Charter of the New Dwarven RepublicSection 1 - Ranks of the GovernanceSubsection 1 - ArbiterThe Arbiter of the NDR is not a proper government figure, but rather the sole moderator of the charter.
The Arbiter is to be addressed as "Arbiter", "Arbitrator", "Most Impartial Moderator", or any title of their choosing, or "Grand Arbiter" if they are also serving as Grand Mayor.
The responsibility of the Arbiter is to moderate the government, and if infractions of the charter are found, correct them. Nominally, such infractions would be handled by the Council of Magistrates, but in extreme cases, and only in extreme cases, the Arbiter should intervene. The arbiter has no political power and otherwise is not to intervene in operations of the Republic. The Arbiter may attend council meetings, but may not speak unless asked questions about the charter.
The Arbiter may be nominated and run in elections for Chief Magistrate however, and by extension, become the Grand Mayor. However, they are NOT considered a part of the Council of Magistrates.
If the Arbiter feels they are unable to continue their duties, they must pass the responsibility on to someone whom they trust, preferably a hard-working and loyal long-standing member of the Republic.
(OOC: The Arbiter is the highest "rank" in the republic in the game. The idea is if Grand Mayor was given the highest "rank" in the republic, they would have full control over everything, and if, for example, they get voted out of office or impeached, they might decide "fuck it, kick all my opponents from the republic and become a dictator". Because Arbiter is the highest rank, if the Grand Mayor is being an ass, they can just remove them. Of course, being the Arbiter comes with lots of trust and responsibility, which is why I will probably be the Arbiter for most of the foreseeable future. They have no power over republic affairs though except when the charter is violated.)
Subsection 2 - Grand MayorThe Grand Mayor of the NDR is the Chief Executive member of the government and is in charge of leading the Republic forward and managing its affairs.
The Grand Mayor is to be addressed as "Grand Mayor", "High Mayor", or "Sir Mayor".
The responsibility of the Grand Mayor is oversee the government, intervening where necessary, but also delegating orders to lower officials so that work can continue in the absence of the Grand Mayor (henceforth "GM").
Powers of the GM:
- The ability to veto acts of the Council of Magistrates
- Can break ties for Council of Magistrates (in non-executive votes).
- Appoints magistrates to office (cabinet) positions.
- Oversees all aspects of internal realm operation as long as they fall within the lawful bounds of the charter. (e.g. creating cabinet offices, zoning provinces, giving orders to mayors, etc.)
- Settles disputes among magistrates.
- Assigns magistrates to administrative provinces
The Grand Mayor is replaced every 4 years (in-game) by the current Chief Magistrate.
Subsection 3 - Chief MagistrateThe Chief Magistrate is the Vice Chief Executive of the NDR.
The Chief Magistrate is to be addressed as, "Most Honorable", "Highest Magistrate", "High Adjudicator", "Chief Magistrate", or "Chief".
The responsibilities of the Chief Magistrate (henceforth "CM") are ensuring the will of the Grand Mayor is carried out when they are not available, delegating orders and guidance to lower members of government. The CM is able to ensure the government can function in the absence of the GM by acting as his "right hand" and providing a second opinion as to the GM's orders and delegating to ensure they are carried out. The CM overrules all members of government in internal affairs except for the GM. While the CM can carry out various executive acts without the GM, it is advised they coordinate together to describe their plans to one another.
Powers of the CM:
- Only overruled by Grand Mayor on internal affairs (should consult with current GM)
- Serves as executive of Council of Magistrate sessions in absence of Grand Mayor.
The Chief Magistrate is elected by the Council of Magistrates every 4 years, where the previous CM rises up to Grand Mayor.
Subsection 4 - MagistrateMagistrates are high-ranking government officials charged with the highest orders of governance. Magistrates usually hold one or more office positions or provincial governor positions.
Magistrates are to be addressed as "Honorable", "Magistrate", "Adjudicator", or "Governor" if they hold a provincial seat, or by their formal office name if they hold an office of the cabinet.
The responsibility of the magistrate is to carry out their responsibilities as relevant to their job and position, and to attend Council of Magistrate meetings as much as they can.
To become a Magistrate one must be nominated by two current members of the Council of Magistrates and be confirmed by the Council (in a non-executive vote).
The number of magistrates is suggested to not exceed at
most half of the republic except for in cases where there are fulfilled government positions and current magistrates are overworked.
Magistrates may also be demoted and removed from the council pending decision of the Grand Mayor, and confirmed by 3/4ths of the Council.
Subsection 5 - Lord MayorLord Mayors are junior government officials that are usually awarded the title by merit as a trusted and hard-working Burgher, or being given the mayoral seat of city by the Council (if they are not already Lord Mayor or higher in rank).
Lord Mayors are to be addressed as "Mayor", "Lord Mayor", or "Lord".
Lord Mayors can be promoted to the rank by any Magistrate or member of the Council of Magistrates. While it is not necessary, it is recommended the Councilor consult with the rest of the Council first, or at the very least notify the Council of the promotion.
Subsection 6 - BurgherThe Burgher is the lowest-ranking member of the republic government. Burghers have next to no power other than in certain special situations, and have no special title to be addressed by. Burghers may be promoted into the government by any Magistrate, although it is recommended to use good judgement in doing so as to prevent and property damage or theft to occur on part of the new recruit.
Section 2 - Council of MagistratesSubsection 1 - The CouncilThe Council of Magistrates, or simply the Council, is the legislative branch of the government composed of the highest ranking officials of the council.
Members of the Council include: the Grand Mayor, Chief Magistrate, and Magistrates.
