Search the Community

WRIT OF APPOINTMENT, 475 E.S. KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the OFFICE OF THE SENESCHAL 24th of Grona and Droba, 475 E.S VA BIRODEO E HERZENAV, Upon the recommendation of our recently retired former Kastellan, Sofia de Pelear, the Office sees it fit to appoint Manfred Barclay @Ramon to the position of Kastellan of Stewardry. He has shown much dedication in his work as a steward, and it is the Office’s hope that such commitment continues during his tenure as Kastellan. SIGNED, Her Excellency, Josefina Barclay, Princess-Consort of Sutica, Duchess-Consort of Reinmar, Countess-Consort of Freimark and Kretzen, Baroness-Consort of Madvon and Freising, Lady of Wilheburg, Erwinsburg, Freiburg and Rozenfeld, High Seneschal of Hanseti-Ruska

The Office of Stewardry and Taxes Issued at Year 97 of the Second Age With our band and newly founded state growing at a comfortable pace, it is found necessary to clarify the structure and intent of the Stewardry and Taxes office for the future of Lurin. STRUCTURE OF THE STEWARDS Without structure there is little room for growth and professionality, with such we make sure everyone is capable of growing into the role of steward over time. The Silver Lubba The Silver Lubba is in this chain of command as an overseer and highest in command. The Silver Lubba grants authority to the stewards and clerks to efficiently do their assigned tasks without interruptions. The Silver Lubba has the same rights and authority to fulfill the purpose of stewards if deemed necessary by themself. High Steward The High Steward is at the top of the regular chain of the office of stewardry, ensuring that The Silver Lubba may focus on other matters that need their attention at that time. The High steward is tasked with the recruiting of new members for this office and enforcing the codes of homeownership. The High Steward is also capable of granting properties and evictions if one manages to fail to pay their tax. Steward Stewards are the bulk of this office, capable of fulfilling their purpose to their full extent. Ensuring nobody will be left without a home if one is still available, approving minor modifications such as adding a window or balcony to the property with a simple nod of the head. Stewards guide the citizenry around and should be fully aware where everything can be done and found if asked for. Clerk Clerks are the newly recruited stewards of the realm, not yet able to hand out properties quite yet, though are being trained to do so by a Steward. The primary purpose for the Clerks are to show people around and make sure everyone is accommodated properly with plenty of information of the holdings and perhaps a talk to prepare them for the property acquisition process. PURPOSE OF STEWARDRY The purpose of stewardry should be clear to all and so it is decided to list what a steward of this office is capable of if called for aid to do so. Property Distribution The process of acquiring a property can only be done with the presence of a steward, without a steward the acquisition is declared invalid and will result in a direct relinquishing of one's property. The process will be explained further down the document. Guiding of Citizenry The very first task given to a freshly recruited Clerk is to guide the citizenry and travelers to locations they are yet to be familiar with. A basic task for most, though most important to the growth of the settlement, to have every location used to its full potential by remaining no secret to the common visitor regardless of how obvious such a location might have been. Approving Modifications Only Stewards and the High Steward may approve modifications of varying degrees. May they be adding a window or balcony then a Steward will suffice, however, expanding the living space with a basement then the High Steward will need to approve such. If one fails to get approval and continues construction then they are in violation of the law and can have the entire property stripped from them as a result. Relinquishing Properties Relinquishing properties is a laborious task, requiring one to remove locks and any potentially excessive decorations which would not interest the next occupant. While only rarely this happens after missing two weeks worth of taxes, it is to be expected if one is unable to keep up with the standards of maintaining their property. TAXES With our more unique structure of governing, it is to be expected our taxes work differently from most other settlements and nations to fit our needs. This system of taxing is described below in ample detail. Why We Tax For us to maintain all equipment and structures within our holdings, we must set a base tax to achieve this within reason. A relatively low amount has been chosen so everyone can pay this tax for any property with ease as the goal is not to fill our coffers but to see if the people are capable of the bare minimum task to maintain their property, making it a shame to lose it. How We Tax A rather simple system with simple tax slabs where one needs to purchase the correct slab for their property and put them in the corresponding tax barrel. Property values may differ from: 40 mina for manors, vassal lands and prime shops 20 mina for a regular home, shop, stall or storage spaces 10 mina for apartments and regular stalls 1 mina for band accommodations or special deals struck with the governing body Beyond this basic system, it is possible to own multiple properties at the cost of your taxes being raised in a multiplicative manner where the original tax is multiplied by the amount of properties owned for all properties. This can be a costly endeavor if one decides to go down this route. Living Without Tax There is another option to taxes, which we call The Social Tax, making it possible to keep your valuable minas to yourself. Through talking with a high steward or a select few council members who have access to them, you may find yourself acquiring a free tax slab which pays for any amount of tax you have to pay for one property. One may only use one of these slabs per tax cycle, using multiple of these for multiple properties will result in the invalidation of that slab. Alternatively to this system to save mina, it is possible to pay with resources required by the state. Resources deposited in the tax barrels take priority over all other taxes and will leave your tax slabs untouched. All resources deposited will be taken at once. The following needed resources and amounts can pay for any tax found within The Most Serene State of Lurin: 128 Iron Ingots 128 hay bales 64 leather 480 logs of any type 480 of any type of stone PROPERTY ACQUISITION Every settlement and nation has some form of process for acquiring a property and the office has one made for the holdings of The Silver Lubba to ensure safety of our citizenry. With properties being a limited resource for our people, the process of acquiring one is a bit more extensive than most other places would dare. Steward Search The first step to acquire a home is to find a willing steward to help you through the process of acquiring a property in The Silver Lubba’s Holdings. Once one is found and willing to help, the next step may be proceeded to. Minimal Background Check Once a willing steward is found, a minimal background check will be made, asking general questions to make sure one is not there for malicious intent or to help them further once the property is acquired for the task they have given themselves or aiding them in acquiring a job at the band if deemed necessary. Additionally, if one owns multiple properties then one will be questioned for the reason behind acquiring another property. Standardized Spook Test Once the interview part is complete one must be tested with the standardized spook test. This test consists of a small cut on a finger or other applicable areas of one with an aurum blade and a bit of salt would be sprinkled at the cut. If no results are shown, the wound will be cleaned properly and bandaged on the spot. Property Hunt Once the SST is complete, one and the steward may look for potential properties from the varying districts. Some properties are excluded from regular ownership and only granted to people which have a purpose of being there. Property Acquisition If everything checks out, one may finalize the deal with the steward, allowing one to add their name to the property sign and put a lock on the door while the steward notes down all necessary information and collects the down payment for the property which would be equal to 4 weeks of tax for that property before moving off to the next. Property Maintenance Once the property is acquired, it is up to the newly established citizen to maintain their property to be in a similar condition as it was given to them and through paying the necessary taxes. Failure in doing so can break laws of varying degrees written and described in the codex. INITIATION OF STEWARDS For the holdings of The Silver Lubba to prosper, people need to be let in to occupy property and be guided around sufficiently by enough stewards. Achieving this amount of stewards, one must recruit them from the citizenry and the process on how will be explained below. The Process Upon finding the High Steward and affirming their willingness to join this office, they will be questioned and trained to handle the everyday life of a steward. Once they get through the basic training and complete their trials then they may join the ranks as a Clerk. They will be fitted with a basic aurum dagger and a pouch of salt soon after to be capable of the SST. The Oath I [Name] do solemnly swear without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, To pledge my undying loyalty to the Service of The Silver Lubba Band, to the Silver Lubba for which guides these holdings, And to the citizens and subjects under the Silver Lubba I pledge my efforts to the prosperity of the institutions of the Holdings I pledge my body as a tool for the The Silver Lubba, a friend to the commoner, a helping hand to the needed I shall uphold to the principles of the code, and maintain the dignity of the office I shall obey the orders of those placed above me, and I shall never falter from this oath On my soul, honor [and on deity applicable] this I swear. STAND ETERNAL WITH HONOR AND GLORY! signed, The Silver Lubba