Melhed/Government/Republic of Melhed

Republic of Balance

Overview

In the Age of Blood citizens of Melhed were obliged, by dint of superior might, to bend their knee to the Emperor Tsu Sun, self-proclaimed God. As the Age wore on great changes were in the works, and when the Emperor vanished his successor, Aldo Unti began to make alterations that would give rise to the Age of Reason and creation of the Senate.

In the present day the Senate is a fully populated legislative body, with the divided authority of the old Imperial office. The Senate devises and disseminates the laws of the Republic, representing the interests of every citizen in the domain. Every feature of the Senate operation, from the system of debate that initiates legal change to the formalized posture and gesture of their public speakers, is an evolved melding of past and future.

True believers within the Senate consider themselves rulers and servants: furthering the needs of the Republic by balancing the wants of the people with their needs, thus ensuring that the land is well governed and orderly. They may have the power to impose their will upon the citizens of the Republic, but they do so only in pursuit of a peaceful, equitable society. The more rhetoric filled speeches have claimed that cynicism and corruption are not allowed to take root in the Senate, that the collective voice of the Senate’s assembly speaks with flawless logic and complete compassion. Those with a more candid outlook comment that membership is available only to those of the Patrician Strata. Further the only real skill a Senator ever displays is the ability to entice their similarly wealthy contemporaries to vote for them.

The truth remains somewhere between. The Senate has its flaws, despite what the fervent champions will claim, but so too does it have its strengths which the detractors will ignore. It is true, the Senate is prone to lethargy and self interested corruption, yet despite this the Senate allows an avenue of discussion, and open possibilities unrivalled. No matter one's position on the utility of the Senate none can deny that under the Republic system Melhed has become a stable and prosperous nation, and one of the most powerful states in the whole of Beluaterra.

Philosophy

Despite the now lengthy history of the Republic, technically the Senate is still a proxy organization, representing the will and wisdom of the Imperial office. Even if no one holds the office, this inherited function continues to guide the philosophy of the whole Republic by binding the Senate together as a single community. Indeed for legal purposes individuals within the Senate are considered parts of the greater body, and any harm that comes to one is considered an attack on the whole of the ruling structure of the Republic. Similarly the in some cases every word they declare in public is considered an expression of that ruling structure, and every personal action they take is an expression of the will of that structure. Every member of the Senate accepts this burden the moment they takes their seat, knowing that this weight will stay with them until they retire.

Senate Philosophy
The Senate is the Emperor
With the mysterious passing of the Emperor and end to the Age of Blood, his heir, Aldo Unti, began to replace the autocratic rule with a Republican government much to the distrust of the Foederati and confusion of the Patricians. The new government took the form of an oligarchy. At first several handpicked representatives would speak for the Imperial office, and were considered, for legal purposes, to be extensions of the Emperor. To defy them was to defy him. To injure them was to commit the unthinkable: rebellion against the Emperor of Melhed himself. In time, the body of representatives grew and the rule of Melhed was passed from the single man to this collective, and their executive, dubbed the Senate and Consul respectively. This means the Senate represents the old Imperial office and on the off chance that the Senate agrees down to the last man, not one abstention, nor vote against, their decision is considered to carry the full weight of divine authority, able to work even in direct counter to the laws of the Republic. To date it has never happened.
Order within...
Each Senator that is elected is given a region in the domain to administer. The implicit truth is that good governance of a region demonstrates the ability of the Senator to guide the whole of the Republic. Within their province a Senator is the final word on all matters, enforcing the laws, overseeing the day to day affairs of the region and collecting the taxes from the estates of the Patricians. Nothing is more damning for a Senator than a poorly governed province, causing whispers and scandal in the halls of the Senate.
...Chaos without.
After the devastation wrought by the Defensive Alliance war the Melite people became deeply mistrusting of foreigners. Thus the Senate has a very simple policy when it comes to foreign relations, foreigners should be kept foreign, and occupied. To that end the Senate is always in favour of sowing discord and chaos in the outer lands, picking no sides and funding all of them. The ideal situation for the Senate is for every barbarian nation to be so bloodied and broken they cannot begin to consider attacking the Republic. Best of all, the system works. The Republic has avoided all conflict thanks in no small part to the Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones
In summary the players of the game take hold of the outer lands, through means subtle and overt, and use the barbarian kings and people's as pawns. Each faction is goaded to compete with the other, the Senators pulling their strings profiting with each success of their pieces, proving their acumen and enriching their houses. The stakes are high and the 'rules' of the game complex beyond imagining. Layers and layers of agents keep the barbarians from understanding just where the gold and knowledge comes from, meaning they are never aware that their fortunes are made half by their skill, and half by the choices of Senators they might never meet. The Game has claimed many in it's time, both players and pieces have risen and fallen as their fortunes shift and change. The machinations of the players bring ruin to their opponents, by destroying the pawns they have ensnared, never attacking the holdings of the player themselves. Thousands can die to bring humiliation to a player, the shame afflicted lowering the Senator's standing and costing their house. Thus no player of the Game, who last for long, holds only one faction in their control. Numerous agents are shifted around the board attempting to outflank and defeat opposing players. Tales of the more subtle end games speak of artful manoeuvres being made for nought as the controlling player has shifted resources against his former holdings, the actions of their opponents only aiding. Thus the plots and complexity of the Game increase, efforts being made by players to protect and destroy each other.
Dreams Manifest
With peace assured the Senate and Consul turned attention from war to the Melite people. Great efforts were made to foster the desires and dreams, helping each Patrician to reach their full potential. No expense was too great, no task too insignificant if it brought value and satisfaction. The welfare of the people was paramount.

