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In the Shadow of the Dragons
The Dragon Lords
Heredity Laws for Taera
In general, heredity in Taera, particularly among the First Families in power, is by means of primogeniture (i.e. the eldest son gets everything). The Dragon Lordship is a merit-based inheritance, so it is outside this general pattern. Heredity not attached to Lordships, however, is often relatively egalitarian, and is more-so as one descends through the caste structure. Women are often granted large dowries as part of their inheritance, although these typically do not include grants of land unless she is marrying someone geographically nearby--although Family villas may be part of this. Outside of the Lords' immediate families, there is often little land to give away, so these are more likely to be merely goods or money, sometimes prized retainers. Marriages, once made, cannot be broken, however, women generally retain control of their dowries (though lands often end up being administered by her husband's estate), and when marriages fail, they are free to separate, but divorce is not legally possible. It is partially for this reason why the Priesthood is often so attractive to young Familied women, as they are not obliged to marry, they may retain complete control of whatever wealth the possess, they may pass on their Family name to their children, and they may leave their lovers at any time they wish. They may even take female lovers if that is their desire. Family units among the Priesthood are typically run by women. Younger sons, particularly a generation or more away from direct succession to a Lordship, often find their inheritances small as well, and these men likewise seek out the Priesthood, particularly if they choose not to marry.
In addition to these general, common considerations, laws were enacted at the time of the Exile, to maintain the strength of Familied bloodlines, so that what happened to bring them to Taera did not happen again, so that further dilution of their powers as Elementals did not continue. These laws regulate how castes intermarry and inherit. In general, castes are expected to marry within their caste. Deviations that might diminish the strength of the line are permitted only once in three generations. For instance, someone from a First Family may marry someone from a Second Family only once in three generations in order to pass on their Family name (goods are excluded in this calculation.) If this is violated, they may only inherit a Second Family name. Second Families may marry upward as much as they wish (although, the children usually take the name of the First Family if they can), but they may marry a peasant only once in three generations. The system is likewise complicated by the fact that First Families may not marry anyone with a peasant in the past three generations or they may not inherit their caste. This system is administered by the Priesthood, and before Family names can be bestowed on children their bloodline must be verified, both through record keeping and through magical tests.
Humans further complicate the story. If a human marries into a Family, the children are immediately reduced to the rank of peasant, and the line remains so until through the generations, they can marry well and climb back up the class ladder. However, in theory, their inheritance through the Family is destroyed. Exceptions are only rarely made. Generally, it takes six or more generations for a family line to legally recover from such a union.
Despite the apparent strictness of the system, there is mobility. Any peasant who shows exceptional magical talent for his class can be taken into the Priesthood and adopted by the Second Family. He cannot pass on his name to his children, unless they and their children likewise show the exceptional ability. At that time, the name will become inheritable. Similarly, Second Familied persons who show exceptional abilities can be adopted into the peripheries of First Families, usually through the Priesthood, and eventually earn full-First Family status.
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Last updated: 2005 August 23