The Elven Exclusion Act
Relations between the Elven communities residing in and around Therenborough and many of the secular, non-elven species had been flaring for several years, mostly having to do with religious rights and, to some degree, merchant and trade rights. In 216 and again in 217 AV, ambassadors from Leth Deriel , representing Elven kind, were dispatched to Therenborough on orders from Morganae, the Undying Queen to negotiate terms for ceasing atrocities against her peoples and restore them to full rights as citizens of the barony. These talks failed.
In the early months of 218AV, Morganae, the Undying Queen herself went to Therenborough to discuss these events in person with Baron Blaine Gifford , a meeting which was held behind closed doors, but, by all accounts, ended badly.
Though not immediately, this meeting between rulers ultimately led to the formal ending of Diplomatic Relationships between the Elven Nation of the Barony of Therengia. Embassies for both nations were abandoned and ambassadors were recalled to their respective homelands, with no appearance of relations improving.
On the sixth day of the fourth month of 218AV, Baron Gifford unveiled the Elven Exclusion Act, which limited Elven peoples in a number of ways:
ELVEN EXCLUSIONARY ACT WHEREAS, the presence of Elven, Half-Elven, and Drow populations within the Empire of Therengia has been deemed by the emperor and his council to be a threat to the safety and well-being of the Empire and its citizens, and WHEREAS, the Elven Nation and its Queen, Morganae, have been found to be harboring and supporting the aforementioned populations, and WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Empire and its government to protect its citizens and uphold its sovereignty, NOW THEREFORE, be it enacted by the Emperor of Therengia, with the advice and consent of his council, that the following provisions shall apply to Elven, Half-Elven, and Drow populations within the Empire: Section 1. Restrictions on Property Ownership Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not purchase new property or businesses within the Empire of Therengia. They may retain ownership of existing properties and businesses, but may not transfer ownership to other members of their communities. Section 2. Restrictions on Employment Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not be employed in any capacity within the Empire, including as laborers, skilled craftsmen, or members of the military or government. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be employed within the Empire will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 3. Restrictions on Movement Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow are not permitted to leave the confines of their communities without explicit permission from the Emperor's Ministry of Information Management. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be traveling without permission will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 4. Restrictions on Marriage and Reproduction Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not marry or reproduce with members of other races within the Empire of Therengia. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be engaging in such behavior will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 5. Political Exclusion The Empire of Therengia hereby formally severs all political ties with the Elven Nation and its Queen, Morganae. The Empire shall no longer recognize the authority of the Elven Nation or its Queen within its borders. Section 6. Penalties Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be in violation of this act shall be subject to arrest and detention in a designated detention facility, to be determined by the Emperor's Ministry of Information Management. Any non-Elven citizen of the Empire found to be aiding or abetting Elves, Half-Elves, or Drow in violation of this act shall also be subject to arrest and detention.
In the early months of 218AV, Morganae, the Undying Queen herself went to Therenborough to discuss these events in person with Baron Blaine Gifford , a meeting which was held behind closed doors, but, by all accounts, ended badly.
Though not immediately, this meeting between rulers ultimately led to the formal ending of Diplomatic Relationships between the Elven Nation of the Barony of Therengia. Embassies for both nations were abandoned and ambassadors were recalled to their respective homelands, with no appearance of relations improving.
On the sixth day of the fourth month of 218AV, Baron Gifford unveiled the Elven Exclusion Act, which limited Elven peoples in a number of ways:
- Elves and Half-Elves must apply for additional licensing to own or operate any business or merchant stall, at a cost of seven gold coins per month
- Elves and Half-Elves who are not citizens of the Barony must pay a 10gold fee to enter the Barony for business, and 5gold for other reasons. These fees are assessed each month on the first day to those who remain within the Barony for an extended period.
- Elves and Half-Elves who are citizens must provide additional documentation to prove their citizenry, and carry it at all times to present it to any guardsman. Failure to do so will result in jailing.
- Elves and Half-Elves must pay an additional 6% excise tax, in addition to normal taxes
- Elves and Half-Elves may not purchase property within the city of Therenborough; current owners pay 8% of their property's assessed value [an assessment they also must pay for] or have their property seized for failure to pay taxes.
- Elves [Not Half-Elves] must request, and be granted, permission to have children from the newly-created Genealogy Offices located in Ibec Hall and Riverhaven City Hall. Those living outside those cities may travel at their expense, or send a correspondence.
The Document
ELVEN EXCLUSIONARY ACT WHEREAS, the presence of Elven, Half-Elven, and Drow populations within the Empire of Therengia has been deemed by the emperor and his council to be a threat to the safety and well-being of the Empire and its citizens, and WHEREAS, the Elven Nation and its Queen, Morganae, have been found to be harboring and supporting the aforementioned populations, and WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Empire and its government to protect its citizens and uphold its sovereignty, NOW THEREFORE, be it enacted by the Emperor of Therengia, with the advice and consent of his council, that the following provisions shall apply to Elven, Half-Elven, and Drow populations within the Empire: Section 1. Restrictions on Property Ownership Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not purchase new property or businesses within the Empire of Therengia. They may retain ownership of existing properties and businesses, but may not transfer ownership to other members of their communities. Section 2. Restrictions on Employment Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not be employed in any capacity within the Empire, including as laborers, skilled craftsmen, or members of the military or government. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be employed within the Empire will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 3. Restrictions on Movement Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow are not permitted to leave the confines of their communities without explicit permission from the Emperor's Ministry of Information Management. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be traveling without permission will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 4. Restrictions on Marriage and Reproduction Elves, Half-Elves, and Drow may not marry or reproduce with members of other races within the Empire of Therengia. Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be engaging in such behavior will be subject to immediate arrest and detention. Section 5. Political Exclusion The Empire of Therengia hereby formally severs all political ties with the Elven Nation and its Queen, Morganae. The Empire shall no longer recognize the authority of the Elven Nation or its Queen within its borders. Section 6. Penalties Any Elf, Half-Elf, or Drow found to be in violation of this act shall be subject to arrest and detention in a designated detention facility, to be determined by the Emperor's Ministry of Information Management. Any non-Elven citizen of the Empire found to be aiding or abetting Elves, Half-Elves, or Drow in violation of this act shall also be subject to arrest and detention.
Type
Decree, Royal
Medium
Papyrus
Location
Authors
Signatories (Characters)
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