Hashan
Beginning as a humble village and located in the heart of the Ithmian Forests, the city-state of Hashan, Crown of the Ithmia, is Sapience's third major city established in the year 222 AF. Due to territorial conflicts, the expansion of Hashan and its early existence endured rough beginnings, challenged by forestal organizations and their respective patrons Lord Lupus, God of the Beasts and Lady Gaia, Goddess of Nature. Nevertheless, Hashan was successfully brought into being by the mortal Darthus with the support of Lord Twilight, God of Darkness and later the Ladies Valnurana, Goddess of Sleep and Dreams and Ourania, Goddess of the Moon, who remains patroning the Crown in modern times. Today, Hashan continues to display a tenacity to survive any hardship, catering to aid others only when her own interests are furthered as well. It is a haven where the diverse characters of Sapience may live together in harmony and community without fear of prejudice, oppression, or bigotry, and where everyone is free to pursue their potential to the greatest of their abilities.
Hashan is home to Achaea's first and oldest serpent organization, the Cult of the Serpent Lords as well as the Shaman, Sorcerer, and Kharon guilds.
Laws and Policies
The Crown has been known for Achaea's first complex legal system, having surpassed both ancient Ashtan and Shallam in governmental politics. Here, Hashan's laws are listed first. Next are the policies of Hashan, which are recorded in a single, albeit large, text called the Great Canon of Hashan.
THE LAWS OF HASHAN
(To be added at a later time.)
THE GREAT CANON OF HASHAN
Preliminaries
The city-state of Hashan, called Crown of the Ithmia is an independent, sovereign entity. Reference to the "City" is to Hashan. The Divine Patron of Hashan is chosen by the Seneschal and is to be revered and respected by all citizens. If in any event the Patron wishes to give advice and/or comments, the city will respect and abide by them with the utmost of haste. The Great Canon sets forth the basic laws of Hashan and its territories. The Canon is to be considered the final authority of law in the City and its territories. If any other law is inconsistent with law as provided in the Canon, the Canon shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be considered null and void, except as provided below.
The Canon may be interpreted by the Judiciary. The Canon is subject to amendment, following the rules and process outlined in the Canon as necessary to such process. No provision of, or interpretation, or amendment to the Canon is valid that is in contradiction with Divine Law or policy as promulgated by Sarapis, the Logos or the Divine Patron either Divine Decree or in the Scrolls of HELP.
Internal affairs and rules of recognized professional guilds and organizations, and religious Orders with legal residence in the City shall be exempt from Canon rules as regards such internal affairs and rules except where the exercise of said right to internal sovereignty is inimical to the public order, or detrimental to the City or its lay citizens.
The Canon is to be considered the final authority of law in the City and its territories. If any other law is inconsistent with law as provided in the Canon, the Canon shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be considered null and void, except as provided below.
Fundamental Rights and Privileges of Citizens
All citizens of Hashan shall enjoy the following fundamental rights, freedoms and privileges regardless of race, gender, origin, political opinion, guild affiliation, or religious adherence, however subject to such limitation as may be necessary for maintaining respect for the rights, freedoms and privileges of other citizens and for the public order. The rights of citizens, both as individuals and as members of the society of the City are guaranteed by the City, and all agents of the government of the City shall be obligated to insure the unhindered exercise thereof. The abusive exercise of rights, freedoms and privileges by any citizen or agent of the government shall not be permitted.
Life
No Citizen shall be intentionally deprived of his or her life. No person shall be deemed to have been deprived of life in contravention of this privilege if such death is caused as the result of the use of force to an extent necessary to and permitted by law i.e. for the defense of a citizen from violence, in order to effect a lawful arrest, to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained, for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny, in order to prevent commission by that person of a criminal offense, or as a lawful act of war.
Personal Liberty
No Citizen shall be deprived of his or her personal liberty. No person shall be deemed to have been deprived of personal liberty in contravention of this privilege if such deprivation is caused as the result of any of the following: For the defense of a citizen from violence, in order to effect a lawful arrest, or prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained, for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny, in order to prevent commission by that person of a criminal offense, or as a lawful act of war.
