Right to Travel
The Right to Travel is a commonly held tradition or practice across most of the world that allows someone to get the things they need (commonly food and lodging but some travelers have other needs) without carrying any coin. It also provides other protections and rights to those traveling on official business for recognized organizations.
History
The token system got it's start through the Senary, in the Kingdom of Delryn. Church officials would offer monetary compensation to those willing to offer food and lodging to traveling clergy, and sometimes extra benefits as well. In the early days, traveling clergy carried physical tokens, usually carved from wood, stone, or clay, and a letter of identification. They relied on finding lodging with those who recognized and honored their travel tokens. Their physical tokens were worth a set amount of money, and had to be turned in to the nearest temple for proprietors to get their money back.
The widespread use of the token travel system amongst the clergy refined it and brought it to the attention of others. Government officials and those traveling on behalf of guilds and such started to pressure their bosses about why they didn't have the same set up as the Senary, and some supervisors saw a clear benefit in sending out their travelers with something that couldn't be 'accidentally' exchanged for ale or gambling money, since it was only worth food and lodging.
Queen Elina of Delryn took notice of this system that was developing in her country; she was also closely entwined with the forces of the Senary, who were actively trying to get her to pass any and all laws that would strengthen the official nature of the Senary as a driving force in the Kingdom. They convinced Elina to publish a document entitled "The Right to Travel", which defined protected classes of people and their rights and privileges regarding traveling throughout her Kingdom. This included clergy, her own government officials, and those traveling on official guild business.
After being conceptualized in Delryn by Elina, the idea spread quickly. It is common practice in most civilazations across the world, and codified into law in some.
The widespread use of the token travel system amongst the clergy refined it and brought it to the attention of others. Government officials and those traveling on behalf of guilds and such started to pressure their bosses about why they didn't have the same set up as the Senary, and some supervisors saw a clear benefit in sending out their travelers with something that couldn't be 'accidentally' exchanged for ale or gambling money, since it was only worth food and lodging.
Queen Elina of Delryn took notice of this system that was developing in her country; she was also closely entwined with the forces of the Senary, who were actively trying to get her to pass any and all laws that would strengthen the official nature of the Senary as a driving force in the Kingdom. They convinced Elina to publish a document entitled "The Right to Travel", which defined protected classes of people and their rights and privileges regarding traveling throughout her Kingdom. This included clergy, her own government officials, and those traveling on official guild business.
After being conceptualized in Delryn by Elina, the idea spread quickly. It is common practice in most civilazations across the world, and codified into law in some.
Execution
Across all places that follow this practice, the first step is for the traveler to present their travel token, which serves to identify them as someone with the Right to Travel. The traveler and the host then negotiate what is needed or desired, and both parties keep a log of what resources they have expended and what is owed. The host then takes their copy of the record to the governing body of that traveler - that might be a local temple, a government seat, a guild hall, etc. or it might be the banking institution used by either party. If they cannot reach the official governing body, a different seat of power will pay them and take the debt and collect it from the primary source. The traveler keeps a log of their own, which is turned in to their organization and kept on file to check any discrepencies in the future.
The system would be rife for abuse, if it were not for magic. Magic allows easier communication between different parties, and truth spells are also widely used when collections are being made.
The system would be rife for abuse, if it were not for magic. Magic allows easier communication between different parties, and truth spells are also widely used when collections are being made.
Components and tools
Each country and organization has different standards, but the most commonly accepted tokens to signify an individual's right to travel are pins/brooches or pendants that hang on a necklace. Items like this that are hard to lose (or steal) are vastly preferred.
Over time, another development is that most of these tokens are charmed or bespelled, in a variety of ways. Some of the most common are:
Over time, another development is that most of these tokens are charmed or bespelled, in a variety of ways. Some of the most common are:
- Protection from Theft
These spells, which can vary vastly in effectiveness as well as cost, usually tie the token directly to the person it is assigned to, making it hard or impossible to steal. Other spells might just make the token harder to steal in more subtle ways, like making it invisible unless it is in use, or displaying an image of the intended bearer. - Proof of Authenticity
Spells intended to prove an object's authenticity perform some function that can prove the bearer is who they say, or has the Right of Travel. These spells might make a token perform stored small magics, such as glowing or projecting the organization's crest; or they might be a message-spell that connects to an authority at the organization. - Overspending Prevention
These spells are targeted at the user - they prevent someone from abusing the Travel Rights. When triggered they might display or announce the value of spending someone is allowed to use for food or lodging, or list the intended dates or travel.
Right to Travel
Soldiers and Government Officials
Unaccompanied Minors
Official Envoys of Noble Houses
Guildmembers on Official Business
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