Luria Nova/Hegemony

Letter from Alice Arundel - July 2013

Noble Lurians,

In memory of Duke Malus, former Regent of Pian en Luries, Arbiter of Solaria, Duke of Sun Hall, Light of the Austere in the Astroist Faith, and one of the most dedicated Lurians of our time, I will finally move ahead and formally create the third Lurian Empire, known officially as the Lurian Hegemony. Leaders of the Lurian Hegemony will be known as Suzerain Emperors and Empresses, ruling initially over the Empire's four core kingdoms: Moon Hall, Sun Hall, Sky Hall, and Earth's Hall. Our duchies will represent these kingdoms, and their rulers will be their kings and queens.

A suzerain ruler is a ruler of a realm who has control over other realms that are internally autonomous. Duke Malus pioneered the idea that our duchies should be almost entirely independent, governing their own armies, economies, and laws so long as they followed those of the Hegemony and participated in its wars. Since we are about to end one war and begin another quite shortly, I will temporarily postpone our kingdoms' military rights until our wars have finished. Forming new armies now would only send us into disarray.

I will be our Hegemony's first suzerain ruler, for efficiency's sake. When our planned colony finally blossoms on the Tomb Islands, I (with your help of course) will codify our Hegemony's basic laws of governance and inheritance, alongside any other important details. Immediately afterwards, I will surrender my title as suzerain ruler, and allow for elections to occur. Should I die or perish before this time, then I hereby name Queen Alanna Anaris of Moon Hall as my successor: the only noble I believe capable of completing this lifelong ambition of ours.

Now allow me to explain to some extent how our Hegemony will function: The Hegemony's central authority will exist as a union of its four core kingdoms, unless a suzerain ruler explicitly allows one to secede. Territories that follow, like Luria Aeterna on the Tomb Isles, will enjoy more independence than its core counterparts (in name,) but still remain under the Hegemony's control. To make up for this imbalance, the suzerain ruler of the Hegemony shall only be elected by the rulers of its four core kingdoms. Finally, to preserve the balance of power, the only legitimate candidates to the imperial throne are said four rulers. Only one can ascend, and only with a two thirds majority in favor.

Inheritance laws within our four kingdoms specifically is a topic I would like to discuss further down the road. While a suzerain ruler could theoretically appoint whomever he or she likes, I believe our laws should include a lord's right to vote for their king or queen. Referendums can be limited to lords and nobles within ducal territories, so perhaps we can implement something along those lines. If not, perhaps inheritance can be decided by said rulers individually, rendering each kingdom unique in its own way. We shall see.

As for the rest, only time will reveal their details.

Faithfully and eternally Luria's, Alice Arundel

Queen of Luria Nova, Royal of Luria Nova, Duchess of Sky Hall, Viscountess of Herle