Tax Reform!

(everybody's favorite topic)

Rumored now for some months, and the cause of of the Scribes' recent lack in updating these chronicles (which has since been rectified), a reformed tax code is now being promulgated by the Souffets of Cothon-Gadeed, in anticipation of the lunar new year that begins next month.

Though the influx of wealth from the barbarian-adventurers delving in the Tel al Safina has amounted to only a portion of the wealth generated by trade with the Ten Cities and beyond, nevertheless the eyes of the Souffets and their servants have certainly been cast upon it--the dinars, gems, and jewelry, semi-regularly hauled from the underworld depths!--and they have deemed the efforts of the tax-farmers heretofore insufficient at capturing enough of that stream of gold for the interests of the State.

In particular, the Souffets have been dissatisfied with the tax-farmers of the Four Taverns, whose dues (which are in part taxes) have been largely forgotten, waived, &c. Because of these failures to collect the proper dues, and because of the flow of ancient treasures into the cities' coffers (without commensurate increase in the Souffets' coffers!), the rights of the Taverns to farm taxes from the barbarians of the city have been broadly rescinded, and new tax-farmers have been sent into the harbor-cit of Cothon to better prosecute the interests of the Cities in the persons of the Souffets.

To that end, criers are now heard in the plazas of Cothon, announcing that barbarians and metics will have one month (until 6 November) to pay their proper taxes to the tax-farmers at the High Gates, where the Knights Pylaea defend the portal to the Long Walls and the Processional Way. And placards have been tacked up at the Taverns announcing the same, as well as detailing the changes in dues owed.

Or, for any barbarian who feels they have paid their share, they have until that same date to appeal to the Souffets for forgiveness of this tax--for this year. Those who wish to pay in kind instead of in cash, may also so appeal (i.e. with bushels of corn, or ingots of metal, &c. &c.)

Paying the Souffets' Taxes:

Regarding the Four Taverns

• the Four Taverns no longer charge monthly dues (for anyone who might still be paying them)
• in order to become a Tavern-member, a character now pays a one-time membership fee of 250 dinars (this can be done in installments for foreigners "fresh off the boat" who have few funds, i.e. new characters)

Regarding the taxes, there are several levels. Each barbarian or metic is free to make his or her own declaration as to the amount they are able to reasonably pay--bearing in mind that higher levels of taxation also "buy" wider rights and priveleges throughout the city.

• 1 nufdinar (ep)
  Beggars and day-laborers of the poorest sort who cannot even scrape together a single dinar must still contribute something. Taxpayers of this level are expected to walk through the streets in rags, and to either beg for their bread, or seek employment as unskilled laborers--likely as load-bearers in the market--or even sell themselves into slavery to pay off their debts.
  Those paying at this level must renounce tavern-membership, go about in rags, and incur a -2 penalty on reactions in the city, and have no rights in the Ccourts, or to "build an institution", and they may not be attended by any servants or slaves.
• 2 dinars (gp)
  Poor laborers, fieldhands, servants, and down-on-their luck fishermen for whom a dinar is a significant amount of money.
  Taxpayers at this level must renounce tavern-membership, must dress in only the commonest of attire, incur a -1 penalty on reactions in the city, and have no rights in the Courts, or to "build an institution", and they may not be attended by any servants or slaves.
• 10 dinars
  Apprentices of skilled trades, experienced laborers or members of the lesser Guilds, common men-at-arms, &c. who make reasonable wages, but who have no store of wealth other than their few possessions and whatever cash they can save.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear fine clothes--though no gems or jewelry--and have the right to petition a citizen-patron for help in the Courts; they may not personally own higher than a minor institution in the city without paying "back-taxes" up to the next level, nor may they be attended by more than one servant, slave, or retainer.
• 50 dinars or 1% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Small business holders, Guild journeymen, peasant-farmers, rowers and sailors, &c. who are either paid good wages, or who hold personal wealth.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear whatever clothing they wish, as well as silver jewelry. Any institution they own is protected by the Courts, though they require a citizen-patron to argue cases therein; and they may own any level of institution, though higher "steps" will no doubt draw inquiries from the tax-farmers unless "back-taxes" are paid up to the next level. They are also allowed a retinue of up to ten servants, slaves, men-at-arms, &c.
• 250 dinars or 2% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Captains of soldiers, established taverners and publicans, masters in the lower Guilds or journeymen in the higher Guilds, well-to-do farmers, ship-owners, &c. who own significant personal wealth.
  Taxpayers at this level may wear any clothing, jewelry, or gems, and roll reactions at +1 if they do so. They may build or own any level of institution, and their property and institutions are protected by the Courts, though they still require a citizen-patron to argue therein. There is no limit to their retinue.
• 1300 dinars or 5% of total cash, whichever is higher
  Currently the highest tax-bracket, for wealthy merchants, successful business-holders, barbarian nobility, or nouveau riche adventurers, who are all expected to be flush with cash.
  Taxpayers at this level are expected to wear fine attire, and at least one piece of jewelry, and roll reactions at +1 in the city if they do so. They may build or own any kind of institution, and have no limit to their retinue--indeed, they are expected to have at least one servant. Their persons, as well as their property and institutions, are protected by the Courts, and they have a limited right to speak on their own behalf--though a citizen-patron would no doubt aid their case.

Just as with the Procession of Locor, the Scribes have here a list of barbarian-adventurers active in Cothon who are expected to present themselves and to pay their taxes by the appointed date (again, 6 November). The Scribes will cross out character-names as they receive notification of payment--either comment on the blog, or declare payments on the Discord server.

Najm  --- declares his total cash as 9421 dinars, and so pays 250 dinars for the fifth level

Bartholomew Pettibone

Gan ad-Din

Heijo
Raoden
Avin

Razo
Revna
Durham
Lars Ghar-Rider
Mara
June

Arngeir
Dehuhada
Persephone

Note that citizens are exempt from these taxes--they have quite separate rights, duties, and taxes--and so Sesel of the Survivors is not included above.