(Created page with "{{OrganizationInfobox |name = Senate |image = |type = Governmental |leader = Speaker of the Senate |headquarters = Ilirnas, Viridia |goals = Governance of Viridia and the protection of its members' interests |scope = Viridia; Izgrev }} The '''Viridian senate''' {{Pronunciation|vuh-RIH-dee-an}} is, along with the monarchy, one of the governing bodies of Viridia. Established in the later years of the eighth millennium, the senate was formed in large part t...") |
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{{OrganizationInfobox | {{OrganizationInfobox | ||
|name = | |name = Viridian senate | ||
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|type = Governmental | |type = Governmental | ||
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
Senators act as representatives of the historically important families, the senatorial families, of each province, though over time some have lost the wealth and prestige they once enjoyed. New senatorial families are rarely appointed, as to do so would require breaking tradition and expanding the size of the senate, or else removing another family from the position, a great slight. The senate has little codified power but a great deal of informal influence, and convention dictates that the senate's recommendations should be followed by the monarch. Long deliberations and debates take place in the halls of the senate, as those convened seek agreements as to their empire's governance, economy, military, and all other matters of concern. | Senators act as representatives of the historically important families, the senatorial families, of each province, though over time some have lost the wealth and prestige they once enjoyed. New senatorial families are rarely appointed, as to do so would require breaking tradition and expanding the size of the senate, or else removing another family from the position, a great slight. The senate has little codified power but a great deal of informal influence, and convention dictates that the senate's recommendations should be followed by the monarch. Long deliberations and debates take place in the halls of the senate, as those convened seek agreements as to their empire's governance, economy, military, and all other matters of concern. Complex webs of diplomatic alliances, loyalties, rivalries, and favors govern the activities of the senate. | ||
The senate has a strong bias for inaction and maintenance of normality. Long-standing protocol and an understanding of shared rules governs their debates, decisions, and advice for the throne, and they are loathe to act hastily or take any risk that threatens their own positions and prosperity. At times this leads to a gridlock and failure to act even when the monarch and commanders of the legion seek to do so, such as with the ongoing crisis with the breakaway [[orc|orcs]] of [[Hkarzda]]. | The senate has a strong bias for inaction and maintenance of normality. Long-standing protocol and an understanding of shared rules governs their debates, decisions, and advice for the throne, and they are loathe to act hastily or take any risk that threatens their own positions and prosperity. At times this leads to a gridlock and failure to act even when the monarch and commanders of the legion seek to do so, such as with the ongoing crisis with the breakaway [[orc|orcs]] of [[Hkarzda]]. | ||
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Most, yet not all, senatorial families maintain estates somewhere in Viridia that they consider to be their local seat of power and region of influence. Typically this is a single city where they wield great political, economic, and sometimes religious influence, but some of the lesser families compete over cities or hold only rural regions. This relationship between family and city is not formal, operating like the rest of the senate upon a basis of shared norms and a general unwillingness to upset the status quo. | Most, yet not all, senatorial families maintain estates somewhere in Viridia that they consider to be their local seat of power and region of influence. Typically this is a single city where they wield great political, economic, and sometimes religious influence, but some of the lesser families compete over cities or hold only rural regions. This relationship between family and city is not formal, operating like the rest of the senate upon a basis of shared norms and a general unwillingness to upset the status quo. | ||
Even houses who are believed to be dead and defunct retain their senatorial rights, | Even houses who are believed to be dead and defunct retain their senatorial rights, regardless of their ability to send a representative to the senate halls. Though it is possible for these rights to be revoked, it is almost unheard of, reserved by convention only for cases of flagrant treason - [[House Saekoll]], whose rights were stripped in {{Year|6976}}, is the only family to have lost the status in over eight hundred years. | ||
Senatorial families are largely, though not entirely, [[human]]. | Senatorial families are largely, though not entirely, [[human]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:04, 25 March 2025
The Viridian senate (pronounced vuh-RIH-dee-an) is, along with the monarchy, one of the governing bodies of Viridia. Established in the later years of the eighth millennium, the senate was formed in large part to ensure a peaceful transfer of power from the regions the Dominion conquered as it expanded east across Thadria, with many formal local leaders elevated into senators and their families into senatorial families. Most senatorial families can trace their roots to the rulers of once-independent realms that were annexed in this period of expansion. Today the senate serves as a counterbalance to the power of the monarch, generally preferring stability over brash action.
Description
Senators act as representatives of the historically important families, the senatorial families, of each province, though over time some have lost the wealth and prestige they once enjoyed. New senatorial families are rarely appointed, as to do so would require breaking tradition and expanding the size of the senate, or else removing another family from the position, a great slight. The senate has little codified power but a great deal of informal influence, and convention dictates that the senate's recommendations should be followed by the monarch. Long deliberations and debates take place in the halls of the senate, as those convened seek agreements as to their empire's governance, economy, military, and all other matters of concern. Complex webs of diplomatic alliances, loyalties, rivalries, and favors govern the activities of the senate.
The senate has a strong bias for inaction and maintenance of normality. Long-standing protocol and an understanding of shared rules governs their debates, decisions, and advice for the throne, and they are loathe to act hastily or take any risk that threatens their own positions and prosperity. At times this leads to a gridlock and failure to act even when the monarch and commanders of the legion seek to do so, such as with the ongoing crisis with the breakaway orcs of Hkarzda.
Though it is not a common event, new dynasties usually take control of the Dominion when the previous one has shown itself incapable of handling the realm in times of great crisis. The continued rule of a monarch and dynasty is contingent on them enjoying the ongoing support of the senate - multiple times in the past the senate has turned against the king or queen and pressured them to abdicate the throne. The monarch may rule the Dominion, but the diffuse senatorial families control the cities, and without their assent critical activities of maintaining the empire like tax collection, road maintenance, and the recruitment and training of the legions cannot continue.
The main chamber of the institution is located in an immense columned palace, rather reminiscent in design to the grandest of Hellean temples, on what was once the southern side of the capital city of Ilirnas. The city has long since grown around it, however, though it remains somewhat isolated by the elaborate surrounding gardens and waterworks.
Senatorial families
The senatorial families are the most prestigious of Viridian nobility, though those not from the families can rise to similar stature through distinguished service in the legions or acquiring wealth through trade. They are usually the first choice when the monarch needs to appoint a governor or mayor to rule some part of the Dominion, with these roles often given out in exchange for support in the senate.
Each senatorial family possesses, in perpetuity, the right to send a representative to the senate. While this right cannot be transferred to any other, the family is given complete latitude in who they choose to speak for their interests. Typically this is a patriarch, or a younger but well-educated member of the house, though nothing strictly forbids the family from choosing someone outside their number for such a position. This is rare and generally frowned upon, however.
Most, yet not all, senatorial families maintain estates somewhere in Viridia that they consider to be their local seat of power and region of influence. Typically this is a single city where they wield great political, economic, and sometimes religious influence, but some of the lesser families compete over cities or hold only rural regions. This relationship between family and city is not formal, operating like the rest of the senate upon a basis of shared norms and a general unwillingness to upset the status quo.
Even houses who are believed to be dead and defunct retain their senatorial rights, regardless of their ability to send a representative to the senate halls. Though it is possible for these rights to be revoked, it is almost unheard of, reserved by convention only for cases of flagrant treason - House Saekoll, whose rights were stripped in Y9976*, is the only family to have lost the status in over eight hundred years.
Senatorial families are largely, though not entirely, human.
The following is an incomplete list of senatorial families: