Suramar Nobility

## The Kingdom of Suramar

### Suramar's Aristocracy, High Assembly and Grand Magisterial Council

> *Ever since Suramar has been introduced in World of Warcraft, we see that they keep the Highborne culture from millennia ago almost intact if not for a few changes here and there for the sake of adaptability, most likely. Magic can still be considered the blood of the kingdom, the wondrous city of Suramar radiant and vivid as the flows of Arcane maintain it, making the city one of the most splendorous locations in the face of Azeroth.*
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> *Politically speaking, Suramar is referred to as a kingdom despite the lack of a proper monarch (king or queen) as head of state much like the Blood Elves of Quel'thalas. In more complex terms, Suramar can be politically denominated as a* oligarchic authoritarian magocracy*: a government ruled by a non-elected head of state with significant powers over the kingdom, advised by a few privileged individuals elevated from the highest standing families formed mostly by accomplished arcanists and wizards in the city; whose history traces back to the days of the Kaldorei Empire.*
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> *Suramar's culture is marked by tradition and social differences. The high class and the military are dominant and the tolerance of dissidents, free speakers and other sorts considered a threat to the state are handled with severity and sometimes violence. This reality has been relatively less extreme post-Rebellion, though, as First Arcanist Thalyssra is much more benevolent and kind willed than the late Grand Magistrix Elisande. That does not mean insurgency will be tolerated or treated kindly.*
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### The Nobility of Suramar

Much like the high aristocratic class that ruled the Kaldorei Empire up until its fall in the War of the Ancients, the Shal'dorei nobility is very traditional and respected among their elven population, recognized as illustrious members of society and sometimes dangerous people that are not to be trifled with.

Like the Highborne before them, the Shal'dorei nobility is mostly formed by powerful arcanists though it is not uncommon to see a noble that practices a different trade or no trade at all. Nobility itself can be defined as the ruling class with actual power in Suramar's oligarchic government, whereas the less distinguished families that possess some riches can be defined as *Lesser Nobles,* such as those found around the city as shop owners.

Much different from other aristocratic systems around the world, Shal'dorei nobles are rarely granted land or manors by the government. Most times, they are self made men and women who rose to the spotlights of Suramar City by their own means, be it by making fortune and becoming a magnate in the city, or by achieving elevated levels of arcane proficiency enough to gain renown in the higher circles of Suramar's arcanists. This does not mean that an illustrious Shal'dorei can't be awarded property as reward from the government, but such cases are considered unlikely.

### Becoming a Noble

As explained earlier, the Shal'dorei nobility is formed by distinguished members of its arcanist circle. Many of the nobles have reached their status through excellent magical proficiency or by accumulating riches and becoming an influential member of Shal'dorei society through their monetary/economical power, sometimes both of these ways. Distinguished members of the Duskwatch can also become nobles, but such is a rare occasion where said member must be outstanding in their achievements in the name of the kingdom. Great deeds of service to the kingdom and their people are also a factor in selecting candidates for the ruling class.

New nobles are sanctioned and formally introduced in the High Assembly by the head of state. They can either be chosen by the head of state or suggested by the Council of Elders and the other sitting members of the High Assembly. Given the nature of the role they play in the High Assembly, the Council of Elders can raise their qualms against a possible nobility candidate to the head of state and sometimes they can stand against it. The motives of the Council are not always just considering rivalries between families and other petty reasons. It is a case by case basis in which the head of state can either follow the Council's advice or ignore them, but the latter would cause some upheaval.

### Nobles and the Shal'dorei Military

It is not uncommon for a member of Suramar's nobility to be an important figure in the Duskwatch. Some of the most proficient arcanist in the nobility have either served the Duskwatch at some point or are still a part of it, while some may have been tutored by a member of the organization.

It is a dangerous gamble though when an individual has influence in two important areas of the kingdom, so it is usually advised that the nobles themselves do not enlist in the Duskwatch or resign their commission once they achieve political status. As for the descendants, it is advised that the heir be kept out of the military while the other descendants are usually applauded when they attain successful military careers. The University of Suramar is usually where heirs tend to study, becoming proficient arcanists themselves.

### Household Guard

Every noble tend to keep a Household Guard to ensure their security and that of their holdings. They are paid men-at-arms tasked with guarding the noble's estate and some held in garrison for emergency measures, as well as forming their retinues for personal security when they are in public. They are formed by varied types of units ranging from the standard swordsman to the proficient arcanists -- though the more elite the unit, the more costly they are.

The numbers rarely exceed 120 and are usually above 30. It depends heavily on the size of a noble's manor and number of holdings as well as their economic power and riches. Exceeding in number of guardsmen raise suspicions as to the motives of the noble and may drive the state's eyes upon them.

### Inheritance

The government of Suramar does not intrude not enforce any sort of rules in regards to the inheritance of titles and assets of the noble Houses expect in very specific cases such as convicted heirs or previous offenders. There are no gender stipulations in regards to inheritance as both men and women are seen as head of illustrious noble Houses in Suramar. Usually, the firstborn child is the one appointed as heir, but there may be cases where it may not be so but for specific reasons in a case by case basis.

