Chaston's Edict
"By order of the Sun Throne, let it be known that all citizens of the Turamzzyrian Empire who are, or who are probably believed to be descended from Elven Stock, are hereby prohibited from owning land or business;
Let it further be known that all lands and businesses presently held by those of Elven Stock are hereby, and in perpetuity, property of the Sun Throne;
Let it further be known that any citizen who resists, or is found to be in violation of this Edict, will suffer the ire of the Sun Throne."
Chaston's Edict was a proclamation by Emperor Chaston Kestrel of the Turamzzyrian Empire in the year 4310. The proclamation's purpose was to forbid all Imperial citizens of partial or full elven descent from owning any property. It was amended in 4479 by Emperor Roginard Burzost to forbid non-humans from ascending to positions of leadership. After growing opposition to it, Chaston's Edict was formally repealed by Emperor Aurmont Chandrennin Anodheles in 5122.
History
Chaston's Edict originally targeted elves and those of mixed elven heritage. After the Edict was established in 4310 by Emperor Chaston Kestrel, the property of many elves was seized throughout the Empire. Skirmishes broke out between Emperor Chaston's enforcers and elven citizens. Elves, and those of elven blood, also started to move out of the Empire. Many of them settled in Wyrdeep Forest in the Barony of Bourth, where many elves had already established communities within the ancient forest. Both Bourth and the Wyrdeep became recurring places of conflict within the Empire as its citizens struggled with the reality of the Edict in a region that already had a long history of many races living side by side. The Wyrdeep itself eventually became known as a bastion of elven expatriates. In Gallardshold, the Bourth city closest to the Wyrdeep, the people established long traditions of wearing special symbols to indicate whether they supported or opposed the Edict.
Due to the exodus of elves, many citizens skilled in magic left the Empire. In response to this, Emperor Immuros Kestrel, cousin of Emperor Chaston, established the Hall of Mages to encourage magical study among non-elves. He also disbanded the enforcers and ordered that the harassment of elven citizens cease. The opposing sentiments of both Emperor Chaston and Emperor Immuros were echoed over multiple generations, causing both support and interpretation of the Edict to vary between successors to great detriment to the Empire and its people.
In 4479, Emperor Roginard Burzost amended the Edict by establishing legal terms of hathlyn and ordlyn to codify how the Edict discriminated between humans, elves, and those of mixed ancestry or other races, using specific terms to define people by their heritage. Hathlyn referred specifically to those of mixed human and elven heritage. Ordlyn referred to all other non-humans who did not have any elven ancestry. In addition to adding these definitions, Emperor Roginard also expanded the edict to discriminate not just against elves but also against any non-humans. His additions prevented hathlyn and ordlyn from serving in any position of leadership, including in guilds, politics, and higher military ranks.
These legal terms were drawn from the old Kannalan language. It is worth noting that the Turamzzyrian Empire was built atop of the Kannalan Empire after its collapse in 3961, with the first Empress Selantha Anodheles uniting the three major Kannalan cities of Tamzyrr, Elstreth, and Kai Toka in the years prior to her coronation in 4278. The territories around those cities are known today as Selanthia, Aldora, and what was Kezmon Isle. Under Empress Selantha's reign, the old Kannalan regions of Bourth, Honneland, and Toullaire were also seized by the Sun Throne. In the generations that followed, the Turamzzyrian Empire slowly absorbed the remainder of the original Kannalan territories. While no documents exist to either affirm or deny the purpose behind Emperor Roginard ammending Chaston's Edict in 4479 to incorporate Kannalan terminology or to target ordlyn specifically, it is possible that this was to prevent the growing presence of Kannalan-era bloodlines, which had included Kindred and Truefolk in addition to humans, from regaining control. In spite of this, the presence of Kindred in particular did continue to grow and become more accepted throughout the Empire.
