Sumptuary laws

[Casmen]

With Amn being Amn, I think it would make sense and be a cool addition if sumptuary laws was considered, to those who don't know sumptuary laws is laws set in place by the upper class to restrict certain things from the masses, and it's been a thing for many societies for a long time, there are sources as far back as the iron age with viking societies making it illegal to dress above your class and likely it goes further back then that.

And since it is said on the server loading screen lore blurbs that black is reserved for the higher nobility it would make sense for them to have done what they can to restrict it for the upper classes by law, perhaps even fabrics like silk and velvet. So in general something that would help build the world and show some restrictions that could make sense and was common in the real world as well throughout history

 

[TwistyShape]

Sadly, I think this would be a nightmare to police and just add to more irritation among players based on feedback with other topics meaning it'd take away more than it'd add.

 

[Panfrita]

Well, it could be something for the guards to harass you about? A literal fashion police...

E: What about a new faction, then? Some sort of flaming fashion inqusition? /s

 

[TwistyShape]

Well, it could be something for the guards to harass you about? A literal fashion police...

While it would perhaps be fitting for the setting, the guard has been advised not to fuss players over similar things as this, and players have voiced upset about things in a similar sphere, as it can be seen as disruptive to RP.

 

[Casmen]

Amn is supposed to be a tough place with weird strict laws (just like there existed in reality) I do think if players are sad that the guard (or locals) are enforcing/commenting on weird behavior and dress that they should answer that IC or consider if the server is for them, it's a problem I've experienced before, you dress like a row harlot and then get insulted when someone thinks that you are one.

Dress in the middle-ages means something, if you dress like a noble people will expect you to be one, if you dress like a serf, people will think you are one etc etc. there's a reason why there historically were colours reserved for specific parts of society certain colours meaning royalty or clergy for example. So I still think this would greatly benefit showing Amn. And both in the OOC area and in the Tailor there is a "Please dress accordingly" which basically states this entire thing, and I will say that the only way this can be done is by there being a reaction to it and punishments to some things. Like a fine for wearing all black.

There are stories from the viking age about someone getting killed for wearing too noble clothes when being not a noble, the landsknecht of the 15-1600's colourful and slashed garment was seen as an affront by the church, and was only permitted because they were expected to die pretty quickly. Historically dress has always meant something everything from cut to colour, and to keep TDN to become just another bland fantasy setting I feel this (among with some likely more important issues) is a good start. And yes perhaps it seems oppressive and sucks for the players, but welcome to the world, it always suck being in the lower rungs of society, you get to be jealous and look at those above you who get to have all the cool stuff, even if you have the coin for it.

 

[LunacytheRat]

The tailor's assistants have rules in place for things already, namely:
1. No selling silk to commoners
2. Dress to your station
3. Please wear colour
4. Keep it modest

If you've been around when the tailors are online and interact with us, we will comment on outfits and make suggestions. Not everyone wants to engage with it and that's ok.

 

[Casmen]

Which I think is a cool idea, but that's just something you guys have decided to do, I think it's something that needs to enforced like it was IRL, because sadly things not enforced most people will ignore, but kudos to the tailors for starting the movement!

 

[LunacytheRat]

I will point out that we've full DM backing! I've seen a slight shift since we started up with people's outfits, which has been wonderful to see.
I'm not sure the guards are best placed for more enforcement on it anyhow, they have enough on their plates with all the "Halt" "Who goes there" and "I need to see papers" business.

 

[Casmen]

I think they should, it would fit what they're there for, have them harass people and fining them, perhaps even taking their clothes away, if real life law people could do it fantasy law people can too