Riombara/draft

Preface and definitions:

Constitutional Articles: Our most basic laws defining the rights granted to every echelon of Riombaran nobility, and the duties that accompany them. Constitutional articles can only be amended by a full realm vote (see article III,) with a two thirds majority in favor. All Riombaran nobles are expected to acquaint themselves with our five constitutional articles, before swearing an oath of fealty.

Formal Laws: These elaborate constitutional articles in closer detail. Formal laws can only be amended by a realm wide vote, with a simple majority in favor. Before running for any regional command, a noble must familiarize themselves with the formal laws of our first three constitutional articles. Before running for an Advisory Council position (see Article IV,) a noble must familiarize themselves with every formal law.

Customs: The customary ways of conduct in Riombara, not yet defined and voted upon as laws.

As stated above, a realm wide vote is necessary to either create or amend a constitutional article or formal law. Customs, however, may be freely changed. Breaking a formal law carries immediate legal consequences. Disobeying a custom does not carry a legal penalty, but evidently carries a loss of reputation and respect.

Information for Nobles Having Recently Arrived in Riombara:

1) Every Riombaran noble, including the freshly arrived, enjoys the protection of rights guaranteed to them by the following constitutional articles. In addition, a freshly arrived noble is absolved of all duties, save for maintaining civil conduct.

2) Military service is entirely voluntary. However, once a member of an army, a noble is subject to strict military discipline.

3) As stated above, before swearing fealty to a lord, a noble is expected to acquaint himself (at least minimally) with our five basic constitutional articles.

Constitutional article I - Rights and Duties

A noble of Riombara has rights and duties. The higher the position, the stricter and more numerous the duties.

Formal Laws Concerning Article I

Rights:

• Ia) Any noble can call for a full realm vote on any subject. Said noble, however, requires one tenth of Riombara's total nobles in support to do so. Subjects include: any position, law, policy, or diplomatic relation with another realm.
• Ib) Any noble can freely discuss any topic, but is expected to act politely and constructively.
• Ic) Any noble can run for any position.
• Id) Preferably while running for a position, or prior to being sworn into a position, a noble must swear to uphold all Riombaran laws. This also applies to priests. If a formal law runs contrary to religious belief, then the priest must forsake the conflicting belief and adhere to formal law. If said priest cannot do so, he or she must immediately step down.
• Ie) All nobles are welcome in Riombara, unless they have previously acted against the realm.
• If) Riombara's constitutional articles stand above an oath of fealty. Thus adherence to formal law is more important than following a liege's command.

Duties:

• Ig) Until a noble applies for a position, said noble is not bound by any duties, save upholding civility and obeying military command (should said noble be part of an army.)
• Ih) Obedience within the military is absolute, but membership is voluntary. If a noble receives an order from a member of military command, as defined by the General's bulletin, then he or she must comply, regardless of said noble issuing complaint of discontent.

Customs Concerning Article I

• The realm of Riombara comes first and is above any individual's interest. This includes the High Chancellor and dukes especially.
• Favors should not be granted as a result of friendship or relation. All nobles should have the ability to aspire to any position.
• Nobles should extend as much responsibility (full votes) and information (food status, morale status, diplomacy, foreign correspondence, and so on) as possible to all nobles.
• Nobles should encourage ideas and constructive criticism in an open forum.
• Nobles should avoid any forms of looting which unduly harm the peasantry.
• Nobles should avoid the use of brutal takeovers, should an alternative be available.
• Liege lords can only assign their vassals to an army if they have consent from said vassal

Constitutional Article II - Positions

Each family should hold a maximum of two positions within Riombara.

Formal Laws Concerning Article II

• IIa) Positions are defined as: government seats, dukes, and any regional command.
• IIb) It is acceptable for a noble or family to run for a second position. However, a strong preference should be given those who do not already hold a position.
• IIc) A duchy and a regional command may be held by one person or family

Customs Concerning Article II

• Functions are: Advisory Minister (including a voting seat on the Advisory Council) marshal, vice marshal, and ambassador. A noble or family can hold a position and multiple functions freely.
• Marshals are nominated by the High Constable, but should receive the acclaim of the Military Council (if active.)
• Ambassadors are appointed by the High Chancellor.
• Region lords are encouraged to accept oaths solely from nobles who have acquainted themselves with the five constitutional articles.
• Information: Article II is our oldest and most sacred law. It stems from Balins betrayal and the resulting destruction of Riombara during the First Age.

Constitutional Article III - Voting on Positions

Each position can only be gained through a full realm vote.

