First Constitution of the Avalonian Republic

## The Constitution of the Republic of Avalonia

### Preamble

(As translated from Old De'van) We the citizens of Avalonia find unequivocally true these laws and regulations self-evidently necessary in the pursuit of a more perfect republic. To ferment prosperity, provide for the common defense, and secure the blessings of progress and justice, we have established the following constitution:

## Chapter I: Structure and Function of the State

### Section I: Relation between the State and Provinces

Article I

The state of Avalonia is a Republic. Political authority is derived from the Provinces and the citizens that reside within them. All powers not delegated to the federal government in this text are hereby granted to the Provincial governments of the state.

Article II

Each Province in the Republic shall be ruled by one Governor, with the leader of the Republic named the Chancellor.

Article III

The de jure territory of the Republic consists of the Island of Deuvin, the Dildic Isles, the Dordics, and any further provinces acquired by the state.

Article IV

Within said territory, the Republic shall have the right of legislation according to the provisions of this Constitution, and the laws of the Republic shall take precedence of those of the individual Provinces. The laws of the Republic shall be rendered binding by State proclamation, with such proclamation to be published for all peoples to clearly examine.

### Section II: Customs and Traditions

Article V

The Republican colors are Red, White and Blue. The Tricolor flag represents the origins of the Avalonian state and its people. Red, for the blood shed in the Patriotic war against the Witch Queen. White, for the purity and sanctity of the Avalonian peoples. And Blue, for the Republic’s freedom and democratic values. The symbol of the Republic is a Torch, representing the strength of will and liberties afforded to its people.

Article VI

All Avalonian citizens are equal before the law, and have the same fundamental civil rights and duties. All Avalonians born within the border of the State are hereby proclaimed residents of the State. Citizenship can be achieved by Avalonians after completing military service or upon the acquisition of land.

Article VII

Indentured and Chattel servitude is hereby abolished against all Citizens within the State.

Article VIII

Titles of nobility may be bestowed no longer. No person within the State shall accept titles or orders from a foreign government.

Article IX

All Avalonians shall enjoy liberty of travel and residence throughout the whole State, including across Provincial borders. Every Avalonian is permitted to emigrate to a foreign state, except for in times of war.

Article X

The house of every Avalonian is his sanctuary and is inviolable. Any thievery of private property is hereby illegal. Exceptions are permitted only by authority of law or matters of state security.

Article XI

Every Avalonian has the right, within the limits of the general laws, to express his opinion freely by word, writing or in any other way. Censorship is forbidden only with exception to matters of state security.

Article XII

All Avalonians of the Republic enjoy full religious freedom and freedom of conscience. The free exercise of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution and is under public protection.

Article XIII

Matters of religion and church shall be set apart from all governance, so as no cults or imposition of religious doctrine may be imposed upon the people through this government.

Article XIV

No citizen or resident of the Republic shall be subjected to the evils and harm that are brought with the inherent use of magic. In the aim of this goal, all magics shall be prohibited throughout the entirety of the State, and any user of magic be therefore prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Article XV

Every major crime committed (The killing of another, treason, etc.) shall be overheard by a fair and just court. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Article XVI

All non-Avalonians within the State are hereby granted the status of resident, and are prohibited from holding office or obtaining citizenship.

### Section III: Office of the Chancellor

Article XVII

The Chancellor of Avalonia shall be the ruler of this great republican state, and shall have the title of Chancellor of Avalonia. The Chancellor shall represent the Republic amongst other states, declare war, and conclude peace in the name of the same, enter into alliances and other conventions with foreign countries, accredit ambassadors, and receive them. For declaration of war in the name of the Republic, the simple majority consent of the Security Council shall be required. Except in case of an attack upon the territory of the Republic or its coasts. Only native Avalonians may hold position in the office.

Article XVIII

The Chancellor is given sole right in determining the size and shape of each province within the Republic.

Article XIX

The Chancellor shall have supreme command over the entire military force of the Republic.

Article XX

The Chancellor shall have the right to convene the Security Council, and to open, adjourn, and close them.

Article XXI

The Chancellor holds the sole power to veto bills passed by the Legislative branch.

Article XXII

The position of Chancellor is one held for life, with a new election being held upon their resignation or death. In the absence of a Chancellor, the Security Council takes temporary control of both state and foreign affairs until such a time where a new Chancellor is elected.

Article XXIII

The office of the Chancellory may temporarily dissolve the Parliament and abolish their privileges only in the aim to preserve the integrity and cohesion of the state during a period of extreme crisis. Such as in the case of immentient governmental collapse, either from internal or external forces.

### Section IV: State Parliament

Article XXIV

The State Parliament is charged with the creation and amendment of state law, and is composed of a number of elected Parliamentarians. They are to represent the combined will of each province, on behalf of its various peoples. The number of Parliamentarians afforded to represent each province in the chamber is decided by the total population of each province. Each Parliamentarian is elected to office for a period of five years, upon which they can run for re-election in their provinces until death forces their departure.

Article XXV

Parliamentarians may only be of Citizen status, and must be of native birth. They in addition may not hold positions in either the Chancellory or the Security Council.

Article XXVI

Each proposed bill passes with a special majority consensus, with the only exception to do with matters of fiscal policy, which are simple majority votes. If the Chancellor vetoes a bill, it can not be proposed again until after their term.