Eastern Bourth continued to openly trade with the elves of the Wyrdeep in spite of it being technically in violation of the Edict. In 4599, a minor lord in Bourth, Gallard Wilke, sent collectors into the Wyrdeep to demand the elves living there pay taxes. The elves responded by killing at least one of the collectors. Lord Gallard retaliated by razing an entire elven village in the Wyrdeep. These events escalated until Emperor Krellove Chandrennin stepped in after the Nalfein were implicated in supplying the Wyrdeep elves. He built an army and declared war against the Nalfein. The First Turamzzyrian-Nalfein War lasted from 4605 to 4610. It ended abruptly after Emperor Krellove's death, with his successor Emperor Toscus Chandrennin declaring an end to the war.
In a twist of fate, Emperor Toscus was later assassinated by palace guard Veta Villaune after a message implicated him as having secretly communicated with the Nalfein following the war's conclusion. Emperor Baeronnar Chandrennin, who ascended the throne following Emperor Toscus' death, married Veta after being impressed by her decisive actions in killing Emperor Toscus for his perceived betrayal. He supported Emperor Krellove's prior aggression and immediately started to move against the Nalfein. However, the Witch Winter swept over the Empire as he began his campaign, resulting in the destruction of his armies and the fall of the Kingdom of Hendor. The war was abandoned before it was formally declared.
Emperor Perrinor Rysus established the Rysus Codex in 4694, which irreversibly altered the Emperor's role within the Empire and the Sun Throne's relationship with the Imperial noble houses. Prior to its ratification, the Empire had held a traditional absolutist authority over all of its lands, however with the assimilation of Hendor after its fall, many of the Empire's new noble citizens demanded a shift toward feudalism. The Rysus Codex declared the rights of all Imperial citizens, from Emperor to field hand, as well as codifying the responsibilities of rulers to the people of the Empire. Noteably, the Rysus Codex held no explicit references to either slaves, who had no rights, or to non-humans.
Prelate Fzendoor of Immuron initiated the Second Turamzzyrian-Nalfein War in 4769, which was immediately supported by Emperor Rallick Anodheles. Emperor Rallick participated in the campaign, which resulted in his death in 4771. His succesor, Emperor Theron Anodheles, negotiated a peace treaty with the Nalfein to end the war.
Empress Selantha Anodheles II declared war on the Faendryl in 4841, resulting in the Turamzzyrian-Faendryl War, after hearing a prophecy that the Empire would experience a new age of glory. While no treaty was signed to officially end the war, its conclusion happened only a year later by a decisive Faendryl victory. The area between Barrett's Gorge and New Ta'Faendryl became infested with demons, later necessitating construction of the Demonwall.
While both of these wars focused on other nations beyond the Empire's borders, they reinforced core tenants of the Edict within the Empire, elevating human interests over that of the other races.
In the years that followed, the Horned Cabal rose as a threat within the Empire. The Order of Voln, whose ranks changed throughout its history depending on if support of the Edict was waxing or waning, rose to prominence in the face of the threat posed by the Horned Cabal. This was especially true in the southern Imperial territories such as Aldora. Out of necessity, the Order of Voln's ranks swelled with non-humans, who fought side-by-side with and were seen as equals to human members of the Order. This changed popular support in many regions of the Empire away from the Edict, especially in those regions where the Order of Voln held prominence. It was during this time that Grandmaster Finevas, a half-elf who took his name from the elven hero Fineval, was selected by Duke Chandrennin of Aldora to be the grandmaster of the newly restored K'Tafali Manor, the first monastery that had been established by the Order of Voln near Krestle, in Bourth.
Recent History
When Empress Mynal'lyanna Anodheles ascended to the Sun Throne in 5092, she eagerly and aggressively reinforced Chaston's Edict and promoted a program of human superiority at the expense of other races. Her ambitions were met with mixed responses, ranging from hostility from the Empire's elven neighbors, to rejoicing among those sections of the Empire that had traditionally supported the Edict, to wary compliance or outright defiance of the Edict in those areas that opposed the Edict. Her reign saw a period of chaos in the northern Empire lasting nearly a decade.