Structure

The Senate is the governing body of the Republic comprised of all elected patricians holding land, the Consul, the Tribune, and an Auspex of the Old Gods. It determines every aspect of realm governance through voting; in which each Senator, Consul and Auspex has one vote. The Tribune has no vote but may comment on matters pertaining to the lowborn. The Senate gathers to vote, or Conventus, starting Friday and ending Sunday. Senators have until Monday to cast their votes on matters discussed during the week's Consilium, or deliberation. All who do not vote are assumed to abstain.

Senate Structure
Senate
The Senate is a fully populated legislative body, that meets within the Curia of Agyr, whos authority is derived from the old Imperial office. The Senate devises and disseminates the laws of the Republic, representing the interests of every citizen in the domain. Every feature of the Senate operation, from the system of debate that initiates legal change to the formalized posture and gesture of their public speakers, is an evolved melding of past and future.
Elections
Members of the Senate are elected from the Patrician class whenever the Senate decides there is an opening. The vote is equally weighted which means fundamentally the more numerous Patricians will choose who takes a vacant seat. Crucially once a member is elevated to the Senate they hold the office for life, unless they manage to upset enough Patricians and Senators to have a vote to remove them. As a result the Senate has considerable freedom to press authority over the Patricians, without fear of loss in office.
Consilium
Matters brought before the Senate are debated for one week, called Consilium. The debate is open to all members of the Republic in good standing, meaning Patricians. This legislative and executive authority extends to all aspects of life within the Republic, indeed nothing is beyond the Senate's authority as it's power is derived from the Imperial office. The lower strata who are curious can loiter about the Forum outside while Equites speakers retell the events that transpire. Most Senate debates are ad hoc affairs with Senators offering comments and thoughts as it strikes them leading to a final vote or Conventus, on the weekend. However if the debate is particularly lively or contentious Orators may be called to represent the various positions.
Orators
Orators are rare, and only arise when a particular Consilium has become heated or deadlocked. If called upon by the Consul vocal volunteers from among the Senate are invited to take the role of Orator, but if none step forward one will be appointed. They are expected to advocate for a possible solution accurately even if they do not personally agree with the matter. Orators take turns making an initial statement about their position. They may then offer one rebutel for each opponent. Finally the matter is put to a vote at Conventus.
Conventus
The end of the debate sees a three day voting period called Conventus. Stretching over the weekend Senators are invited to vote publicly for their preferred solution to each matter raised during the week's debate. The majority rules. If there are Orators, Senators are expected to stand beside their chosen position, signalling their conviction. Failure to vote is marked as abstaining, which is acceptable, but if one makes a habit of avoiding responsibility one rarely keeps the office for long.
Dereliction of Duty
The only way for a Senator to lose their seat is to be brought up on charges of 'Dereliction of Duty'. This serious crime means the senator has failed to comment during any Consilium for a month solid. It is a rare charge, only brought up occasionally, usually by ambitious Patricians eyeing the seat and rival Senators eager to remove an opponent.
Forum Publicus
The Forum is for anyone interested in government that either doesn't want to make decisions, wasn't able to acquire a Senate position, or is just curious. Most things the Senate discusses actually takes place in the Forum so that all patricians (that want to) can listen and make comments. No matter what advice is provided by the Patricians in the Forum, in the end it is the Senate that decides what happens.

