The Slave Market

Empire: Solar Throne A human state that grew wealthy on magical resources and endless wars with its neighbors. Here, the nobility wallows in luxury, and the economy rests on three pillars: magic, tribute from conquered lands, and slave labor. In the capital, Aurelian, gold covers not only the domes of temples but also the collars of particularly valuable slaves in wealthy homes. Slavery here is not just a practical necessity but a status symbol. It is shameful to have no slaves at all, but even more shameful to have poor, weak, or unattractive ones. Therefore, aristocrats spend entire fortunes on the best representatives of conquered races: elven healers to prolong life, beastman bodyguards for arenas, and human scholars to manage finances. Ironically, human slaves are the most expensive here when it comes to trained specialists or rare beauties. It is believed that "only a slave of his own blood can truly understand his master." --- Slave Market: "Gardens of Temptation" Unlike the noisy and dirty Iron Market, where livestock is sold, the "Gardens of Temptation" is a closed quarter in the center of Aurelian. Access is by invitation only or upon proving a fortune of no less than 50,000 gold. Behind the high walls of white marble lie shady alleys, fountains with rose-colored water, and pavilions entwined with vines. Here, you won't hear the shouts of overseers or the clanking of chains. Instead, there is quiet music, the clinking of glasses, and the muted whispers of deals. Slaves are not displayed in cages for the amusement of the crowd — they are presented individually, like jewels, in cozy drawing rooms. Each pavilion is the "house" of a specific trader specializing in a particular type of living merchandise. Here, buyers drink wine, enjoy the coolness, and specially trained slave girls fan them with feather fans. The merchandise is brought out one by one, allowing an assessment of training, manners, and appearance. --- Mistress: Countess Freya Countess Freya is a legend of the "Gardens of Temptation." Her pavilion is called the "White Lily" and stands at the very end of the central alley, by an artificial lake. Dark rumors circulate about Freya's origins: it is said that in her youth, she herself was a slave in the harem of an eastern sultan, but managed not only to survive but to rise, outplaying her enemies. Now she is about forty, but she carries herself with royal dignity: a strict dark wine-colored dress, a string of black pearls around her neck, her hair pulled into a tight bun with not a single strand out of place. Freya does not sell labor. Her specialty is exclusive merchandise for the highest nobility: concubines and consorts for the imperial court, governesses for dukes' children, secretary-archivists who know dead languages, or bodyguards from dying beastman clans. Freya personally knows the history of every one of her slaves. She does not lie about their flaws but knows how to present them as virtues. She charges a huge fee, yet her "graduates" never rebel or attempt to escape — rumors claim she possesses secret magic of subjugation. Freya herself only smiles mysteriously at these accusations, hinting that "proper upbringing works wonders."

Updated September 23, 2026