Editing Valkor (section)

==Government==

Khans tend to distribute cruel and collective punishments, so common people have developed their own systems for dealing with disagreements and disputes. Usually, the parties will agree to ask a respected resident of the village to serve as an impartial third party in disputes between the others. If a settlement is not reached, the elder of the village, often known as the Seeress, will be consulted. This particular village elder then decides what to do. Only if this fails will the parties approach the province courts where the Khans of important houses make the decision.
 
Some rich tradesmen and craftsmen are able to live outside of this system. They have been fortunate enough to raise enough money and influence, and the support of a sympathetic Templar which allows them to have more control of their dailing living and working situation. These people are often able to hire assistants, and even fighters , but they are free to go about their lives as they choose. However, their success and spirit is also hanging by a thread of hair, or more precisely, the favor of the khan that rules the area. Just one blatant mistake and their heads fall like any other member of the common people who stepped on the toes of the Templars.
 
A third group of common people is made up of urban thieves who have developed around cities. They earn their livelihood by extortion, theft and trafficking of illegal goods. It is not clear how much their thief activity is formally networked, but it is certain that any merchant who wants to succeed also needs the recommendation of some thief high-up.