*i. Preamble*

The below is a humble attempt to Codify the beliefs, virtues, and guiding principles which drove the founding of this Empire of the Sun, Tara'hin, and the protection of its provincial states. We here at Lilac Farm, humble abode of a common Tara'hinian family, are the representatives of some thousands of men and women who have worked hard for the rights and duties declared herein, and we shall endeavor through our lives to live up to what we have here wrought.

*ii. Dedication*

To those who have fallen in the quest to make all this possible, we dedicate this Code, and our Lives, to your memory.

*I. Honor*

All citizens of Tara'hin are expected to act with honor, but those charged with the duty to lead in Tara'hin shall be expected to exemplify it. The judgment of one's honor is the judgment of one's service, how one has preserved Freedom and attended Duty. The paragon and determiner of Honor shall be the Emperor, and to insure the Trust placed in the Shining Light of the Sun there shall be a Body of Peers, the Noble Class, with power and judgment to question his Honor in extreme circumstance. If there is failure of Imperial Throne and the Body of Peers, e'en the Citizenry shall have recourse to appeal the Emperor's authority, but only in circumstance of utmost extremity.

*II. Freedom*

The freedoms of the citizens of Tara'hin are enumerated herein. The first shall supersede the second, and so forth.

The first freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Dignity. No citizen shall be left bereft of Dignity by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The second freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Work. No citizen shall be denied the right to employment for which they are capable by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The third freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Religion. No citizen shall be denied right to practice whatsoever faith they choose by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The fourth freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Expression. No citizen shall be denied the right to Express thoughts, ideas, or emotions through any means, especially the Arts, Press, or Oratory, by power of Law or through action of other citizens without due recourse of reparation by Law.

The fifth freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Movement. No citizen shall be denied right to travel within the borders of the Empire, nor forced to travel, by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The sixth freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Representation. No citizen shall be left without a voice to appeal to the Law by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The seventh freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Privacy. No citizen shall be exposed of their most private moments by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The eighth freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Property. No citizen shall be denied just and legal ownership of land, material, or capital duly acquired by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

The ninth freedom guaranteed by the crown of Tara'hin to its citizens is that of Education. No citizen shall be denied the right to learn or research by the powers of Law or through action of other citizens without due course of reparation by Law.

No right listed herein should be conceived to deny the rights below it where possible, but the hierarchy established will be respected by all within the Empire.

*III. Duty*

All citizens of the Empire must needs attend the Duties set forth herein or risk denial of the Rights listed above. The Duties listed here are in order of importance to the Crown.

The first duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Respect. As Respect toward others is the basis of Honor, and Respect toward oneself is the basis of Dignity, this Duty is foremost of the Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall fail to show due Respect other citizens, of Tara'hin or otherwise, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of showing always due Respect.

The second duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Justice. As Justice is the force that renews both Honor and Dignity, this Duty shall be revered all but Respect. No citizen of Tara'hin shall work to obstruct Justice to other citizens, of Tara'hin or otherwise, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizens of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of seeking always due Justice.

The third duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Community. As Community is the foundation of Dignity, this Duty shall be revered above all but Respect and Justice. No citizen of Tara'hin shall deny another their place within the Community, nor cause undue exemption of others from Community, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of including all within their Community.

The fourth duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Defense. As Defense is requisite in maintaining Dignity and Honor, both for oneself and others, this Duty shall be fourthmost in the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall fail to Defend Empire or citizenry of the Empire against attacks physical, mental, emotional, or metaphysical, insofar as they are able and aware, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin hereby charged with the Duty of Defending it from all foes.

The fifth duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Peace. As Peace is the germ of all Dignity and Honor, this Duty shall be fifthmost in the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall break the Peace of the Empire without due cause, of which are enumerated above in both Rights and Duties, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of maintaining and keeping the Peace.

The sixth duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Honesty. As Honesty is required between those who wish to keep Dignity, this Duty shall be sixthmost in the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall deceive another citizen, of Tara'hin or otherwise, without due cause under the above Duties and Rights, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of Honest and Open dealing.

