Editing Avramistan (section)

=== Paragraph 4: How Does the Town's Society Work? ===
The town is under the protection of Khan Natan-ben-Edrene and all subject clans pay tribute to him.  The bazaar is under his sponsorship and all who break its peace will be treated as if they had defamed his own yurt.  Local farmers have village or clan hetmen but they are, essentially, subject to all members of the Khan's horde: their lands may be used as horse pasturage and their stores used to supply his warriors -- but the Khan is wise enough not to incommode his prosperous farmers in any way.  The Khan allows the hetmen (and women) of the Farmers and the Nomads to sort out any disagreements between them.  This is a tribal society: consensus, compromise, and coalition are the way.  But blood feuds between families still break out.  The fort is maintained at the Bek's expense and the synagoge at the Khagan's.  The local Khan passes some of his tribute to both monarchs but the tax burden is light.  The Khan is a Jew as are most of the region's inhabitants.  But remnants of the fire worship of the Aryans, the ethics of the Han, the ancient Tartar worship of Earth and Sky, persist covertly, and in some places overtly.  Missionaries of the Crescent and the Cross are sometimes seen, as the Khagan wishes reciprocal tolerance to be shown to the Israelites in the Caliphate and the Hellenic Empire.  The synagogue is home to several scholar/teachers who are trying to build the populace's understanding of the Law, their ability to read the Scrolls, and to bring proper rabbinical jurisprudence into the lives of the Tartars.

* Rituals of Hospitality
- Only after a guest has drunk tea to you begin inquiries into who he is or what his business may be.  "Take my bread and salt and tell me the whole truth," is the local saying.

- "Be attentive and receptive to guests.  A true man expresses his dignity not only in combat, but in how he treats his fellow humans.  You can be dying from fatigue but never let it show to a guest.  Always be modest about yourself and curious about your guest" (Khazak saying).

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