Retainers in the Jade Court

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The Jade Court

On Retainership

 

Foreword

This written document is meant to expand upon something often practiced within the Jade State, extending unto the Jade Courts in of itself, that of Retainership. In its own way, it is the older version of Wardship, when an individual reaches past the age of majority. A unique position all of its own, one may consider it akin to that of the Gentry in other places, though these individuals and for some families spend their lives and generations working for and tending the family above them. With no official way previous of becoming or declaring that of a Retainer, the Jade Court presents this answer henceforth.

Definition of Retainership

As to the definition of Retainership, it can differ from family to family, depending upon traditions and culture. Even so, there are some things that it means universally:

Oftentimes, a higher-up family would take on a Retainer from another family or an individual on their lonesome. They serve that family to their fullest extent and with the approval of that family, they may approach the Senate with that merit and if passed, be gifted that of the title Baron.

 

What is to be Expected

If a family or the courts take on a Retainer, it does not always end in that of Nobility for the Retainer, and for some, this may be their last chance at raising in class if not. For others, though, Feathood is an option, a document to come soon after this, though first refer to the Five Ways of Ascension in Nobility within Yong Ping.

If a family or the courts take on a Retainer, the Retainer is expected to take on varying roles needed by those they serve, though it can often depend upon the abilities of the Retainer themself. It is not an easy feat to do so.

If a family or the courts take on a Retainer, they are responsible for their well-being and actions, for better or worse. Ex, if one such family takes on an individual as a Retainer, and this Retainer is recognized by the Zhu for a feat of honor, it’d reflect back on the family that took them in as a merit though the same can be said as to a demerit, as is to two sides of a coin.

If the courts take on a Retainer, they are not afforded the rights of Nobility, nor the duties that a family may have. Though, it is a unique position allowing the Leading Lady of the Courts to bequeath rights of Nobility to the individual that may not otherwise be an option under that of a Family.

If the courts take on a Retainer, they may often work within it for some time, having taken on some form of position best suited to their talents. At the behest of the Leading Lady of the Courts, they may be presented to the Senate and if passed, they can be gifted that of Nobility. A difficult process in itself.

If a family takes on a Retainer, the Retainer takes on the duties of Nobility listed within Nobility Within Yong Ping and are afforded certain rights of Nobility to aid them in their position; the privilege of using a Champion in an Honor Duel, the privilege of seeking a Private Meeting with the Senate, i.e at the behest of their sponsor family, the ability to take on one Ward of their own, the requesting of YPA guards for the family if under danger and the privilege of having the ability to sit within the families dedicated seat in a public meeting, refer to Rights of Nobility for the aforementioned above.

If a family takes on a Retainer, if they are presented before the Senate with the prior approval of the family and be gifted that of Nobility, it counts as a Merit upon their family and that of the family that took them in. If that of Nobility is to be denied, depending on the circumstances behind so, a demerit may be taken from the family and Retainer both.

 

How to Become or Take on a Retainer

If one such individual, family or the court itself wishes to take on or become a Retainer, there is an official process to go about it. Henceforth, we will expand on how to do so below.

 

The Seeking Individual

If an individual wishes to become that of a Retainer, they need not be Nobility nor Commoner but simply someone that lives within the borders of the Jade State. Open to those with and without families, it is meant to be on a broad spectrum.

It often helps if this individual had first been a Ward beneath the family in question.

So long as this is achieved, they may go through any of the following processes.

 

Noble Families

For a noble family to take on a Retainer, there are a few things that must be met first.

They must inform the Leading Lady of the Courts of their intention to take them on as a Retainer, so that documentation can be made as to whether later down the line, the individual may count as a merit or demerit to the family.

Unofficial Retainers taken on may not be granted a merit, nor the gift of Nobility at the end of their tenure. This includes Retainers taken on past that of the allotted limit per family.

After taking on that of a Retainer, if the family wishes to remove them from their purview, they must inform the Leading Lady of the Courts so as to document this.

 

The Jade Court

For the Jade Court to take on a Retainer, an interview must first take place as to whether they’d be a good fit for the Jade Courts. An interview can be sought via the Directorate of Servitude, alongside the Senior and Junior Ladies of the Courts. If they see the individual fit to become that of a Retainer, the individual is presented to the Leading Lady of the Courts, so that documentation may be made.

There is not a limit to Retainers the Jade Court may take on.

 

Afterword

With the elaboration as to how that of Retainership works, alongside the general processes and ways of becoming them out to the public as a whole, we look forward to the ever-present expansion of the Jade Courts. Keep a careful eye out on documents following these, namely on that of Feathood.

Signed,

Chen Yunya, the Auspicious Minister of Interior and Revenue of the Jade State of Yong Ping, Nushi of the Chen Household and Leading Lady of the Courts and Arts.