The seventh duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Education. As Education is necessary to understanding and maintaining the Dignity of the citizenry, this Duty shall be seventhmost in the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall deny another proper and due enlightenment where possible, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of Educating each other and others.

The eighth duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Asylum. As Asylum from foes known or unknown is necessary to maintaining Dignity and Security, this Duty shall be eighthmost on the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall deny another citizen, of Tara'hin or otherwise, Safety from dangers if they are able and aware, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of offering and maintaining Asylum for those in danger.

The ninth duty set forth to the citizenry of Tara'hin is that of Nurture. As Nurturing is necessary to the maintaining of Children, the Weak, and the Infirm with Age, and thus the maintaining of their Dignity, this Duty shall be last (but not near the least) on the list of Duties. No citizen of Tara'hin shall deny another citizen, of Tara'hin or otherwise, sufficient Nurture for sustenance and survival, or they shall face reparation under the Law. The citizenry of Tara'hin are hereby charged with the Duty of Nurturing the young, the weak, the feeble, and the elderly.

*IV. Law*

In effort to insure the above Rights and Duties are enforced and understood, there shall be made governmental systems to effect them. Here below are enlisted the least of the government agencies the Empire must maintain within all their borders, or be found in violation of their Duties to the citizenry.

(a) The Courts of Law:

In all realms under sway of the Empire shall citizens have access to the Imperial Courts. While provincial courts shall be allowed their own purvey, in accordance to their Dignity and out of Respect, appeals shall be allowed to the courts of the Empire by any and all citizens who seek it. There shall be five styles of the courts:

• The Provincial or Parish Courts, which shall respect local custom.
• The Military Courts, which shall be the first court of all personnel of the Imperial Militaries. They shall not respect local custom, but shall respect Military custom.
• The District Courts, which shall be the first layer of appeal, and shall be the first of the Imperial Courts. The judges on this level of the Law shall be charged with the enmeshing of local custom and Imperial Law.
• The High Courts, which shall be the second layer of appeal, and shall be the second of the Imperial Courts. The judges on this level of the Law shall be charged with the broader application of Imperial Law, and shall have the power to supersede local custom entirely.
• The Imperial Court, which shall be the final layer of appeal, and shall be represented by the chosen of the Emperor himself. These judges shall have absolute sway of their own judicial opinion.

Furthermore, should the Imperial Court itself fail, the Emperor shall have Right and Duty to supersede its decision, especially insofar as their decisions affect the Rights and Duties of the Empire, and thus affect its Honor.

In cases of violation of Temple Law, defendants will have right to appeal to Temple Justice, but in keeping with the Right of Religion, if the defendant chooses Temple Justice, the Empire shall have no recourse to alter the judgment, save by direct Imperial Intervention.

In accordance with the Duty of Defense and the Right of Representation, all those accused under the Law shall be afforded Legal Advice and Trust by a duly appointed or achieved Servant of the Law. Equally, the Empire shall be represented by same. The Duty of Justice shall be served by the judgment of the appointed judges or, in cases where it is deemed necessary or well advised to do so, by a carefully selected fair and balanced jury of peers.

(b) The Police Force:

In all realms under the sway of the Empire shall citizens have access to a force of well trained and provisioned enforcers of the Law. These men and women shall be trained in body and mind, heart and soul, to believe in and represent the Tara'hinian Code to its fullest, and they shall not abuse the powers given them in its enforcement. There shall be the following governmental options in the creation of and maintenance of a police force:

• Local constabulary, which shall be chosen by local provincial governments or parish governments.
• Regional constabulary, which shall be chosen by district and regional representatives of the Crown.
• Military constabulary, which shall be chosen by officers of the military to enforce internal military Law.
• Imperial constabulary, which shall be chosen by due representatives of the Emperor to enforce Imperial Law.
• Temple constabulary, which shall be chosen by the temples to enforce their own internal Laws, insofar as they do not supersede Rights and Duties duly afforded by the Code.
• Special constabulary, which shall be formed only in time of crises in order to more effectively protect and serve the citizenry.

