Rights of Free Imperial Cities

From Charter of Imperial Privilege
Section VIII: On the Status and Liberties of the Free Imperial Cities

As Granted to the Free and Sovereign Cities of Dawnhold, Brightgate, and Gildenreach
By the Light of Solenara and Decree of the Golden Throne

Issued in the 337th Year of Imperial Rule
By His Radiant Majesty, Emperor Althamar II Aurellis
Defender of the Faith and Flame-Crowned Sovereign of the Holy Solarian Empire

Let it be known throughout all realms and dominions of the Empire, from the spires of Solinthar to the wild frontiers of Ironwatch, that:

“Those Cities of ancient founding and sovereign devotion — namely Dawnhold, Brightgate, and Gildenreach — shall be recognized as Free Imperial Cities, owing allegiance solely to the Imperial Crown and the Holy Church of Solenara, and to no noble banner.”
"Whereas they have contributed in matters of coin, counsel, and craft to the betterment of all Solarian kind;

"Whereas their walls have stood firm against darkness and their people served the Light with diligence and wisdom

These cities shall govern their own affairs, elect their own magistrates, mint their own coinage, and raise civic militias for the defence of their liberties, provided they do not contravene imperial law or the doctrine of the Radiant Flame.”

“Each Free Imperial City shall bear one vote in the Sunfire Council, exercised by a duly appointed Magistrate or Chancellor, who shall swear fealty to the Throne and to the Flame. No Elector House may interfere in this appointment, on pain of excommunication and forfeiture.”

“The rights of commerce, trade, education, and independent judicature within Free Imperial Cities shall be inviolate. Imperial tariffs levied upon them must be agreed upon by a two-thirds vote of the Sunfire Council and the consent of the Free Cities themselves.”

“Let the Flame bless those who uphold these liberties, for their prosperity strengthens the Empire. Let wrath fall upon those who break them, for tyranny breeds ruin beneath the sun.”

We, by divine right and imperial mandate, do hereby grant and affirm the following privileges, liberties, and protections:

I. Autonomy of Rule

• The City shall govern itself by its own laws, customs, and elected councils, free from the dominion of any Elector House, noble lord, or external charter.
• It shall raise and maintain its own guard, levy taxes upon its citizens, and appoint magistrates and officers as it sees fit.

II. Imperial Immediacy

• The City answers only to the Golden Throne and the Holy Church of Solenara, and no other temporal authority.
• Appeals to justice, disputes of inheritance, and matters of state may be brought directly to the Imperial Court or the Grand Solar Basilica.

III. Trade and Coinage

• The City shall mint its own coinage bearing the imperial seal, and set its own tariffs, markets, and trade laws.
• All merchants and guilds within its walls shall be protected under the City’s charter and subject to its laws.

IV. Ecclesiastical Freedom

• The City shall maintain temples and sanctuaries of the Faith in harmony with the Radiant Church, but shall not be subject to the tithes or appointments of noble patrons.
• Priests and scholars of the Church may preach and dwell within the City, provided they do not seek to usurp civic authority.

V. Seat upon the Sunfire Council

• The City shall hold one voice and one vote upon the Sunfire Council, to be cast by an appointed Chancellor, Patrician, or Speaker of the Guilds.
• This vote shall be equal in weight to that of the Elector Houses, and may not be revoked without unanimous decree of the Council and Imperial assent.

VI. Military Obligation

• The City shall maintain a capable force for the defence of its lands and the Empire.
• In times of great need, the City shall provide coin, arms, or men at the Emperor’s summons—but no noble shall quarter troops within its walls without consent.

VII. Sanctity and Protection

• No army shall march upon the City without imperial warrant.
• No noble, ecclesiarch, or officers thereof shall seize property or imprison citizens without trial by the City’s courts or the Emperor’s judges.

Thus is this Charter sealed beneath the sunburst of the Golden Throne, affirmed by the Radiant Church, and bound in flame and law.

Let none break or diminish these words under pain of treason, heresy, and exile.

By Our Hand and Seal,
Emperor Althamar II Aurellis
High Cleric Cassian, Voice of the Radiant Flame
Chancellor Ilyra Virel of Gildenreach
Magister Thamus Crenn of Dawnhold
Overlord Callen Strasse of Brightgate