Baron Lerep Hochstib of Jantalar, an avid supporter of Chaston's Edict in spite of his own half-elven heritage, launched a series of wars against his neighboring territories within the Empire, a period of aggression that Empress Mynal'lyanna supported. He invaded and annexed Talador in 5087, a barony that had a long tradition of tolerance toward other races, especially dwarves, who were a sizeable percentage of the population. After conquering Talador, the Baron enslaved the dwarven clans who lived there and killed hundreds of them as a show of power. Empress Mynal'lyanna provided Baron Lerep with mandis crystals to directly help his campaign, leading to his successful invasion and annexation of Mestanir in 5092, a barony that had long held an open mindedness toward humans and harbored rogue spellcasters unregistered with the Hall of Mages. Baron Lerep then declared war on Vornavis in 5096, another northern barony with a long tradition of tolerance and whose own Baron Dunrith Malwind was himself half-elven, and against whom Baron Lerep held a very personal grudge. His war against Vornavis lasted far longer and ultimately was unsuccessful, with the exception of a blockade established to prevent trade from reaching Solhaven. Perhaps because of his failures to acquire a port within Vornavis and the alliances developing between Vornavis and towns north of it, Baron Lerep also targeted territories outside of the Empire, including both Wehnimer's Landing and Icemule Trace, as he sought both to expand Jantalar and to spread the influence of Chaston's Edict.
This same time of upheaval that came to be known as the War of Nations saw the assassination of Empress Mynal'lyanna in Vornavis during her tour of the Empire, on Fashanos 1, 5103. Her death was not enough to stop Baron Lerep and his warmongering, however it did solidify support for those who opposed him and those who opposed Chaston's Edict. Emperor Aurmont Chandrennin Anodheles formally ascended to the Sun Throne a month later on Charlatos 3. In the interim, dignitaries and organized groups responded differently to Empress Mynal'lyanna's death. The Parkshnuum Clan, which included those dwarves killed and enslaved by Baron Lerep in Talador, condemned the late Empress' actions during her reign and cautioned her successor to not make the same mistakes. Argent Mirror Myasara of the Illistim elves condemned the act of regicide but likewise encouraged the Empress' successor to usher in a more civilized way of life for his people.
One of Emperor Aurmont's first actions was to appoint Earl Eddric Jovery of North Hendor as Northern Sentinel, a position that Empress Mynal'lyanna had conveniently left vacant during Baron Lerep's wars of aggression. He also ordered Baron Lerep to return the mandis crystals untainted that the late Empress Mynal'lyanna had given him. The Baron refused, and instead escalated his siege of Wehnimer's Landing. Emporer Aurmont ordered Earl Eddric to act on his behalf in his new role of Northern Sentinel to resolve the conflict. Earl Eddric sent his forces from Hendor to aid Wehnimer's Landing, directly opposing Baron Lerep. Baron Dunrith of Vornavis also sent his forces to bolster Earl Eddric's efforts. Baron Lerep was repelled but did not acquiesce. He was eventually defeated, killed in battle in Eoantos 5103 in the Outlands Manor, outside of Vornavis as he prepared another attack. Earl Eddric and Baron Dunrith knighted a number of heroic individuals after the battles had concluded, including elves and Kindred.
Following the death of both Baron Lerep and Empress Mynal'lyanna, the Empire fell into a period of uneasy peace. Many territories further turned away from the tenants of Chaston's Edict in the wake of the previous years' chaos, especially those on the outskirts of the Empire, such as Vornavis, Bourth, and Aldora.
Ten years into his reign, Emperor Aurmont issued Aurmont's Edict of 5113, which declared that no individual within the Empire who bears a drop of human blood should be treated as less than human. His Edict was said to be inspired by the long service of Baron Dunrith.
