Chronicles of Sha'Lazar

❖ -- Imperatritsa (Empress)
The Empress (Imperatritsa) and leader of the Mis’aru Island and the Dynasty. She serves as the sole and supreme sovereign and is considered to be the embodiment of its government, though she does not always exercise complete control, all control is from her.


❖ -- Baro Konsilieri (High Chancellor)
The position of High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri) is the first of the Great Officers of Mis’aru. Its holder is one of the most powerful women of the kingdom. High Chancellor is an important official as well as leader of the High Council of Ministers (Ucho Konsilo le Ministrurenqo); Selected by the Empress (Imperatritsa) from one of the members of the High Council, the office is one of considerable political importance, and receives her appointment from the Imperatritsa in person. She is the first dignitary of the Royal Court, a permanent officer, and resides in the palace. The High Chancellor also supervises the security of the Empress (Imperatritsa) and the palace, performs duties as the Empress (Imperatritsa)'s seal bearer. She also presides at the daily dinners of the Empress (Imperatritsa). Under her influence and command are ten (10) Ministers; one from each ten major regions.


❖ -- Ucho Konsilo le Ministeriengo (High Council of Ministers)
The High Council of Ministers (Ucho Konsilo le Ministeriengo) comprises ten (10) Ministers (Ministros); one from each major region, with the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri) as Chairwoman.
((OOC: Each Lady of the Region is available to assume by Player's Choice)).

❖ -- Ministros (Ministers)
The position of Minister (Ministros) is mainly to advise the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri) and the Empress (Imperatritsa) on matters of State in her region. The Minister (Ministros) stands between sovereign and subjects, representing the former in all matters of the region and its inhabitants. The Minister's (Ministros) paramount duty is to supervise the running of the region for which she is responsible, at times even the small details of it. All other lesser supervisors and officials, such as guild masters and scribes, report to the Minister (Ministros). The judiciary is part of the civil administration and the Minister also sits in the Empress (Imperatritsa)'s High Court.

The Ucho Konsilo le Ministeriengo (High Council of Ministers) comprises of ten (10) of the following stations, as one from the eleven (11) is selected as the Baro Konsilieri by the Imperatritsa in person:

• Lady of Faiyum
• Lady of Dar El Salam
• Lady of El Matamir
• Lady of Qantara
• Lady of Ras Gharib
• Lady of Salamut
• Lady of Alamein
• Lady of Port Aswan
• Lady of Mansura
• Lady of Zafra
• Lady of Lycia

However at any time, the Empress (Imperatritsa) can exert her own control over any aspect of government, overriding the Minister's decisions. The Minister (Ministros) will also record trade in her region. The Ministers (Ministros) are the core of the nobility, though they are really servants of the Empress (Imperatritsa) . In addition, the Ministers (Ministros) have their own advisers called the kahyia.


❖ -- SUB-MINISTERIAL POSITIONS

❖ -- Nobles (Relatives and Important People)
Nobles managed lands, overseeing agriculture, trade, and tax collection to ensure economic success. They held titles with political authority, acted as patrons of the arts, and organized social events to support cultural life. By investing in trade, infrastructure, and resource control, they boosted local economies and gained wealth. Their roles in leadership, stewardship, and social responsibility were vital for societal stability.

❖ -- Giljake Majstura (Guild Masters)
Giljake Majstura are the leaders or heads of guilds (organizations or associations) that represent the interests of a specific trade, craft, or profession. Guilds are powerful institutions that regulate standards, training, and commerce within their particular field. A guild master is responsible for overseeing the operations of the guild, enforcing rules and quality standards, organizing the training of apprentices, mediating disputes, ensuring the prosperity and protection of its members, and to advise the various Ministros and even individually, the Imperatritsa, at times. Guild masters often hold significant economic influence, as they represent the collective resources of skilled workers and tradespeople. Their leadership can extend to limited negotiating with local authorities, setting prices, and defending the rights of the guild’s members, subsequent to the service of the Imperatritsa.

