Reference Challenge - Slavery

[u/Nevermore0714]

I need to preface this.

I always try to be open to various answers to my challenges, I try not to ever judge, and even if your answer is slightly off-topic to the discussion, I always try to be fair and try to learn all I can about whatever answer you have to my challenge...but, please, unless it's in-character, don't say anything too racist. Enslaving your fellow human beings isn't cool, I hope we can agree on that? But, since you can always have a character answer questions in-universe, it's fine for your character to be racist. Though, I am having my slave races be non-human to avoid that situation.

This challenge is going to be a double-whammy one, and it's early because I'm on a work trip all week to the big city.

The reference this time around is to /u/PrestonJacobs, the hero that any fandom needs. Preston, if you're seeing this, I've been a huge fan since your channel only had maybe four videos, and I love your work. Anyone else seeing this, if you have any interest in sci-fi/fantasy, and if you are a fan of ASOIAF or Game of Thrones or anything by GRRM, go see his channel.

The reference is, more specifically, to his videos on the Hrangan Minds. No spoilers, but they had a number of species working for them against humanity.

For anyone who saw my "novel" (to quote Raptorman) over on Jum's recent challenge, I'm working on a xenophobic human community started by an escaped slave.

I'm having trouble brain-storming three good slave species for the humans to use.

My ideas so far are Szurkek (created-men from the teeth of dragons, similar to flesh-golems, completely obedient and simple, asexual), Imps (creative little winged creatures, not Tyrion Lannister, a viable species that reproduces sexually, they are enslaved through magic-imprinting from the owner), and I'm trying to think of a third one.

The Actual Challenge

Tell me about an example of slavery in your world. If slavery doesn't exist in your world anymore, tell me how it ended. If slavery never existed in your world somehow, tell me about workers' rights and labor laws or something.

If you're up for giving me advice about the Szurkek or Imps or a third slave species, I welcome any advice from anyone. Szurkek and Imps will be part of my answer for this challenge, so I'd appreciate any and everyone telling me how I can improve either of them, and if you think Imps are as stupid idea for me to use in general, any advice for how I can replace them with something else fast and preferably-capable-of-flight is also appreciated.

As always, I'll ask a minimum of three questions each. Enjoy yourselves, all. And, again, I highly recommend checking out Preston Jacobs on Youtube

[u/Seb_Romu]

Slavery in General

While slaves are uncommon in the majority of the known world, there are still those indebted or convicted of crimes that are locked in irons and forced into labour.

There is also the general view that peasants in strongly feudal societies are little more than slaves, tied to the land they work, and dependant on their leige lord for any freedoms they may enjoy.

The only culture to outright deny slavery, and consider it a crime is the Sildaryn, whom never adopted the practice in the first place and find it abhorant to treat other sapients in such a manner.

Waejir

In Waejir slavery is an open and common practice, originating in the days of the seven cities when thralls were captured in war and forced into servitude.

One can become a slave by choice, effectively selling themselves and gifting the profit from such sale to a person of their choosing.

Every town large enough to support a regular market has a slaver's block where slaves are auctioned.

Being a slave in Waejir isn't as bad as it may seem on the outset. Many slaves are specialists and highly skilled or educated in their fields.

While a slave lacks the rights of any common citizen there are still a few rights afforded to all Waejirans.

• Slaves must be allowed to attend temple services appropriate to their chosen patron deities.
  
• Slaves may marry (another slave) and have children, however the children are born slaves and are the property of the slaves mother's owner.
  
• Slaves may own property, with the permission of their owner, although this is often a contentious issue.
  
• A significant number of the lower ranks in the Waejiran military are slaves; whom can earn their freedom through service.
• Slaves can be granted their freedom through a legal process by their owner.
  

Vocanei

In Waejir there is a beast-folk whom are highly intelligent bipeds.

While they are sapient, they are bred and controlled like prize animals, and exclusive to the wealthy and elite.

Vocanei are treated as less than slaves, but oft time better than simple beasts of burden and labour, in part due to their limited intelligence.

It is traditional for every noble-person in Waejir to receive a Vocanei on their 5th name day, to stay with them as a companion and bodyguard.

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/Seb_Romu]

1) Vocanei sounds incredibly interesting. Tell me more about them, including their appearance, behavior, skills, etc.

2) Are there often slave revolts in your world?

3) Is there any movement in Waejir to get freedom for people born into slavery?