Gumar
The lowest class of land leasing/owning citizens, A Gumar is most often represented by a Kandia citizen who has dedicated ten years of his life (and no more) to military service as is required of all trueborn citizens of Kanda!
Qualifications
With exception, when a boy becomes a man at sixteen years of age he has two years to sign himself into military service. Thereafter the young man will serve no less than ten years as a Leconis. After ten years that man may choose to reenlist for ten more years or may accept the payment and spoils for his tenure and receive a Gume (about sixty acres) of land to retire and start a family upon. While there have been some Gumia that have been given out for different types of service, Most Gumia are handed out as payment for a hard but dedicated decade of military service.
Through this system, all proper soldiers may be paid well enough to last them their lifetime.
Requirements
Gumar and Gumenar are both basic civilian titles and functionally amount to "Mr. or Mrs." in the Kandia culture. No requirements therefor exist other than lease/ownership of a Gume.
Appointment
Merely finishing one's first term of service affords them the opportunity for their own personal Gume.
After officially signing out of the Military the Kensaria will ask them what sort of land they want, if they have a preferred region to settle and what sort of crops and animals they desire to tend.
Upon getting their answers the Kensaria taking care of the soldier's case will investigate (over the next week or so) any and all suitable Gumia for this soldier and USUALLY give them a Gume that fits in the center of their greatest desires and their worst fears. They will gladly oblige, for example, in working with the Leconis in question to make sure that his Gume has ample grazing land; as he may confide in them a dream to build a successful dairy. At the same time, the Kensaria in question might well ensure the best such land is kept in reserve for the higher, more deserving soldiers with better track records and more accomplishments under their belts! If a soldier desires he may willingly relinquish part of his military due to raise his choosing power and the potential quality of the Gume he receives. All manner of Gumaria have collected large quantities of slave vouchers during their decade of service only to turn most of them into the military infrastructure in exchange for first choice at extremely high quality parcels of land. This sort of indirectly competitive choosing process also helps bolster the military's inventories; allowed to be choosy about giving land away and only becoming less so when the system at large benefits from a single soldier's personal desires for an improved retirement. You receive what you have earned.
If you feel you deserve to receive better land then, for it, you would be glad to relinquish some of the OTHER Stuff you earned.
Upon getting their answers the Kensaria taking care of the soldier's case will investigate (over the next week or so) any and all suitable Gumia for this soldier and USUALLY give them a Gume that fits in the center of their greatest desires and their worst fears. They will gladly oblige, for example, in working with the Leconis in question to make sure that his Gume has ample grazing land; as he may confide in them a dream to build a successful dairy. At the same time, the Kensaria in question might well ensure the best such land is kept in reserve for the higher, more deserving soldiers with better track records and more accomplishments under their belts! If a soldier desires he may willingly relinquish part of his military due to raise his choosing power and the potential quality of the Gume he receives. All manner of Gumaria have collected large quantities of slave vouchers during their decade of service only to turn most of them into the military infrastructure in exchange for first choice at extremely high quality parcels of land. This sort of indirectly competitive choosing process also helps bolster the military's inventories; allowed to be choosy about giving land away and only becoming less so when the system at large benefits from a single soldier's personal desires for an improved retirement. You receive what you have earned.
If you feel you deserve to receive better land then, for it, you would be glad to relinquish some of the OTHER Stuff you earned.
Duties
A Gume's most primary duty is to make himself a family!
Anyone capable of lasting even ten years in the rough and tumble traditions of the Kandia military is deserving of such an opportunity and, more importantly, bears the responsibility of passing on his successful soldier's blood! Despite the fact that Leconia may get married and have children while in service, many Leconia choose to stay mostly unattached for the duration of their first ten years of service because it makes it easier to save money and keep their mind on collecting their due so that their eventual retirements will be guaranteed to be more comfortable and their eventual family more bountiful.
Anyone capable of lasting even ten years in the rough and tumble traditions of the Kandia military is deserving of such an opportunity and, more importantly, bears the responsibility of passing on his successful soldier's blood! Despite the fact that Leconia may get married and have children while in service, many Leconia choose to stay mostly unattached for the duration of their first ten years of service because it makes it easier to save money and keep their mind on collecting their due so that their eventual retirements will be guaranteed to be more comfortable and their eventual family more bountiful.