In 5114, Prelate Chaston Griffin, rose to prominence within the Church of Koar and was appointed the Prelate of Talador as the barony finally reclaimed its rightful independence. Originally from Jantalar, Prelate Chaston had served under Baron Lerep during his wars of aggression against Talador and the other northern territories, and he fervently supported Chaston's Edict. Over the next two years, Prelate Chaston established the Blameless to purge any lingering traces of the Dark Alliance's influence throughout the Empire that may have remained after the conclusion of the Griffin Sword Saga. That focus swiftly changed to target the entire Lornon Pantheon's influence, both within the Empire and without, often resorting to violence to force confessions before executing accused offenders even after they forsake their patrons to convert to Koar. He eventually targeted all those not aligned with Koar, such as slaughtering an entire village of Imaeran sylvans simply because they refused to honor Koar above their patron, Imaera. He then expanded his crusade even further to include all non-humans, invoking Chaston's Edict as proof that his cause was just. Prelate Chaston targeted half-elves in particular, experimenting on them to develop a contagious disease that was alchemically modified to target those with mixed human and elven blood with the intent to commit genocide against them throughout the Empire and return the Empire, and potentially all of Elanthia, to a state of racial purity. He was indifferent, if not supportive, of the same disease also affecting other non-human races. He also used the blood of imprisoned half-elves, non-humans, and human "heretics" to create blood marble in the mines of Talador.
In addition to Wehnimer's Landing, multiple Imperial territories are caught up in Prelate Chaston's crusade. Politically motivated attacks and assassination attempts occurred across the Empire, targeting those Imperials who indirectly or directly opposed Chaston's Edict. Larsya Caulfield, the young daughter of Baron Spensor Caulfield of Bourth, was struck with a poisoned arrow. Several representatives from the Imperial territories convened in Tamzyrr to meet with Emperor Aurmont in Imaerasta 5116 amid the rising tensions, including Salnim Malwind, Baron Dunrith's son and heir to Vornavis. In response to Vornavis' explicit tolerance toward all races and Baron Dunrith refuting Prelate Chaston's authority when he spoke during a Vornavian court session, the Baron was infected by the half-elven disease. Prelate Chaston kidnapped Earl Eddric, declaring him a heretic for his tolerance of non-humans and opposition to the Prelate's plans.
Earl Eddric and other hostages were eventually rescued in Eoantos 5116 from where they had been imprisoned and forced to work in the Taladoran mines. During the rescue mission, which was bolstered by both Vornavian and Imperial forces, a massive blood marble obelisk was located, being pushed slowly toward a portal that led directly to the heart of Tamzyrr by peasants enthralled by Prelate Chaston. Prelate Chaston himself appeared and was struck down, but in his final moments he activated the obelisk before it was able to be moved from Talador to Tamzyrr. The obelisk was a magical weapon of mass destruction intended to "purge" the taint of open-mindedness held by Emperor Aurmont and many others across the Empire by killing as many people as possible. It detonated in Talador, causing the total destruction of the barony and the formation of the Bleaklands. The population of Talador was decimated, and those who survived were forced to flee, having lost everything.
In the days following the destruction of Talador by Prelate Chaston, Emperor Aurmont issued a decree in 5116 that he would gather the Council of Lords to begin work on passing law to end Chaston's Edict:
"In the aftermath of one of the most devastating losses of life in the Empire’s recent history, all of the great land mourns. It is said that because such evil and hate was allowed to foster, even within the Empire’s own borders, that Emperor Aurmont Anodheles has issued a command that in the coming weeks and months he will be gathering his Council of Lords to begin work on finally passing law that ends Chaston’s Edict, or even the notion of it. Even in light of the tragedy, many cheered the Emperor’s decision and praised it as a great step in helping to right much of the wrong that the Empire has done in the past, when it comes to the rights and persecution of non-humans. Meanwhile, others speculate that it came too little too late, and argue it could take years for such an act to happen given the often gridlocked politics and arrogance among imperial nobility."
This speculation would hold true.
Valley of Gold and the Edict's Repeal
Over the next two years, a variety of territories and nations came together to support the refugees in the wake of Talador's destruction. Kasendra Chandrennin, daughter of Duke Bannon Chandrennin of Aldora, traveled north to offer her help to offer her help in organizing the relief efforts. She had prior experience aiding Estoria, and after gaining the support of Vornavis and the other northern territories, she quickly found Salnim Malwind at her side offering his aid. A frequent theme of this aid was to offer it to all in need, especially as non-humans were the most impacted by Prelate Chaston's heinous actions.