❖ -- Scribisi (Scribes)
Age varies, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. The scribe(s) is a person who learned to read and write, well enough to serve as a professional writer, listener, and attentive enough to remember what is said in a conversation. The profession of the scribe, widespread across cultures, involve copying the words of the royalty or the lower court officials, as well as copying manuscripts, other texts, and secretarial and administrative duties such as the taking of dictation and keeping of business, judicial, and historical records for Sovereign, nobles, temples, and cities. In areas with low literacy rates, street-corner letter-writers (and readers) may still be found providing scribe service. As important as scribes has become, some are even allowed to attend a special school for scribes. Students spent a lot of time practicing the art. In some locales, it is a profession handed down generation to generation, the children of scribes became scribes. Although some craftsmen were able to get their sons into the school for scribes, it was very rare. It could take four to five years for a person to go through such a school for royal scribes..

❖ -- Kahyia (Ministers' Advisors)
These are advisors to each minister on a variety of subjects. Considered as Subject-Matter-Experts.

❖ -- Pansion e Murśesqo Mato (Inebriated Male Inn)
Other noble families often visit the court during parties or ceremonies. The Pansion e Murśesqo Mato (translated: Inebriated Male Inn), also known as PeMM, is a sort of young noblewoman's club, where the daughters of nobles get together. They often accompany the Empress (Imperatritsa) when she goes hunting. Regardless of stature, the Minister has certain traits and behavior that are required to be a Minister… but when PeMM is closely guarded, they can "let their hair down" so to speak


❖ -- Komandanto le Armienqo (Commander of the Armies)
Age varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. This woman, the Commander of the Armies (Komandanto le Armienqo) leads the Armies of the Empress (Imperatritsa) as designated by the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri), or authorized by the Empress (Imperatritsa).

❖ -- Komandanti and Kapitanura (Commanders and Captains)

• Lower ranking Commanders will be based upon Army Structure and are mainly to advise the Commander, as representative of the Empress (Imperatritsa) and the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri), on military matters of State in her assignment.

❖ -- Admiralo e Maripnasko (Admiral of the Navies)
Varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. This woman, the Admiral of the Navies (Admiralo e Maripnasko), leads the Navies of the Empress (Imperatritsa) as designated by the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri), or authorized by the Empress (Imperatritsa).

❖ -- Komandanti and Kapitanura (Commanders and Captains)

• Lower ranking Commanders (Komandanti) will be based upon Army Structure and are mainly to advise the Commander, as representative of the Empress (Imperatritsa) and the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri), on military matters of State in her assignment.

• Lower ranking Captains (Kapitanura) will be based upon Naval facilities and vessels and are mainly to advise the Admiral, as representative of the Empress (Imperatritsa) and the High Chancellor (Baro Konsilieri), on naval matters of State in her assignment.

❖ -- Sherutno Trezori (Chief Treasurer)
Varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. The post of Chief Treasurer (Sherutno Trezori) is the next of the Great Officers of State. The holder of the post functions as the head of Her Majesty's Treasury, responsible for the empire’s finances and advising on royal revenues. She is also responsible for developing a schedule of tax imposition and proposes to the Empress (Imperatritsa) to increase revenues.

❖ -- Regionalne Trezorura (Regional Treasurers)
Varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. There are 1 regional Treasurer per region (10 each in 10 regions). There are ten Regional Treasurers (Regionalne Trezorura) whose sole responsibility is for auditing state finances in each major region for which they are assigned; and responds directly to the Chief Treasurer (Sherutno Trezori) and the regional Minister (Ministros).

❖ -- Taksaqo Kidipe (Tax Collectors)
Varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. There is 1 per region (100 each = 10 districts in 10 regions). The Collectors (Taksaqo Kidipe) are to receive the "pecuniary burden laid upon individuals or property owners to support the government […] a payment exacted by demand of the government head.” "The tax" is not a voluntary payment or donation, but an enforced contribution, exacted pursuant to “Empirical authority" and is "any contribution imposed by the government […] whether under the name of toll, tribute, tallage, gabel, impost, duty, custom, excise, subsidy, aid, supply, or other name.".

