Gypsies
From Crossroads Wiki
Throughout much of the history of Gateway Empire, and the Isle of Draught, there was a community of gypsies that lived within the Barony of Destine, centered more within the Lordship of Omenal. They were a very closed-off culture, one that stood apart quite by choice. Often they would steal from the people that lived upon the lands they traveled upon, and did not practice any sort of fealty to the nobles of Draught, or the Empire as a whole.
Very rich in culture, a proud people they were, and quite adept at entertainment. However, their pride as a people caused their eventual demise.
It was in the year 507 that Emperor Rourke started making inquiries, and it was weeks later that this Imperial decree was posted:
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Let it be known on this date, December 19, 507, by Imperial Decree set forth by his Majesty, Maximilian Rourke Thomas Sebation Caprios, that all gypsies are declared treasonous to our Empire. Long has this isolated community lived by its own rules and laws, bending knee to no man and ignoring the rule of law set down by the Keeper. Those who wish to renounce their gypsy heritage and come forward to do so will be branded and their previously faithlessness shall be forgiven. Those who refuse to do so will suffer the punishment for treason, which is death. Anyone who knowingly offers aid to a gypsy and those who would conceal any knowledge of a gypsy’s whereabouts, as well as those who knowingly associate with gypsies are also considered guilty of treason and will pay the price for their crimes.
Those gypsies who wish to come forward and renounce their heritage shall do so by turning themselves over to the Sheriff, Sir Drusilla Conway. All gypsies who wish to do so have until the 19th of January, 508 to do so, one month from the posting of this decree.
So it is written Lady Helena Soranus Imperial Chamberlain
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Very soon after, there were no more signs of gypsies living upon Draught. There are a few people with that telltale brand upon their cheek, and the children of the community have found new lives elsewhere in the Empire, to be raised as proper citizens. However, the era of the gypsies living within Destine is no longer.