Freedom of Expression
No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of expression. These freedoms shall include the rights to hold opinions without interference, to receive information and ideas without interference, to communicate information and ideas without interference, be it publicly or to any individual person or class. This right shall not be deemed to have been contravened by any act or prohibition instigated under authority of law providedthat: Such law or action is reasonably required in the interests of defense, security, public safety and/or order; OR is required for the purpose of affording protection to the rights, freedoms and privileges of other citizens; OR has the effect of imposing such restrictions on government officials or public officers as are reasonably required for the proper performance of their duties.
Such rights shall not include any activities or communications that abrogate the rights and freedoms of other citizens, or the private lives of other citizens concerned in legal proceedings. Nor shall they include any acts or communications disclosing information received in confidence. Nor shall they include any acts or communications that may mitigate the authority and independence of the judiciary. Nor shall they include any act or communication disclosing information on the composition, equipment, or deployment of armed forces of the City, or its fortifications. Nor shall they include any act or communication aimed at the violent overthrow of the government or directed against the territorial integrity of the City. Individuals involved in treasonous activities as defined by law shall have no rights.
Freedom of Conscience and Religion
Freedom of religion and conscience is inviolable. Enjoyment of rights and liberties are not dependent upon the individual's religious beliefs or lack thereof. The rites of worship of all known religions shall be under protection of the law, however the practice of such rites is not permitted to offend publicorder. No citizen may refuse to comply with the laws by reason of religious conviction.
Protection under Law
All citizens shall enjoy equal protection under the law without discrimination. All citizens shall have the right to petition the government.
The Government of the City
The government of the city-state of Hashan is structured in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to, the rules and principles stated in Section 10 of the Scroll HELP. That is to say, the government is comprised of a ruling council of five individuals, titled Regents. One of the Regents shall be elected in accordance with the aforementioned Section 10, and shall be titled Seneschal. The Seneschal shall appoint seven Ministers, whose respective spheres of influence and titles shall be Ambassador, War, Security, Treasury, Steward, Trade and Chancellor.
General Responsibilities and Rights of the Government
The Government shall consist of the Seneschal, The Regency Council, The Ministries and Aides thereto, and such other persons, appointed or elected, who may be deemed necessary for efficient performance of governmental duties. The Government shall determine and carry out State policy. The Government shall haveat its disposal the administration of the armed force of the City. The government has the right to respect in the responsible performance of its duties, and shall not be subjected to willful slander, libel, or impedance by citizens of the City, under penalty of law.
Responsibilities of the Seneschal
The executive authority of Hashan shall be vested in the Seneschal, assisted and advised by a government directed by the Council of Regents and the Ministries. The Seneschal shall be the Head of State, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Head of the Executive Branch of the government. The Seneschal ofHashan shall be the guarantor of the territorial integrity and independence of the City. The Seneschal shall be responsible for the execution of treaties. The Seneschal shall watch over the regular functioning of the public powers vested by the Canon and assure the continuity of the city-state. The Seneschal shall consult with and be advised by the Council of Regents and the Ministries.
Rights and Powers of the Seneschal
The Seneschal shall have the right to appoint Ministers and to remove Ministers for cause. The Seneschal shall have the right to be informed by and to consult with the Council of Regents and the Ministers on any matter related to the government of Hashan. The Seneschal shall have the right of pardon. The Seneschal shall have the right of final veto on legislation, however such veto may be overridden by a three-fifths vote comprised of the members of the Councilof Regents, not including the Seneschal, and one citizen chosen by popular referendum.
The Seneschal shall have the right of final veto on laws or decisions concerning foreign affairs, security or defense, however such veto may be overridden by a four-fifths vote of the Council of Regents, not including the Seneschal, and one citizen chosen by popular referendum. The Seneschal shall have the right, in case of temporary disability, to appoint an acting Chief Executive from the Council of Regents. Such interim Executive shall relinquish his or her powers upon request of the elected Seneschal. The Seneschal shall have right of conscience and where, by provision of the Canon, the Seneschal is required to perform any function after consultation or advisement of any person or authority, he or she shall not be obliged to perform that function in accordance with the advice of that person or authority.