The Collector (Taksaqo Kidipe) is to collect the Taxation established under the government of the Mis’aruan Empire, though mostly in the way of goods and labor. Citizens volunteer into the military (standing army and navy), when necessary, or is sanctioned by the Chief Treasurer (Sherutno Trezori) and forced to perform what needs to be done at the time. The Empress (Imperatritsa) controls all the resources and only gives them to those able to pay taxes and remain loyal to their leaders, despite being authoritarian..


❖ -- Kral Baj Raśaj i Nyxluna (The Royal High Priestess of Nyxluna)
The highest spiritual authority in the Moon Temple of Nyxluna, the Royal High Priestess serves as the intermediary between the people and the divine forces of Sha’lei and Kar’im. She is responsible for leading the most sacred rituals, the secreted tattooing of royalty, interpreting celestial omens, and guiding the temple’s direction. She embodies the balance between stability (Sha’lei) and transformation (Kar’im), and is considered as the earthly reflection of the moon goddess Nyxluna, the deity worshipped as the unifier of the two moons. Leading the most important ceremonies, such as the secreted tattooing of royalty and the Lunar Convergence Festival, interpreting lunar eclipses, and offering counsel to the kingdom's rulers and nobility.
Under the Royal High Priestess, there are ten Priestess and a High Priestess for each moon. Under Misaruan law, men cannot hold such revered positions with the gods, for those are the business of priestesses, those selected by the gods, and handed many powers that elevated them to a relatively high status in society with a number of different offices by which the formal worship of gods and goddesses are carried out. Women who participate in the official worship of gods and goddesses are respected figures who serve as role models and who are often given property in direct contravention of many Sha’Lazar laws. Incredibly, some of them even become celebrities and have statues erected to their memory.

Together, these priestesses, guardians, and associated figures form a complex and intricate hierarchy within the Moon Temple of Nyxluna, where the two moons are not only celestial bodies but also integral parts of the spiritual, magical, and social fabric of Sha'Lazar.

❖ -- Baj Raśajni e Sha’lei (The High Priestess of Sha’lei)
Priestess dedicated to the worship of Sha’lei, the larger and more stable moon, symbolizing divine protection, material prosperity, and order. She and the other priestesses focus on rituals that invoke clarity, stability, and the blessings of the divine.

• Sahar Daran (Dawnkeepers) : The highest-ranking priestess of Sha’lei, responsible for managing the order’s spiritual health and overseeing rituals dedicated to Sha’lei’s dominance (especially during the Radiant Embrace phase).
• Npalal Orakel (Crescent Oracles) : Senior priestesses who interpret the will of Sha’lei through divination practices, often using the light of the moon to guide prophetic visions.
• Khahoran Estarband[/SIZE] (Starbound Sisters) : A collective of mid-ranking priestesses who perform day-to-day rituals, including prayer, light-bearing ceremonies, and the purification of sacred spaces. They guide the people in acts of devotion, especially during the Sha’lei Ascendant phase, when stability and new ventures are honored

❖ -- Baj Raśajni e Kar’im (The High Priestess of Kar’im)
Priestess dedicated to the worship of Kar’im, the smaller, more chaotic moon, symbolizing passion, transformation, and spiritual forces. She and the other priestesses practices emphasize change, upheaval, and the hidden realms of the soul.

• Ambaran (Emberkeepers) : The highest-ranking priestess of Kar’im, embodying the spiritual fire of the moon. She is responsible for interpreting the moon’s chaotic energy and leading rites of transformation, especially during Kar’im’s Shadow or the Crimson Veil phase.
• Orakelkhon (Blood Oracles) : Senior priestesses who specialize in divining future events through the erratic energy of Kar’im. They conduct rituals of catharsis, passion, and revelatory insight, especially during the Crimson Hunt phase, when transformation and empowerment are at their height.
• Khahoran Var (Flamebound Sisters) : A group of priestesses who carry out the chaotic and impassioned rituals, often engaging in ecstatic dances, fiery ceremonies, and invoking Kar’im’s spirit through music and trance. They focus on transformation, wild celebrations, and mystical rites of destruction or rebirth.