Meanwhile, in Ta'Illistim, concerned citizens petitioned Argent Mirror Myasara to expand her own aid efforts, which had recently including sending food and supplies to Ta'Vaalor after it suffered an unnatural winter. Lady Sayilla Javilerre was appointed as an ambassador of the Argent Mirror and traveled west to meet directly with Baron Dunrith Malwind, as most of the relief effort coordination was based out of Vornavis. Sayilla secured airship docking rights in Solhaven to better facilitate transfer of supplies from Ta'Illistim for the relief efforts. She also met Kasendra, and the two began to foster positive relations between their respective nations.
Baron Dunrith was so impressed by Sayilla that he shared the ongoing efforts with Emperor Aurmont, who agreed to open discussions with the Argent Mirror. After some correspondence between them, Emperor Aurmont and the Argent Mirror agreed to meet in person to discuss future aid and to sign a treaty that would declare a mutual respect and friendship between their sovereign nations. This treaty became known as the Valley of Gold accord, named after the valley in which it was held in Lumnea 5119. While the other four elven Houses were invited to participate, they shared a mixed response. King Qualinor of the Vaalor attended, appearing to passively support the treaty. The Nalfein were displeased, and an envoy, Ianthra, was sent to represent the House and keep an eye on what happened. The Ardenai and Loenthra acknowledged the event and invitation but did not attend, taking the politically safe route of non-involvement.
In spite of the Valley of Gold treaty, the improving relations with outside elven nations, and the overall opposition to the Chaston's Edict within the Empire, the Edict remained in effect. While Kasendra continued her involvement with the Talador relief efforts, working closely with Salnim, progress on Emperor Aurmont's command to repeal the Edict appeared to have stalled.
In early 5122, Kasendra and Salnim wed ahead of an anticipated announcement. Shortly afterward, Emperor Aurmont announced that Kasendra would travel to Ta'Illistim on his behalf as a diplomat, where she was welcomed into the Illistim court as an emissary alongside Argent Mirror Myasara's handmaidens. Sayilla, meanwhile, was welcomed in a similar diplomatic role in Tamzyrr. Following the death of Kasendra's father, Duke Bannon Chandrennin, she returned to Aldora for the funeral. Emperor Aurmont also attended as Duke Bannon was his uncle. Before she returned east, Kasendra spent some time talking with Emperor Aurmont as his cousin about the future she envisioned for her and Salnim, who in spite of appearing human is actually quarter elven. She urged Aurmont to fully repeal Chaston's Edict, not just for the sake of the children they planned to have together, but also because it was the right thing to do.
In Koaratos 5122, Baron Spensor Caulfield of Bourth died of old age. A funeral was held for him in the Wyrdeep, honoring the longstanding traditions of the Caulfield family to pay respect for the ancient forest and its ways. Most in attendance wore symbols indicating their opposition to the Edict, including the Caulfield family. In the days following and prior to his own coronation, Baron Spensor's son and heir, Breshon Caulfield, traveled to Tamzyrr to demand the Council of Lords and the Emperor finally act on Emperor Aurmont's decree of 5116 to end Chaston's Edict. In retaliation for his words and actions, the remnants of the Blameless attempted to disrupt Breshon's coronation three days later but were unsuccessful.
Two days after Baron Breshon's coronation, on Phoenatos 6, 5122, Emperor Aurmont formally announced the Edict's full repeal.
"Nine centuries ago, an idea was given form to bring prosperity and safety to three towns in a time of great uncertainty. Fifty years later, that idea would be put to the test, the result of which would give birth to the Turamzzyrian Empire. The march forward would not be a simple or easy one. There would be moments of joy and moments of sorrow. Moments where we stumbled and moments where we stood tall. Each of those moments over eight centuries would bring forth a nation that now has dozens of cities, that would span from the Wastes to the wilderness, from the mountains to the sea, and that is the home to countless people.
Some will say that our best days are now behind us. That the strength and will that one filled our heroic hearts has been lost to the ages. We however, believe that our best days are before us, ready and waiting to be shaped. To do so we must always remember our past, but in doing so we cannot allow ourselves to be shackled to it. We must never forget the deeds and words, the persons and lives, that made this Empire. Because it is not lines on a map or great cities of stone and mortar that truly give our nation shape, but rather its many people and citizens.