Offices

For members of the Patrician strata nearly any goal in life is possible, but the greatest of achievements is elevation to the heights of the Senate and the power that brings. Along the way there stands a multitude of magisterial position, chances to serve the Republic and prove one's capabilities with further refined offices at the highest levels.

Primary Republic Offices
Auspex	Quaestor	Consul	Praetor	Imperator
Gods & Prophecy	Bread & Gold	Wolf & Sun	Order & Sun	Iron & Wolf
The Auspex, or chief Augur, is charged with understanding the will of the Old Gods. Ensuring the people know the flow of the future, and preform the proper rituals to sanctify the Senate.	Administrators, book-keepers and paymasters for the treasury, this magistrate elected once a year, supervise and maintains the public places of the Republic – managing streets, baths, sewers, market places, temples as well as the grain supply.	The 'ruler' of the Republic, the Consul is elected every year by the Senate. Having the power to chair and summon the Senate, issue edicts and proclamations, not to mention enter binding debate with foreign monarchs, the Consul is charged with guiding the Republic through balance and carrying out the will of the Senate.	The Prætor is the judge who administered the highest court of justice. Elected by all Patricians to preside over matters between Patricians and even Senators, the Praetor holds the final say on matters of law that are brought before them by one or another of the parties involved, including foreigners. They also have the ability to chair the Senate, if the Consul was away or had brought a matter to debate forward.	The Imperator oversees the activities of the entire Legion on behalf of the Senate. The Imperator is given considerable freedom to act out their mandate 'to defend the Republic'. Elected once a year by the Senate, it is otherwise very difficult to remove the Imperator from power, who is in turn watched over by a small staff of scribes loyal to the Senate, called the Ordo Tacitus, in case the Imperium is abused.
Secondary Republic Offices
Tribune	Aedile	Orator	Legetus	Centurion
Mob & Tribes	Circuses & Blood	Order & Chaos	Wine & Ink	Gold & Iron
The Tribune acts as an intermediary between the Foederati and the Senate ensuring a slight check on magisterial autocracy. Beyond all this the Tribune also acts as the final arbitrator on legal matters dealing with the Foederati, though rarely do the Tribes bother with the office, preferring to settle matters their own way.	Organizer of the the public games and entertainment the Aedile presides over chiefly the arena but also watches over trends in leisure and game across the domain to ensure the people get what they want.	A rarely used office for when a debate has become too heated for usual operation. The Orators will take turns representing a position to allow a better flow of the debate for a vote.	The Legate are charged with speaking to foreign powers. Ensuring the Republic is well represented, and smoothing out any tensions. They are expected to provide diplomatic expertise, and inform foreigners of Republic law.	The Centurions are charged with commanding a legion sent out on mercenary pursuits. Ensuring the legion is successful, they have the final authority on matters of the legion during the expedition.
Fundamental Republic Office
Senator
The Senators govern a single province in the Domain, administrating their territory on behalf of the Republic. They collectively make up the Senate, the legislative body of the Republic. Senate positions are determined by election. They are elected upon a province being available, simple majority wins, all highborn may run and vote in the referendum. If the position is a city or stronghold, only current senators are eligible to run. Positions are held until either: retirement, abdication for dereliction of duty, or the territory is lost. In the case where the territory is lost the senator retains their rank for one month, during which they automatically gain the title if the region is reclaimed. A person can run again for office in the future if they wish.