Government: The Advised Monarchy

Lirynn’s government has taken many forms throughout the centuries. Just recently, it underwent another change, as a new ruler ascended to the throne. Whether or not this new system will last, still remains to be seen.

 

Political Set-up:

Siril'verèn Guide of the People: the Ruler of Lirynn. He/she is also the Head of the Council, which makes the policy decisions for Lirynn.

Council A body of twenty men and women who, along with the Siril'verèn rule the forest kingdom of Lirynn.

 

*Selection of the Siril'verèn*

As there has only been one Siril'verèn thus far, no one is quite sure how the succession will play out. Theoretically, the succession will continue down genealogical lines, although rumor has it that some ancient use of Lifesong will be employed to prevent harm from befalling Lirynn through the actions of her leader.

 

*Selection of the Council*

The original twenty people were selected by the first Siril'verèn, Nynel'shian. Every twenty years, or when one of the members dies/retires prematurely, their replacements are selected after a vote among the Council members. This is actually a two-step process.

Local elections take place, and all Lirynnian citizens are allowed to vote, if they pass the registration tests that demonstrate maturity and sound judgment. Age is not a factor. The candidates selected by the populace are then debated over by the Council and Siril'verèn. They then make the final selection. In the case of a tie on the Council, the Siril'verèn makes the final choice.

 

Duties of the Council - The Council, along with the ruler, is responsible for running the government of the country and all that that entails. They maintain the military, diplomatic relations, trade, laws, and so on. The Council meets twice a year, or when the Siril'verèn calls an emergency meeting. At these meetings, issues are proposed, debated, and voted upon. Each member, the Siril'verèn included, gets one vote per issue. The session does not adjourn until all issues have been resolved.

In their off-season, Council members grant audience to the populace. Anyone with a grievance may seek an audience. If the issue can be resolved by the discretion of one member alone, it is. Otherwise it is recorded and brought up at the Council meeting. If a member falls ill or is otherwise unable to attend, he/she may send a trusted representative instead, although said representative must be approved by the Siril'verèn before being allowed to sit in on any Council meetings.

Duties of the Siril'verèn - The Siril'verèn serves as the final authority. He/she fulfills the duties mentioned above, in addition to several others. He/she is responsible for hosting foreign dignitaries. The term lasts for the person's lifetime.

Other Details

Of course, twenty-one people cannot oversee every detail alone. Therefore, there is a bureaucracy underneath them that actually oversees and carries out the decisions. They are divided into several departments.

Military:
Lord Te'anará (Great Blade) is in charge of this branch, which maintains the borders, the anarin, and the wardens.

Economy:
Lord Arinsáne (Economy) oversees the economical aspect of Lirynn, which includes welfare, trade, roads, and caravans.

Diplomacy:
The Siril'verèn is responsible for hosting ambassadors and the like, but Lord Yranásnea (Foreign Peace) is responsible for their well-being and for sending emissaries to other kingdoms.

Domestic Affairs:
Lord Jaial'vera (Home of Peoples) oversees domestic affairs such as keeping the baths in working order and the granaries full. He/she also supervises the labor of the kingdom.

 

Laws of Lirynn:

Elves revere all life, thus killing in any form is unacceptable to most. Most elves elect not to eat meat and leathers of any sort are viewed with distaste. While Lifesong is the basis of all elven society, many elves view magic with hatred and suspicion, for they believe that magic was the cause behind the loss of their two beloved Monarchs during the time of the Scourge.

The most heinous crime in the eyes of the elves is arson. Fire is highly dangerous to everything from the Tree of the city, to the creatures of the surrounding forest. Murder is the next worse. Elves breed rarely and after the terrible destruction of the Race Wars, a decree was passed against murderers. These are the two worse crimes anyone in Lirynn could commit and each carries a life sentence, which for an elf is a long time indeed.

Other serious crimes include rape, child abuse, and art theft. Lesser crimes involve illegal drugs and property theft. However, the latter has gained notice, as capitalism begins to take root in Lirynn. Now, all theft is ranked as a lesser felony, with one exception. Anyone who dares to trespass into the Coin Gardens, which serves as Lirynn’s mints, is arrested, regardless of whether they were actually stealing money or not.

As punishment, convicted elves are sealed inside a special prison tree. The gray-robed priests then sing the portal shut. It is left open enough to provide air, and the tree itself provides food and water. Lengths of interment are determined by the severity of the crime. Released convicts compare it to being buried alive for eternity.

 

Stance on Magic:

The ss’tiss are perhaps the only race that detests magic more than elves. Although somewhat magical creatures in their own right, elves have forsworn magic ever since the great sacrifice by the Warrior Monarchs, during the time of the Scourge. Open display of magic anywhere in Lirynn, will get you run out of town…if you’re lucky.

Lifesong is not considered to be magic, but is rather a gift given from Faeterna to her Firstborn. Its properties are described more in terms with nature, than the evilness of magic. The healers at the Church mostly employ Lifesong and medicine, although a few are talented form workers. Such details are kept shushed up, and as far as the general public is concerned, the healers only use what is blessed by the gods.