This declaration is an explicit statement of the current interpretation of such Holy Law as has been sent down from the Temple of Roland, the Temple of Gregory, the Temple of Sian, and various other statements which have come from the Gods.

In respect of the Temples: Any person, male of female, over the age of 12, who has sworn their life to a Temple and been accepted by that Temple is a Temple servant, and therefore not a citizen. They are subject to Holy Law, and are subject to the rule of their God and his/her Temple. They may not individually own property, assets or slaves, or keep dependants. The Temple may own property, assets and slaves in common for all the servants of the Temple, and children within a Temple are dependants of the Temple

In respect of the Military: Any person, male of female, who has entered and been accepted for military service is a member of the military, and therefore not a citizen. They are subject to Holy Law, Imperial Law, and Military Law. Officers may own salves, but other ranks may not own slaves. The Military may own property, and assets, in common for the members of the Military, but not slaves. Members of the Military may keep dependants, and own property and assets individually, and are responsible and liable for their personal finances.

In respect of the Aristocracy: Any member of the aristocracy, even if he is a member of a Temple or the Military, may own property, assets, slaves, and keep dependants. An aristocrat is responsible and liable for his own finances, and may vote.

In respect of males: Any male, not an aristocrat, or a member of a Temple or the Military, over 12 years of age who has resided within the Empire for at least 5 years, and who is not burdened by a debt to society or insolvency is automatically a citizen. He is entitled to vote, and is responsible for, and liable for, his own finances. He may own property, assets, and slaves, and may keep dependants. Any male child under 12 years of age is a dependant either to a citizen, an aristocrat, a Temple, the Military or to the state. Male dependants of the state who do not enter a Temple or the Military are awarded a starting capital of D25,000 on their 12th birthday, and become citizens.

In respect of Females: Any female, not an aristocrat or a member of a Temple or the Military, over 12 years of age, who has resided within the Empire for at least 5 years, who is not burdened by a debt to society or insolvency, and who has declared herself to be so, is a citizen. She is entitled to vote, and is responsible for, and liable for, her own finances. She may own property, assets and slaves, and may keep dependants. All other females not burdened by a debt to society or insolvency, are dependants, either wives, mistresses or children of an entity entitled to keep dependants. They may not vote, nor may they own property or slaves. They may own assets of a personal nature, but may not keep finances, and are not liable for finances. Females who are child dependants of the state may opt for citizenship upon reaching their majority, in which case they will receive the same starting capital as male children. If they choose not to take citizenship, they will be maintained as dependants, incurring debt until they reach 21 years of age, by which time they must have found someone else willing to take them on as dependant, either mistress or wife, and pay off the incurred debt. If they fail to do this they are sold into slavery, with the price raised set against the debt they have incurred in majority.

Senate recognises the value that dependants have in supporting citizens, and therefore declares that with the consent of a citizen, any dependants, adult or child, may act on their citizen's behalf in matters of personal, business, elections, and any other civic and financial affairs. Dependants so acting must show a witnessed document of enablement to prove their right to act. Liability for any actions of dependants rests with their citizen.

© Tim Hart 2003
For further details contact the GM.