Book II · Part VI
Citizenship and refuge
The Empire is named for sanctuary. Its population is what centuries of sanctuary produced.
Modern Hrossagrið is a highly diverse human nation whose population descends from numerous peoples integrated over centuries through migration and refuge. Refugee integration is one of the eight foundational values of the state, and it is not a recent addition: it is the oldest thing the country was known for.
The name itself records the practice. Neighboring merchants, messengers, diplomats, refugees, riders and handlers used hrossagrið for the legal protection encountered at the border. Once a person crossed into the territory, foreign pursuit had to stop. The traveler, their companions and their equids entered protection together, because protection that stops at the animal is not protection at all.
Usage
How the demonym works
The citizen term is Hrossagrith, and it is invariant: it takes no singular or plural suffix. The correct singular usage is I am Hrossagrith; the correct collective usage is the Hrossagrith people. The adjective and cultural term is Hrossagrithic.
In preparation. Naturalization procedure, residence, asylum determination and travel documents are not yet written into the register. For the historical practice from which they descend, see the early history.