Human Society and Laws

Human

Human Society and Law

The society of Mercadia, located in the northwestern corner of the continent, is an amalgamation of a fascinating past and a hopeful present. Originally settled by tribes from Kelt, under the leadership of the ancient warrior King Merenthal, the city of Edana has grown over eight millennia into a beacon of civilization. The history of Mercadia is rich with wars fought against and alongside Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs, as they forged their identity. In the current year Mercadians live in the Era of Renewal, which began in 16323. This period signifies the transformation of Mercadian society from the tribulations of its warring past towards a future of peace and progress. However, the scars and triumphs of their past are still visible in their architecture, customs, and culture, allowing them to hold on to their rich heritage while advancing towards a future built on cooperation and mutual respect.

Religion plays a central role in Mercadian society, as they worship a pantheon of four deities. Kinurgui, referred to as the Father, governs the inevitable realm of death, while Talathas, the Shepherd, maintains law, order, and justice. Kamalini, the Mother, is a beacon of life, partnered with Kinurgui. Adalia, the Healer, presides over compassion and healing, and is Talathas's wife and Kamalini's sister. Talathas, being Kinurugi's brother, completes the intricate family of the pantheon. The largest following in Mercadia belongs to Talathas, which is a reflection of the importance placed on justice, law, and order in their society. The Mercadians see these virtues as the foundations upon which their civilization thrives. This focus on justice also speaks volumes about their desire for peace and harmony in the Era of Renewal, a stark contrast to their turbulent past. Yet, even with the majority of the populace favoring Talathas, the other deities are not overlooked. The balance maintained among the four deities in worship reflects the balance the Mercadians seek in their own lives: embracing mortality (Kinurgui), fostering compassion (Adalia), welcoming life (Kamalini), and upholding justice (Talathas).

Mercadian society, despite its warlike past, has embraced the Era of Renewal and has seen significant growth in its socio-economic aspects. The people are hardworking, devoted to their deities, and committed to maintaining the harmony and prosperity of their society. The city of Edana, once a symbol of a warring past, now stands as a testament to the power of change and the resilience of the Mercadian people. Through the combined efforts of its citizens and the divine guidance of their pantheon, Mercadia continues to flourish as a beacon of civilization.

Laws

The Councilor's Decree of Edana

By the Will of the Council, Under the Gaze of the Divine, and With the Authority of the King.

I. On the Sanctity of Life

Let it be known that the taking of life by malice or reckless hand is the gravest of crimes. Those who spill the blood of their kin without just cause shall face exile or death, as deemed by the Council of Judgment. Only in defense of one’s own life, the lives of others, or the city’s honor may the sword be raised without condemnation.

II. On the Protection of Property and Trade

Let none lay unlawful claim to that which is not theirs, whether coin, craft, or dwelling. Theft, deception, or destruction of another’s rightful holdings shall summon restitution thrice the worth of the loss. For those who scorn the honor of honest trade, forced labor shall correct their ways.

III. On the Binding of Oaths and Contracts

A sworn word is a foundation upon which the city rests. Let none break their promise without dire consequence, lest the faith of Edana crumble. The Council shall weigh all grievances; may the liar wear the brand of their deception, and may the vowbreaker suffer the scorn of the people.

IV. On Order and Public Conduct

The streets of Edana shall remain a place of harmony, free from riot and lawless assembly. Let all discourse be conducted with temperance, lest chaos sow dissent among kin. Those who rally in defiance of the city's peace shall be dispersed, detained, or fined, as necessity dictates.

V. On the Reverence of Governance and Sacred Institutions

The Crown and the Council are the pillars upon which Edana stands, and no tongue shall speak treason against them without facing swift judgment. Reform may be sought through rightful petition; rebellion shall be met with the sword.

VI. On the Regulation of Arcane Practices

The art of magic, both boon and bane, shall be wielded only by those of sanctioned wisdom. No incantation shall be cast without license, lest the city suffer unbridled ruin. Those who violate these bounds shall surrender their gifts to binding enchantments or imprisonment.

VII. On the Tolerance of Faith and the Sanctity of Worship

All who dwell within Edana may honor their gods, so long as their worship does not threaten the city’s peace. Let no temple be defiled, nor any sacred ground be disgraced. The hands that profane the divine shall be punished, and the gods themselves may cast judgment upon them.

VIII. On the Duty of Citizens in Times of Strife

When the horn of war sounds or calamity befalls our home, let no able body shirk their duty to the city. Those of strength shall take up arms; those of craft shall forge what is needed. To refuse aid in Edana’s hour of need is to abandon one’s kin—a crime most dire.

IX. On Justice and the Weighing of Judgment

Let no man or woman be condemned without hearing, nor punishment be dealt without trial. The Court of Edana shall stand unyielding in its pursuit of justice, and those who wield corruption in its halls shall face ruin before the very laws they have defiled.

X. On the Preservation of Tradition and the Evolution of Law

The laws of Edana shall endure as our city grows, yet they shall never grow stale. Each turning of the years, the Council shall convene to assess what must remain and what must adapt, for a kingdom that does not change shall one day crumble to dust.

Let all who walk these streets abide by these decrees, for they are the heart of Edana. To uphold them is to preserve our city’s strength; to betray them is to invite ruin. By the Lawmaker’s hand and the Council’s will, this decree is eternal.