Responsibilities
The average Gumar is responsible for everything from maintaining the land on which he lives to promptly paying taxes during every season in accordance to his station, wealth and the quality of his land.
Every Gume is different and so every Gumar has different property, livestock and priorities. Some Gumaria are responsible for minding the day to day operations of a mine their Annar has ordered maintained while others must wake before dawn and milk cattle and other Gumaria even still tend to impressive fields of grain and a riverside mill from which they grind and sell flour.
Regardless of the sort of Gumar they happen to be, ALL Gumaria must pay their due and dedicate themselves to the nation that gave them their land and the chance to have a thriving family.
While perhaps not a strict responsibility, all Gumaria are also expected to make better of their positions in life; to marry well, form strong attachments to other families, perform great civil deeds and to form strong house names that their children will be eager to carry on and maintain. Land, in Kanda, is not merely given away at the end of one's military service but rather leased to the man in question for the duration of his natural life, that of his widow and for the duration of any military service any of his children may take on in case they desire to inherit his land properly.
Only once a family has owned a piece of land (regardless of size) for five generations may the sixth generation take hold of the land in perpetuity and therefor say they properly "Own" it, gaining certain benefits for owning land instead of merely leasing it from the Empire as payment for their service. Because of this Most Gumaria consider it their responsibility to make the land upon which they live MORE livable and pleasant as the generations go by; to inspire their children to honor the family name and endeavor to keep the land within the property of the house as long as they can!
While perhaps not a strict responsibility, all Gumaria are also expected to make better of their positions in life; to marry well, form strong attachments to other families, perform great civil deeds and to form strong house names that their children will be eager to carry on and maintain. Land, in Kanda, is not merely given away at the end of one's military service but rather leased to the man in question for the duration of his natural life, that of his widow and for the duration of any military service any of his children may take on in case they desire to inherit his land properly.
Only once a family has owned a piece of land (regardless of size) for five generations may the sixth generation take hold of the land in perpetuity and therefor say they properly "Own" it, gaining certain benefits for owning land instead of merely leasing it from the Empire as payment for their service. Because of this Most Gumaria consider it their responsibility to make the land upon which they live MORE livable and pleasant as the generations go by; to inspire their children to honor the family name and endeavor to keep the land within the property of the house as long as they can!
Benefits
The Benefits of being a Gumar are self explanitory.
One has served their minimum required time in honorable military service and therefor one has earned a place in the empire as the presiding voice of the land assigned to them! The benefits thereof would naturally be localized and limited to the region within which the Gume is located. Gumia in the core are expensive to live upon and most properties lack true natural riches but the land is fertile and warm and serves the growing of grain and the raising of cattle quite well.
In stark contrast the lands on the northermost territories are boggy and wet, without much good ground for grain but burgeoning with iron ore and rich with animals that possess fine fur and good ivory. Once upon a time the humble Gumar was looked down upon as the less determined and patriotic of Kandia but, as of 1632, they've become well recognized as the average "Lay Property Owner" and there has not been a stigma upon them for nearly a thousand years. Many Gumaria have extremely well defined riches and make do just fine with a scant sixty acres with which to make their retirement fortunes. If a Gumar has property that is particularly centralized and they are reputed to be a responsible sort, the community around them may decide that they are worthy of the title of Gumenar, or commander of a Gumen. While completely unofficial in every capacity it is generally accepted that a Gumen is just ten Gumia with the central storehouse of the local Ten or so Gumia upon the Gumenar's land. The Gumar of this land is expected to responsibly maintain the inventories of the Gumen on the whole as well as mind the tax totals and population in the assistance of his neighbors. If one of the Gumaria under the Gumenar's jurisdiction is late to pay their taxes or has land that seems less productive than it should be it is generally The Gumenar's responsibility to speak to the Gumar about it and, if the individual will not relent and/or take instruction it may be the Gumenar's responsibility to report the transgression to his presiding Annar so that proper justice may be dealt.
