Posted by epdiii on 11:28 4/6/02
In reply to: (none)
Which major Almean states have recently abolished/still practice slavery, and how is slavery looked upon by the different religions of Ereláe? Verduria last abolished slavery after Utu-On was overthrown, what race(s) of people did they use for slaves before that?
Slavery has always been a bit disreputable in the Plain, going back to the Cuzeians, who never countenanced it. The early Cadhinorians had slaves-- mostly war captives and poor people who sold themselves or their children into slavery-- but the Munkhâshi occupation gave them a distaste for the whole business, and during the Empire slavery was allowed only as punishment for serious crimes.
In medieval times the practice crept back in; the main sources were criminals and war captives (if there wasn't a war nearby, slaves could be acquired by trade). In modern times slavery is again seen as backwards and cruel, and the countries which still allow it are rogue states (Azgami, Mútkün) or primitive (e.g. Beshbalic, Dracnáe, Barakhún).
Ancient Axunashin society was based on racial slavery: the conquered Wede:i were collectively slaves of the conquering Ezichimi. However, since Ezichimi considered the children of their Wede:i concubines to be full Ezichimi, the slave class dissipated over time. The practice persisted, however, until the Revaudo revolution.
The Jippirasti teach that believers in Jippir cannot be slaves; this of course defines a loophole, slaves acquired by conquest or trade. The Carhinnoi, when they had an empire, treated the conquered Eynleyni as slaves. However, since Jippir has not favored his followers with many conquests recently, the practice has almost disappeared.
The Gurdagor have always considered themselves above primitive practices like slavery. They insist on paying a pittance to their domestic and field workers.