SlaveLaws

Slave Laws

Laws Pertaining to Slaves:

1. Active possession of a slave is regarded as crucial by the law. If a lost, stolen or runaway slave is taken by another master, the original master has only two weeks to regain his property before legal title passes to the new master. The slave remains the property of the original master only for those two weeks if he does not regain possession.

2. The principle of "conduct indicating suitability for the collar" deals with conduct by a Free Woman sufficient to warrant her reduction to slavery. It is commonly applied to fraud, theft, indigence, vagrancy, prostitution, and indulgence in sensuous dance. Other behavior which might trigger the principles includes attempting to spy on masters and slaves, disguising oneself as a slave, garbing oneself as a slave even in the supposed secrecy of one's own compartment, baring too much flesh, lingering about slave shelves and markets, and even exhibiting an interest in or fascination with bondage. The principle deals with overt behavior and not thoughts. Judges normally must decide if such behavior is sufficient to warrant a reduction to slavery.

3. If a Free Person submits to be a slave to a specific man, and that man refuses the offer, said Free Person shall still become a slave, subject to capture by the first person to collar, unless a specific man wishes to offer the submitted one death instead.

4. Slaves are considered property, on the same level as animals. Their masters may do anything they wish to them without repercussion. Slaves may not own anything, including a name. Even though they may use goods, they do not own them.

5. The offspring of a slave is a slave and belongs to the mother's owner.

6. When a person is collared, it cancels their past. They begin a new life as a slave and may not be held accountable for any crimes that occurred while they were free.

7. The property of one who becomes a slave is transferred to the nearest male relative, or nearest relative if no male exists, or to a guardian, a House or the City. Even if the slave gets freed, the property cannot be recovered. If a master dies, his slaves pass to his heirs or if he has no heirs, to the state.

8. Any free person may discipline an insolent or errant slave, even one who is in the least bit displeasing. If the slave is killed or injured, the free person need only pay compensation to the master and only if the master requests such compensation. If the offender cannot pay such compensation, then that person shall be enslaved and given to the owed Master.

9. A slave, on threat of torture and impalement, must endure whatever abuse a free person cares to inflict on him or her.

10. In any proceedings, the testimony of slaves may be taken by torture.

11. If a slave strikes a free person, the penalty is commonly death by impalement, preceded by lengthy torture.

12. Female slaves must wear a visible token of their bondage within the City limits. Male slaves are exempt from this law.

13. By recommendation of Merchant Law, there are three standard marking places for brands, on the left thigh, right thigh, and lower left abdomen.

14. It is a capital offense for female slaves to wield any weapon. A male slave may wield a weapon only by permission of his owner, usually in the call to protect, or in fighting.

15. Slaves are not allowed to build anything in Woodhaven. That right is reserved for Free People only.

16. It is illegal for slaves to touch or handle legal documents.

17. Slaves are not permitted outside the City gates unless accompanied by a Free Person. This does not include kajira rooms, and a slave's owner must give permission to travel elsewhere unaccompanied.

18. It is illegal to for any free person to sell a slave that is not under their direct ownership, without the permission of the owner, to include slaves owned by one's Companion. To do so will result in enslavement for a woman, or expulsion from Woodhaven for a man.

19. It is illegal to offer an unbranded slave in a public sale.

20. It is illegal to sell a slave as auburn haired if she is truly not so. Penalties include stiff fines and confiscation.

21. It is a felony to forge or falsify pedigree papers on any slave.

22. Freed slaves require explicit papers of manumission or they may be enslaved again without repercussion. Slaves who have been branded and later freed should definitely keep their papers handy at all times.
23. Slaves are a vital part of city life in Woodhaven. They are always encouraged to participate wherever citizens are gathered. Slaves my come without their Masters so long as they have their Master's permission to be in various places in the city.

There are two primary instances where slaves may not be in attendance.

One is the Home Stone Swearing Ceremony - only Citizens, and those swearing to the Home Stone, may be in attendance. They are of course welcomed to the reception after the ceremony.

The other instances are in Competitive Spars as distinguished from informal spars. Slaves are welcomed when room is available for their presence. They may be asked to leave to accommodate the Free, should the room fill up. (No bolting of slaves will take place, however.) As a courtesy to those sparring during Competitive events, slaves should not serve during the spars, only in between them, and otherwise keep action and speech to a minimum until a break.

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Woodhaven Merchant Caste

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