While the Gumenar technically has no legal status over any other Gumaria, they are generally considered the highest "class" of Gumar due to a necessary attachment to their Annaria and responsibility over other Gumaria.
One has served their minimum required time in honorable military service and therefor one has earned a place in the empire as the presiding voice of the land assigned to them! The benefits thereof would naturally be localized and limited to the region within which the Gume is located. Gumia in the core are expensive to live upon and most properties lack true natural riches but the land is fertile and warm and serves the growing of grain and the raising of cattle quite well.
In stark contrast the lands on the northermost territories are boggy and wet, without much good ground for grain but burgeoning with iron ore and rich with animals that possess fine fur and good ivory. Once upon a time the humble Gumar was looked down upon as the less determined and patriotic of Kandia but, as of 1632, they've become well recognized as the average "Lay Property Owner" and there has not been a stigma upon them for nearly a thousand years. Many Gumaria have extremely well defined riches and make do just fine with a scant sixty acres with which to make their retirement fortunes. If a Gumar has property that is particularly centralized and they are reputed to be a responsible sort, the community around them may decide that they are worthy of the title of Gumenar, or commander of a Gumen. While completely unofficial in every capacity it is generally accepted that a Gumen is just ten Gumia with the central storehouse of the local Ten or so Gumia upon the Gumenar's land. The Gumar of this land is expected to responsibly maintain the inventories of the Gumen on the whole as well as mind the tax totals and population in the assistance of his neighbors. If one of the Gumaria under the Gumenar's jurisdiction is late to pay their taxes or has land that seems less productive than it should be it is generally The Gumenar's responsibility to speak to the Gumar about it and, if the individual will not relent and/or take instruction it may be the Gumenar's responsibility to report the transgression to his presiding Annar so that proper justice may be dealt.
While the Gumenar technically has no legal status over any other Gumaria, they are generally considered the highest "class" of Gumar due to a necessary attachment to their Annaria and responsibility over other Gumaria.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The average Gumar is ultimately just a lay person. They, like most Kandia, wear traditional Timbia and are expected to have kept all of their final kit from military service. Generally this kit is stored in the house, often in the cellar for safe keeping just in case something bad were to happen at home. Some Gumaria opt to hang their shields, spears, swords and other such combat tools on the walls but, in recent years, this has become less common outside of The Core.
Otherwise the biggest limitation is that Gumaria are not allowed to exercise too much decadence at home; instead preferred to dedicate their spare resources toward the community at large or invest their fortunes in a stately venture which might afford them more capital and thus a chance to perhaps lease more property or prepare their sons for military service and thus raise the chances of keeping their property thereafter. If a Gumar is found to be exercising too much in the way of decadence and gluttony, ESPECIALLY in the case of his family or neighbors being in need, he may be fined severely to remind him that his land is a gift from the empire and he would do well to thank the Kandar for it by turning in the Empire's fair share of fortune when it crosses him.
Notable Holders
Grandmaster Lee Westerad Zhu, Master Of Orchards to Shar Essaro and caretaker of Gume Zhu, is a noteworthy Gume in the world of Ta Mando; having built a western style bathhouse complex and possessing impressive coffers which the Gume has spent consistently to train and educate his one and only daughter; Chahua Leead Zhu.
Type
Civic, Citizenship
Status
The Title Of Gumar Is Perhaps One Of The Most Common Titles In All Of The Empire. EVERY Man That Has Served His Required Ten Years And Received A Gume As Payment Is A Gumar
Form of Address
Gumar (If any)
Alternative Naming
Gumenar (If He Manages The Central Storehouse)
Source of Authority
The Imperial Kensaria Assign And Deed Gumia To The Gumar In Question And Maintain Adequate Records Through The Military System. The Military On The Whole, Of Which The Kandar Is The Head, Provides The Property Itself; The Land Being Gained Militarily!
Length of Term
Most Gumia are leased to the individual for the course of their natural lifetime and often that of their widowed wife and/or male children until said children serve in the military and receive the opportunity to inherit by way of service.
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