Bathers Guild, and provide a social meeting place as well as serving hygienic purposes.

Commerce

Industry

Resource Extraction

Mines and Quarries

Stone

Clay

Sand

Metals

Gems

Architecture

Designs

Fortifications

The walls of major Waejiran cities are steep sloped on the outer face and surfaced with a type of porous brick. If a city is under siege the defenders can spill flammable liquids down the walls, which absorb and hold the fuel. Should attackers approach with intent to scale or breach the wall, the defenders will ignite the entire perimeter into a giant ring of fire. None dare try to scale such a wall as the intense heat can be fatal well before they reach the flames. The porous nature of the brickwork also works to cushion the impact of heavy missiles hurled by catapult against the walls, reducing their effectiveness.

Timekeeping

Calendar

Waejiran generally follow a calendar synchronized to the silver moon, with the new year beginning on the first full moon of Spring.

Timeline

Founding

Waejir was founded 1252 years ago when the first Emporer Dractius Waejiros and Gathered the High Nobles and united the Seven Cities under one government.

Dynastic Timelines

Waejir has been ruled by a single dynastic line since it's founding.

Geography

Waejir is a large empire which contains many different geographic regions and biomes within it's borders.

Landmarks

Constructed

The Wall

See Also

List of Waejiran Settlements