Formal Laws Concerning Article III

• IIIa) A full realm vote is defined as: a referendum where each Riombaran noble has a single vote.
• IIIb) No vote has to be made public. Discretion remains with the voter. No one may force another noble to disclose their vote.
• IIIc) All four government positions must be voted upon regularly.
• IIId) Each margraveship and ducal command must be voted upon when made vacant.
• IIIe) In addition to regular voting, any position can be called for reelection. This can only be effected by an Advisory Council vote, or by a noble with a sufficient number of supporters (one tenth of all nobles(see Ia) under Rights and Duties)).
• IIIg) A ducal title and a margrave title are two distinct positions. Each may only be gained via full realm votes.

Customs Concerning Article III

• Exception to IIId): if a region command was lost due to war, rebellion, wounds or imprisonment, and if the region is regained within 4 weeks, then the former region lord should be reinstated.
• Anyone may vote for any candidate, including themselves.
• Related to the availability of positions, Riombara aims to have one city per duchy.

Constitutional Article IV - Advisory Council

Voting seats on the Advisory Council are: the four government seats, each duke, and (if active) the Advisory Minister.

Formal Laws Concerning Article IV

• IVa) The following actions must be passed by a full realm vote: creating or changing a law, declaration of war, raising of relations from at war to neutral, joining an alliance, signing a treaty, executing a Riombaran noble, executing a foreign noble, outlawing a religion.
• IVb) The following actions require an Advisory Council vote at minimum: deporting a foreign noble, prohibiting religious preaching for longer than one week, destroying a temple or shrine, creating a new duchy, adding non-voting members to the Advisory Council.
• IVc) The following actions are to receive consultation from the Advisory Council or the Realm: any change in diplomatic relations except those defined in IVa, sale of food to foreign realms, banishment of Riombaran nobles, appointment of nobles to Regional Command except those defined in IIId.
• IVd) All other issues may be decided by through Council Vote, a full realm vote, or by the appropriate Advisory Council member.
• IVe) The Advisory Council has a veto on any margrave's decision to join a different duchy.
• IVf) The Advisory Minister is selected from a non-Advisory Council member who acquired the highest vote in the governmental elections.
• IVg) The High Chancellor may declare a state of emergency, offering an explanation immediately thereafter. This permits the High Chancellor to take or order an action that would otherwise need a full realm vote or an Advisory Council vote. Afterwards, a full realm vote must be initiated immediately, deciding whether or not the High Chancellor's actions were justified or not. If the realm votes in favor of the action, then the High Chancellor is free of penalty or consequence. If the realm votes against, the High Chancellor must step down immediately. The High Chancellor is then barred from holding any position (defined under IIa), Positions) for a period of at least three months.

Customs Concerning Article IV

• The Advisory Council must vote on any issue within 3 days.
• Advisory Council members missing 3 votes in a row should consider stepping down
• The High Chancellor is expected to issue a realm report weekly or biweekly.
• The High Chancellor is expected to keep the members of the High Council listed in the ruler's report, or at minimum list the Advisory Minister's name.
• The High Chancellor may petition for money to finance special projects.
• The High Constable should be consulted before the creation of a new army and the assignment of its respective marshal and vice-marshal.
• The Great Chamberlain is expected to keep outlawed religions listed in his or her bulletin.
• The High Treasurer is expected to issue a food report monthly.
• All Advisory Council members are expected to keep our nobles as well informed as possible.
• All significant amendments or policy changes are expected to be openly discussed.
• The Ambassador holds a non-voting seat on the Advisory Council.

Constitutional Article V - Religion

All religions are welcome in Riombara, unless they have been previously outlawed.

Formal Laws Concerning Article V

• Va) Everyone is free to follow any religion of their choosing, provided that formal law be adhered to above religious belief.
• Vb) No religious persecution or religious wars are permitted on Riombaran soil.
• Vc) There shall never be a state-sponsored religion.
• Vd) Any religion (unless outlawed) may be freely preached in Riombara, so long as it refrains from declaring another religion, present in Riombara, evil. If a priest continues preaching under these circumstances, said priest may be fined by the Great Chamberlain and subsequently banned and outlawed by Advisory Council vote.
• Ve) All religious comments must remain civil. The Great Chamberlain is free to fine any noble issuing an insulting or threatening comment towards another noble, should it regard their religion or beliefs.
• Vf) One region lord (or four nobles) can petition the Great Chamberlain to have a priest stop preaching their religion in a region (or regions) for the duration of a week. The Great Chamberlain is the only member of Riombara who can issue this kind of order. A request that surpasses a week's time requires an Advisory Council Vote.