Ptolus Identification Papers

The Empire of Tarsis requires all citizens and noncitizens to carry identification papers. Display of these papers, which the Empire issues to all residents, is required for purchases over 100 gold pieces. Guards and other officials also can demand to see one’s papers at any time. Identification papers include a person’s name, species, place of birth, current residence, occupation, and a general physical description. Forgeries are fairly common.
Almost all humans within the Empire automatically become citizens at birth. This is also true of most dwarves and many elves. It is more difficult, but not impossible, for members of other species to gain citizenship status; they are not automatically citizens. Citizens enjoy legal rights that noncitizens do not, as well as greater protection under the law.

Ref: Ptolus Players Guide (p10)

The farther from the Empire the less frequently these are asked for. However a guard having a bad day or on his captains shit list could change these circumstances in an instant. These may be important for certain position like the City Watch or for high value purchases like real estate.

Imperial Identification Papers

In the eyes of the Lion-Guarded Throne, the holder of these papers is hereby recognized as

Darrious Haronson

(Name)

with no claims of Citizenship in the Everlasting Empire of Tarsis

City of Ptolus

(Place of Birth)

City of Ptolus

(Place of Residence)

Human

(Race)

Dock Master

(Occupation)

Corbin Haronson

(Parents)

Tara Haronson

(Parents)

Larrens Essential Shipping

(Group Affiliation)

Witnessed here, this

12th

day of

Rain

in the year

692

of the Imperial Age, by

Belara Trasero

Invested Imperial Minister

Darrious Haronson

(Signature of Citizen)

Why Do I Need Papers ?

Owning a business

Working in certain positions

Being married

Owning land or real estate

Joining a guild

Running a guild

High value purchases

Licenses & Permits

Avoid non-citizen tax (Citizen Papers)

Avoid repeat taxes (Non-Citizen Papers)

Most shop purchases don't require or care about papers, however this could change once you start considering the finer things in life. Sometimes a wink, a shake and some well placed gold finishes the deal with no question of papers.

Types of Papers

Citizen (Citizenship)

Non-Citizen (Identification)

No Papers

Taxes

Citizens pay 3 gold per year

Noncitizens pay 1 silver per week

All men fear The Sisters of Death and Taxes, but noncitizens more than others. The difference in taxes for a non-citizen with or without papers really means that without papers they can be taxed again and again with no paperwork or name trails.