Perdan (Realm)/Constitution

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Constitution for the Kingdom of Perdan

PREAMBLE

We, the nobles of the Kingdom of Perdan, have gathered in the great city of Perdan on this day XX/XX/XXXX and hereby declare this document shall forever govern Perdan.

I. DECLARATION OF AUTHORITY

This Constitution shall hereby govern all facets and workings of the government of the Kingdom of Perdan. No noble shall be above this agreement, or be its equal, nor shall any law be above this agreement, or be its equal. All nobles of the Kingdom of Perdan are hereby granted, for us and our heirs for ever, all the liberties written out below, to have and to keep for them and their heirs.

II. ELECTION OF THE REALM COUNCIL

It is recognized that the continuity of the government is necessary to ensure the continued stability of the realm. The fulfillment of this requirement is realized in the selection of a realm council that will hold their positions until they resign, or are removed due to wounding or imprisonment. The four primary council members shall be selected according to the following procedures:

  1. The Monarch, being the highest official of the Kingdom of Perdan, is to be elected by combined will of all Nobles of the Realm in a formal election.
  2. The Arch Priest/Priestess, being the primary check on the power on the Monarch, will also be elected by the combined will of the all Nobles of the Realm in a formal election.
  3. The High Marshal shall be appointed by the Monarch, at their sole discretion. The method used for the selection of the High Marshal is entirely within the purview of the Monarch.
  4. The Royal Treasurer shall be appointed by the Monarch, at their sole discretion. The method used for the selection of the Royal Treasurer is entirely within the purview of the Monarch.

III. SELECTION OF LORDS

Selection of the lordship of a region or city is held as within the purview of the liege Lord to whom the vassal will owe fealty. In order to ensure the widest participation in the government of Perdan, it is forbidden for a member of the Council to also hold the lordship of a region. No Council members may be appointed to the lordship of any region. Should any Lord be elected or appointed to a Council position, the new Councilor must relinquish the lordship in a timely manner, following the selection of a new Lord Designate. It is hereby acknowledged that the privilege and responsibility of selecting a new Lord Designate lays with the following offices:

  1. It is within the rights and responsibility of the Monarch of the Kingdom of Perdan to select a new Lord Designate for any Imperial region, when said lordship is vacant. The method used for the selection of the Lord Designate of an Imperial region is entirely within the purview of the Monarch.
  2. It is within the rights and responsibility of the Monarch of the Kingdom of Perdan to select a new Lord Designate for any city, when said lordship is vacant. The method used for the selection of the Lord Designate of a city is entirely within the purview of the Monarch.
  3. It is within the rights and responsibility of the cognizant Duke to select a new Lord Designate for any region within that Duchy, when said lordship is vacant. The method used for the selection of the Lord Designate of a ducal region is entirely within the purview of the cognizant Duke.

Once the Lord Designate has been selected, the Senate shall vote to confirm the Lord Designate in accordance with the guidelines of Section V. The presentation of Seconds is not required. Category for confirmation of the Lord Designate shall be Simple Selection.

Once appointed, the Lord will hold their positions until they resign, are automatically removed due to wounding or imprisonment, or subject to removal from office by a vote of No Confidence in accordance with the procedures of Section ??.

IV. SELECTION OF THE SENATE OF PERDAN

It is hereby acknowledged that no Assembly can truly represent the will of the nobility without it having first been selected by those very nobles. For this reason, the power of the selection of nobles to the Senate must, at least in part, be a power invested in the Nobility of Perdan. At the same time, the authority of the Monarchy and the Lords of the Realm cannot be discounted. To fulfill these two requirements, the composition of the Senate of Perdan is hereby set at the following membership and origination:

  1. All Realm Council Members. This is to include the King or Queen, High Marshal, Royal Treasurer, and Arch Priest or Priestess.
  2. All Holders of Region Titles. Along with the greater privilege and incomes of their noble titles and positions also comes the greater responsibility of partaking in the governance of the realm.
  3. Monarch’s Advisors. To aide the Monarchy in the conduct of their duties, the King or Queen may appoint up to two nobles to the position of Senator. The appointment of these positions is entirely within the purview of the Monarchy, and may be selected through any means desired by the Monarchy. The position may be revoked by the Monarch at any time.
  4. Ducal Advisors. The aide the duchies in the conduct of their duties and to further represent the interest of the duchies, each Duke may appoint a single noble to the position of Senator. The appointment of this position is entirely within the purview of the cognizant Duke, and may be selected through any means desired by the Duke. The position may be revoked by the cognizant Duke at any time.

