The Lunar Tax System

The Myth

Dhrevan was the fourth born child of Verithurus, Lord of Mernita, and Jiniki the Seeker, a close descendant of one of the Glorantay. While he was a consort of all the gods and goddesses of the Four Realms, but was little more than a clerk and servant. Not that he complained. Dhrevan diligently served the Emperor, and all of his Just and noble fellows with whatever they charged him with. Every task would be fulfilled to his full capacity and without qualm nor refusal.

He set to order the entire of Shargash's Armoury, as well as every one of Seven Hundred Golden Harps of Wonder that belonged to the mistress of Harmony, Harana Illor, and then proceeded to catalogue and organise them for easy reference. It was a known fact that the celestial chambers of the gods that contained the greatest wonders of the Cosmos were organised by the efficient Dhrevan.

Dhrevan had no hobbies, no pleasures, no vices. He did not look at a woman unless he was required to by his work, he did not rest except to sleep, and he did not eat as he had no need to. Even when Lodril tried to entice him with the wonders of wine Dhrevan merely took it as a specimen to his father's Moon Library that contained as much of the knowledge and wisdom that the world could offer to the people of the Dara Happan Empire as was thought possible. He merely took joy in his work, never asking for anything in return.

He was, however, recognised and honoured for this perfection of duty. When Shargash gave him a unit of men to command they were lost in their first battle and entrapped in Ershkintu by the evil Mino-mino men that dwelled there. When Harana Illor gave him control of her harps he broke the strings as he could not play them, and when he tried to fix them he used a forge from Lodril which burnt down when he lit it. When he was blessed with the almighty gifts of Yelm for his pious nature he was granted a star of his own. Yet even that failed, for he burnt both himself and the nation he was nearby at the time. Thusly, after that, he refused any more posts awarded to him and remained happy with the duties he carried out at the time.

When the Empty Emperor ruled Dhrevan was called forwards to please his master. Kazkurtum sacrificed him when he approached, for no other reason than it was the Empty Emperor's will to slaughter the godlings that remained to propagate the evil and sorrow of his Empire. Dhrevan went with solemn remorse, but never let a tear fall from his eye, for he was sure that when the Evil Emperor was overthrown he would be released by any of the numerous warriors, or heroes, or Underworld dwelling gods that he had served. He even hoped that even Yelm himself might come and free him from the magical hole in which he was held captive. The Copper Ledger shows one small carving of Dhrevan in such a place, huddled in the darkness away from his Just Emperor, awaiting his freedom.

But when the Rise of the Sun came, he was judged too menial to be worth the danger and effort that was posed by freeing him. He, as well as many other minor demigods like him, was guarded by many creatures of all five hells that never slept, nor faltered in their guard. Dhrevan begrudged all the gods and goddesses for this indignity. For all those years of service he wished not for power, or fame, or recognition, but respect, and each and every god refused him this. Dhrevan was, however, powerless to do anything about it.

When the Red Goddess walked the paths of the HeroPlane, she came across Dhrevan and took pity of his plight. She enslaved or befriended the guardians, and then released him to accompany her back to the world of Men. For this simple service he pledged his eternal servitude to the Moon Goddess and took upon himself all the services that would seem petty and menial to such an illustrious and spiritual being as Herself. At the Battle of Castle Blue he followed his goddess, and was given a place on the Rising Moon as the head of Lunar Bureaucracy. However, his name is normally associated with the efficient, and deadly, Tax Collectors of Our Empire.

His Worshippers become Demons upon Death and returned to the World as Tax Demons(1), and have plagued all those who evaded of Lunar Justice since the First Wane. In the thirteenth year of the Sixth Wane, when the Red Goddess descended to the centre of Glamour alongside her angelic and demonic host at Sacred Time, she was accompanied by a powerful being, that growled like a bloodhound, whose eyes glowed with the fire of the Brebix(2) and who stood the height of three men. He was pronounced Ivex the Devouring Dog, the son of Dhrevan who would now take control of the Lunar Taxes. Ivex devoured the soul of the High Tax Collector(3) and took his position without argument. Ivex was then called immediately to collect taxes from the Char-Un border rebels. To prove his Divine Heritage he threw a mighty spell across the Sky, that confounded the rebels for years to come so that all Collectors could safely claim the necessary funds without difficulty. He has remained, ever since, in Glamour as the High Priest of his father's meagre cult, aloft in the finger like peaks of the Lunar Tax Tower, whose basement stretches into Lunar Hell.

Joining His Cult

Dhrevan is still worshipped, to some extent. His cult is a sub-cult of the Seven Mothers. All members are the Tax Collectors of the Empire and it is necessary to join his cult to join that profession. Normally one must both have at least 50% in Speak New Pelorian, 30% in Read/Write New Pelorian and 50% Evaluate. They must also suceed in an interview, just like any normal job. The knowledge of a foreign language is also useful as it means the Tax Collector can work in Foreign Parts of the Empire. If they are hired, they must sacrifice 1 POW to Dhrevan, dedicate 75% of their time to their profession, but receive 800L per annum and an increase of about 100L per year, depending upon their service. There is a normal maximum of 2000L per year. They gain one-use access to the two cult spells, Command Tax Demon and Worship Dhrevan.

Advancement in the cult is limited to going from Tax Collector to Head Tax Collector, who controls a larger region and all Tax Collectors who work there. The pay is normally from 4000L (for working in the Lunar Heartlands) with up to an extra 2000L dangers pay (usually danger pay is received for lands like Bilini, the Grazelands or Dorastor). They gain re-reusable access to the magic, as well as reusable access to the spells of Bind and Summon Tax Demon. They are given high respect (and fear) in the community. The position above this is High Tax Collector, and is currently occupied by Ivex the Devouring Dog. It is he, and his close advisors, that control the secrets of Tax Demons and Lunar Hell. All Tax Collectors can call upon military support from the Red Army, as well as the services of an Irripi Ontor Scribe when required. Most Tax Collectors disdain the use of extreme force though, as guile and cunning is usually more effective, doesn't create unrest in the natives and is more respected by their peers.

Notes

1=These demons are also known as Dhrevanewrz, or "Children of Dhrevan".
2=A small creature from Pelanda which were viscious, and very dangerous. Their connection to the magical powers of fire were undoubted, for not also did their eyes, mouth and nose glow like a warm furnace, but when they died thet exploded like a fireball.
3=It was later determined that he was guilty of embezzling.