Slaves

Slavery is a common, socially-acceptable part of life in the Delirium. Many slaves were born in the First Fold, but many are brought by marauders because of their passions, or the passions they foster in others. For example, a very passionate woman in the First Fold is a tempting target for abduction.

For a variety of reasons, an individual may be allowed to return to the First Fold. For example, the individual may have commitments to work or relationships in the First Fold. Failing to meet those commitments would compromise the individual's passionate nature. Hence, there are pleasure slaves in the Delirium who serve their Masters part of the time, but who are periodically ordered back to the First Fold and their responsibilities there. In some cases, the slaves may believe that they live in the First Fold, and that they're only experiencing very vivid, very sensual dreams. This practice of using passionate slaves but leaving them unsure of what happened is probably why the First Fold came to be called the Delirium.

Thralls are temporary slaves. Most shards legally distinguish thralls from slaves, and give thralls some rights and freedoms.