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A client is the receiver of the relationship. He is socially expected to be obedient to his patron's requests and pays either a "gift" or a social duty to his patron. Normally a client's spouse and children all share the same patron, but there are always exceptions.While obligations may not be written, they may be common knowledge. This could be as simple as how a freedman "knows" that his lord expects X days of labor, Y in rent, Z days of boon labor and a chicken and 50 eggs at the winter solstice. The patron expects the client to honor his requests, which normally would not be above the client's capability to fulfill. The more wealthy/powerful the client, the more the patron expects.
While clients can change patrons as often as they wish, debts owed must still be paid before the client is released from the relationship. All debts are inheritable and divisible amongst the client's family and children. Clients who shift patrons too often may find themselves without a patron's protection in dire times.
A patron is socially expected to look out for his clients. The patron must protect them from whatever he can, as well as help the clients achieve a better social and economic standing in the society. This can range from:
Finding them an apprenticeship at a guild of their choosing.
Arranging (or having arranged) a marriage that will increase their position for the client or their children.
Helping the client start, finance or manage his own business or career.
Finding him a litigant or ursuer (as necessary) as well as hiring physical protection for the client.
Patrons may choose their clients, but once chosen can neither neglect them nor abandon them. The Patron is suppose to be in control of the relationship, placing clients where they can do the patron the best good while obtaining a good life for themselves.
