Cities & Commerce

Solamnus is just a guideline, but the laws of Solamnus are common to many of the cities of Leng.

Arms & Armour

Armour may only be worn by those of nobility, knighthood or military. Those wearing the Mark of Vingaard or with a special dispensation from the Crown may also go fully armed. Padded and leather armour are permitted; studded leather may or may not be allowed, depending on how much of a scoundrel you look. A guard is within rights to order you to divest studded leather armour or above and fine you up to 50 gold pieces. They may also confiscate armour.

Only daggers, knives and quarterstaves may be legally carried by commoners within city limits. The same classes that are allowed to wear armour are also allowed to carry martial weapons. If you enter a city with banned weapons on your person, you will be ordered to wrap them in cloth and stow them securely at the gate. Furthermore, you will be ordered to immediately proceed to your inn or place of residence and leave them in your home. If you are seen abroad with banned weapons, you can be fined up to 50 gold pieces and have your weapons confiscated.

Rapiers are a special case; although they are technically banned weapons, they are carried by many rich merchants, nobles and other well-to-do sorts. Although technically only noblemen are permitted to carry them, a commoner may get away with it if they look the part.

Banking

Throughout the east of Leng, the Bank of Lorknir is the supreme organisation. Their network of wealth is unchallenged, and they have branches in all capitols and many major cities. They offer money-changing services for a 1% charge. They offer loans to reputable clients, never for sums less than 500 gp; their rates of interest range from as low as 10% to as high as 65% (for desperate kings raising mercenary armies).

The most well-known function of the Bank of Lorknir, of course, is the storing of money. They will not open new accounts for sums of less than 1,000 gold pieces - nor will they take on clients who are disreputable. They require that the prospective client's identity is properly verified, i.e. by a known address or a letter of recommendation. Thereafter, they only require his signature and personal seal.

The Bank of Lorknir accepts deposits at a fee of 1 gold piece in every 16. Deposits of less than 250 gold pieces will not be accepted. Withdrawals can be made at any time by the holder of an account at no cost; the holder of an account may also, at any time, have a letter of credit drawn up in his name. This letter can specify how much can be drawn (i.e. up to 5,000 gold pieces before the letter is exhausted), who can draw it (the bearer of this letter, a specific person, et cetera), and any other conditions surrounding the drawing of funds (only after the 12th of the 9th Moon, only if Queen Madeleine still sits on the throne, et cetera). The drawing up of letters of credit is a free service provided to clients of the Bank.

Besides these services, the BoL also provides services for safely storing items in their vaults, as well as the rightful execution of wills and other dispensations.

Costs of Living

Costs for living in permanent accomodations are according to the DMG, but without level restrictions:

Squalid = 3gp/month
Poor = 5gp/month
Middle Class = 50gp/month
Wealthy = 200gp/month
Nobility = 500gp/month

Taxes

There is a toll of 5 silver pieces for non-citizens to enter the city, which raises to 1 gold piece on market days. This is to prevent the streets becoming overcrowded, and to reduce lawlessness.

There is a "crown rent" paid on all properties in the city, which varies by size of the land and district of the city. It is assessed by local lawmakers, and is supposed to be fixed at one-half of a percent of the property's value per year. The Sprawl is exempt from this tax.

A tax of 1 silver piece in 20 is enacted on the value of goods entering and leaving the city. If a merchant cannot pay the tax, they can either turn back or surrender double this value in raw goods (i.e. 1 silver piece in 10). Furthermore, on market days a similar tax is taken from each transaction in the markets.