Re: "normal tribal life in Sartar"

> In the first few years I think there's going to be widespread tax
> evasion as the tribes deal with ignorant collectors. Over time the
> dodges are spotted and collectors start visiting clans to check the
> figures. It's that increase in taxes actually collected that gets
> the clansfolk upset. Of course after Starbrow's Rebellion the
> collectors will concentrate on the slave clans both as punishment
> and on the grounds that they are most likely to be evading taxes.

I don't think there is actually that much evasion. I think tax collection works like this. Governor-General Fazzur says he needs about 8000 lunars from the Colymar. Tax Farmer Igarni gives Fazzur 8000 lunars in specie for the right to impose and collect a tax on the Colymar. Ignarni tells Queen Leika that a tax of 12,500 lunars is imposed on the tribe and she better cough it up by Tax Day or the wrath of the Lunar Army will be brought upon their heads. Leika has four choices:
(1) Refuse to pay the tax and run the risk of being squashed by the Army (not a good choice after Starbrow's Rebellion); (2) Force the clans to come up with the tax and run the risk of being overthrown by the clans;
(3) Allow Lunar missionaries into tribal lands, become Lunar mercenaries, or otherwise suck up to the Lunars, and ask Fazzur to reduce the assessment; or
(4) Join the Seven Mothers and get the tax reduced.

None of these choices are all that great from the Sartarite perspective. The Lunars can live with any of these choices (until Fimbulwinter when nearly everyone chooses (1)).

Jeff