The practice of slavery is bound into the fabric of the Setab Empire. A great deal of the Empire was built or founded by slaves, while early wars were fought with slaves at the forefront. While the practice was official outlawed during the reign of Emperor Lucian Setab the Shining, much of the illigeal activity continued. The Empire spent much trying to stamp out the abhorrent activity, but it was hindered by not only various rogue groups, but by some of the nobility, particularly in Pellinola. As the Emperor Lucian also spent his short reign trying to quell the resurgence of Corruption, he ultimately was unable to bring enough resources to bear to complete either of these goals.

The next Emperor, Vymmer Radritch, was able to begin implementing a system to solve the needs of the Empire and nobility while still keeping slavery itself illegal. Though the arrangement took a few years to perfect, the Empire still uses the core principles of serfdom and indentured servitude. While certain Provinces may add to the main laws concerning serfs and indentured servants, they may not change or erase them, ensuring two things. One, that the laws are similar throughout the Empire, enabling the trade of contracts between Provinces. Two, that those under these conditions are still protected by the Scepter.

The main definitions and applicable laws of both serfdom and indentured servitude are described below in brief.
Serfs are bound to a section of land, which belongs to a noble. In exchange for working the noble’s land, a serf is fed, clothed, protected, and given shelter. A serf may not move or be moved from their land without official papers from the Scepter. The section of land a serf is tied to may be sold to another, in which case the serf would then work for whomever owned the land. Depending on the circumstances the serf was bound, serfdom may be hereditary, may end after a certain period of time, and a multitude of other parameters according to the Province.

Indentured servants are bound to a person, typically the person who owns their title. Indentured servants usually serve as aides of one from or another. It is also common for them to be unskilled labor, such as base miners in Pellinola or loggers in Ymmalesh. Indentured servants must be examined and have their papers stamped in every major city and Province border to prevent mistreatment or criminal subterfuge. An indentured servant is rarely born into that position but usually acquires it by being unable to pay either taxes or debts. If the debt is owed to the Scepter, the indentured servant is usually sent to various public works projects. If the debt is private, the debt must be previously logged and the transgressor must be lawfully apprehended by a guard. After this, the papers must be drawn in front of legal aides of the Province wherein the debt occurred. An amount, plus interest, is clearly stated on the title and a record is kept in the capital. A family member who is unable to care for themselves may also be “sold” into indentured servitude, often because the original debtor cannot otherwise pay. When an indentured servant has worked the price of their title, they are set free. This also must be witnessed and logged by an official of the Province where applicable. Most Provinces prevent the setting of a “freedom” price from being too high, but some, notably Pellinola, do not. In this Province, the debt may pass on to any children or family members.

The practice of serfdom and indentured servitude is, in general, neutrally regarded. In many cases, the work is not overly hard and the fruits of this labor directly benefit all citizens of the Empire. Some Provinces forbid either practice. In both Ymmalesh and Ulary, no one may be made a serf or indentured servant without express permission by the Lord or Lady-Governor. However, because Provincial law may only hold sway within its own borders, indentured servants may be brought into these Provinces. There are, of course, some races and people which are against either practice. Some of the more extreme liken it to different names for slavery. Lightborn and Bright Elves as a whole are notably against the practices but wisely refrain from doing much more than just frown upon it and perhaps even buying the freedom of the more hard-luck cases. The people of Ulary and Ymmalesh have been known to take it a step farther, by “stealing” indentured servants and “freeing” them. However, these extreme actions and others like them are the hallmark of militant fanatics, and the law, however, sympathetic, may not allow them to do unpunished, lest a war break out.