THE SOLLAND SETTLEMENT ACT

[Deets 1129]

– THE SOLLAND SETTLEMENT ACT –

 

Issued and averred by

His Excellency

CHANZLÉ KONSTANTIN VON THEONUS

in the year of our Lord 1947

An artist’s depiction of a farmstead within the Solland region of the Commonwealth of the Petra, c. 1947.

AS THE COMMONWEALTH EXPANDS FURTHER INTO THE LOWLANDS,

It announces the promulgation of the Solland Settlement Act, hereafter referred to as the Solland Act, to open the region to settlement by those residing within the Commonwealth. Or those who seek to find a home within its lands. The realm seeks brave, adventurous, and industrious souls to establish a presence within the region. 

 

The Garmont Throne calls for those who seek to settle the countryside, and lay stake to a small plot of land upon which they may farm the fertile plains of the Commonwealth. This offer is extended to any denizen residing within the Commonwealth of the Petra, with preference given towards veterans of the River Guard, families, and those newcomers seeking to raise a family in the realm. Although named the Solland Act, this act applies to the regions of Mardonland, Nortrebanc, and Mount Catrinne in addition to Solland.

 

Prospective farmers, ranchers, and families may choose to purchase a plot of land within the region, and shall retain the right to maintain a farmstead or hamlet in which they may reside, alongside accompanying fields within their purchased plot which they may allocate how they so desire.

 

 

CONSTRUCTION OF FARMSTEADS AND HAMLETS:

Construction of hamlets shall be done by the Garmont, though petitioners shall work in tandem alongside the throne to ensure that the farmstead or hamlet they shall reside in is the style they desire. The style may be altered in order to better represent those intending to settle the countryside, though ultimately must be discussed, and approved by the Garmont Throne. 

 

Inquiries as to the creation of hamlets may be sent to either the Queen, Chanzlé, or the Vice-Chanzlé in order to begin a dialogue and initiate the process. Ultimate approval of the Queen or the Chanzlé in her name is required for the establishment of a farmstead or hamlet.

 

Hamlets and farmsteads adhere to the building codes set forth in the capital of Vallagne. Thus, major alterations and modifications, such as the expansion of the structure, or altering its shape, is prohibited without the express approval of the Garmont Throne. However, residents of hamlets and farmsteads may petition to make larger changes, and may be approved or denied of their request. 

 

The fields allotted to a farmstead or hamlet may be utilized how its respective owner sees fit, be it farming of wheat, the raising of livestock, or the breeding of fine Petran steeds. 

 

HAMLETS:

Should three or more families band together, they may petition to establish a hamlet within the respective region. Additional buildings and families may be added into a hamlet according to the costs established later within the document, subject to approval by the Queen or Chanzlé.

 

Should this occur, the establishing families retain the right to: 

 

I. Choose a name for their prospective hamlet by which it shall be referred to in documents, maps, and the like.

 

II. Organize amongst themselves, with the oversight of the Orateur or their deputy, the selection of one amongst their number to represent the hamlet within the Garmont Assembly of the Commonwealth. 

 

III. Petition the Garmont Assembly and the Garmont Throne in regards to matters pertaining to the hamlet.

 

IV. Petition the Garmont Throne to establish a permanent presence within the hamlet for its security.

 

• Keeping in mind the size of the realm, and the distance between the Red Bastion and the prospective regions for settlement, individual hamlets may choose to petition the Garmont Throne for the River Guard to establish a permanent presence within their hamlet, in the form of a fortified dwelling, such as a tower. In which a garrison of River Guard may be stationed to patrol and maintain the security of the hamlet in question. At minimum, such should maintain a garrison of ten men, though this number is subject to the requests of the hamlet in question, and the Garmont. 

• Alternative solutions may be proposed and acted upon, with the consent of the Garmont Throne.

 

SETTLING COSTS:

Settlement of the countryside does, however, come at a cost. Those seeking to establish themselves in such a manner will swear fealty to the Queen, and the Commonwealth. In addition, given the crown shall be the architect of construction, the newly established homesteads do come at a cost, for the materials and labor expended in their creation.

 

An initial payment of one hundred and twenty fifty (150) shall accompany the establishment of any farmstead by an individual, and a sum of hundred and twenty (120) for the establishment of each household in a hamlet within the countryside. These are to be paid to either the Chanzlé, Vice-Chanzlé, or the Treasurer and shall be noted and affirmed by a note signed by the official, and the coin added within the logs of the treasury.

 

Should any special circumstance arise, the Garmont Throne may decide to alter this initial fee. Circumstances include situations such as a large family seeking to establish a residence in the countryside. Hence, the aforementioned costs are not static, and special circumstances shall be taken into consideration when petitions for settlement arise.

 

TAXES:

Each year taxation dues of fourty (40) mina shall be owed per farmstead, and thirty (30) per household within a hamlet. These are to be paid to the Tax Office of the Régismont within the city of Vallagne. A designed section within the tax office shall be created for such by the Treasurer. 

 

Any family, of a size of three members or more residing in a household shall receive a decrease in the yearly dues owed to the Commonwealth. A tax deduction of five mina per year shall be placed in effect for families with children residing in any established hamlet, to a maximum of two children per household. The Châtelain of Labor within the Régismont shall oversee and ensure that these standards are maintained, and to prevent fraudulent claims in the size of households. 

 

Should any household or farmstead lay fallow and fail to pay taxes for two years in a row, the occupants shall face eviction by the Régismont for failure to abide by the law. Furthermore, the Régismont retains the right to punish those who breach the aforementioned building code, including a fine or eviction in cases of egregious disregard for the law.

 

BY MY CROWN AND FOR MY PEOPLE,

Her Royal Majesty, RENILDE I, Queen of the Commonwealth of the Petra

 

Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine Arabella of the Petra, Archduchess of Vallagne, Protector of Dogs

   

His Excellency, Sir Konstantin von Theonus, Knight of the Petrine Laurel, Chanzlé of the Commonwealth of the Petra, Hero of Faubourg

[tilly 5115]

"Truly the most excellent work done by the Theonus Chanzlé. I'm proud to see his hard work and planning come to fruition." Renilde droned on, mostly to herself, at a young Princess Catriona. "That is a very important trait to look for in someone that'll be, essentially, your right hand. Your consort, however, should be your left hand." Renilde then chuckled, pinching one of the little princess's pudgy digits between two of her own. "That way, you will never have to lift a finger!"

 

@Zaerie