Public (OOC) > Setting and Lore Discussion
Misconceptions of Hazlan's brutality
tzaeru:
I often see it said that demihumans would all be enslaved in Hazlan, that virtually all Rashemi are slaves, that foreigners are openly hated, and so forth. But I don't think the canon material really supports it.
Regarding Rashemi, here are a few quotes from the Gazetteer:
--- Quote ---Rashemani who have valuable skills as craftsmen may be able to escape serfdom. The Mulan have little interest in manual labor of any kind, yet they crave finely manufactured goods. A Rashemani with the talents to produce such goods, whether of cloth, leather, wood, or stone, may be able to generate enough income to live comfortably and independently. Such skills are rare among the Rashemani, however, and those who have them are reluctant to share them lest they reduce their own value.
--- End quote ---
--- Quote ---The Rashemani want little to do with arcane magic, having seen too many of their kinfolk taken to the Tables for experimentation. Those who do travel to the Red Academy to study wizardry become outcasts among their peers.
--- End quote ---
So Rashemani can, in fact, live independently and can also study magic in the Red Academy. Majority of them are in serfdom not very dissimilar from plain slavery, however. By law, they also will not be granted religious or political leadership positions.
Of non-humans and foreigners, there's the following snippets amongst others:
--- Quote ---Humans are by far the most common race in Hazlan, but nonhumans are better represented here than in msot of the Core. Gnomes and halflings are commonly found in Hazlan, though actively discouraged from mingling socially with their human "betters."
--- End quote ---
--- Quote ---Education in Hazlan is done mostly through foreign private tutors, as teaching is too common and mundane a task for most Mulan, while the Rashemani are not permitted an education. Gnomes have proven particularly popular as tutors.
--- End quote ---
Additionally, IIRC there's a gnome instructor at the Red Academy.
--- Quote ---Toyalis features three inns worthy of note. The best is undoubtedly the Blushing Swan, that caters Mulan and wealthy foreigners.
--- End quote ---
So, foreigners are actually granted access to some of the same facilities as Mulan. Rashemani, however, aren't let into these finer establishments unless as servants, guards or house-slaves.
It's true that Hazlan is an oppressive, brutal land. The church of Lawgiver - and the Mulan as well - are strongly ethnocentric. Albeit Mulan have a taste for foreign luxuries, they would prefer Hazlan to be self-sufficient and view everyone else with an air of superiority. But this doesn't mean that the Mulan openly persecuted non-Mulans. Rashemi and certain demihumans can find independence, even wealth. There's a strong and oppressive system of serfdom in place and it's basically legal for a Mulan to execute a Rashemi working under them; but it's still half a step above common slavery.
Foreigners definitely wouldn't want to put down roots at Hazlan, since they would always be seen as inferior; But foreigners with skills or wealth are given good service and are welcomed in the country as long as they somehow benefit the Mulan.
Lastly, here's Outcast Ratings in Hazlan section from the Gazetteer:
--- Quote ---The Mulan are highly ethnocentric. Non-Mulan humans, including the Rashemani, increase their Outcast Rating by +1 when dealing with the Mulan. Half-elves and half-Vistani without a Mulan parent also increase OR by +1 when dealing with the Mulan. The OR of other races remains the same.
--- End quote ---
Troukk:
Great post. Very complete.
I'd say that the only time you will see a "Catch him and purify his body with lashes!" situation is if you're a cleric of another god, or you're an arcane caster who is not a Red Wizard.
And that comes mostly from the Lawgiver Church. The rest just kind of play along out of fear of being branded as heretics by the church and suffering the same fate.
tzaeru:
--- Quote from: Troukk on March 15, 2018, 08:17:23 AM ---I'd say that the only time you will see a "Catch him and purify his body with lashes!" situation is if you're a cleric of another god, or you're an arcane caster who is not a Red Wizard.
And that comes mostly from the Lawgiver Church. The rest just kind of play along out of fear of being branded as heretics by the church and suffering the same fate.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, this is especially so for Hala's followers:
--- Quote ---Followers of Hala in Hazlan are even more secretive than in any other realm, save perhaps those in Tepest. The Mulan seek to stamp out the religion wherever they can find it, fearing the hope it offers and the feelings of community and equality it generates. The Rashemani protect the locations of the Halans as much as they can, however, and the religion has continued to thrive in secret.
--- End quote ---
Of Ezra:
--- Quote ---Clerics of the Iron Faith, perhaps rightfully, view the church of Ezra as their primary rival for spiritual control of the Core. Thus, the Church of the Lawgiver is bitterly unforgiving toward the Church of Ezra's efforts to spread its message into the Vaasi Plateau. Ezra's anchorites face withering oppression, and their presence in Hazlan is accordingly limited to one or two wardens, or traveling anchorites.
--- End quote ---
Though the other of the wardens travelling Hazlan seems to do so relatively openly:
--- Quote ---<name> travels a regular circuit through Hazlan's settlements, healing the sick and aiding the downrodden. She bears the taunts and barbs of the Lawgiver's clerics with grace, retaining her composure in the face of danger.
--- End quote ---
Surmising from this, I would suppose that it's possible for a non-Lawgiver priest to exist on some level for at least some years; However, they would be viewed with hostility and they would risk inquisition or other fanatical person seeking confontration with them at some point.
Hala's followers would not be tolerated at all, since the religion is such a strong threat to the Mulan order. I would guess that Morninglord would have a similar problem.
--- Quote from: Troukk on March 15, 2018, 08:17:23 AM ---Great post. Very complete.
--- End quote ---
Thanks a lot! :)
Zwickelfaust:
So what is life like for a slave in Hazlan?
RickDeckard:
Also remember stuff exclusive to the server , the Lawgiver Church has declared war on the Ezrite & Hala Church, so any caught preaching (or even bearing the colours of the Ezrite Church) and such are going to face issues:
Wearing garments of Ezra/Hala:
http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=28046.msg343421#msg343421
Preaching Ezra/Hala:
http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=28046.msg592802#msg592802
War on the Ezrite/Halan Faith:
http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=45084.msg565774#msg565774
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