V. THE CASTING OF SENATE VOTES

When it is deemed necessary for a vote to be cast amongst the Senate, the procedure shall be as follows:

  1. Any Senator may call for a vote on any issue by presenting the issue to the Senate, along with two Seconds. The Monarch may call for a vote on any issue, at any time, without requiring the presentation of Seconds.
  2. The issue must then be presented to the Senate by the Arch Priest or Priestess. If the Arch Priest or Priestess fails to present the issue for a vote within 48 hours of the presentation of the required number of Seconds, then the Senator who originally called for the vote may present the issue to the Senate at any time following the 48 hour period. The presentation shall include a description of the issue to be voted, a list of valid voting options, and the requirements for passage of the issue. Requirements for passage include the following criteria:
    1. Simple Selection. Whichever option receives the greatest number of votes shall be declared the victor. No minimum number of votes is required to be garnered by the victor.
    2. Simple Majority. Whichever option receives 50% or more of the total possible number of ballots that could be cast shall be declared the winner. If no option receives 50% or more of the total possible number of ballots that could be cast, the vote shall be declared Void, and the ballots shall be discarded.
    3. Greater Majority. Whichever option receives 66% or more of the total possible number of ballots that could be cast shall be declared the winner. If no option receives 66% or more of the total possible number of ballots that could be cast, the vote shall be declared Void, and the ballots shall be discarded.
  3. Following the official presentation of the issue to the Senate, all members of the Senate will supply their votes on the issue, with each Senator casting a single vote. Votes may be public to the Senate, or sent privately to the Arch Priest or Priestess.
  4. Voting will proceed for two days. Voting may be called early only if votes are received from all Senators prior to the voting deadline. The Arch Priest or Priestess shall provide the count of votes for each of the voting options including the names of the Senators voting for that option, along with a declaration of Pass, Fail, Void, or the winning choice.
  5. Any issue which Fails may not be brought before the Senate for a minimum of 30 days.
  6. Any issue declared Void may be brought to a second vote by any Senator, provided that they can provide 5 Seconds. If the second vote is also declared Void in accordance with the rules provided above, the issue may not be reintroduced in the Senate for a minimum of 30 days.

VI. THE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LORDS

The Lords of the Realm are granted their lands in trust by the Realm. It is the sworn duty of the Lord to manage their lands in the best interests of the Realm.

  1. In recognition of the authority of the Lord, the Lords are granted the following powers:
    1. The alignment of their region to any Duchy of the Realm, at their discretion
    2. The formation and disbanding of Armies.
    3. The appointment and removal of Marshals and Second in Command of Armies which they sponsor.
    4. The assignment of their vassals to Armies at their discretion.
    5. The collection and distribution of regional taxes.
    6. The building and disbanding of Temples, in accordance with the rules outlined in Section VII of this Constitution.
    7. The selection of Lord Designates for vassal regions as described in Section III.
  2. In exchange for the powers granted them, Lords are also endowed with the following responsibilities:
    1. Proper care and guardianship of their Regions, including the maintenance of region production, morale, and loyalty.
    2. Employment of sufficient Knights to ensure continued estate support of the Region.
    3. Forwarding of sufficient gold, as the current financial system allows, and under the supervision of the Royal Treasurer, to allow the proper functioning of the Realm government.
    4. Proper care of region infrastructure, including the maintenance and construction of recruitment centers, fortifications, and other buildings vital to the continued defense and well-being of the Realm.

VII. RELIGION OF THE NOBILITY

Religious Freedom of the Noble

No Noble of Perdan shall ever be compelled to join any organized Religion against their will, through any means or requirements. Furthermore, Nobles may belong to any organized religion of their choice, so long as the religion has not been declared Anathema by the will of the Senate. Any Noble proven to be a member of a religion which has been declared Anathema to the Realm may be banned from the Realm by the will of the Monarch, or upon a vote of Simple Selection in the Senate.

Right to Self Determination of Religion for a Lord’s Region

A Lord of Perdan may build temples to his religion at his own discretion, provided the temple is not consecrated to any religion which has previously been decreed Anathema to the Realm.

A Lord of Perdan may remove any temples in their region following these guidelines

  1. If the temple is consecrated to a religion that has been declared Anathema to the Realm, the temple may be removed without notice.
  2. If the temple is consecrated to a religion that has not been declared Anathema to the Realm, two full day’s notice must be provided to the religion to allow the removal of any sacred artifacts or treasury funds. Following the expiration of the three day period, the temple may be removed at the discretion of the Lord.

Declaration of Anathema

If it is found that any organized religion is operating to the detriment of the Realm, it may be declared Anathema to the Realm. The declaration of Anathema shall proceed by calling for a Senate Vote as described in Article V. The criteria for the declaration of Anathema must be Greater Majority.

The declaration of Anathema upon a religion shall carry the following consequences:

  1. All temples of the subject religion within the borders of the Realm must be removed by the Lord at the earliest opportunity. Failure to remove the temple in a timely manner will subject the Lord to eligibility for a vote of No Confidence in accordance with Section VII.
  2. No Noble of the Realm may become a member of the subject religion
  3. Any Noble proven to be a member of the religion shall be Banished, saving that they provide proof of having left the religion
  4. No temples to the subject religion may be built by any Lord of the Realm

The declaration of Anathema may be revoked by calling for a Senate Vote as described in Article V. The criteria for the revocation of a declaration of Anathema must be Greater Majority.

VIII. VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

In the event that a Noble becomes negligent in their duties to the point of causing harm to the Realm, a vote of No Confidence may be called in the Senate. Voting shall be called in accordance with Section V. The criteria shall be Greater Majority. Upon passage of a vote of No Confidence, the subject Noble must immediately relinquish the position for which the vote was called. In the event that the Noble refuses to relinquish their position, Additional punishments may be levied on the Noble, including, but not limited to, assessment of fines, stripping of titles, exile, or banishment.

