Nirvan Republic Legislative Process

The Nirvan Republic Legislative Process is a process unique to the Nirvan Republic. Rather than having centralised power, they used a Senate to vote and decide what legislation became law. Many Nirvan citizens spend their entire lives dedicated to become apart of the Legislative Process.

## Legislation

### Presenting Legislation

To begin the Legislative Process the Senate had to be called to a meeting, which could only be done by the Consuls, Praetors, Tribunes of the Plebs or the Priceps Senatus (The oldest Senator, also named the First).

Once the Senate has been called the Legislative Presenter would reveal the legislation and make a few introductory remarks, while explaining the bill in its entirety. The bill was then debated, going down the process of most superior, starting with the Priceps Senatus.

### Debate

The process of debate went down whoever was most superior at the time. Starting with the Priceps Senatus, then the Ex-Consuls and Praetors going back 5 years, further on went the current and former Aediles finished by the current and former Quaestors. Though it was unlikely to get past the former Praetors. Any disputes about who discusses the bill first is resolved by the Priceps Senatus.

After the debating is done, the Legislative Presenter would then stop the discussion and call for a vote. Though, a bill requires 24 days of debate before being voted upon.

### Vote

Once the Legislative Presenter has called for a vote, the Senators would move to whoever side they agree with (for or against). No hands were raised during this stage, moreso they would physically move to the spot. It is the only time Pedarii hold a small sway of influence due to their numbers.

At any time this can be vetoed by a person who holds vetoing power.

### Public Assembly/Plebian Council

After the vote has been counted, and if successful, three days would pass before moving to the Public Assembly. The same Legislative Presenter presides over the vote, proposing the bill to the people and giving introductory remarks.

Once they have completed their introduction, the Legislative Presenter got to bring people of their choosing up to the stand to discuss their support for the bill.

The Legislative Presenter then calls for a vote. If successful, it is now into law and it is up to the Consuls and Praetors to make sure it goes into effect.

## Roles

All roles are only in service for a year, except the Quaestor which is 2.

### Quaestor

The Quaestor role is the first position a potential Senator could achieve, requiring them to be 30 years of age (or equivalent) and to be elected into the role.

The Quaestor has a series of low-level roles, meaning they have barely any political and no military power (unless specifically given). They act like Civil Servants.

Only 10 Quaestor roles are open a year, placed in 3 different positions.

Fourteen are placed as Provincial Governors, doing whatever the Governor of their region requested, whether it be managing a harvest, collecting taxes, or even fighting as a second-in-command. All of this is up to the Governor as the Quaestor has no specific role. Two were placed in control of the current Consul, though a prestigious position it often didn’t lead to much as Consuls have others more fitting and powerful to do their tasks. The rest were placed to oversee the treasury and legion funds.

### Aediles

The Aedile is the second step for a Nirvan Senator (requiring to be 35 years old, or equivalent). They are unique for the factor that they are a choice, rather than compulsory. Though most often it was taken to avoid the long gap required between the Quaestor and Praetor role.

Aediles were also favoured as it is an excellent platform to begin building your political brand.

One of their roles is maintaining the upkeep of the various religious temples in the city of Nirva and the Governmental buildings. Along with their more governmental role comes with the running of the Public Baths, a huge cultural thing in the city of Nirva which is very closely linked to the social life of the citizens.

Aediles are also responsible for the supply of water and food to the city, working more as a local government of the city than anything.

But a more beneficial role for the Aediles is their running of the various festivals. While given a modest budget for the festivals, it is not uncommon for them to put in their own personal wealth to bring them more popularity.

Every year, 4 aediles are elected. 2 are plebeian and 2 are patricians.

### Praetor

Being elected a Praetor is a very significant role to have, being seen as a ‘big shot’ in Nirvan politics. With there only being 8 at any given year, it is very competitive amongst the people vying to be a Senator.

Praetors are essentially judges, which is a huge amount of influence and power that would normally only be given to the King or Royal family of a nation. Similar to modern times, Praetors act just as a normal judge, residing over the court of a Defendant and Prosecutor and enacting their judgement unless a Jury was present.

If the defendant was found condemned, then the Praetor is able to enact judgement. Punishing them with either fines, physical punishment (whipping or sent to the mines), banishment from the city/nation or death.

Watching a Praetor judge a case is a very popular thing, especially for their followers or followers of the defendant and prosecution representation. Seeing them argue their case is a unique but respected showing.

Praetors also have the ability to command an army. Most often, in the extreme circumstances they act as a second-in-command for the Consuls.

When a Praetorship is over, the senate gives them a province to govern over, similar to a Consul. Thus, Praetors often use their military command to gain favour with the senate in order to garner a better province for them to run.

### Consul

The Nirvan Consul is seen as one with near-absolute power. Being at the top of Nirva’s political hierarchy. They are given 5 areas of responsibility. For a fair play, with two consuls being in power, they often alternated months of who would be the frontrunning consul. Being in the power for the month was termed ‘Holding fasces’, a bundle of sticks held by the Nirvan honor guard. Whomever got the most votes held fasces first.

*Legislative Agenda:* Consuls have the ability to call the Senate to have a meeting and set the agenda for said meeting. As their elections take 6 months, they have a lot of time on their mind to already write and set the framework for a lot of their legislation. With the alternating months, this gives them further time to framework. While the Consul has a veto, if they were to veto their fellow Consul’s law, then an act of mutually assured destruction would likely take place. Meaning conversations between the two were often seen more as debates.

*Elections:* Nirvan Consuls oversee all the elections held within the city of Nirva, and the government. This includes the next year's Consuls.

*Veto:* Only another Consul or a Tribune of the Plebs, can veto another Consul. Vetoing meaning they completely remove discussion and deny the bill being debates with simply that power. Veto power also gives them the right to deny someone calling the Senate to have a meeting.

*Public Holidays:* Consuls are given the ability to set the date of specific public holidays that otherwise would not be required to be on the same date every year. An example can be the Senate voting to honour an individual and the Consul setting which day it would be.

*Military:* Consuls have the ability to command an army and decide how a certain war will be approached and fought. Instead of holding fasces monthly, the Consuls hold fasces daily in relation to their military command. But it is rare for two Consuls to be on the field at the same time. The Senate can also provide Consuls another power, by passing the bill ‘the Senatus Consultum Ultimum’ which gives Consuls completely control over the nation in a form of Martial Law. Doing whatever they can to protect the Republic.

### Tribune of the Plebs

Tribune of the Plebs are a very respected and powerful role in the Nirvan Republic. Sometimes seen as a check on the power of the Nirvan Senate. They serve as the head of the Plebian Council, often referred to as the People’s Assembly.

Their power included protection from physical harm, the ability to rescue a plebian from a magistrate and veto power. They are also able to call the Senate to a meeting and give a legislative agenda, but have little sway over the voting until it comes to the Plebian Council. Due to their position, they are unable to be more than a day’s journey from Nirva and have to have their houses open to visitors.