Some time ago, citizenship requirements were introduced for shop ownership within Settlements, making it mandatory to hold citizenship to own a shop. Given that housing is just as scarce, if not more so, than shops, I propose that quarter ownership should also be tied to citizenship. This change would offer several key benefits:
Community Engagement:
Why choose to live in a location where you don’t actively roleplay, work, or engage with friends, colleagues, and the surrounding community? Tying quarters to citizenship encourages residents to immerse themselves in the life and culture of their chosen Settlement. It also stops preventing people getting a quarter in a settlement they do actively RP with because the quarters are being hogged by people who play elsewhere and have no actual investment in the community they own a home in. If your character no longer aligns with the culture or values of the place they live in, they are obviously free to find citizenship elsewhere and move.
Investment in the Settlement:
Living in a Settlement implies a certain level of investment in its well-being and identity. While no one is expected to spend all their time in one place, a resident’s roleplay should naturally reflect their connection to their city, town, or district. This creates a more cohesive and immersive community experience.
Consistency in Citizenship:
If someone spends the majority of their time away from their place of residence, living and roleplaying elsewhere, it raises the question: why maintain citizenship there at all? Citizenship should reflect genuine ties to the Settlement, not serve as a mere formality or convenience.
Of course, this suggestion does not apply to quarters that exist outside Settlements. Such spaces should remain neutral havens for all, untouched by these considerations. I think perhaps vaults and small inn rooms can also be exempt from this rule, but guild houses and larger homes should absolutely be used by people who will RP in the settlement they have a proper home with.