The Articles of Union (Statue)

A massive single block of granite makes the base of this monument. Atop it are three individuals: A slave wearing a loincloth and collar, a merchant in fine clothing, and a courtesan looking seductive with an inviting look. The three statues support a firebowl, though the slave clearly carries the weight of it while the other two merely seem to be touching it.

The granite block has an enormous bronze plaque set in it, inscribed with the following:

The Articles of Union

Preamble: Whereas the Delegates of Trade assembled did, agree to certain articles of union for the betterment and security of Sibayad. The merchants and residents of Sibayad hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their freedom, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, race, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever. The Stile of this union shall be "The Duchy of Sibayad, Free City of Trade."

Article I.
The city, market place, manzil and its gardens, blood and sands arena, garden of respite, merchant building, bath house, and any future controlled areas shall be collectively be defined as The Free Trade City of Sibayad. Any person who holds lease to a residence within the defined boundaries shall be known as a Free Citizen. Any who share residence with a Free Citizen shall be Citizen.

Article II.
All persons who are not the owned property of another person shall be considered a Free Person. All Free Persons shall have the right to conduct commerce in Sibayad as long as it does not interfere with others doing the same.

Article III.
All persons who are the owned property of another person shall be considered a Slave. All Slaves shall have free ingress and regress to and from the town and the right to conduct commerce in Sibayad as long as it does not interfere with others doing the same.

Article IV.
The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship among the inhabitants of Arelith each visitor shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of a free person; and the people shall have free ingress and regress to and from the town; Nor shall any persons personal religion, otherworldly pacts, or schools of magic bar them from enjoying all the privileges of trade and commerce.

Article V.
Free persons not of monstrous bloodline, outcast of civilized society, or inhabitant from the underdark may own land or shop within the town of Sibayad.

Article VI.
All Free Persons and Slaves have the right to practice their faith as long as it does not bring violence upon an unwilling participant nor disrupt other legal activates such as commerce.

Article VII.
There shall be no official religion of Sibayad.

Article VIII.
Families of Noble Bloodline who own or otherwise control a minimum of one residence and one shop, may request of the First House to be known as a Noble House of Sibayad. The Head of that House must forswear allegiance to any other state, must forgo any titles of authority or power in any other state. The later acceptance of the same shall forfeit the status of the House in Sibayad. The Head of a Noble House shall be known as a Baron or Baroness.

Article IX.
The First House shall act as stewards and custodians of the Duchy of Sibayad. No more than once per three calendar years, excepting in cases of absence, any Free Citizen may seek to call an election by gaining written consent from a majority of Free Citizens. All Free Citizens plus all Barons, Baronesses, shall vote among the Barons and Baronesses to bestow the title of First House in addition to their title as Baron or Baroness. This is done by a collective gathering, where people move to stand with their preferred candidate. Those who are unable to attend may give a signed document to a proxy to vote on their behalf.

Article X.
No person, without the consent of the First House of Sibayad, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, prince, or state; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the First House, or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatsoever from any king, prince or foreign state.

Article XI.
The First House may grant titles of Baron or Baroness to any qualified Noble family meeting the land requirements as stated in Article VIII. The First House may also grant non-inheritable titles or honors upon those who have done a service worthy of such to Sibayad.

Article XII.
The First House, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war. The First House shall also be liable for all costs of war and other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare.

Article XIII.
No persons shall engage in any war, skirmish, battle, or otherwise violent conflict on the behalf of without the consent of the First House, with the exception of the dense of Sibayad in case of invasion.

Article XIV.
The First House shall also be the last resort of appeal for all disputes and differences that exist, persist, or may arise between two or more Free Peoples concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any other cause whatsoever. This is to include all questions and differences of these Articles.

Article XV.
No person, to include the First House, nor group shall impose any tariffs, duties, or tax which may interfere with the flow of trade.

Article XVI.
The Free Citizens and Citizens of Sibayad hereby enter into these Articles with a sense of firm friendship with one another, for their common defense, the security of their freedoms and their mutual and general welfare. These Articles bind them all together, commoner and noble alike, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, race, sovereignty, trade or any other pretense whatsoever. Article XVI. These Articles, upon adoption, shall for convenience and the general interests, the title of Duchess shall be bestowed at their adoption upon Emilia Sabine von Brandt, whose House, at the time of this adoption, meets the requirements and has shown the qualities necessary to serve as steward of Sibayad. There shall not be a vote for the First House for three years past adoption, as outlined in Article IX.

Article XVII.
The Articles are perpetual. Alterations to these articles can only be made with unanimous consent of the First House, and a majority of Free Citizens.

AR 159‏‎