Land Grants are a system of rewards that Tarentum uses as an additional method of compensation for those members that go above and beyond in their duty to the House, or offer long term, consistent, and beneficial service to the House. However, there has been no clear or consistent method of rewarding these land grants in the past, nor has the House ever made real use of them in house fiction.
The purpose of this document is to lay out a new land grant system that seeks to reward the member, as well as makes the system worthwhile for House and member fiction. Furthermore, this new system is designed both to help develop locations within the Yridia system, as well as get more members involved in developing the system.
Definition of Land Grants
Though the term “land grant” is used colloquially, a more applicable term may simply be “grant.” A grant, especially under this new system, need not necessarily be on the ground. However, all grants under the new system meet the following criteria:
- Grants are given to House/Clan members by, and at the will of the Tarentae, and may be revoked as well (see [#Revocation section III]).
- Land grants, at all times, are engaged in activity that would benefit the House (economically, socially, or politically). They are a member's private estate/barony, but owe a debt to the House/Clan more than simple calls to action during times of war (see [#Comparison_of_Grants.2C_Baronies.2C_and_Private_Estates table 1] in the [#Appendix appendix] for a comparison of grants, private estates, and baronies).
- Grants are not restricted by position in the house, but rather upon service alone. Thus, it is possible that a member may receive a grant very early in their career.
- Fictionally, the member oversees (however they deem fit) the day-to-day operations of their own grant, and gain benefit from it. However, the House summit has authority to call upon, and receive benefit from its operation.
Awarding and Recognition
When the Tarentae body deems a member worthy of a grant, they will contact that member and offer them a grant. Should the member accept, they shall be bequeathed an official charter to design and construct their land grant. A charter shall contain the details of any limitations upon the grant.
No grant shall be considered official until and unless the recipient has completed a survey that includes the following information:
- Named and located the grant within the Yridia system;
- Identified how it benefits the House;
- A short history of the grant area ;
- Has the survey approved by the Tarentae.
Though not initially required, it is highly recommended that members complete and post a wiki article detailing this information, preferably with a picture (or pictures). Furthermore, though all members of the House/Clan shall seek to introduce grants where possible, the holder of the charter shall be responsible for introducing it into House and personal fiction.
Revocation
Members may be stripped of their grants by the Tarentae for the following reasons:
- Resignation or removal from the House;
- Disreputable action punishable bby in-House action;
- Conviction by the Chamber of Justice;
- Actions deemed to cause harm to come to the House, or any member of Tarentum.
Once a grant has been revoked, it shall be returned to the control of the House and Tarentae. While it will still exist fictionally, the grant shall no longer be used by members in their personal fiction. The Tarentae maintain the right to reissue the charter to another House member.
No member of the Tarentae or other leadership may revoke a grant charter because of personal bias, either against the member or the grant itself. Should a member believe that his or her charter has been revoked erroneously, they may petition the Tarentae (via the Grand Chamberlain) to review the action.
Previous Grants
Old grants may be re-awarded to the members who hold them under this new system. However, there is no guarantee of this, and it is pending the approval of the Tarentae body.
Conclusion
This new grant system puts much of the onus on the individual members to develop and construct their grant. However, it still maintains oversight by the Tarentae. While much of this is borrowed from the previous “system,” this is the first time that the rules and requirements have been laid out.
Appendix
Comparison of Grants, Baronies, and Private Estates
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Grant
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Barony/March
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Private Estate
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| Location
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Within the Yridia system, including moons and space
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Within the Yridia system, but restricted to a planet
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Often within a barony, but small estates may be stand alone
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| Relative Size
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Small to medium
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Medium to large
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Small
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| Owner
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Tarentum
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Individual Member
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Individual Member
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| Loyalty
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House Summit
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Prince of Yridia and Sith King
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Individual
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| Benefit
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At all times; House Tarentum; holders may benefit from activity
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During times of war; holder benefits directly from activity within his/her barony
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None
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| House Fiction
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All members may reference a grant and use it as a setting, so long as they maintain consistency with official documentation
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All members may reference, but should consult the Baron/Count before further use
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Members may reference, but should consult the owner before further use
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| Awarded to
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Any member the House Summit desires
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Tarentae, Former Consuls and Quaestors in good standing
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Barons or exceptional members
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| Title
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