(c) Governmental Hierarchy:

In all realms under the sway of the Empire shall citizens have effective, efficient, and competent government. Those who are chosen to do the work of the government shall be trained sufficiently and shall be seen to uphold all Rights and perform all Duties of the Code. There shall be the following governmental options for the formation of governments:

• Provincial governments, which shall take into account previously existing governments now under sway of the Empire. These shall be guided by Imperial Viceroy or Governor, but shall otherwise be as they were, save wherein they would violate Duty or Right enforced by the Code.
• Municipal governments, which shall represent village, town, or city, and shall be subject to the Parish and all other higher governments in which they are located, but otherwise shall be independent. Each municipality shall be subject to their own choice of governmental form, be it alder council or mayoral executive or otherwise, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Parish governments, which shall represent divisions of a Baron's realm, and shall be subject to the Barony and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each parish shall be subject to their own choice of governmental form, be it council or executive or otherwise, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Barony governments, which shall represent divisions of an Viscount's realm, and shall be subject to the Viscountcy and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each barony shall be subject to a Baron or Baroness, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Viscountcy governments, which shall represent divisions of an Count's realm, and shall be subject to the County and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each viscountcy shall be subject to a Viscount or Viscountess, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• County governments, which shall represent divisions of an Margrave's realm, and shall be subject to the Mark and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each county shall be subject to a Count or Contessa, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Mark governments, which shall represent divisions of an Marquis's realm, and shall be subject to the March and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each mark shall be subject to a Margrave or Margravine, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• March governments, which shall represent divisions of an Duke's realm, and shall be subject to the Duchy and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each march shall be subject to a Marquis or Marquise, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Duchy governments, which shall represent divisions of an Archduke's realm, and shall be subject to the Archduchy and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each duchy shall be subject to a Duke or Duchess, but each shall be rigorously investigated by the Crown 'ere appointment.
• Archduchy governments, which shall represent divisions of an Prince's realm, and shall be subject to the Principality and all higher governments in which they are located, but shall otherwise be independent. Each archduchy shall be subject to a Archduke or Archduchess, each of which shall be blood relation to the Emperor.
• Principality governments, which shall represent divisions of the Empire as a whole, and shall be subject to the Emperor himself, but shall otherwise be independent. Each principality shall be subject to a Prince or Princess, who shall be child or direct descendant of the Emperor.
• And ultimately, all shall lie at the feet of the Shining Light of the Sun, Emperor of Tara'hin, and his wife, the Emperess.

Each of these shall be charged with the Duty of forming and maintaining the Laws of their repsective realms. Furthermore, each shall be responsible for the citizenry of their domains, the Rights and Duties thereof, and the preservation of the Land Itself.

(d) The Militaries of the Empire:

In all realms under the sway of the Empire shall the citizenry have protection of the Militaries of Tara'hin. These shall be divisioned thusly:

• The Armies of Tara'hin, which shall be divisioned again into four parts: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and special forces. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire on land.
• The Navies of Tara'hin, which shall be divisioned again into five parts: coastal, high seas, amphibious, undersea, and special forces. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire at sea.
• The Aerial Forces of Tara'hin, which shall be divisioned again into four parts: winged infantry, flying cavalry, flying artillery, and special forces. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire in the sky.
• The Intelligence Forces of Tara'hin, which shall be divisioned into five parts: military scouts, cartographers, researchers, gatherers of intelligence, extractors of intelligence, and special forces. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire in the political and covert realms.
• The Metaphysick Forces of Tara'hin, which shall be divisioned into seven parts: users of magic, stalwarts of faith, explorers of science, phsyicians and healers, irritologists, mentalists, and special forces. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire in the metaphysical and medicinal realms.
• The Imperial Elites, which shall be divisioned as the Emperor pleases, and shall serve him directly, or his duly appointed representative. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire in all extreme and special realms.
• The Imperial Guard, which shall be divisioned into three parts: palace guard, bodyguard, and family guard. They shall be maintained and trained to their fullest and charged with the defense of the Empire and his family directly.

