Imperial decree
Written by Emperor Vierros Alzari, the fifth Emperor of the Empire of Ederav
To all good citizens of Ederav-
From the vast water of Chrenatia, to the mighty volcanoes of Zi’fen, to Ulfdinhar of eternal snow, to the lush and blessed Venefigus, to the free and opulent Phyrozes, to the serene Thospeiros, and to our great capital, Aschatava.
For thousands of years, we lived at our own pace,
Some of us hunted while others built forges,
Some of us farm while others wage wars over land and wealth.
When my ancestor Auxarros Alzari united the Empire with the help of your rulers;
The undefeated Eriona of Chrenatia,
The wise Derin of Phyrozes,
The brave King Efikei of Zi’fen,
The mighty Wolf of Ulfdinhar, Rokvir,
And the pious High Priest Veldhyr,
We united our kingdoms not for the worst, but for the better.
Hecarros Alzari, the third Emperor, had righted our wrongs,
Purged our greed,
And restored power to the Order of Helmeras and the Empire,
But the peril continues.
A civilization falls when the rich become greedy, the poor become envious, and the good become slothful.
During the reign of the treacherous Sereiras Alzari and her vile inventions, we have seen how disparity destroyed our balance.
But no more.
I, Vierros Alzari, the fifth Emperor of Ederav, therefore announce our salvation, which shall keep us in balance and order.
There will be no men sitting upon gold belonging to many,
No woman welcoming others to her bed for coins – unless she wishes to,
No children, poor or rich, common or highborn, to see the words of our Gods and our ancestors and know nothing of it,
No people in sickness despair of what comes in the morrow,
And no orphans starve without certainty of their futures.
With this decree, I announce:
- That nobles shall not trade on their own, for nobles of Ederav have been granted with lush and fertile land, which has already filled their pockets aplenty. Those who wish to trade shall trade under the Order of Helmeras with the supervision of the Orrenter.
Your banners of trade must be authorized by the Order of Helmeras, using their regulations, their tariff, and their set prices. You will not trade freely to all parts of the kingdoms, and instead will be given an equally divided area of trades. - That commonborns of rich and poor shall be educated – their books, scrolls, and ink provided, and for the price of their labour at their homes, each household would be given a sack of grain and a sack of flour for each moon cycle of their children enlisted in academies.
Children will begin their academic years at twelve years of age and continue until sixteen, during which they shall learn reading and writing, mathematics, literature, history, economics, and political studies, along with three other fields of their interest provided in the academies. - That healthcare should be accessible to all – those previously without access to healthcare will be able to receive subsidized healthcare at nearby temples and sanatoriums, and workers will visit households annually to record citizens’ health and needs.
Citizens without previously accessible healthcare need to register at their respective city halls to be identified and recorded, enabling them to receive adequate healthcare. - The Empire will provide subsidized housing to those who need it, as well as pathways to apprenticeships and work to keep roofs over their heads.
Subsidized housing is provided in less developed areas to spread the population evenly, expand the economy, and prevent the formation of generational slums or stagnant rural fringes that would otherwise trap citizens in a cycle of limited opportunity.
To ensure that this decree will be implemented effectively, the Empire has decided to commit to several changes, mainly:
ECONOMICS
- The Imperial House Alzari will take only the tenth of the tax meant for the Empire, instead of the previously used twenty-fifth.
- Imperial tribute is abolished; no more will there be commoners and nobles bringing what rightfully are theirs as necessary gifts to the imperial family.
- Kingdom taxes rose from fifteen percent of the total wealth regulated within their kingdom to twenty percent of the total wealth regulated within the kingdom. The additional share of this tax will be directly invested in the growth and welfare of each region: funds shall be assigned to the construction, repair, and improvement of temples and academies, as well as the renewal and expansion of roads and waterways. In doing so, all citizens and communities will bear clear witness to the benefits of their contributions and know that this levy serves the greater good of Ederav.
- The Imperial crown shall dictate the cost of all wares within the Empire. Under no circumstances are merchants allowed to sell higher than what the crown deems, and under no circumstances can merchants sell outside of the area of sales approved by the crown.
- Referring to the point above, mercantilism is to be heavily regulated – each city is to be supported by a minimum of three merchant guilds, without any excessive monopoly in area or goods, and selling outside their designated area or goods is illegal and will result in their right to trade being revoked.
- Makers of all kinds will sell their goods only to merchants appointed by the crown. The Order of Helmeras is relieved of all responsibility and fees related to the transport of goods. Logistics guilds under direct appointment from the Empire shall collect these goods and provide immediate payment to makers at the designated collection places. The timing of payment and collection will be determined by mutual agreement between the parties.
WORKFORCE
- Minimum labour wage shall rise to 20 anvil a day with a tankard of ale (or any equivalent), and two loaves of bread (or any equivalent).
- Markers to provide apprenticeships for at least half of full-time labourers and part-time labourers combined. Their salary will be subsidized by the empire, and their apprenticeships shall last for two years before they are given the opportunity to expand or
- With children going into academies, child labour is to be regulated: children by the age of twelve and above may work for up to ten hours within a sennight and up to fifteen hours within a sennight during academic breaks. Children shall receive a minimum labour wage and proper tools and equipment needed, and all labourers need to be reported to the Empire through the respective city or town halls.
- Pregnant women may take a break for six moons cycle prior to childbirth until a year after childbirth, with their wage still paid, subsidized by the government. Any attempt to revoke women from employment solely due to pregnancy and childbirth break is illegal and will be tried by the Order of Helmeras under the supervision of the Empire.
EDUCATION
- All children of the Empire, be lowborn or noble, must be able to write, read, and count. Academies and temples will be built to support this, and children between the ages of twelve and sixteen must attend a mandatory education program.
- The first two years of education will focus on writing, reading, and counting. Afterwards, children will learn theology, history, economics, politics, and two vocations of their choice.
- Vocational studies include mercantilism, farming, administrative politics, medicine and herbalism, craftsmanship, smithing, and combat.
- The top tenth of the total students in each academy is eligible for a pathway to verdantship with the Order of Helmeras.
Other details involving this decree will be delivered to all cities within the six kingdoms of the Empire, and any inquiries regarding the changes can be made in your respective town hall or city hall.
Non-compliance with this decree is considered a direct insult to the Emperor Vierros Alzari, the imperial dynasty, and our almighty Gods. Thus, any non-compliance shall be subjected to such penalties as may be deemed appropriate, including the death penalty.
Yet let it also be known that all who uphold this decree may share in the prosperity and lasting glory of our unified Empire. Together, through balance, diligence, and faith, we shall not only endure but thrive, leaving a legacy that will be honored by generations yet to come. Stand with your emperor, o’ citizens of Ederav, and let us build a future worthy of our ancestors and the blessing of the Gods.
Emperor Vierros Alzari, the fifth Emperor of Ederav
Head of the imperial dynasty illustrious Alzari of Vaherdal
Signed in 268 AE