The Free Citizens
The common city dwellers of Gulg are primarily farmers,
laborers and craftspeople. Most live in dagadas populated
by other free citizens, a noble or two, and a few contract
slaves. They rise early and begin their day tending to the
affairs of the dagada before turning to private matters.
Each member of a dagada has been told by the ambo
exactly what they are expected to provide in order to
meet the material needs of the community and pay the
taxes owed to the state. A baker may be required to
provide seven of every 10 loaves he bakes to the dagada
for distribution to the other members. A herder, on the
other hand, may be called upon to turn over a number
of his erdlu, three of which will be provided to other
dagada members, the rest going to the templars to cover
the community's tax burden. It is the responsibility of
the ambo to make certain that the taxes of the entire
community are paid and that no member goes hungry.
Free citizen farmers work small plots of ground outside
the city in the Verdant Belt. Sometimes a single family
will work an area and provide part of their production to
the dagada, while in other cases members of a dagada will
work a plot together.
Laborers can be seen all over the city carrying large
baskets on their heads or building fences. They are
usually compensated in ceramic pieces or grain. A laborer
conventionally works outside his dagada but turns a share
of his revenue over to the community.
Craftspeople often join craft dagadas and produce goods
which the dagadas then sell at market. Their material
needs are taken care of by the craft dagada. Those who
live and work in a residential dagada contribute to the
community like other members.
Some free citizens are employed directly by the state
as either soldiers or civil workers. They are paid a small
amount of grain and occasionally a few ceramic pieces.
They have no tax liability, and if they live in a dagada are
only expected to contribute to meet the material needs of
the community.
Free citizens are permitted to leave their dagadas
to travel, but are expected to return with gifts as a
symbolic compensation to the community for the loss
of their productive capacity. People who neglect their
responsibilities are shunned by the people of their dagadas
until they have made restitution. If the problem continues,
the offender can be exiled.