I very much like the idea of a slave trade; it's an important sub-theme in one of the campaigns I currently run.
Of course, one of the most interesting things about slavery is that its definition shifts depending on locale. Often a slave purchased in one jurisdiction has completely different rights in the jurisdiction to which his buyer takes him.
I would therefore suggest that Mor's End have a "soft" slavery model, similar to that of post-Roman Gaul or 16th century Spain -- or an even soften type like that of 15th century West Africa.
Of course, it may be that the places with which Mor's End trades have a harsh chattel slavery model like that of the 19th century American South or Northwest Coast aboriginal people.
If we end up going with some variant of my history, I would argue that Mor, the ex-slave would not in fact prohibit slavery in his city. Instead, he would create a very generous system that recognized slaves' rights. The latter system would have a far greater chance of freeing slaves than one which simply turned away slaves and their owners at the door.
I'd therefore suggest that the slavery system have the following elements:
1. A cap on the maximum number of hours per week of work for slaves.
2. Enshrining the right of slaves to marry.
3. Free legal counsel for slaves.
4. Enshrining the legal right of slaves to work during their free time.
5. Court-ordered self-purchase in the event that an owner refuses to allow a slave to purchase his freedom, in which the court fixes a price and payment timetable.
With the exception of 2, this is basically the legal framework of Iberian slavery in the 15th through 18th centuries for those who wish to look at this more closely.
Of course, there are still many ways for the owners and establishment to manipulate the system to keep slaves from ever being freed. In addition, such a system can still enact severe penalties for slaves escaping illegally -- even death.
As for the question of modularity, I don't see a problem. If the characters are from a place where there is no slavery, there's no problem with the slavery model above and if they come from a place where there is a different slavery model, again -- no problem.
Of course, one of the most interesting things about slavery is that its definition shifts depending on locale. Often a slave purchased in one jurisdiction has completely different rights in the jurisdiction to which his buyer takes him.
I would therefore suggest that Mor's End have a "soft" slavery model, similar to that of post-Roman Gaul or 16th century Spain -- or an even soften type like that of 15th century West Africa.
Of course, it may be that the places with which Mor's End trades have a harsh chattel slavery model like that of the 19th century American South or Northwest Coast aboriginal people.
If we end up going with some variant of my history, I would argue that Mor, the ex-slave would not in fact prohibit slavery in his city. Instead, he would create a very generous system that recognized slaves' rights. The latter system would have a far greater chance of freeing slaves than one which simply turned away slaves and their owners at the door.
I'd therefore suggest that the slavery system have the following elements:
1. A cap on the maximum number of hours per week of work for slaves.
2. Enshrining the right of slaves to marry.
3. Free legal counsel for slaves.
4. Enshrining the legal right of slaves to work during their free time.
5. Court-ordered self-purchase in the event that an owner refuses to allow a slave to purchase his freedom, in which the court fixes a price and payment timetable.
With the exception of 2, this is basically the legal framework of Iberian slavery in the 15th through 18th centuries for those who wish to look at this more closely.
Of course, there are still many ways for the owners and establishment to manipulate the system to keep slaves from ever being freed. In addition, such a system can still enact severe penalties for slaves escaping illegally -- even death.
As for the question of modularity, I don't see a problem. If the characters are from a place where there is no slavery, there's no problem with the slavery model above and if they come from a place where there is a different slavery model, again -- no problem.
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