Alyria

The invention of the Vil'seth due to their chaotic nature and the toll it takes upon the population of their own people. Slavery has been much a part of the continental desert as the steampunk style tech that allows existence within this merciless landscape. From the huge cities within the mummifies remains of the colossal sand drakes, to the smallest of nomadic villages - slaves are found filling in the roles unable to be embraced by their Vil owners.

A finite resource, replenished only through criminal persecution or those who surrender themselves willingly to the collar. The Vil'seth have forged a methodology for slave keeping and training that maximizes the potential, value, and usefulness of every single life that falls under their care. Thus resulting in the vast, profitable, and most prestigious trade in all of Dracia.

To own slaves is commonplace, to own more then two is a sign of wealth, prosperity, and status. Though the mere act of buying lives does not grant the title of 'Master' or 'Mistress', only 'saj' - honored patron. Dunhar - Master - is a title reserved only for the true artisans of the slave trade. Individuals who are grandmasters at the craft of turning standard slaves into ones of exceptional and unrivaled quality through training and refinement.

Before the forging of the 'Sandstone Accords' slavery was outlawed outside of Sanharen territory, and raiding by the vilseth within the 'humid lands' outside of their desert continent was a means of replenishing their stock. Now, civilizations outside of the desert enjoy the prosperity, usefulness, and enjoyment of slaves. Provided that any willing to enter the life of their own accord are taken in and trained according to tradition, while those condemned to the life for their crimes are shipped back to the vil'seth themselves.

Alyria is of no exception. With the viceroy counting themselves a sitting member of the 'Masters council' the ruling body over international slave practices and trade. The town is connected to the capitol city via airship, and enjoys a steady supply of slaves from the dunes to help fill their labor and recreational needs. Slave shipments from other affiliates are also a supplement, though such shipments are far more rare and infrequent.

If you are wishing to play a slave character within Alyria, then this page provides you with all you need to know about either creating a slave character, or converting an existing one, to adhere to Alyrian Customs.



Upon arrival, the slaves taken from the arriving airships do not actually see or enter the town itself. Instead, they are collected and herded by the Vil'seth dockworkers and guards into a sub level of the airship dock. There, they are inspected individually - determining health, mental and physical status, value, and most of all - attitude.

Those who fiercely oppose life beneath the collar, are prone to violence, or have not yet accepted their fate. Are simply set aside, and put on the next airship for Val'kesh the vil'seths own city and deemed too 'unsafe' for the fledgling town to accept into their numbers.

Those who have accepted life beneath a collar, or even embrace it. Are set aside from the others to have documents drafted for the town archives, and sign their ownership over to the settlement itself. They are then affixed with a band somewhere upon their bodies - usually made of a durable yet decorative metal with the crest of the town engraved in it. Which is then flash forged shut to ensure a seamless, and irremovable fit.

From there, they are extensively questioned about their training - or if they posses any at all. Then asked a question only those of Sanharen origins are used to hearing 'What would you like to do here?'. A slave is encouraged to speak of their interests, their passions, and natural talents - and allowed to pick from any job within the town that is not a position of authority. They are then given comfortable, decent quality, and properly fitting clothes, a satchel of stamped brass marks - a slave only currency called Elic. Then sent off to the town below to get acquainted with their new home and encouraged to find where they should be, and get to work no later then the third day after they've arrived.



Being a slave in Alyria is like being any other resident of the town. They are allowed to walk freely within the perimeter walls, approach any other person be they free or slave for conversation or company, as well as eat and sleep at the inn with the same service and accommodations as any other resident. They hold a job which they are expected to maintain, and actively encouraged to pursue training in areas which are of interest to them - in addition to working on existing skills to better themselves.

The differences only truly show themselves, when it comes to non-job related work and services. If interest is taken in a slaves services, or skills they are required to have compensation for these 'favors' made to the town itself before they will be permitted to indulge a freeperson, or even another slave. As sub-citizens also, they are only paid in Elic - a currency absolutely useless and nonexchangeable outside of town. Likewise everything they purchase, even another slaves services, must also be paid in Elic.

Slaves, are also not permitted to own property such as a home, or market stall. Though personal property, such as items, trinkets, even pets - are permitted. Relationships are allowed, though slaves are not permitted to get married or conceive - as mandatory birth control can only be refused by an owner. They also cannot hold a job of management or authority, and will spend twice as long in jail as a free person should they commit a crime. They are also the only members of the town at risk of deportation. If their behavior and actions are deemed 'too risky' to the population of the town as a whole, they are stripped of everything and pushed onto the first airship headed out of town to go back to where they originally came from.



Slaves owned by the town are available to be purchased by an interested resident at any time, and can be done so through the town hall either by an NPC, or scribe available to oversee it. There the slave's documents are retreived from the archives, and once payment is given, a 'proof of sale' stamp set to them like one would find on travel documents. The information of the new owner, along with intended use, are then listed on the documents before they are sent back to the archives for re-filing. Slave documents are not removed from the archives, or kept by owners, to ensure they are not lost, misplaced, or damaged.

