Serpent Dominion

Government

• Caste-based feudal monarchy/aristocracy.
• Phraya rules, with Phra and other lower nobles below.
• Towns ruled by nobles or their chosen governors.

Peoples

• Fang-kin humans (35%)
• Fang-kin half-elves (25%)
• Ophidians (35%)
• Sena'ka (5%)

Religion

Fang-kin are devout worshipers of the Queen Ascendant, as are more "civilized" ophidians. They do not acknowledge the authority of the priests at Ar Salem Dolem and have their own hierarchy. "Wild" ophidians practice kami-veneration.

Culture

• Closest to "traditional" Stone Throne society
• Highly caste based, but ophidians now can rise to any level.
• Caste promotions based on merit.

Capital

See Kel'al'ar.

Economy

Exports

Fish, dye, spices

Imports

fibers (especially cotton and wool).

International relationships

• Generally good, but limited.
• Only major contact is with the Ship People--they've developed a detente.

Leadership

The current Phraya (King, roughly) is Isal Hvang Srey. Adopted daughter of the former Phraya, Isal Sat'psa Balin, she was victorious in the selection competition that ended at the time of the Battle of Kel'al'ar in 211 AC. Now in her mid 70s, she hasn't softened much. She still rules with an eye to practicality and profit. Her heir is her second daughter, Hvang Puo.

The other contestants that survived the selection competition have since passed away--two from natural causes (Isals Sat'psa Dara and Sat'psa Vanna) and Isal Sat'psa Leng who was executed for leading the Devil's Rebellion in 211 AC.

Time of Troubles

The Serpent Dominion fared very well (relative to other nations) during this period. Ahzekiel Cai'Valur was named heir in 254 AC and Isal Balin abdicated peacefully (and voluntarily) in 258 AC. Phraya Cai'Valur has since marched his army north to quell the chaos in Asai'ka, leading to the absorption of that nation (other than Ar Salem Dolem, which remains independent and under priestly rule). It's no secret that he intends to eventually absorb the Sha'slar Autonomous Zone, but that nation so far has remained stubbornly resistant to any discussions, and Cai'Valur is not minded to go to war anytime soon.

Early in the Time of Troubles, a trade route was established around Cape Dread (the southern tip of the Blood-thirst Wildlands) to Byssia; additionally, efforts by Dilligas Husty and others have led to peaceful relations and tighter trade ties with Sentinel Island and even an initial shipment from the Soefran nation of Ikela in late 259 AC.

Legal System

Phraya Ca'Valur has, with the support of the people and the grudging acquiescence of the noble caste, consolidated the old Isal-possessed rights of High and Low Justice under his Courts of Justice. There are several levels of such courts--the ridings (judges and enforcers who ride circuit through outlying areas), the settled magistrate courts (equal in rank to the riding judges, but settled in towns and cities), the Courts of High Justice (one per region), and the Supreme Judicial Council (consisting of the Phraya and his advisors). The magistrate and riding courts only handle low justice, but refer cases to the Courts of High Justice for capital crimes. The Courts of High Justice hear all capital cases in the first instance as well as appeals from lai on significant matters of low justice.

Civil disputes are still settled by luang-rank or phra-rank nobles, although more and more courts of civil arbitration (sponsored by a local phra or luang and wielding delegated authority) are popping up.

Isal can appeal to the Supreme Judicial Council as a matter of right on any matter, and their appeals must be heard; any sentence that would strip a noble of his rank or impose a capital penalty is heard there as a matter of first instance. Lai can appeal capital cases to the SJC, but their appeals may be denied without hearing. Lai can appeal significant matters of low justice (including the loss of caste status) to the regional CHJ, but again their appeals may not be heard. Commoners can only appeal specific matters of High Justice.

Crimes

High Justice is what we would call capital crimes. These are those crimes that could lead to a sentence of death or exile, as well as any that would strip an Isal of his caste rights. This ultimate penalty is rarely exercised, however. Most result in corporal punishment and loss of goods. Some examples--

• High Treason, including rebellion and attempted assassination of a Phra or Phraya. The big difference between high treason and low treason is that high treason must, if proven, result in the death penalty and in stripping the family of the guilty party of all caste rights and property. No lesser sentence is allowed.
• Low treason, including unlawful arrogation of authority (such as exercising justice without right or claiming to be Isal when you're not). Minimum penalty is the individual being stripped of all caste rights and property. Exile is a frequent additional penalty. Doesn't affect the family (other than politically). Premeditated murder of an isal or a ranking priest is considered low treason.
• Rape of a child (12 years or younger). Rape of an "adult" (broad strokes) isn't a capital matter, but is punished harshly...for non-Isal. Rape of an isal is generally considered low treason.
• Premeditated murder (of anyone other than an isal or ranking priest).
• Buying, selling, or knowingly transporting slaves for sale.
• Banditry or theft that risks the lives of others.

Low justice is all the rest. The maximum penalty here is corporal punishment (lashes, public humiliation, etc) or fines, although some of those fines may be highly punitive.

Only High and Low Treason have defined penalties, and the boundary between high and low justice is somewhat fuzzy and ill-defined.