The Council convenes at least once per year (OOC: week), at the time where the highest attendance may be possible. Additionally, the CM or GM may call a special session, only for in extreme cases, where the council is needed to convene immediately for an important vote.
At least 3/4ths of the council must vote for the vote to be valid, except in special cases such as noted.
Types of votes the council may participate in:
Motion to Amend the Charter: Any Councillor may start this vote to amend or change a part of the charter. The motion must have UNANIMOUS consent from the entirety of the council (entire council must vote), and then 3/4ths of the republic (including council but also Lord Mayors and Burghers) must ratify the amendment.
Foreign Affairs: In order to alter diplomatic relations with other empires other than trade agreements, the council most vote. This is an executive vote and thus the GM may veto the motion if so desired.
Promoting a Magistrate: In order to promote a lower ranking member to Magistrate, two Councillors must nominate them, and then the Council must vote. This is a non-executive vote, so the GM breaks the tie if any.
Demoting a Magistrate: In order to demote a Magistrate, the GM must start the vote. The council then must confirm the demotion in a non-executive vote.
Claiming/Annexing/Ceding/Abandoning land/Founding/Expanding/Abandoning Cities: In order to alter the Republic's borders, an executive vote must be called. This includes claiming new land, annexing the land of other empires, or ceding or abandoning land, as well as founding, abandoning, or expanding cities.
Appointing Mayors: Unlike provincial governors, mayors are appointed by a Council non-executive vote.
Subsection 2 - Elections / ImpeachmentsThe GM of the NDR is replaced every 4 years by the current serving CM. Additionally, a new CM is elected to replace the old CM, who will take the place of the new GM in the next election cycle.
The current GM may be elected to be the new CM, thus allowing them to ascend back to GM 4 years later. This process is known as "teeter-tottering".
Candidates may begin campaigning whenever they like, but the election will take place on the first Friday of every real-life month. The council will convene for a vote that will last up to 3-days, with all Councillors who have still not voted being counted as abstainers.
The election of the Chief Magistrate is non-executive vote, however, the current GM's power to break the tie only counts if they are not running for CM. If there is a tie in this case, a Republic-wide vote will be called of
all members of the Republic. If there is still a tie, the candidate who has been a member of the NDR the longest will be elected.
Additionally, if a GM or CM is performing poorly, or inactive, the Council may call a vote of no confidence. Impeachment requires a unanimous vote (the impeachee does not get a vote.)
Section 3 - Administrative OfficesSubsection 1 - Cabinet OfficesCabinet offices (those appointed by the GM) can be added / removed from the charter without the process of amendment.
Office of LaborOfficer Title: Steward
The Steward heads the Office of Labor, and is in charge of managing the workforce and production, trade, and treasury of the NDR. This person is in charge of providing detailed resource reports to the council, consisting of resource totals, weekly production estimates, and financial budget reports.
Additionally, the Steward is responsible for setting resource distributions to the various other offices and provinces based on this weekly estimate, accounting for maintenance costs as well.
Office of Exploration and ReclamationOffice Title: Chief Expeditionary
The Chief Expeditionary heads the Office of Exploration and Reclamation, responsible for surveying the lands in and around the sovereign borders of the Republic. The Chief Expeditionary may create expeditions to go and reclaim, dismantle, scavenge, and map areas of the world, as well as find abandoned cities and prospect for rich mineral sites.
The Chief Expeditionary may also be called upon by the Grand Mayor to go and find suitable locations to found new cities.
Office of WarOffice Title: Marshal
The Marshal is responsible for coordinating city defense, managing the navy, and coordinating the army of the Republic. The Marshal is also responsible for providing to the council information such as threat estimates, intelligence reports, readiness reports, etc.
(OOC: War is a bit weird in Empire MUD. The Marshal's main job would probably be managing the navy, as well as scouting for enemy presence. You can't actually mobilize armies in Empire MUD, soldiers are mainly for city defense. However, players can take on a number of battle stats, and rallying the battle-oriented players in the realm to attack and loot other empires would be a responsibility of the Marshal.)
Office of IntelligenceOffice Title: Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor is responsible for providing intelligence and security estimates to the council, as well as managing the Republic's spy network and conducting counter-espionage operations in the Republic's cities and territory.
This includes coordinating the Republic's stealth-oriented players and coordinating with the Marshal for intelligence purposes.
Subsection 2 - Provinces and CitiesThe Republic's lands may be drawn into administrative provinces by the Grand Mayor and Chief Magistrate. These provinces would be governed by a Magistrate who would oversee the cities and territory surrounding the cities of these provinces.
Additionally, the various cities of the Republic will be overseen by a mayor elected by the Council.
The Grand Mayor and Chief Magistrate can issue orders and have jurisdiction over all the cities in provinces in the Republic, but it is recommended to delegate tasks as well to the various governors and mayors, as well as let them plan and develop their cities to their liking.
Provincial Governors have authority over city mayors as long as their orders do not conflict with higher orders from the GM or CM. Like the GM and CM, it is often good to delegate to the mayors as well.
Anyone may help build and expand cities, as long as they don't go against the rules and orders set by the mayor or governor of the city. Most cities and provinces will have planning reports that outline how to expand the city, and the various roads and streets and other features the mayor has in mind.
(OOC: Delegation is important, especially for if the republic gets large. It's easier for the Grand Mayor to tell a provincial governor to get roads built between the cities in his province, and get his mayors to build walls around their cities, then to do it all himself. Not to say he can't help out.)
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Topic: New Dwarven Republic information thread - Empire MUD. Rise, dwarves! (Read 1618 times)