### Nobles and Religion

While the Shal'dorei has inherited many aspects of the old Kaldorei Empire, religion has apparently not been given too much credit or attention as much as the use and abuse of Arcane has. It is speculated whether Elune worship is still a thing within Suramar or not, but it is believed that there may yet be pockets of worshippers even though no rite or even religious site can be found in Suramar City. The last known bastion of faith and worship of Elune has been the Temple that has become the Tomb of Sargeras -- which has been seceded from Suramar itself ever since the Sundering.

Based on this shallow information, it is close to impossible to define whether or not the nobility has any resemblance of worship to Elune let alone practice the priesthood. It is not considered impossible, but very unlikely and very rare.

## High Assembly of Suramar

### The High Assembly

The High Assembly can be defined as the advising body of the government formed by the most illustrious family leaders of Suramar. They are highly influential individuals in Suramar and their word is generally taken in very high regard by all sectors of Shal'dorei society. Their jurisdiction extends to all territories occupied by the state and their broad authority is limited to political matters only.

The Assembly has the functions of legislation and moderate executive power over decisions that affect the kingdom. While there is a considerable number of minor decisions that do not require the sanctioning of the Magisterial Council and head of state, greater plans will always require higher ranking revision before being approved.

Functioning as a council of state, each representative from each noble family has a vote in all topics discussed within the Assembly. Those topics are approved or denied by majority of votes. While each member have only a single vote, what represents the influence of these families are their personal alliances and their influence over the different sectors of Suramar, which will eventually incur in shared interests and coalition of votes in determined topics.

To avoid a possible impasse and to balance things in the event that there is one, the nobles elect a head of cabinet to act as mediator in the sessions and middle man between the Assembly and the Magisterial Council.

> The positions of the High Assembly are defined from bottom to top as follows:
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##### [Application] Lord/Lady

* Honorific: *Your Lordship/Your Grace*
* Lands: any acquired through personal achievment.
* Votes: 1
* Quantity: 25
* Description: *the most illustrious family heads of Suramar, these men/women are famous and full of renown around the city for their importance and influence, their possessions and their luxury, and most times for their proficiency in the arcane arts. They are the sitting members of the High Assembly of Suramar.*

##### [In-Character Elected] First Lord

* Honorific: *The Most Honorable First Lord of the Assembly*
* Lands: any acquired through personal achievment.
* Votes: 1
* Quantity: 1
* Term Duration: 3 OOC months.
* Description: *this is the head of cabinet elected among the sitting Lords to preside over the sessions held by the Assembly. The functions of the First Lord are to advise the High Assembly on procedural rules, to take formal responsibility for the decisions sanctioned by the Assembly in the limits of its authority and to work as a bridge between the High Assembly and the Grand Magisterial Council.*

### The Grand Magisterial Council

While the elite of Shal'dorei families take care of the day-to-day affairs of the city and the kingdom, the Grand Magisterial Council is the highest institution in the kingdom directly advising the First Arcanist (formerly the late Grand Magistrix) in the most important matters related to the kingdom. They are usually highly influential members of Shal'dorei society whose dedication to their people and their homeland are considered to be outstanding.

They are responsible for helping the First Arcanist with the direction of the Shal'dorei people. Their advice is highly considered and hardly dismissed by the First Arcanist. To become a part of the Council, a Shal'dorei noble must be well connected and distinguished among the rest. Usually, the Grand Magistrix herself would appoint new Council members and the position can be disputed by other nobles, who can challenge the chosen noble for a duel of honor called Tal'ashar in which the victor claims the position in the Council and all titles and possessions of the defeated noble.

Nowadays, under First Arcanist Thalyssra's regime, the members of the Council can either be handpicked to the position by Thalyssra herself, or they can be suggested by a number of noble families which include close interests and alliances between Houses, of course. Once a member of the Council, the role is occupied for as long as the noble desires or as long as he does a good job. Thalyssra has authority to remove members of the Council at any time if they misbehave.

> The key position of the Magisterial Council is described bellow:
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##### [In-Characer Elected] Magisterial Advisor

* Honorific: *Your Lordship/Your Grace*
* Lands: any acquired through personal achievment.
* Votes: N/A (non electoral role)
* Quantity: 5
* Description: *the voices that once spoke very close to Elisande's ear and now Thalyssra's, the Magisterial Advisors are responsible for the task of advising the head of state in all matters related to the kingdom and its people. Their sway within the Nighthold is considerable as seen before and they can be delegated to different parts of the kingdom as direct extensions of the government's power with all the sway necessary to carry out tasks of various nature. Obviously, if an Advisor misbehaves or becomes corrupt, they're removed from the role and risk losing their status and freedom.*

> *The High Assembly and Grand Magisterial Council is considered to be vital institutions to the kingdom in such dire times, so their members are highly respected and treated with the utmost consideration as they word can carry a lot of weight in Suramar.*
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