(e) Recourse of the Common People:

In all the realms under sway of the Empire, the citizens shall have a Recourse. Should the Empire fail in its Duties or in the upholding of Rights, all citizens of the Empire or without shall have the following Recourse to Honor:

Should a common citizen find the Empire has failed him or her, he or she then has Duty and Right to seek recourse with local government, be it provincial, parish, or municipal, via the Police or the Courts. However, should the failing be in Police, Court, or local Government, then the Citizen has another Recourse.

The Recourse of all Common People shall be the Question of Honor, instigated first by Petition representing the Will of the People, then by fair and peaceable debate by a representative of the People chosen from the Petitioners and a representative of the Petitionees, he or she who is challenged by the Petition. Each Petition must be representative of the realm under the sway of the Petitionee, i.e., a third of the citizens of a Barony needs must sign to call out a Baron or baronial law, and so forth. The Debate shall be decided by vote of at least two-thirds of the populace in question.

Should Petition fail in the eyes of the People, two-thirds then needs must then Petition again, and the process repeated, with three-fourths vote then being needed to bring Honor.

Should twice the Petition fail, and provable slight to Honor still remain in the minds of the citizenry, and should a full nine-tenths of the citizenry be convinced of this, then it shall be considered lawful and legal to take up arms against government. Should this recognized nine-tenths rise up, it shall be Duty of the Higher Governments to come to their aide against the Petitionee(s). Should the Petitionee be the Emperor himself, then should all lesser Governments need rise up, and the Empire be undone by force of Law and subject to lesser governments above the Emperor himself.

However, should the nine-tenths not be achieved, and should the petitioners still rise up in arms, then all who do so shall be tried for Treason, a capital crime.

(f) Punishment and Rehabilitation of Violators:

In all the realms under sway of the Empire, the citizens shall have facility to punish or seek to rehabilitate violators of Right or Duty. Punishment shall not violate any Right or Duty that supersedes the Right or Duty which has been violated, nor shall ever there be a violation of one's Dignity, even if one is convicted of violating the Dignity of others.

Should a citizen be found incapable of Respect or Dignity due to physical, mental, emotional, or metaphysical infirmity, they shall be confined to insure the Honor of the Empire. Should said citizen's life be a violation of the Honor of the Empire, the Empire shall have Right to capital punishment of that citizen.

In cases of international issue, only the Emperor or his duly appointed representative shall have the power to Declare War.

(g) Amendments to the Code:

In accordance with the nature of mortality and the world itself, this Code shall have provision to be changed should it become necessary. Any alterations to the Code can be suggested by any citizen of the Empire, but must be confirmed by three-fourths of the citizenry of the Empire in a pan-Imperial vote within ten years of its presentation to the Emperor. Should the Emperor find an alteration not to his pleasure upon presentation, he may reject it, and then the vote must needs reach nine-tenths to overturn his will. If the vote of three-fourths is held and the Emperor then rejects the alteration, and the people return with a nine-tenths vote, then it shall be Law over the Emperor's rejections. The nine-tenths vote cannot be superseded by the will of the Emperor unless proof is given of tampering of the votes or the will of the populace by nefarious forces. Proof shall be considered by an independent council decided upon by votes of the populace, seven representatives both common and noble, three elected and selected by the populace with a majority vote, with three selections chosen directly by the Emperor, and one appointed by a consensus of nobility and court representatives. If the matter is military in nature, then special consideration is given to military representatives, being that there must be at least two members of the military on the council. If any alteration is not decided in ten years' time, it shall be considered null and void, and the process shall only be allowed to be reinstated after five years.

*iii. Signatories*

Augustus Aun I, Emperor of Tara'hin, Shining Light of the Sun

Yshara Windkin, Emperess of Tara'hin

Sir Noradyn Corad, Knight-Marshall of the Disc

Asazi al-Nur, Candlebearer, Adviser to the Emperor

Magrim Haraun, Grand Admiral of the Fleets

Pserys Suraq, Golden Serpent, Keeper of the Emperor's Words

Morad Antiman, Nightsguard, Sword of the Empire

Orsena Dawn, Holy Bringer of the Sun

Blake Guidry, Imperial Gift Finder

Harooq Majeste, Field Marshall of the Armies

Christopher Lilac, Landlord of Lilac Farms