❖ -- Taftishgarani (Lunar Inquisitors)
- These are trusted figures tasked with overseeing the spiritual purity of the Moon Temple’s practices and the people. They are charged with investigating unusual lunar phenomena, heretical beliefs, and maintaining the temple’s moral authority. The Inquisitors hold authority over any suspected deviation from the moon faith and are often tasked with rooting out dark magic, forbidden cults, or magical practices that go against the established order of the twin moons. They are present during the Lunar Eclipse phase, interpreting the omens and keeping the balance.

❖ -- Katasmani (Celestial Scribes)
- A group of highly learned individuals responsible for recording and interpreting the celestial events related to the moons. They are deeply knowledgeable about the cycles of Sha’lei and Kar’im and their influence on magic, politics, and the natural world. Maintains the sacred lunar calendars, track moon phases, and interpret any celestial anomalies. They keep records of rituals, prophecies, and lunar events. The Scribe of Shadows is responsible for recording the darker phases of the moons, particularly Kar’im’s phases, while the Scribe of Light focuses on Sha’lei’s brighter phases.

❖ -- Mahbanan (Moonwardens)
- Protectors of the temple grounds and guardians of sacred relics, particularly those that are said to channel the energy of the moons. They are warriors and spiritual protectors, often tasked with keeping the temple secure from external threats, such as rogue cults or external political forces that may wish to manipulate the power of the moons. Ensuring the temple’s safety, especially during significant lunar events like the Crimson Hunt or Lunar Eclipse, when the temple is at its most vulnerable to external influence or magical disturbances. The Moonwardens also perform cleansing rituals to remove negative energy or corruption from the temple.

❖ -- Akhtari Garveh (Astral Choirs)
- A group of priestesses and devotees whose voices are believed to channel the power of the moons during ceremonial rites. They sing sacred hymns that invoke the favor of Sha’lei and Kar’im and are especially revered for their ability to call down prophetic dreams or visions. Perform the sacred songs during moonlit rituals, such as during the Veiled Night or the Dual Crescents. They work closely with the Flamebound Sisters and Starbound Sisters, accompanying them during major rituals and festivals with their ethereal voices.

❖ -- Acolitisi (Acolytes)
Age: Varied, but typically in youth, middle, or late years.
Background: ((5-10 per Priestess)). The Acolytes or Novices are young initiates who serve under the senior priestesses of both Sha’lei and Kar’im. Acolytes undergo rigorous training in celestial lore, divine rituals, and magical practices connected to the moons. Assist in the day-to-day operations of the temple, including tending to the sacred gardens, lighting the temple’s holy fires, and preparing offerings. They also serve as attendants to higher-ranking priestesses during significant ceremonies and rituals.

❖ -- Nageibanan (Lunar Guards)
Background: ((5-10 guards per Temple Priestess)). A separate branch of guards dedicated to protecting the Moon Temple’s physical structure and sacred spaces. These guards are elite soldiers skilled in both combat and the use of lunar-influenced magic, often working closely with the Moonwardens. The guard the temple during high-stakes lunar events, such as the Crimson Hunt, or when divine beings or omens are expected to manifest. They are also tasked with patrolling sacred sites and keeping a watchful eye on any outsiders seeking to disrupt the temple’s work.


❖ -- Foroski Policia (City Police)
Age varies, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. In order to perform their duties, the magistrates and tax collectors of the cities in Sha’Lazar depend in part on the military, which view itself as primarily responsible for the external security of the state. Hence, the magistrates and tax collectors have to rely to an even greater extent on a corps of freedmen and/or slaves purchased by the city.

Lightly armed, these men (and in the case of Mis’aru, even women) are charged with maintaining peace and order in various public places and in public gatherings. Only occasionally did they assist the magistrates in their criminal justice duties.

The practice of recruiting police operatives from the lower classes... slaves, freedmen, and citizens of low birth, some with a criminal past... persist in every social faction in Sha’Lazar.... and many are reluctant to engage in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of everyday criminality, which is largely considered to be a matter of common law to be resolved between private citizens. This force soon became responsible for fire protection and other administrative and religious duties. Each group, or force, based upon the size of the city was responsible for fire and, especially at night, police protection..


