Stonelian Government

## **Constitutional Monarchy**

The kingdom is run by a King and/or a Queen and the line of rule is passed through the royal family, generally through bloodlines. However, the decisions they make must be made in accordance with the laws set forth by a group of elected representatives in parliament.

If a family loses favour with parliament they can be dethroned and parliament will appoint a new ruling family from the nobility - with certain criteria met.

## **Parliament**

The Parliament in Stoniel is a group of 20 *elected representatives* who oversee the Royal Family and the decisions that they make. One representative per municipality and one who represents the two major schools in the kingdom. Of these representatives, one is known as an *assistant speaker of the house* and is elected by an internal vote based on qualifications such as schooling and standing in the kingdom. The **Eldest** **Child** of the Royal family prior to his/her ascension to the throne serves as **Speaker of the House** in parliament. Once the eldest child of age (18) assumes the throne the second child becomes speaker. If no other child exists the elected assistant speaker assumes the position of the speaker.

While the royal family still has considerable power of authority, they must still conform to the laws laid down and voted into law by parliament.

These 20 elected representatives of parliament are elected by Stonelian citizens once every 15 years, sooner if a representative dies or is convicted of a crime.

## **Local Governments**

In addition to the royal family who makes major decisions with parliaments guidance, each City/Town/Village also has its own council of 5 - 10 elected members (10 for cities/towns, 5 for villages). These councils are responsible for the enforcement of the laws of the kingdom. This also means they are responsible for arresting those who break the law and informing the investigative branch of the judicial system.

## Public Service & Administration

While the royal family, under the watchful eye of parliament, makes most of the decisions for the kingdom. Every town, city and village has its own council that looks after the small affairs such as water collection and distribution (while reporting to the CAA (**Central Aquanous Authority)** and DHA (**Department of Home Affairs**) with the required numbers and counts.)

Public services are provided by the direction of the centralized committees and organizations and distributed through the smaller municipal level governments.

## Welfare & Population Development

The welfare of every single citizen within Stoniel’s borders is valued as equally as the next. Noble, commoner, royal every single life is important as every single life makes up the workforce and everyone is connected to one another.

Because of this, the local governments for each village, town and city are responsible for ensuring that each family within its borders has sufficient food and their aquifer is full of water.

As for population development, because of the kingdom’s lack of an adequate water supply long ago the royal family of the time, with the support of parliament, decreed a limit of **two** children per family. This was done as a method of population control to not strain an already strained water system. If a family has more than two children they are given a fine and expected to up their contributions to the labour forces output to make up for the additional child.

## **Losing Favour**

A ruling family may lose favour with parliament for several reasons.

1. Conspiring against the people and thus the kingdom
2. Neglecting to abide by the laws set forth by parliament
3. Committing a serious Crime
4. Failing to follow through with all treaties and sanctions imposed upon the kingdom.

## **Criteria for a ruling family**

1. An Eligible Heir (at least 18 years of age)
2. In good standing with the treasury
3. In good standing with the people

## **Current Ruling Family**

### Drakkar

* **King:**  Alaric Drakkar
* **Queen:** Tea Drakkar
* **Crown Prince/Princess:** Willow Drakkar

## **Past Rulers**

**The Drew Family** - The Drew family took up the mantle of the reigning royal family and reigned for some 15 years. Life in Stoniel was fairly typical under their reign until that is, their deception was uncovered. it was a scandal that still reverberates through the kingdom. During the Atemnity War as a direct result of Stoniel's choice to remain out of the war, sanctions were put in place that stipulated that the kingdom had to trade the special mineral Sepherite with its direct neighbours - Relarian and Everagil. Now, Sepherite is a special stone unique to Stoniel and in demand across the kingdoms for its particular mood discerning capabilities. it was after several years of short shipments, missing manifests and angry dignitaries that the scandal was uncovered. The Drew family had been slowly, steadily holding back more and more Sepherite until they had stopped trade on it altogether - thus failing to follow through with the imposed trade sanctions. When this was discovered the family was immediately confronted and ousted from power.

**Parliamentary Rule** - After the Drew family fell out of favour there was a period of time during which a new royal family was sought that parliament ruled the kingdom (about 3 years). this was a time in Stoniel's history where very little in the way of major decisions were made - fairly typical for a parliamentary rule.

## Order of Succession

The order of succession of heirs is fairly simple. Once an heir turns 18 they are eligible to take the throne should it be vacated. Once the previous ruler dies, steps down or is otherwise unable to perform their duties succession falls to the eldest child of age.

## Foreign Affairs

Stoniel tends to try to be as self-sufficient as possible as opposed to relying on the other kingdoms to supply them with needed products and protection. That being said, not only is it not possible for them to be solely self-sufficient considering their landscape - but during the Atemnity war trade sanctions were put in place against the kingdom that required them to trade regularly with the other kingdoms.

Because the kingdom choose to remain out of the conflict and the alliances made therein, choosing instead to standalone. Now because of the losses sustained due to **Stoniel's** stubborn refusal to help, it was decreed that Stoniel would have to pay reparations for its refusal to aid its neighbours by requiring them to not only trade in unique Stonelien goods needed by the other kingdoms but also to provide aid and support from their army if conflicts arose.

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