Removal of the Seneschal from Power
The Seneschal may be removed from office for any of the following: willful violation of any provision of the Canon, behaving in a manner that endangers or compromises the security of Hashan, behaving in such a manner as to bring the office of Seneschal or the government into hatred, ridicule or contempt.
The Council of Regents
The Council of Regents shall be the supreme governing agency of the City. The Council of Regents shall have the general direction and control of the government of Hashan, and shall be collectively responsible therefor to the citizens. The Council of Regents shall keep the Seneschal fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government of Hashan and shall furnish theSeneschal with such information as he or she may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the Government of Hashan. The Council of Regents shall have the right to initiate laws. The Council of Regents shall have the right and responsibility to advise and consult with the Seneschal. The Council of Regents shall have the right to initiate and call for votes within the council on matters of City government or policy where such matter or policy is not provided for by the Canon.
All candidates for the Council of Regents shall be members of one of Hashan's chartered citizen guilds in good standing. Chartered citizen-guild candidates shall maintain residency and citizenship within the territory of the City for a minimum of ten consecutive years. Non-chartered citizen-guild candidates shall be permitted to run for the Council of Regents if the approval of the Chartered citizen-guildmasters is obtained. Non-Chartered citizen-guild candidates shall not be permitted to run for the Council of Regents if they have not maintained residency and citizenship within the territory of the City for a minimum of twenty consecutive years.
The Ministers
The Ministers shall be responsible for the efficient functioning of their respective spheres of influence. The Ministers and their Aides shall serve at the pleasure of the Seneschal. The Ministers shall be responsible to the Councilof Regents. The Ministers shall keep the Seneschal fully informed concerning thegeneral conduct of the government of Hashan and shall furnish the Seneschal with such information as he or she may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the Government of Hashan.
Amendment to the Canon
The Council of Regents shall be responsible for initiating amendments to the Canon. No amendment shall repeal the laws, rights and responsibilities already set forth within this Canon. All amendments, once approved and drafted by the Council of Regents, shall be set before the people for ratification by popular referendum. Sarapis, the Logos as well as the Divine Patron reserve the right to overturn any amendment that is found to contravene Divine Law.
The Judiciary
The Council of Regents shall be responsible for initiating and implementing a plan for the establishment of a judiciary.
The Judiciary Amendment
In compliance with the directive of the Great Canon of Hashan that the government implement a judiciary system, this amendment sets forth the military courts system of the City.
The Judiciary branch of the government of the city-state of Hashan shall have charge of holding trial and hearing cases of the citizenry of Hashan in civil and military matters. The judiciary shall have authority to interpret and apply canon, common, and guild law in relation to such cases. Judges shall consist of the members of the Regency.
The Chancellor, henceforth known as the Staff Judge Advocate, shall be responsible for the efficient functioning of the military and civil courts system. To this end, the Staff Judge Advocate shall be responsible for communicating with the Security Minister in order to discover what cases the Judges are to hear.
If a citizen is of the opinion that a decision in his or her case has been unfairly rendered, he or she may appeal directly to the Seneschal, who shall serve as the final appealing authority. Appeal shall be requested of the Staff Judge Advocate who shall decide the merits of said appeal and submit notice of approved appeals directly to the Seneschal for action. Notice of rejected appeals shall also be directed to the Seneschal for review. The Seneschal shall retain the right of direct oversight over the office of the Staff Judge Advocate. The Seneschal shall also retain the right of Executive Pardon for all crimes committed against the City. Executive Pardon does not mean that the offender is innocent of the crimes committed, but rather is a recognition that the offender acknowledges his crimes and has demonstrated and/or will continue to demonstrate a sincere attempt to obey the laws of Hashan.
The government of the City shall have the right to bring cases before the court on behalf of the People of Hashan.
The War Amendment
The decision to participate in armed hostilities (war) shall be decided at the request of the Seneschal, by a vote of the members of the Council of Regents, not including the Seneschal. In the event that the result of the Regents' voting is a tie, the Seneschal shall cast a tie-breaking vote. Conversely, theSeneschal may declare war outright, at which point the Regents shall be requiredto render their votes on the issue. Upon declaration and approval of the state of war, authority for coordinating the war effort shall reside in the person of the Minister of War, who shall consult with and act with the approval of the Seneschal. A declaration of war is valid only upon official, public proclamation by the Seneschal, by his or her appointed acting chief executive, or by the Ambassador, acting on direct order from the Seneschal. The state of war is ended upon official and public declaration by the Seneschal.