Once owned, that slave must give priority to their keepers at all times. Likewise restrictions can be placed upon what skills and services that slave may provide to the public - but their assigned town job can never be revoked, so long as the slave holds residence within Alyria. Nor can it be changed unless the slave personally consents, or chooses another job for themselves.

If an owner either grows tired of their property, or no longer needs them, slaves can be re-sold to the town through the town hall - and again through either an NPC or available scribe. There, the payment of the slave upon purchase is refunded to the seller and a proof of sale once again stamped to the documents - as well as the reason why they were re-sold.

Only Alyrian Residents can buy slaves within Alyria, slaves can also not purchase other slaves. In addition, a slave must consent to the purchase of themselves by an interested owner - of their own free will, and without being forced, manipulated, or coerced. This ensures that their loyalty to their owner is genuine, and not at risk of rebelling out of spite or resentment.



The most important aspect of a slave's life, and what truly determines their value along with physical health, mental health, and visual appeal. It is something not taken lightly, and handled in a way that aspires to add to the value of a slave and it's appeal to a potential new owner - even if that slave is never intended to be sold ever again.

Life long value, and unlocking true potential is the will of any who undertake the task of training a slave in something new, or refining existing skills for the better. Long have the Sanharen's learned that tailoring the subjects of training to what the slave is naturally interested in, or holds a passion for, often yields the highest quality of performance in those skills.

Thus, you will be hard pressed to find an Alyrian forcing a skill or training of a skill upon a disinterested, or uncooperative slave. Sub-par skills, specially those performed out of spite and expectation, will actual decrease a slaves re-sell value, and count against the owner or trainers reputation.

Behavioral training on the other hand, is not so flexible. With a firm yet fair hand, slaves are expected to carry their weight and meet the standard of expectations their owners or their supervisors have set for them at all times. Because of this, owners and trainers can actually be fined for setting expectations higher then what a slave is actually capable of achieving. Such as expecting a slave with only novice knowledge in tailoring, to make a dress that is of grand master or artisan quality.

There is no such thing as unbroken, unwilling to serve, or disobedient slaves within Sanharen culture, due to the meticulous processing they go through upon their arrival. Thus if a slave is showing these behaviors, specially publicly, it will most likely raise suspicion within enforcers and if severe enough - result in that slave being detained for questioning before being released back to it's owner for correction.

While many styles of training vary from individual to individual, and even the prestigious dunhar each have their own unique and highly guarded methodology. There is none the less a 'standard' for basic slaves within Alyria.

They are obedient. Able to serve upon request and actively promote their skills and services. They are committed to their chosen profession, and actively engage with town residents and foreign visitors. They take good care of themselves, are mindful of their manners, and take care to present themselves the best they can while within the public eye. They are curious, and indulge it freely. Lastly, they are devoted to increasing their 'value' and 'appeal' to potential owners through skill building, and improving their relations with others within the community.



A slaves lifelong value is not only in their skill set, but the health of their mind, body, and most of all their personality. To break a slave of what makes them who they are is seen as the ultimate crime among Sanharen slavers, and to find a subservient doll without a will, mind, or identity of it's own. Is a pitiful waste of a life and a crime on par with murder as they have robbed a slave of it's most precious asset.

A slaves personality is seen as the very foundation of who they are, and accepted fully. Training, is not designed to subdue and restrain this quality - but bring out the best of it, even their natural flaws. A personality is also seen as what makes a slave unique, a value all in itself that cannot be duplicated, replaced, or recovered if broken.

To ensure a slaves physcial and mental well being, a standard of care is expected of owners and supervisors to ensure a slave remains at their peak condition.

Basic needs are always met, and never revoked as punishment for ill or unwanted behavior. Health care is always provided, free of charge while property of the town - and offered at a discount to owners if not expected to be payed by the one responsible for the damage dealt.

Counseling is also provided, and re-evaluations of a slaves condition mentally, physically, or spiritually can be conducted at an owner or supervisors request. They are never physically corrected in a manner that will leave lasting harm on the body or mind. Or verbally corrected in a manner that will leave lasting harm on the body are mind. For abuse and torture of slaves is a high crime on Alyrian soil.



Should a slave never find themselves an owner, it is not often a thing of despair for an individual. Even without one, do their lives matter and their actions account for something within the long run. Through active participation, and working on connections and ties with others within the town. Slaves are able to earn 'merit' a sort of reputation with the town itself, and when enough is gained the slave is then offered the chance to be evaluated for citizenship.

if accepted, the band that marked them of their status is removed, and they are gifted a generous starting sum of legitimate marks to get themselves started in their new life as a full, and free resident of Alyria.