Freehold

A freehold is an independently controlled territory, defined under the Unseelie Accords. These territories may be as small as a personal home or estate, and in some cases they may comprise an entire city. While a freehold may be home to one or more groups, it is held under the protection of an individual rather than an organization or group, and this individual is known as a freeholding lord or lady. A similar territory that is controlled by a major group is often called, less formally, a "holdfast."

Formation[]

To establish a freehold, a potential lord or lady must first establish a territory that they're able to maintain and defend. The second step is to become a signatory of the Unseelie Accords, much in the same way that a group may. Signing on to the accords requires sponsorship from three extant signatories or their designated representatives. Sponsoring a would-be freeholding lord or lady means vouching for their ability to hold and maintain their own territory, which is designated as the "freehold."

Rights and Responsibilities[]

A freehold has the same rights and responsibilities as any signatory of the Accords. Apart from respecting neutral territory, freeholding lords and ladies are expected to abide by the rules of hospitality and conflict resolution. It is encouraged, but not strictly required, for freeholders to attempt to keep the peace with other signatories. This means offering redress for wrongs, up to and including the payment of weregilds when necessary, and to generally avoid meddling in one another's affairs. In practice, however, this usually depends strictly on how well a freehold is able to defend its own interests.

However, a freehold that can prove a wrong against it by another signatory is able to press a case for redress or satisfaction. Conflicts and even wars can happen and have happened, but most of the time the signatories tend to strive to, at least on the surface, keep the peace. This means that freeholding territory is generally respected by other signatories, once established. If it is not, other signatories--especially those who initially sponsored the freeholding lord or lady--may well feel the need to intercede, as a slight against someone they have supported may be perceived, in turn, as a slight against them.

Freehold

Contents

Formation[]

Rights and Responsibilities[]

Examples[]

List of Freeholds[]

List of Holdfasts[]

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