Article XXVII

The State Parliament shall not pass any bills for the intended purpose of harming the Republic or its values in Democracy.

Article XXXIX

Each member of the Security Council will be granted one seat in Parliament, as to represent the defense and security interests of the people.

### Section V: Security Council

Article XXVIII

The Security Council shall consist of the State’s top generals, duly appointed by an electorate of their peers. There are a total number of three positions on the Security Council, with individuals elected to it by majority consensus of an election board. Whose members are in-turn approved by a simple majority consensus of both the Legislative and Executive Branch. Only native Avalonians may hold positions on the council.

Article XXIX

The Generals shall be elected on the first day of every fifth year. Candidates and active members of the Security Council are to remain civil, to avoid fermenting discontent and unrest within the Republic’s armed forces. Failing to do so may invalidate their candidacy and position on the Council.

Article XXX

No member of the Security Council shall prioritize the wellbeing of the Individual over the well-being of the Republic and its armed forces. They are to uphold the principles of Democracy, Liberty, and Meritocracy through the ranks of military hierarchy.

Article XXXI

The Security Council shall additionally act as advisors to the Chancellor and the Parliament.

Article XXXII

No Avalonian may hold a position in both the Security Council and Chancellor of the Republic.

Article XXXIII

During times of war that threaten the heartland of the state, the Security Council may choose to invoke 'Bellum Statum', by which all non-essential industry and males of fighting age are pressed into either working for the war effort, or levied to fight. During this time, the Security Council assumes control of all foreign and state affairs. The invocation of Bellum Statum can be vetoed by a Special Majority vote in the State Parliament, and the Chancellor's veto.

### Section VI: Settlement of Federal Disputes and modes of punishment

Article XXXIV

Every attempt against the existence, the integrity, the security, or the constitution of the Avalonian Republic; finally, any offense committed against the government, a member of the government, a mayor or public official of the Republic, while in the execution of his duty, or with reference to his official position, by word, writing, printing, signs, or caricatures, shall be judicially investigated, and upon conviction, punished in the several provinces of the Republic, according to the law therein existing, or which shall hereafter exist in the same, according to which laws a similar offense against any one of the Provinces of the Republic, its constitution, legislature, members of its legislature, authorities, or officials is to be judged.

Article XXXVI

For those offenses, specified in Article XXVIII, against the Avalonian Republic, which, if committed against one of the Provinces of the Republic, would be deemed high treason.

Article XXXVII

Disputes between the different Provinces of the Republic, so far as they are not of a private nature, and therefore to be decided by the competent authorities, shall be settled by a neutral court in another province, at the request of one of the parties. Disputes relating to constitutional matters in those of the Provinces of the Republic whose Constitution contains no provision for the settlement of such differences, shall be adjudicated by the State Parliament, at the request of one of the parties.

Article XXXVIII

If in one of the Provinces of the Republic justice shall be denied, and no sufficient relief can be procured by legal measures, it shall be the duty of the State Parliament in co-operation and respect of the Chancellory to receive substantiated complaints concerning denial or restriction of justice, which are to be judged according to the constitution and the existing laws of the respective Provinces of the Republic, and thereupon to obtain judicial relief from the republic government in the matter which shall have given rise to the complaint.

## Chapter II: Structure and Function of the Provinces

### Section I: Governors and City Mayors

Article I

Governors and Mayors of the Avalonian Republic answer to the common citizen, and are expected to aid in the development of both the land and the citizenry. Governors, democratically elected by the people, act on behalf of their home province to best represent them.

Article II

Governors do not have direct control over the province’s cities, but can propose province law. Province laws pass with a simple majority approval of the province’s Mayors. In times of crisis and warfare, they supersede the authority of their province’s Mayors, and may direct resources to areas of critical import.

Article III

Mayors preside solely over their city and none other. They are responsible for the city’s prosperity, defense and continued development during times of peace.

Article IV

Mayors may be elected or appointed in however way the local population desires.

Article V

Should a Governor retire, die, or otherwise void their position in the office, there shall be a snap election. The same applies for Mayors.

### Section II: Laws governing the Provinces

Article V

Provinces under no circumstances may declare war, raid, or enter conflict with another province. Doing so shall bring the ire of the Chancellery and the consequences associated with it.

Article VI

Provinces may enter trade agreements or otherwise conduct business freely with one another. This does not include the trading of land or cities. Provinces are forbidden from conducting agreements with foreign states.

Article VII

There shall be no provincial law that contradicts or goes against the Articles put forth in this document.

## Chapter III: Closing Provisions

### Article I

The Avalonian people have passed and adopted this Constitution through their Chancellery, Parliament and Security Council. It comes into force with the date of its proclamation.

Xin, 0AS.

## Constitutional Amendments

### Article XXXIX - 463 AS

The Constitution was amended for the first time in over 400 years in the summer of 463 AS. When Parliament along with the Chancellery voted to allow the Security Council a seat in the Parliament. While many decried this action as a wedding of the government branches at the time, such criticism was largely ignored. The Security Council's powers were already widely deemed too weak by the general public. This came with record approval ratings for the current security council members, given their involvement in the Zavist Temple raid.