The Fergus Codex: Law IX -- Concerning Coinage, Troves and Hoards

Vyrum Law

The mintwork of the Stoneborn people is legal tender and appropriate for paying all debts, public and private. 

Law of Fergon 4304

The High Throne and its vassals will accept coinage minted in Treft for the satisfaction of all debts payable as the High King shall direct.

Law of Wald 4423

Henceforth, a trove is any amount of coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion found hidden underground or secreted in places such as cellars or attics, where it can be presumed that the true owner is dead and the heirs undiscoverable. A hoard shall be any find of similar composition which is kept by an outlaw, monster, pirate or animal and is therefore considered ill-gotten gains. Troves shall inure to the benefit of the finder; while hoards shall inure to the benefit of the baron upon whose lands it was built.

Law of Agon 5289

With respect to the common good of the realms of men and the austere condition of their present treasuries, fifty percent of all trove and hoards shall be considered the lawful property of the baron on whose land they were found. Ten percent shall be considered the lawful property of the Church of Westrun. Twenty percent shall be delivered to King. Ten percent shall be delivered to the High Throne and ten percent shall be kept by its discoverer.

The Treftans

With the sentencing of Agon Damaskos of Treft to the High Throne, history marks him only the sixth High King to hail from that curious southern kingdom. While something of a forgettable senator and politician at home, as the First Citizen and "king" of Treft; sages will do well to remember that Agon obviously earned the respect and admiration of his fellow monarchs by 5289.

While Treft has produced few High Kings, those that it did seem to preside over chaos, and especially during periods of religious upheaval. The seventh High King ever sentenced was Etru Damaskos, who is believed to be the 30th great grandfather of the current High King, though the genealogies have long been lost and no perfect identification can be made. Before being sentenced, Etru was the last king of Treft. The democracy rose after he assumed the High Throne in 4368. He is known to have contributed one of the pillars of the Fergus Codex soon after, naming counterfeiting, forgery and a second offense of arson to the list of so-called abominable crimes. He ruled until 4377.

Liam of Treft was the second High King from Treft, and the first of those under its democratic plenipotentaries. He was sentenced in 4610 and sought immediately to make peace with the Grand Temple. For his predecessor had imprisoned the High Priest and was excommunicated in return. Liam released High Priest Kiran in return for the concession that the High Throne would thereafter chose the High Priest from among those selected by a council of priests. While peace was made this way, this also began the period that came to be known as "the Captivity" by the Grand Temple. Liam ruled until 4619.

Timaldus of Treft was sentenced in 4920 and ruled an uneventful ten-year term as High King. The most noteworthy contribution he made was to the Steward-kingship of Collonia, which proved to last for many centuries as the line of Rigel was thought extinct. Timaldus was actually better known for his contributions as a sage and several volumes of his work still grace the finer libraries of Erenth.

Thelstan of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in 5101 and would rule until 5120. He added three laws to the Fergus Codex, and signed onto the Censure of Wizards. His most notable contribution was being High King during the God War of 5108. He was a good man and a strong leader by all accounts, but he was cursed to live in a tumultuous time. Though Thelstan acknowledged and prescribed the faith of the Church of Westrun, rather famously, Thelstan did not convert from his worship of Moder.

Clanute of Treft was sentenced in 5150 and ruled until his untimely death in 5158. The cause of death has always been a matter of some speculation, but historians like to joke that he died of boredom, following an uneventful and unremarkable term on the High Throne.

History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 16

In 5207 Galron of Menea took the High Throne. His sentence was unremarkable save that he was lost at sea in 5229. Neither he nor his ships were seen again.

5230 Aleranus II the Less of Bolden was sentenced to the High Throne. He served at the same time as his brother Anastorin who was elected Patriarch of the Church of Westrun. 

Aleranus II the Less was succeeded in 5250 by Dane III the Learned. 

Dane was from a long-lived people and was a lover of knowledge. He wrote massive endowments to the Bard's College at Ald Ciula where he had once lived as a student. He renovated the High King's Library in Peakshadow and invited the Archmage of the Dweomersecte to place a Chancellor Mage in his court. Dane was expected to serve for many years and his untimely death was a blow to many. During his short reign, he prosecuted the War of the Barbarian Kings through his military advisor -- the so-called Iron Duke of Bolden.

Despite his success, Dane often appeared pale and boyish to those in his court. His physicians prescribed outdoor activities and sports, which proved to be his undoing. He came to an untimely end, choking on his supper at the end of his first organized hunt. 

Dane was succeeded by his appointed Chancellor General Halinard, the so-called Iron Duke, who declared himself Steward of the High Throne. For two years the Council of Monarchs did not meet. Then in 5263 Halinard became High King of all Westrun by the unanimous vote of that august council. His first official act was to appoint his brother as the Steward of Bolden. 

5271 was the year of the Restless Dead in Menea, which was averted by the efforts of the Dweomersecte.

In 5284 the long War of the Northern Marches had been brought to the very Gates of Wanderhalt. A three day seige of that city was broken by Aleyn, the rightful king of Collonia, and his companions. The kingdom was restored, the goblins defeated and Halinard Geldorf recognized Aleyn Rigel and his line as the lawful crown of Collonia.

In 5289, Halinard Geldorf came to an untimely end. Agon Damaskos of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in his place. He reigns to this day as High King of all Westrun and the Free Provinces.

The Fergus Codex: Law VIII -- Concerning Slavery and Labor

Vyrum Law
The Gnummorong must not be repeated. No captive may be bought or sold, no captive may ever work without compensation of silver. 

 Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that it be known that those of the goblin races cannot be considered captives, for captivity is a crime against humans and Besnir alone. 

 Law of Fergon 4301

We recognize that hereditary serfs are not slaves, but those who receive land produce and protection of their current lord in lieu of rents. In being serfs, they are kept from starvation and death. And as their state is tied to the land of their birth and cannot be transferred, they are not held by the lord, but by the land itself.

 Law of Wald 4422

We recognize that indentured servitude is a voluntary condition and not the same as slavery. It is a wise provision with which the destitute and dispossessed may use to work themselves from debt.

Law of Marten 4858

We desire that the freeborn be paid the minimum sum of 1 silver coin per week of labor and that no indentured servant be held in thrall longer than 7 harvests. 

 Law of Braolas 5193

In as much as it has fallen to me to set forth the ancient and recognized custom of apprenticeship in all trades; and desiring only to see that the good traditions that bind men continue; I hereby set forth the law and edict of apprenticeship to be observed by all peoples for all times evermore.

Law of Agon 5289
In recognition of the supremacy of the true faith and commensurate with my role as the protector of the hereditary serfs, it shall be unlawful for any serf to work or perform servile labor on the day of the Sun, which is henceforth recognized as a day holy unto God.