Thing

The Thing was the legislative and judicial body of Altenahnenwalde, it was an organized but informal assembly of the Kings of the Wilderness. The Thing was overseen by a Chief and a Lawspeaker, the Chief commanding order and being responsible for ending deliberations and starting a vote, and the Lawspeaker being the authorative keeper of the laws. The Thing was held after dinner in the Streunseelesaal, and was known to degenerate into drunken shouting matches and impromptu duels or brawls. A session of the Thing was called to a close only by the Chief, and some have run well into the next morning without a single vote being cast. A further Thing has been established in the east, meant to be a larger place of gathering for a rallied army and foreign war parties, as well as for important decisions and festivals.
Any decision reached by the Thing is binding, and can only be reversed in one of three ways: A reconvening of the Thing, an appeal to the will of the Gods, or a victory in single combat. An appeal to the Gods is a dangerous affair, and usually involves great risk to prove the Gods' will. The exact method can be suggested by the accused, though it must be agreed upon by the Thing, and past examples include falling from a great height, being chained to weights underwater, or being bound over a fire. Trial by combat is always a single duel against one opponent, though weapons and armour may be varied. For reasons of honour the contestant can be the party wronged, but formally it was Hrólfr Blóðøx, the elected High Champion, an imposing warrior who has never been defeated in single combat.
Category:New VoldraniaCategory:AltenahnenwaldeCategory:PoliticsCategory:OrganizationsCategory:Stub