A Treatise on Economic fulfillment, the funding of the nobility and the Theme system/The Theme System

Preface and Map

Included in this section is an artfully drawn map, clearly not by the authors hand, as the signature at the bottom left denotes. It appears to be of Dwilight as a whole, both east and west. Notably, the lands to the south east of the eastern continent, the lands of Greater Luria, are more stylized and highlighted to draw the attention of the reader. What is more, the west continent is vague, with only key areas such as Darfix, Golden Farrow and Eidulb standing out, among others. The general landscape just contains grim depictions of monsters and undead, the names of those lands lost or too unfortunate to speak of.

The Theme System/Map

Before we begin our final chapter, I must note that a map has been carefully recreated for your perusal. This is important, not only because good cartographers are hard to come by (this particular one took me a month and a half to find), but it will highlight many of the discussion points I will be raising. This chapter will make much reference to Luria Nova itself, as I will be making a critical analysis of my realm and making many suggestions I believe need be implemented. Do not fear, however, if you are not from Lurian climbs. Many of the ideas presented will still be applicable to your own realm, albeit modified to suit your own needs.

The Theme System

This final chapter will discuss the importance of a well managed empire. Whilst we have examined the running of efficient regions and how the nobility and treasury should be maintained to the benefit of those regions, and the realm, we have not discussed the importance of a strictly ordered realm. This is vital to the success of any empire that wishes to expand, yet maintain stability and balance. The sections I will aim to discuss are as follows:

• The 'Theme': The titular topic, what a Theme is and its importance to a superbly managed realm. This is known in many different names, the most common is the Duchy, although the Theme differs in legal and cultural respects.

• Imperial Responsibility: There cannot be empire without imperial authority, and where that rears its head there must be responsibility, both to and from the crown. Here I will attempt to ascertain the right conduct that should be shown to vassals and lieges alike.

• Decentralisation vs Centralisation: As will be espoused very soon, a decentralised realm far outstrips the effectiveness of a centralised one, but requires more careful politicking of the various estates involved. I will show you the benefits and the drawbacks of each, and explain why the former defeats the latter.

• Titles and their Meaning: Often there are many titles for regional lords, let alone dukes, kings and emperors. I will outline not the titles so much, but what their bearing should mean to the realm at large.

• Obedience over Glory: To wrap up this treatise, I will discuss the importance of each individual nobles responsibility to the realm first, and their own personal needs next. A realm cannot prosper without order and productivity, and that can only be achieved with combined, disciplined efforts.

The first section will outline what a 'Theme' actually is.

The 'Theme' Itself

A Theme, as stated above, is essentially a Duchy. The key difference to a Theme to your traditionally named Duchy, is that a Theme contains much Lurian influence. There are two notable facets to a Theme.

• A Theme is held by a Royal (King or Queen), but differs to the usual interpretation of a Kingdom in that it is an imperial title. It is bestowed upon the ruler by the emperor, and not by bloodline, by the grace of the vassal estate or by any religious authority.

• In legal terms, the emperor is the sole body politic who may bestow the title of a Theme to any one person, be they the most junior knight of the realm to the most distinguished noble bloodline. What is more, the emperor holds complete authority to retract a Theme from a Royal, as they are a servant to the empire and imperial family, however this is only done through great deliberation and council from other Royals within the empire.

This legal situation extends to the granting of various regions also. If by the hand of a Royal, appointed to govern a Theme by the imperial family, a knight is given title over a region, then it extends that the region is not inheritable. As a servant of the imperial family, thereby an extension of the imperial family, bestows title upon another, it enters the same contractual obligations as that of the Royal. This may seem a foreign concept to other realms that no doubt still use the archaic feudal system of obligation and fealty. An imperial model is far more effective, as it allows the ruler to exercise far more authority over rebellious vassals. Whilst this might be seen as a problem in many other realms, Luria Nova enjoys a level of meritocracy and civility that allows this system to work unmolested by ambitions, the majority of the time.

The Themes of Luria, Evaluation

As promised, I will also discuss Luria Nova more directly itself, the various Themes that it has and what it should have. This may seem controversial, in as much as it retracts historical notions of territory for a more structured model. Here, I will reference the map included in the preface to this section, so that I might better illustrate my points.

• The Theme of Sky Hall - Giask (Capital), Outer Giask, Grodno, Orz, Cadier.

• The Theme of Irvington (Not yet created) - Irvington (Capital), Herle, Mellifera, Maf.

• The Theme of Sun Hall - Shinnen (Capital), Shinnen Purlieus, Sulorte, Smokey Hills, Vaal, Garuck Udor

• The Theme of Aveston (Not yet created) - Aveston (Capital), Thar Gortauth, Moon Bay.

• The Theme of Moon Hall - Askileon (Capital), Askileon Purlieus, Santoo, Ciarin Tut, Mattan Dews, Girich.

• The Theme of Earth Hall - Poryatown (Capital), Poryatu, Nid Tek, Lupa Lapu, Dantooine, Flying Hongrns.

((OOC: Alternatively, should it be mechanically impossible to make Irvington and Aveston capitals of their own realms, then Matthew would suggest that Sky Hall receive Irvingtons lands and Sun Hall receives Avestons))

The Themes I have listed are both current and, hopefully should the work be heeded, future. They represent central locales for which the bureaucracy of the realm may be conducted, and contain at least one region of value (City or Townsland). This allows for the collection of taxes from knights in a wholesome manner, as well as breaking up the various lands required to rule such a vast empire.

One may notice that I noted the capital of each Theme. This was intentional. As I will discuss more in the later chapter 'Decentralisation vs Centralisation'. For now, we shall move onto imperial responsibilities.