Council States

The Council States is a federation of states dedicated to the preservation of knowledge, the responsible use of magic and free trade.
== History ==
=== Founding ===
The Council States began during the reign of the Vargosite Empire, founded by the Council of Wizardry in opposition to the empires regulations on the practice of wizardry in 1225 AC. City of Yer An where they were based was renamed Freehold in defiance and declared an independent state. The Rod of Tiernon marches on Freehold after Emperor Kiernon IX persuades the Portant that Freehold's establishment was the first step in demonic invasion in 1226 AC.
=== The Siege of Freehold ===
After prolonged siege fails, negotiations between Portant and Council begin in 1227 AC. The Council convinces Portant of its non-evil intent by allowing a Temple of Tiernon to be established in Freehold for the monitoring of demonic activities. Emperor Kiernon IX imposes new tax laws on Church of Tiernon by 1228 AC. As a result Portant excommunicates Kiernon IX. Threatens and later imposes interdiction on the Empire.
=== Development ===
Over the years the Council States came to embody many independent states after the fall of the Vargosite Empire. Extending their regulations on the wizardly arts across much of the federated states.
== Federated Territories ==
* Free Hold - Founding city and the home of the council of wizardry, formerly known as Yer An of the Vargosite Empire
== Structure ==
There are two Councils that work in coordination to ensure the ideals of the founding council state are upheld.
=== Council of Magistrates ===
The Council of Magistrates is made up of representatives elected by the ruling body of each of the member states.  The Council of Magistrates is responsible for ensuring free trade and the upholding of economic treaties between the member states.
=== Council of Wizardry ===
The Council of Wizardry is made up of the preeminent wizards of the land as selected by the Council Roster.  The Council Roster is an organization consisting of all duly recognized wizards in Norelon (and in much of Eton).  Membership is incumbent upon presentation of credentials, abiding by the Code of Wizardry and payment of dues.  The Council has foremost authority on wizardry in the land and is empowered to take action against members and non-members who violate the Code of Wizardry.  Further, because many of the members are also ruling lords the council carries considerable political weight, in and of itself, beyond that of ruling committees.
=== The Government of the Council States ===
Government of the Council States is handled by applicable committees made up jointly and equally from members and/or appointees of both Councils.  The Ruling Committees are each responsible for their designated area of authority and these bodies make applicable laws and rulings for their sphere of influence.  Individuals requesting an appeal of the decisions of the committees may petition the independent Committee on Appeal.  If their arguments are found to be of merit, the appeal may be forwarded on to the two Councils.  
Committees typically formed of 13 members (with the exception of Arms and Justice which are 27 members each), the chair of each council appoints one member to each committee and six other members of each council get one appointee each.  Which committees a councilor appoint to is determined by seniority and the relative importance of the committee.  In theory a council member can appoint him or herself to a committee, but this is almost never done due to time constraints and workload, and appearances.
==== The 5 most influential Committees: ====
* Committee on Trade:  Handles trade disputes between merchants and each other as well as merchants and member states.
* Committee on Arms:  Controls the militia of the Council States. Includes the Subcommittee on Domestic Safety which ensures the safety of the roads and highways  and the Subcommittee on Defense which oversees military operations at the direction of the two Councils.  This is actually a 27 member committee, with a chair and half of the remaining 26 on one subcommittee or the other.
* Committee on Justice:  The judiciary arm of the Councils, the Committee on Justice provides criminal and civil justice through its two subcommittees on civil and criminal justice.  The civil justice committee works on the individual level and often coordinates with the Committee on Trade for merchant-consumer justice.  Further, member states have magisterial domain within their own jurisdiction on all matters not directly in violation of Council Law.  Like the Committee on Arms, the Committee on Justice is actually a 27 member committee, with a chair and half the remaining 26 on once subcommittee or the other.
* Committee on Foreign Relations:  Handles ambassadorial and foreign relations.
* Committee on Appeal:  Handles the appellate process for committee decisions and laws.
==== Other committees: ====
* Committee on Religion: Traditionally made up of appointees from the clerical ranks of the major religions.
* Committee on the Arts:  Provides patronage for the arts.
* Committee on Racial Relations:  Arbitrates and protects the rights of various races, in particular those sentient races outside the body politic.
Category:Nations
Category:Nation