The Government
How it works
The King holds ultimate power. Below the nation, the main division is the county. Each county is self-governing and keeps its own militia. Each county sends two representatives to the national senate. The number of counties is undetermined.
Enforcement
Only large towns and cities have a police force. Everywhere else, the army handles policing. The senate commands a small national army.
Notes
Who rules
- The King holds ultimate power. See The King.
- The senate translates the King's will to the people, settles grievances between counties (such as trade issues), and handles events with national impact (such as war). It seats two representatives from each county, two from each clan, and one from each major guild. See The Senate.
- The senate enforces only the laws the King establishes, and it does so by exerting influence over the guilds and other organizations. See The King's Law.
Local government
- Villages usually have no government and follow common law.
- Towns may have a mayor, depending on size.
- Cities always have a city government and a mayor.
- Each county has its own militia. Guilds sway county decisions through control of resources and technology, and religious leaders act as moral authorities.
- How the county board is chosen does not matter for these stories.
Guilds
Every profession belongs to a guild. Guild headquarters sit in the capital, Cornerstone, with affiliated halls in any town big enough to support one. See The Guilds.
Pressure on the people
The pressure on the people depends on the era: just before enslavement by the dreadspawn, during it, or just after freedom. Freed captives often come out traumatized, angry, and broken, and some turn to crime. They always prey on those weaker than themselves.