Introduction/Elections
"Kings are elected?"
- "Oh, absolutely! Lots of them prattle on about 'divine right' and so on, but when push comes to shove, every one of them is chosen by the nobles of the realm. Now, different realms do things differently. Kings and Dictators only get elected when the old one abdicates or is incapacitated. Other realms call their rulers 'Prime Ministers' and elect them every month.
- "Rulers aren't the only elected positions, either. Some realms elect their Judges, or even their Generals! And of course, votes count differently in some realms than in others, giving more weight to Dukes, for example. Some realms may have unofficial votes for other positions, but those are done by sending messages, not by officials employed by the realm as votecounters."
There are several things which will prompt an election. Monthly elections occur in certain realm types, such as Republics. The first turn of the month will hold the elction automatically (You'll get a reminder beforehand).
For other electable positions, if the current holder of the position loses it, then there is an election. He may lose his position by stepping down, going idle (not logging in for a week), being seriously wounded (in battle or by an assassin), or being imprisoned. In special cases, leaders can be protested out by the troop leaders of the realm, or removed from office by the Titans for violation of the game rules or abuse of authority.
Under the Paperwork page, you'll have the option to set your votes in advance for Ruler and any other positions which might be electable in your realm. You actually place multiple votes in each election: you have a first-choice, a second-choice, and a third-choice, with the first getting more votes than the other two. The actual number of votes varies, but for now, assume that your first choice gets four votes, your second choice gets two votes, and your third choice gets one. You may vote for one of your characters, if they are eligible, but you will not receive as many votes as if someone else voted for you. On this same page, you may choose to refuse certain positions, in which case votes for you will be wasted.
Be aware that voting is one of a noble's inalienable rights in Battlemaster. Anyone who gives you orders about voting should be reported to the Titans or Magistrates.
