Holy Dragon Empire -- Non-Citizens

Non-citizens within the HDE are still subject to the rule of law, but are certainly not as advantaged as the citizenry. Disallowed access to the social net and advancement testing, they are still allowed to participate in commerce and are allowed to buy and own property and assets.

They are not taxed, though paying taxes and participating in civilian government is still allowed on a voluntary basis, and does raise one's social status considerably.

Non-citizens may not hold office, and are generally not afforded positions of status within local communities.

Becoming a Citizen:

Becoming a Citizen is acutally a fairly simple process:

- The individual must voluntarialy pay taxes for one year.

- They must demonstrate literacy and basic mathematical skill.

- They must either:

1) Serve in the military for a term of two years

OR

2) Obtain a letter of service from a local government official.

This letter of service can be won through any act of civic virtue - from fair treatment of clients and customers to an unusual invention donated to the empire to simply individual merit; that said, they are not necessarially easy to obtain.

Some are sold. Some writers require specific actions or favors. Others look for those who will best serve the empire - there are many paths to a letter, but they are taken seriously and often peddled for favors rendered.

Most seekihg citizenship take the route of military service - which is straightforward and easily entered, if not necessarially risk-free.