Any members of organizations, Divine Orders, Guilds or cities upon which war hasbeen declared shall be categorically branded enemies of Hashan by the Security Minister regardless of their direct involvement or their individual strength. Inaddition, all their property, to include shops and houses, are to be confiscatedby the Minister of Trade in the name of the city government. Citizens of Hashan who are members of an organization upon whom war has been declared are required to contact the Security Minister in order to acquire special dispensation. If this is not done within a reasonable amount of time, citizenship will be stripped and the individual concerned will be branded an enemy of the city.
The Regency Amendment
A member of the Council of Regents, not including the Seneschal may be removed from office for any of the following: Willful violation of any provision of the Canon; Behaving in a manner that endangers or compromises the security of Hashan; Behaving in such a manner as to bring the Council of Regents or any office of the government into hatred, ridicule or contempt; For neglect of duties due to apathy or occasioned by an unexcused absence of more than one yearas referenced by the calendar accepted as common to the inhabitants of the continent of Sapience. In the event of an unexcused absence exceeding this time limit, the Seneschal shall solicit contest and election from the populace for the seat of that Regent.
Shopping
Hashan provides three main shopping "areas" which harbour a large variety of goods and supplies. The Bazaar is Hashan's primary market located in the nothern half of the city, holding the Crown's commodity shop and unique letter-making services. Running the entire width of Hashan is Serpentis Boulevard with shops that line both sides of the street. Lastly, Hashan's Central Plaza can be found in the Old Quarter near the southwest corner of the city.
Dining and Recreation
Hashan is proud to be the first brewers of Sapience's more unique drinks, provided in The Eventide Alehouse off of western Serpentis Boulevard. Home of the original absinthe and serving Sapience's harder liquors, the Alehouse also sports a new restaurant that serves an eclectic variety of food. Should bourbon, cognac, apricot brandy, or Hashan's own special Darkbrew not tickle anyone's fancy, other non-alcoholic drinks are served as well. Also serving alcohol is the Dragontail Bar as old as the city itself.
Local entertainment is provided by the House of Delights brothel off Epitine Circle, blackjack and roulette tables in the Dragontail Bar, and the Menagerie creature museum visited west of Hashan's Academy. South of the Menagerie is the Park of Hashan which features lush, contemplative surroundings and a placid duck pond. Further entertainent can be sought by visiting a few of Hashan's special landmarks as well. (See below.)
Facilities
Most of Hashan's facilities are located near the government buildings and the city's central crossroads. The Postal Office of Hashan, the People's Bank of Hashan, and the Crown's citizen-only stables are found off these crossroads, while the Literary Archives of Hashan house the newsroom in the Seneschal's Complex. The slaughterhouse and fishing shop are visited off Cibus road, and Hashan's blacksmith Modron opens his blacksmith's shop for the use of all citizens and visitors. Hashan's city arena, The Stadia Coronae (Crown Stadium), is located in the southeastern portion of the city.
Landmarks
The Crossroads is Hashan's very center, the most common place for gathering and a useful reference point. The Road of Eternity is Hashan's north entrance road which features a grand display of statues of past and present Gods. Founder's Monument north of the crossroads features statues as well of the city's mortal founders. The Dome of the Triad stands tall as a tribute to the divine Triad of the Night which used to patron Hashan in its early years, and the old Coliseum may be visited where gladiators used to spar. Lastly, the Spring of Fluvialis that provides an unlimited source of fish for fishing and the Temple of Fluvialis is found south of the crossroads, gifts given by Lord Neraeos, God of the Sea during his time as patron.
Famous Faces
Of the famous faces that hail from Hashan, four are remembered most: Liirup, Hashan's notable rat-eating madwoman, retired Seneschal Elentari Lokelinde-Danial who ascended to Godhood through the collective will of the Pantheon to become Ourania, Goddess of the Moon, Damaris, the Learned who teaches in Hashan's multi-roomed academy, and Aringar Claros, the first mortal ever to reach the 99th circle of experience and become a Greater Dragon.