The Mortuary Mandates

The Mortuary Mandates are a set of codes and statutes in the nation of Esha that govern the relationships between the nation's living inhabitants, known as the "The Sown", and its undead populace, ensuring the rights of both groups are upheld.
The laws are written in Necril, Bafigronish and also translated to Lingua Imperial.

Document Structure

Clauses

Intelligent undead possess rights equal to, if not exceeding, those of living beings within Esha. The mandates also oversee the ownership of both living and undead slaves, as well as certain practices of necromancy. Additionally, they strictly forbid the channeling of positive energy within Esha's borders.
For undead who rely on feeding upon the living, the mandates provide specially bred chattel to sustain them, while the consumption of unsanctioned living individuals is strictly prohibited.

Historical Details

History

Since the Nars Wars of Esha, there was a need both for intelligent undeads and 'Sown' to live together.

Public Reaction

However, Esha's corrupt lower nobility and some insatiable Vampires often consider themselves above the law, indulging their cravings without regard for the consequences. These acts of defiance can lead to legal repercussions or even permanent destruction, yet visitors to the nation are still urged to exercise caution at all times.

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The Mortuary Mandates

Generic Structure

The Right of Preservation

• Declares that all undead must maintain their physical form and composure to avoid degenerating into mindless creatures, as this would disrupt societal harmony.
• Penalty: Any undead who becomes feral or loses sentience must be "Released" (destroyed) for the greater good.

The Law of Still Hunger

• Ensures that sentient undead requiring sustenance (like vampires) can only feed on sanctioned chattel or willing mortals under strict contracts.
• Penalty: Unlawful feeding results in "The Binding" (ritual imprisonment) or destruction.

The Breath-Tether Accordd

• Defines the relationship between "The Sown" and "The Eternals". Both groups are granted equal rights and protections, ensuring mutual respect.
• Includes provisions against undue harassment or violence between the two groups.

The Necrotic Prohibition

• Forbids the unauthorized use of necromancy to animate corpses or manipulate spirits without approval from the Eshan Council.
• Ensures that all undead existences are sanctioned and serve the societal good.

The Lightless Edict

• Prohibits the use of positive energy magic or divine spells that might harm undead beings. This law extends to religious figures of foreign nations visiting Esha.
• Violations are seen as an act of aggression and are punished by exile or execution.

The Right of Eternal Slumber

• Grants living individuals the right to refuse undeath, ensuring their body is honored according to their wishes after death following a mandated conference of officials.
• Criminals and traitors may forfeit this right as punishment, becoming bound servants in undeath.

The Charter of Subservience

• Regulates the treatment of mindless undead (like skeletons or zombies) who serve as laborers or soldiers. Abuse of these "lesser servitors" is prohibited, as it dishonors their purpose.

The Mandate of Passage

• Protects the borders of Esha from external forces attempting to harm its undead or exploit its unique societal structure. Foreign entities must respect the nation's undead rights.

Enomic and Social Regulations

The Chattel Concord

• Governs the breeding, ownership, and care of living chattel, which serve as sustenance for sentient undead. Ensures that they are treated humanely and bred in optimal conditions.

The Pact of Twilight Trade

• Establishes trade laws for necromantic goods, such as soulstones, bonecrafted artifacts, or enchanted remains. Black market trading of undead goods is strictly forbidden.

The Chattel Concord

• Allows living individuals to voluntarily offer their lifespan to undead patrons in exchange for wealth, power, or other boons. These contracts must be witnessed by officials to ensure fairness.

Religious and Cultural Laws

The Silent Creed

• Requires all undead to pay homage to Esha's gods of death and undeath - meaning Kiaransalee and Falazure , ensuring they maintain their connection to the spiritual balance of the land.
• Exceptions are made for foreign undead if they follow a lawful code of existence.

The Festival of Veils

• Prohibits the use of positive energy magic or divine spells that might harm undead beings. This law extends to religious figures of foreign nations visiting Esha.

The Rite of Duskborn

• Governs the ritual by which mortals may voluntarily become undead, ensuring the process is both legal and spiritually significant. Unauthorized transformations are considered an abomination.

The Revenant's Oath

• Grants revenants (vengeful undead with unfinished business) limited rights to pursue justice against their killers but prohibits them from indiscriminate harm.

Punitive Measures

The Chain of Silence

• Undead who violate the Mandates are "chained" via magical means, rendering them powerless until they are judged by the Council.

The Rite of Unmaking

• A final punishment for both living and undead who pose an irredeemable threat to Esha's balance. The soul is torn from existence, ensuring it cannot reincarnate or persist in undeath.

The Graven Covenant

• Establishes restitution laws for conflicts between the living and undead, ensuring reparations are made by either party when harm or insult occurs.

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Authoring Date

961 AB

Ratification Date

1,023 AB

Authors

• Junia the Undying

Signatories (Characters)

• Junia the Undying
• Nefarion the Eternal

Signatories (Organizations)

• Esha