Now, ever striving, ever seeking, we shall step forward together into a new era. For it is on this day that the idea of the Turamzzyrian Empire will renew itself. It is on this day that we let go of what came before and embrace that which comes now. On this day we show that we can do better, we must do better, we shall do better, and we are all better for it. For it is on this day, and forever more forward, that we rescind Chaston's Edict.
Henceforth on this day, the fifth of Phoenatos in the year 5122, persons of all descents, elven or otherwise, shall have the right to own land or businesses within the Turamzzyrian Empire. That all citizens of the Empire shall have equal standing before the law regardless of the descent of the individual.
Let us now step forward together, citizens of the Empire."
In spite of the formal declaration, there are still factions within the Turamzzyrian Empire who hold onto the idea of racial purity, placing humans above all other races. They include the remnants of the Blameless as well as holdouts elsewhere in the Empire. In 5123, both Kasendra and Sayilla were killed while serving in their diplomatic roles abroad. Those seeking a return to Chaston's Edict have taken advantage of the unrest that has followed, fanning the flames of discontent toward hatred.
Travel Guide
The travel guide system was introduced in the early 00s to provide a way for characters under level 20 to safely gain passage between the three starter towns and cities. As part of some of the random dialog, the travel guide relates the following information about Chaston's Edict. It is worth noting that the dialog has not been updated since it was first released and is nearly two decades out of date.
The guide says, "Parts of the Turamzyrrian Empire are very resistant to non-humans. So much so, that a decree was made a long time ago called Chaston's Edict, created by Chaston Kestrel, which barred all elves from owning land or businesses. Many elves fled the region during that time and the ones that remained were reduced to a life of slavery or serfdom." The guide says, "Chaston's Edict was amended and replaced by the Rysus Codex in year 4694, though the Codex didn't abolish the discrimination completely. The Rysus Codex is a massive document detailing the laws of the human empire, and it established a feudalistic society, ruled by the noble human houses. Non-humans, especially elves, were barred from positions of nobility within the empire." The guide says, "All this talk of Chaston's Edict reminds me of Baron Lerep Hochstib. He was a half-elf, or Hathlyn, as they're referred to in the empire. He recently attacked Wehnimer's Landing, you know, using a Crystal that rendered magic-users completely useless." The guide says, "It was a long, hard battle, but the people of the Landing eventually toppled his forces when they destroyed the crystal. They even managed to destroy his crystal in Mestanir!" The guide says, "For example of the allowances made for some half-elves, or Hathlyn, as they're known here. He sought to increase the land of his barony and set out to destroy Mestanir, an area of the human empire known for its skilled mages." The guide says, "By way of the Mandis Crystal, a powerful anti-magic relic, and some backing from the empress, Hochstib was able to effectively battle the humans from Mestanir." The guide says, "He also sought to claim Vornavis, the barony around Solhaven. Though in 5098, the caravan road we're travelling on right now was completed by Vornavis, allowing less necessary travel through the lands of Jantalar." The guide says, "Baron Hochstib also tried to take Wehnimer's Landing through a series of drawn out battles many of which included use of the Mandis Crystal to quell the powerful mages and sorcerers of the lands. Hochstib was killed during a brazen attempt to control Wehnimer's Landing, Solhaven and Vornavis in 5103." The guide says, "The severe restrictions on non-humans have abated somewhat since, until the reign of Empress Mynal'lyanna, who called for greater pride in humankind and a revival of Chaston's Edict. The empress was assassinated in 5103 by a rogue witch-hunter whose bolt was infused with Luukosian deathwort." The guide says, "Empress Mynal'lyanna restored much of the Turamzzyrian pride within the empire, by reviving the restrictions imposed on non-Humans by the Chaston Edict. The infusion of racial pride is most prevalent in the military and nobility, and in cities nearest to the imperial capital."
Behind the Scenes
News of Emperor Aurmont's decree formally repealing Chaston's Edict was announced live at Simucon 2022. GM Lydil read the proclamation aloud in front of attendees and on Radio Free Simucon. The proclamation was presented as a physical document prepared for the event.