Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

Dear senator Eldrilith,

I have received word from lady Sūsaka that she has some options that match your preferences with regards to your potential belongings. She has also expressed to me her qualms about an ethical review, should she sell to you.

As I understand it, the Praetorian Empire has no laws on slavery at this moment, neither prohibiting nor regulating the trading and use of slaves. In the Veolian Commonwealth, we have strict laws on both the trade of slaves, as well as their treatment and rights, but also to clarify the duties and rights of the owners. These laws also cover how one can become a slave, and the monthly due of slave taxes paid to the imperial coffers.

Included with this message I have sent you the relevant law text and some court cases that exemplify why such protection of slaves is necessary. My proposal would be that you have these text looked over, and ask for clarification from the points that are unclear, or lack cultural context. Eventually, you could propose these laws within your government to align the laws on slavery between the Veolian Commonwealth and the Praetorian Empire.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,
Senator Nehket Aeka

PS. I have included in the attachments a projection of slave tax revenues based on projected adoption of slaves as articles of luxury based on our models of Praetorian public opinion. This might help to convince those in your government that are skeptical about the economical value of slaves.

Attached was a collection of documents ranging from the law texts, court transcripts for some well-known cases with regards to these laws all the way to revenue projections for income from slave taxes.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Dear Senator Nehket Aeka,

It seems that these laws can be adapted to Praetorian law. With our extensive laws on ownership and destruction of capital we already have a base to add slavery laws. I think the emperor will agree that taxes on slaves will be necessary, but that should not pose any problems.

It seems that in Veolian law slaves are treated as being the same individual as their owner for responsibility. How is bad behavior punished if the slaves do not respect the owner's wishes? What if they speak out of line directly against the orders of the owner?

Greetings,
Senator Ardios Eldrilith

[Nehket Aeka]

Dear senator Eldrilith,

One of the fundamental uses of slaves in the Commonwealth is being present in two places at once. This extends to being able to sign contracts, enter into agreements, or have personal interaction with someone. In fact, an insult addressed at a slave is seen as an insult addressed at her owner.

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that their slaves behave according to their wishes. Part of this is the careful selection of property to ensure a good fit of your demands and the slaves desires. Another part of this is correcting the behaviour of property through a numer of methods.

While Veolian law restricts the use of physical violence, careful analysis of the law should offer you some insight into what is, and what is not allowed. A certain level of physical repercussions is allowed, though personally I would recommend rewarding correct behaviour instead of punishing deviant behaviour. In some aspects, slaves are like children: sometimes stubborn, but ultimately dependent upon their superior.

Yours sincerely,
Senator Nehket Aeka

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Dear Senator Nehket Aeka,

Emperor Thorios Olchazith has accepted the proposal to introduce slavery laws into the Praetorian law. He agrees that slavery is profitable. His advisors are working together with lawyers to implement the fine print of the laws as we speak.

Slaves will be counted as an individual that is a member of the owners family and will be recognized as a new instance of the owner with the same privileges and status just like in Veolian law.

The Emperor himself will not use any slaves for now. He is satisfied with his circle of advisors and does not feel the need to be at multiple places at once. Everybody will still have to come to him. He will keep an eye on the development and might change his mind in the future.

Greetings,
Senator Ardios Eldrilith

[Nehket Aeka]

Dear senator Eldrilith,

I am glad that Emperor Thorios Olchazith sees the benefit of slavery laws as we have implemented him. I shall inform emperor Saret Ilius of this development.

I understand the need to keep an eye on the development of the situation, though I would be surprised if the laws do not work out as your emperor intends. Please understand though, that we can not sell any slaves to citizens of the Praetorian Empire if there are no guarantees as to the stability of these laws.

I propose that the Praetorian Empire issues a press release on the adoption of a slavery laws derived from the Veolian laws on slavery. This will give the newly introduced law a sense of stability.

Yours sincerely,
Senator Nehket Aeka