The Law of the Empty Harvest

Civility is but a facade

When the empty harvest comes, civility will be but a facade.

– Elder Mui of Pakani

The Law of the Empty Harvest is a simple natural law often cited after the Dakuina (Great Storm). It was cited by Ravana, Bandit Commander when asked about her apparent lack of morals, and by Elder Mui of Pakani about the reason for the rise of the bandits.
The law goes roughly like this:

• A civilization will be stable if and only if it has enough food to feed its people.
• Nothing else matters, not wealth or power structure.
• At the base of civilization is farming, and the higher-ups must answer to those that grow food.

Manifestation

An example of this law is after the Dakuina (Great Storm). Civilians, not being able to get enough food to ensure survival due to the destruction of coastal granaries and farms, started butchering livestock, then pets, then even dead humans. In the end, it even led to a revolt, and a change of power and governance system.

Type

Natural