Slave Trading has existed for thousands of years in both the real world and that of Mortal Engines. The slave trade declined considerably during the Second Traction Boom, where it was considered dishonourable for cities to have slaves on board, before becoming resurgent during the Late Traction Era.
Not all cities took notice of these 'laws', such as Arkangel which was the 'Scourge of the North' for it's policy of eating towns and then enslaving the population, showing it's heritage as previously being a Nomad Empire.
In the Black Centuries[]
It is said that during the Black Centuries (the time after the dreadful Sixty Minute War, as black clouds of smoke blotted out the sun and general misery was rife) that slave trading was an every day event. 'People would sell their own child for a tin of rice pudding' (as written in The Traction Codex).
After the turmoil and misery of the Black Centuries, and civilisations started to spring up again, laws started to become enforced again and even in towns or countries that used slave trading, certain laws were upheld so you couldn't capture any old person and sell them at an auction.
During the Early Traction Era[]
Slaves were still commonly used in the Traction Era, more so by the Nomad Empires, which roamed the North in their collection of motorised houses and castles. The Barbican, while it still moved, was said to be entirely powered by regiments of slaves; the Movement's capitol traction fortress was also powered by slaves, to an extent, as it's engines alone could not move it.
Slaves seemed to be less common or altogether non existent in static settlements, although at least during the rule of the Scriven in London there was a small trade involving slaves.
Late Traction Era[]
After the Second Traction Boom around 470 TE, when cities began to move, the Wheeled War between the cities involved slave trading and slavery in general. Boarding parties were used between cities and a take as many prisinors policy was adopted by many traction cities.
Later, after the Diet of Ulp in 520 TE, after the Zagwan Crusades (which united many of the traction cities against the Anti-Traction League) Municipal Darwinism was adopted which forbade the used of slavery. All the major cities and aspiring towns took up this law with honour; however, some cities scoffed at the rule and indulged in slave trading - if not using slaves for the city itself from captured towns - and were scorned by respectable Tractionists.
During the Green Storm War, the slave trade flourished; both the Traktionstadtsgesellschaft and Green Storm purchased slaves and set them to work, producing either arms and armour for the Traction Cities, or fortifications and city-traps for the Green Storm. Companies such as the Shkin Corporation rose to prominence as a result, selling prisoners of war along with kidnapped poor citizens from cities' underdecks and lower tiers.
In 1025 TE, Hester Natsworthy would launch an attack on the Shkin Corporation's headquarters, intending to free her husband Tom Natsworthy from imprisonment. During the attack, she would release the majority of the Corporation's slaves; accompanied by the devastation of the Battle of Brighton and the subsequent Lost Boy takeover, the Shkin Corporation likely ceased to operate around 1025 TE.
Cities Known to Use Slaves/Trade in Slaves[]
- Arkangel
- Cultler's Gulp
- Brighton
- Grimsby
- Tunbridge Wheels (when a Pirate Suburb)
Known Slave Trade Companies[]
- EasySlave
- Slaves4You
- Shkin Corporation
- Slave2go
- Thrall you like