The following official positions are subject to the calling of a vote of No Confidence:

  1. Regional Lord
  2. Duke/Duchess
  3. Monarch's Advisor
  4. Ducal Advisor

The Realm Council is not subject to the calling of a vote of No Confidence. The results of any such vote shall be Void, regardless of the outcome. In the event that the removal of a Council member is to be assayed, it shall be undertaken through the process of official Protest, as is the right of any Noble of the Realm.

IX. PUNITIVE MEASURES

Nobles of Perdan are allowed a wide margin of personal discretion in their actions. Nobles are also encouraged to speak their minds on any issue. In order to maintain the proper functioning of the Real, Nobles are expected to act with civility and restraint, and to follow all laws and regulations of the Realm. Nobles that fail to comply with the laws of of the Realm, or take actions deemed to be harmful to the Realm, may be subject to punitive measures as outlined below. The exact magnitude of the punishment shall be determined based on the circumstances surrounding the actions.

  1. Nobles acting in a severely uncivil or insulting manner to other nobles may be subject to fines.
  2. Nobles trading on the black market with allies or friends of the Realm are subject to a 100 gold fine or banishment.
  3. Nobles trading on the black market within Perdan are subject to deportation or banishment.
  4. Nobles performing infiltrator actions against allies or friends of the Realm are subject to fines or banishment.
  5. Nobles performing infiltrator actions within the Realm are subject to fines, banishment, or deportation.
  6. Nobles looting regions without permission from the High Marshal or their Marshal are subject to fines. Repeat incidents may lead to banishment.

In addition to the above specific actions, additional punishments for actions deemed against the welfare of the Realm may be levied upon a Noble through a Senate Vote. Criteria for the vote depends upon the action sought:

  1. Fines may be levied based on a vote with the criteria of Simple Majority.
  2. Banishment from the Realm may be levied based on a vote with the criteria of Greater Majority.

X. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

The Monarch of the Realm is the diplomatic interface with other realms. No other Noble shall have the power to negotiate treaties without the express permission of the Monarch. The Monarch is responsible for the declaration of the diplomatic stance of the Realm. However, the diplomatic stance must reflect the will and desires of the Nobles. As such, the following diplomacy changes must be sanctioned by the Senate through a formal vote, with a criteria listed.

  1. Declaration of War - Requires a Greater Majority
  2. Signing of a Cease Fire - Requires a Simple Majority
  3. Entering into or breaking an Alliance - Requires a Simple Majority

The formation or breaking of a Federation with another realm must be approved in a vote placed before the entire Nobility, with a criteria of Greater Majority.

The Monarch may change relations with other realms between Peace and Neutrality at their discretion.

The Emergency Powers granted to the Monarch in Section X of this Constitution allow the emergency declaration of War and the emergency formation of an Alliance without prior vote. After the exercise of Emergency Powers, an immediate vote must be called in the Senate to ratify the action, with the voting criteria as given above.

XI. EMERGENCY POWERS

It is recognized that the strict observance of parliamentary procedures and votes can be detrimental to the well-being of the realm in times of great need. As such, any procedure listed below that, in normal circumstances, would require a vote, may be summarily decided by the Monarch and immediately implemented.

  1. Declaration of War
  2. Declaration of Alliance
  3. Appointment of a Duke or Duchess
  4. Appointment of the Lord of an Imperial region
  5. Confirmation of the appointment of the lord of a Ducal region

Following the exercise of emergency powers, an immediate Senate vote must be called to confirm the actions taken. The vote must follow the procedures outlines in Section V, and shall have the normal requisite criteria.

XII. RATIFICATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Prior to the implementation of this Constitution, it must be ratified by the Nobility of the Realm. The procedure for ratification of the Constitution shall be as follows:

  1. The Constitution shall be presented to the Nobility of the Realm by the Monarch.
  2. Following a period of discussion lasting at least 2 days, a formal vote shall be called. Votes shall be tallied, independently, by both the Monarch and the Arch Priest/Priestess. The criteria for the vote shall be as follows:
    1. The Constitution must be accepted by all four Council members
    2. The Constitution must be accepted by all Dukes of the realm
    3. The Constitution must be accepted by the Greater Majority of all region Lords
    4. The Constitution must be accepted by a Simple Majority of all Nobles of the Realm
  3. If any of the four criteria are not met, the vote shall be declared as Failed.
  4. If all four of the criteria are met, the vote shall be declared as Passed, and the Constitution in force immediately, and for all time. A signed original copy of the Constitution shall be maintained within the Royal Palace.

XIII. AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of Perdan is solemn document. Changes to the Constitution should not be undertaken lightly. In the case that it becomes necessary to change this document, or add new Sections, the procedure shall be as follows:

  1. The Amendment process must be begun by a Senator or the Monarch, with the presentation of the issue and the nomination of five Seconds.
  2. A Vote shall be called in the Senate by the Arch Priest or Priestess in accordance with Section V. The criteria for the Vote must be the Greater Majority.