❖ -- Negadewochi (Merchants)
Age varies, but typically in youth, middle, or late years. A dizzying array of goods circulate in the various sections of Sha’Lazar along trade networks that criss-cross the main continent primarily the Tamazgha and the Malli’ayad Empire, as well as the big islands of Red Hamada, and across the Empire of Mis’aru. The convergence of the routes of these networks create a unique setting for cultural exchange, as merchants, mercenaries, nomads, and pilgrims that came into constant contact along these networks.

Merchants of Sha’Lazar deal in a wide variety of trade goods including sugar, salt, textiles, spices, slaves, gold, and horses. The expanse of the land and the variety of goods needed and wanted to buy, trade of various goods and services is easy.... all this allows merchants to trade goods; many merchants becoming quite wealthy and powerful. In the case where a trade route is over land, merchants travel in large groups called caravans.

Caravans are almost like traveling cities including everything from doctors and entertainers to armed guards and translators. They provide protection for the merchants and their goods.

The wholesale trade is, to a large extent, in the hands of the capitalists (kapitalistura); the retail business is conducted chiefly by freedmen and foreigners. The supplying of food to the cities gives employment to thousands, but the producer seems to deal directly with the retailer, as a rule, and there are few middlemen.

The clothing trade has no factory system, so the spinning and weaving are done at home by women who may contract for their work themselves directly with the buyer, or in the larger cities, with the dealers, the fullers (pherdo), perhaps, as the cloth had to go through their hands for finishing.

Building operations is carried on to an immense scale and at an immense cost. Public buildings and many of the important private buildings were erected by contract. The letting of the contracts for the public buildings made it very profitable for the officer who had it to do.

The slave trade itself, though disreputable, is very considerable, and large fortunes are amassed in it. The heavy work of ordinary laborers is performed almost entirely by slaves.


❖ -- Bariya Negadewochi (Slave Traders)
Under Misaruan law, slavery played a significant role in society. Enslaved people are in the city, the countryside, households and businesses, and ownership is not limited to elites. But there was a part of society (slave traders) who had been hated, or at least regarded as the lowest of people, just above a slave. It is the those that perform the capturing, selling, buying and trading of enslaved persons. Those slaves seemed to come from all walks of life, all social hierarchies, and were enslaved by a large variety of means, and it was the slaver, or slave trader, that filled the order of the venue. And with the requirement for slaves, and the protection of citizens oft enslaved, the slavers established elaborate trade networks quickly, and with the depth and breadth of Sha’Lazar, those networks always seemed to shift when authorities neared.

❖ -- Barochi (Slaves)
Under Misaruan law, enslaved people have no personal rights and are regarded as the property of their Mistresses. They can be bought, sold, and mistreated at will and are unable to own property, enter into a contract, or legally marry.

Despite displaying an important role in urban economies, Misaruan legal sources do not list enslaved people among employees, but the “robienge butjarne” (tools, or equipment) of a business or workshop. Most are trained in a specific craft, or trade, performing tasks as agents, managers or salesmen. Yet, no matter how competent or autonomous they were, their Mistresses are always legally responsible for their actions.

Misaruan documents focus both on enslaved individuals' misbehavior, not just charges of theft, damage, negligence and laziness AND their accomplishments, such as more freedom, allowances to marriage, owning their own slaves. Enslaved people are often found in Misaruan houses. Some formerly enslaved individuals even had their highlighted accomplishments and the tools of their trade on commissioned funerary monuments. When referenced in texts accomplished slaves are often identified by their tasks, asserting a great number of different roles and specialties. Just as enslaved people in urban occupations were considered to be part of the workshop they worked in, those in domestic settings were part of an owner's property, their numbers enhancing the owner's status.

Enslaved people working in households mostly enjoy a better quality of life than those working in mines or the fields, yet they too could be victims of physical and sexual abuse. Generally, they are required to perform tasks without being seen unless when serving a banquet. Here they are at their most visible, required to perform faultless service.