James Maliszewski
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Vault Warrants
🕑 Added 2022-02-27 19:46:14 +0000 UTC(This is a bit of work-in-progress text concerning an important aspect of adventuring within the city of da-Imer. Certain small details may change, but what follows is essentially what will appear in the final version, minus certain game mechanical elements, which I'm still pondering.)
The Vaults beneath da-Imer have been inviolable for more than a millennium, since the reign of the king-emperor Akamra (1:345–2:17). Dubbed “the Taciturn” by later chroniclers, Akamra decreed that the temple of Akor, goddess of secrets, to whom he was especially devoted, should keep watch over all known entrances to the Vaults within his capital city. In addition, he tasked them with seeking out evidence of any other entrances that might exist, lest robbers employ them to despoil the Vaults and bring the wrath of the Eternal Gods upon Inba Iro.
Akamra’s decree stood more or less unchanged during the ensuing cycles, even after the Chomachto conquest, when Magdor defeated Bejen at the Battle of Vayandima (10:24). Though a foreigner – and a barbarian at that – Magdor had a deep respect for the Ironians he now ruled. He upheld Magdor’s decrees regarding the Vaults and indeed strengthened them, which no doubt contributed to his eventual acceptance as king-emperor by the great families and the priesthoods of Inba Iro.
Not all of Magdor’s successors were as punctilious. With the reign of each subsequent king-emperor, the taboos against broaching the Vaults were weakened – in practice, if not always in law. The final blows against ancient custom came when Mabru ordered the construction of a new capital at Tamas Tzora (10:206) and his son, Trelu, abandoned da-Imer entirely (10:255), leaving its governance in the hands of an appointed viceroy.
This did not sit well with the priesthoods, who reminded Trelu that his position as Emperor of the Twenty Cities of Inba Iro was rooted in his being King of da-Imer. Without his physical presence in the First City, he was inviting calamity upon himself and his people. Trelu responded to this rebuke by stripping several priesthoods of their ancient privileges, including the priesthood of Akor. No longer would they act as protectors of the Vaults; indeed, Trelu gave his viceroy the authority to open the Vaults to treasure hunters.
The priesthood of Akor seethed.
Terms and Conditions
The Viceroy of da-Imer issues what have come to be known as Vault warrants. These legal documents grant an individual or group the right to enter and explore the Vaults beneath the city, provided they do so through one of several designated and approved entrances (the largest being the Amaranthine Bastion). In addition, the warrant grants its holders the right to exit the Vaults with any goods they obtain there, subject to an exit charge, based on the value of said goods, as assessed by viceregal agents. The basic exit charge is 20%, but it may be lowered for those who have proven their worth to the city government (and the payment of bribes, it is often claimed).
Warrants can be obtained at the Amaranthine Bastion. There is a set schedule of fees, based on the number of individuals covered by the warrant and its duration. A valid warrant, whether for an individual or a group, must be shown to appropriate viceregal authorities upon both entrance and exit from the Vaults. Failure – or inability – to do so carries with it fines and possible legal prosecution, as does suspicion of warrant-less treasure hunting. As one might expect, there is a vigorous trade in forged warrants within da-Imer, despite the best efforts by the viceregal guard to stamp out the practice.
Comments
James Maliszewski
Lots of good questions. Here are a few quick answers: 1) Vault explorations are relatively recent, but the PCs are not the first explorers to enter; 2) No; 3) Warrants are available to anyone who abides by their terms; 4) There is no standard method of doing so and it varies from assessor to assessor – to the dismay of many explorers; 5) Of course!; 6) Of course not!; 7) "Don't be stupid."; 8) Generally not; 9) It's a good way to levy fines and additional fees – like so many aspects of this system, it's intended as a way of generating funds.
Stephen Vossler
Many questions: * Has the exploration of the Vaults been going on for a while or will it commence with the start of the gaming sessions? * Are there any conditions or prerequisites for obtaining a Vault Warrant? * Are most of the warrant applicants individual soldiers of fortune or are temples, merchant corporations, and guilds funding and recruiting exploration cadres? * How will the viceregal agents assess the value of "priceless" items, artifacts or relics? * Can anyone claim prior ownership of items retrieved from the Vault? (Temples, Great Families, King-Emperors) * Is there any indemnification or limited liability if the Vault Delvers unleash diabolical, demonic, or divine wrath upon the city, country, world? * With the last question in mind are there any warnings, prohibitions, or taboos that the Viceroy would like the explorers to heed? * As groups return from the Vaults, will the Viceroy tax profits from the sale of information regarding their exploration when it is sold to other groups of delvers? * If delvers register with the keepers of the gates to the Vaults when they enter, why is retaining a copy of the warrant (or passport) essential for exiting? Perhaps the Viceroy has a vested interest in the local armored, watertight, wallet making industry. Please send me a Vault Warrant application form as soon as they are available.
James Maliszewski
Definitely an influence for sure.
DominusCaveaVulpes
Shades of Pavis/The Big Rubble!
