Korvosan slave trade?

[coffeedog14]

So, the part is in book 1, and right at the beginning. Hence many of the players are still feeling out what they want to do. One, a skald who worships Cayden Cailean, was toying with taking the liberator feat and was curious as to the state of slavery in Korvosa.

I decided to check, assuming that Korvosa would follow the example of Cheliax and have a fair bit of slavery (if less wide spread and racist in tone). However, the players guide seems split on the issue. the slave trade is mentioned in two ways: one is that the king formerly had a small slave harem he disposed of in favor of his new wife. the other that the church of Asmodeus may or may not work with the cerulean society to help "black market slave trade."

What I assume is that Korvosa has slavery, but it's regulated. something like having to go through the church of abadar for every trade, and it being filled with fee's to make sure only the rich can manage. The church of asmodeus and cerulean society then work underground, either by selling without supervision or perhaps going so far as to kidnap and enslave folks that shouldn't be.

If anybody has a clear answer that I'm missing, I'd be grateful for it!

[Ashkar]

My angle - slave trade is illegal in Korvosa, but not slavery as in ownership. King had a garem as mentioned, and I think Korvosan goverment/guard will not take actions to liberate slaves, lets say from a guest Katapesh merchant or somebody (a citizen) who received them as a gift. They may even punish vigilanties who will take such actions, because slaves are property, and liberating them is thievery. On the other hand, if the owner of slaves sells them, he now breaks the laws. In this case, slaves, possibly, are made free persons. Don't forget that Church of Asmodeus is the second in the city, and Abadar religion isn't a LG one. They may argue about some topics, but both churches stand for Law and not for freedom fighting.

[MrVergee]

There is no slavery in Korvosa, officially. There is no public display of slavery in the city.

However, the guide mentions:

• "Rumors persist throughout the city that the temple of Asmodeus actively supports and encourages the slave trade" (p. 17).
  
• Eodred II had "slave girls in his harem" (p. 36); who are labeled "enslaved beauties" on p. 40.
  
• The Cerulean Society "exports homegrown pesh, slaves, and infernal goods" (p. 47).
  
• The Guide also compares the first three years of apprenticeship in the Acadamae to "slave labor" (p. 53).