Mark of Passage Form 1367

The Mark of Passage was created as a response to many merchants who were trying to avoid paying taxes in the kingdom by transporting goods but not actually entering a city. Since they did not enter the city, there was no way to check if they were up to date on their taxes, nor value the amoutn of taxes they should be paying.

This was affecting revenue for both Lawcrane and the kingdom in general. In addition, it was creating an unfair advantage over the merchants who did follow the rules.

So the Royal Advisors of Orsholon developed a set of regulations for trade and passage that ended in the creation of Form 1367

Form 1367 is an official document allowing transportation of goods across the Kingdom of Orsholon – Region. It is signed by a magistrate and has the weight of the Royal Family of Orsholon behind it.

Form 1367 is only valid for 40 days from issuance. There are no renewals.

Goods valued at less than 100 gp, and agricultural items such as feed and grain do not require Form 1367 to be completed.

Forgery of a Magistrate’s signature is cause for immediate incarceration of up to a year, barring from future issuance of Form 1367, and up to 3,000gp fine.

Enforcement is by the Royal Guard Of Orsholon, and carries the weight of the Crown.

Fields that must be completed on the form:

• Origin
• Destination
• Shipper
• Receiver
• Value of Goods Carried
• List of Goods Carried
• Signature of Carrier
• Signature of Issuing Magistrate
• Date of issue

Form 1367 is issued under the authority of the Royal Family of Orsholon, and is valid within the kingdom.

While it is unlikley most travelers and merchants will be asked to show papers while en route, they will be asked for their Mark of Passage upon entering both Orsholon City and Lawcrane.

Merchants stopping outside these locations to sell without Form 1367 are subject to permanent confiscation of their cargo, barring of any future issuance of the Mark of Passage, and up to 1000gp in fines.

This document is available in most towns, but are issued in Orsholon City and Lawcrane. Individuals in smaller towns, like Tremer have been authorized to issue the form as duly assigned representatives of the Crown.

For the most part, reaction in the kingdom was positive. Many merchants had been undercut by unscrupulous merchants who would keep their business outside the city walls of Orsholon City and Lawcrane, and the enactment of the Passage regulations and enforcement by the Royal Guard meant that they would be would be able to sel ltheir wares and services with much less unfair competition. The worst reaction came from merchants who worked and lived outside of the cities, as the new regulations required them to register with one of the cities regardless of whether they had business in the city. There has been talk among the Royal Advisors about creating a license of sorts that these merchants can apply for, where they pledge to pay proper taxes, but are not not limited in time of travel/delivery, and do not need to register in a city.