The Crown

While Breheimen remains at its heart a monarchy, where the Sovereign King or Queen is the highest authority in the land, their power is both deliberately constrained and carefully balanced via the Breheimen Accords, stipulating mechanisms to prevent the Crown's authority from growing into a cult of personality, rule by Muse-touch, or becoming totalitarian in nature.

Through the Accords's dictates, the Founding Baronies are ensured significant autonomy, enabling each to manage its internal affairs according to its distinct traditions and needs. From Hinterhold's Allmoot gatherings of fiercely independent villages, to Ironmount's venerable Council of Hammers with its clan-based deliberations, and to the Trinity of Lyrialia's tripartite governance of thriving port cities, each Barony retains the freedom to shape its destiny. Silea and Ferrendell, with their own ambitious patrilineal successions, enjoy similar liberties, so long as they remain steadfast in their loyalties to the Crown and its central authority in the Capital.

The Accords further dictate that while the method of succession for the Sovereign is ultimately the Sovereign's choice, it also cannot be merely a matter of bloodline or whim. Succession must also be sanctioned by a vast and intricate network of advisory councils that lend support and legitimacy to the Sovereign's rule. This dispersal of power ensures that no single voice dominates the helm of state, and it elevates the advisory councils to vital roles in the governance structure.

The first and most immediate of these advisory bodies is known as the Concilium, comprising six critical offices: the Ministers of War, Trade, and Justice, the Exchequer, the Chief Steward, and the Royal Chancellor of the Grand University. They wield immense influence, advising on policies that affect the kingdom as a whole.

The next set of advisors are the Representatives of the Baronies, who hold sway in ensuring their regions' interests are considered. In some instances, the Baron or Baroness themselves take on this role, while in others, a named proxy represents the barony's concerns.

Third in the order of precedence at court are the University divisional headmasters; while the Chancellor speaks for the University as an entirety, these headmasters advocate for their specialized disciplines. The importance of their scholarly and artistic contributions to Breheimen's cultural and intellectual life grants them significant clout at the Sovereign's court.

Finally, though the Crown holds the right of granting letters patent and conferring landed gentry status, thereby naming its own loyal advisors through this process, even these appointments must align with the overarching structure laid out by the Accords.

These councils and advisors form a complex lattice of governance meant to embody the principles of collaboration and shared vision that Queen Karelia first championed, preventing the kingdom from lapsing into tyranny.

The Breheimen Accords give wide latitude to the Baronies in handling matters of justice in ways that reflect local sensibilities, so long as those customs adhere to the kingdom's overall ideals and provide a route of appeal to the Crown. That overlay of local jurisprudence is the royal justice system, overseen by the Crown's Minister of Justice, one of the members of the Concilium.

Three distinct levels of Royal legal proceedings exist, each carefully structured to match the severity and nature of the alleged crime. The lowest level of adjudication is known as Accounting, a process wherein the accused is summoned before the Crown or its representative. This representative might be a Baron, a member of the Concilium, or another official holding a Royal charter. During an Accounting, the accused is expected to respond to a Writ of Accusation, with the court setting often resembling a formal yet somewhat routine assembly. Typically, Accountings are held to address what might be considered civil complaints rather than grave criminal concerns. They also deal with matters of conduct unbecoming of the Crown or a Barony if one of its own representatives or officials stands accused. In such cases, the emphasis is on restoring honor or rectifying perceived slights, with resolutions often involving fines or public apologies rather than punitive measures.

The second tier of adjudication is the Sanctioning, a tribunal convened for more substantial concerns. These might include larger-scale civil disputes, such as those involving significant loss of property or social standing, or criminal proceedings that extend beyond the jurisdiction of a single Barony. Unlike the simpler Accountings, which a lone representative of the Crown can oversee, a Sanctioning requires the concerted attention of three such officials. The complexity of these cases demands a diversity of perspectives, as a majority must agree on the facts presented and determine a fair and proportional recompense or penalty. Sanctioning often involves intricate negotiations and deliberations, reflecting the multifaceted issues they address. They serve as a critical mechanism for mediating disputes that, due to their scope or impact, resonate across multiple regions or involve parties of high influence or notoriety.

The third and highest level of Royal proceeding is designated as Judgement. This somber and consequential tribunal is reserved for allegations of the utmost seriousness, such as high crimes and treasonous acts against the Crown itself. Only the Sovereign has the authority to call a Judgement and dispatch officers to pursue and apprehend the subject. Once in Crown custody, Judgement is then adjudicated by the full Concilium.

Once a Judgement is called, extensive evidence is gathered and presented, and the accused is given an opportunity to mount a legal defense. However, the final decision rests with the Sovereign, who may impose a range of severe punishments. These can include imprisonment, forced labor, exile from the kingdom, and in the most extreme cases, execution. Unless the Concilium unanimously advocates for clemency, the Sovereign's verdict is final and absolute. Judgements are rare but poignant reminders of the Crown's ultimate authority and the perilous cost of betrayal.

Originally published on Wallbanger Creative on Substack.