Quintessent Court
Where there is power, there will always be those who reach for it. Who flock to it. Who swarm to it. The Quintessent Court is the formalization of such a swarming. While the Quintessency may struggle to maintain power over the tides of Summerian politics, it is undeniable that it still holds the heart of the Kingdom. And thus the merchant nobles and other influential figures gather at the Quinseat throughout the year, either in person or via representatives, in order to stake their claim to power. They use the Quintessent Court to exert what influence they can over the tides of power and snatch up whatever drops are left vulnerable.
The Quintessent Court began as an informal gathering of influential figures in Halitara. The Quintessency had been going strong for years by that point and persons that had power tended to spend their time at the Quinseat. In those days, it was a handful of advisors, some scholars, some holy people that made up the group.
As the rich began to gain power in the Summer Kingdom, they sought to become part of that inner circle and its prestige. There was some indignant pushback, particularly on the part of a few of the scholars. The group protested that proximity to the Quintessence was an honor offered, not taken. But the Quintessency, for all its power at the time, was sorely in need of funds. And so Alyn the Lush had a hall added to the Quinseat and officially established the Quintessent Court within its walls. There would always be that informal inner circle, she reasoned, but the formal Court would give those who had the power or resources to demand acquaintance with the Quintessence a place in the governmental structure.
The first attendees included that handful of advisors, scholars, and holy figures as well as up and coming merchants, foreign dignitaries, and lower ranking government servants. Over time, the role of the merchant class within the Court grew alongside their role in society. By the time merchants began taking over administration of cities, it was considered a necessary part of any high-profile merchant business to keep a representative in Court. And when the nobility system was codified, it was only natural to tie the core of it to the one location all merchant nobles held in common.
The Quintessent Court gathers daily, starting around mid-morning. The doors to the Hall of the Court are opened at dawn, but even the earliest birds tend not to trickle in until the roosters have been up and about for hours. The Keeper of the Hall keeps it stocked with food and drink for light snacking from open ‘til close. A lunch course is offered shortly after noon to all in attendance, though it is taken in the dining hall rather than the Court. The Hall is typically closed at sundown, so dinner is only offered when there is a special occasion and the Court is hosting a celebration. There are celebrations held at Court for all major holidays in addition to the knighting of Ques, the death of nobles, the appointment of new nobles, and other significant occasions. Not that Summerians need an occasion to party.
Naturally, special events provide unique opportunities for posturing and politics. But the day-to-day machinations of the Court are what drive the Summer Kingdom. While lounging about the Hall, partaking in nibbles and wines, enjoying entertainment, making small talk, the powerful of the Kingdom strike deals, trade in secrets, and ferment plans. The next political upheaval is just as likely to come from those couches as it is to come from the throne.
Officially, the Quintessent Court is open to any who wish to attend. Unofficially, you have to have an invite to get past the foyer of the Quinseat. Anyone hired on at a certain level in government automatically has access. Members of the Merchant Guild will typically be given an invite by other guildmembers. Foreign dignitaries often have invites from the Quintessence herself. It is rare that a merchant will reach nobility without already having an invite, but in those infrequent instances, a merchant granted nobility will be issued an invite to the Court at the same time. These form most of the entrances to the Court; any others who wish to attend must secure an invite from someone who has already attained membership.
Merely attending the Quintessent Court does not make one a member of it. One must attend a certain number of Court sessions within a year in order to be added to the roster of Court members. However, there is a certain degree of mystery to the roster. The roster is a plaque mounted in an alcove of the Hall. It lists all current members of the Court. But no one actually knows who oversees the roster, nor how many sessions one must attend within a year in order to be added. The general consensus is that the number of required sessions is at least ten and that representatives do not count towards that number. Many assume that the Keeper of the Hall attends to the roster, especially since names added and removed are done so while the Hall is closed. However, generations of Keepers have fastidiously denied any such thing.
Individuals who attain membership to the Court have certain privileges, mostly related to voting on Court and nobility administration. Members can vote on Court events, admission to the nobility, proposed changes to how the Court is run, and possible law changes affecting the nobility, among other things. Members are also given precedence in regards to conflicting Court events and in seating arrangements. When utilized to its fullest extent, membership to the Court can be quite powerful. However, votes do not happen very frequently and can be influenced even without an official vote, while the other privileges are somewhat superficial. As such some merchants elect not to put the time into attaining membership, only attending Court when it is convenient.
Origin
The Quintessent Court began as an informal gathering of influential figures in Halitara. The Quintessency had been going strong for years by that point and persons that had power tended to spend their time at the Quinseat. In those days, it was a handful of advisors, some scholars, some holy people that made up the group.
As the rich began to gain power in the Summer Kingdom, they sought to become part of that inner circle and its prestige. There was some indignant pushback, particularly on the part of a few of the scholars. The group protested that proximity to the Quintessence was an honor offered, not taken. But the Quintessency, for all its power at the time, was sorely in need of funds. And so Alyn the Lush had a hall added to the Quinseat and officially established the Quintessent Court within its walls. There would always be that informal inner circle, she reasoned, but the formal Court would give those who had the power or resources to demand acquaintance with the Quintessence a place in the governmental structure.
The first attendees included that handful of advisors, scholars, and holy figures as well as up and coming merchants, foreign dignitaries, and lower ranking government servants. Over time, the role of the merchant class within the Court grew alongside their role in society. By the time merchants began taking over administration of cities, it was considered a necessary part of any high-profile merchant business to keep a representative in Court. And when the nobility system was codified, it was only natural to tie the core of it to the one location all merchant nobles held in common.
Operation
The Quintessent Court gathers daily, starting around mid-morning. The doors to the Hall of the Court are opened at dawn, but even the earliest birds tend not to trickle in until the roosters have been up and about for hours. The Keeper of the Hall keeps it stocked with food and drink for light snacking from open ‘til close. A lunch course is offered shortly after noon to all in attendance, though it is taken in the dining hall rather than the Court. The Hall is typically closed at sundown, so dinner is only offered when there is a special occasion and the Court is hosting a celebration. There are celebrations held at Court for all major holidays in addition to the knighting of Ques, the death of nobles, the appointment of new nobles, and other significant occasions. Not that Summerians need an occasion to party.
Naturally, special events provide unique opportunities for posturing and politics. But the day-to-day machinations of the Court are what drive the Summer Kingdom. While lounging about the Hall, partaking in nibbles and wines, enjoying entertainment, making small talk, the powerful of the Kingdom strike deals, trade in secrets, and ferment plans. The next political upheaval is just as likely to come from those couches as it is to come from the throne.
Attendance and Membership
Officially, the Quintessent Court is open to any who wish to attend. Unofficially, you have to have an invite to get past the foyer of the Quinseat. Anyone hired on at a certain level in government automatically has access. Members of the Merchant Guild will typically be given an invite by other guildmembers. Foreign dignitaries often have invites from the Quintessence herself. It is rare that a merchant will reach nobility without already having an invite, but in those infrequent instances, a merchant granted nobility will be issued an invite to the Court at the same time. These form most of the entrances to the Court; any others who wish to attend must secure an invite from someone who has already attained membership.
Merely attending the Quintessent Court does not make one a member of it. One must attend a certain number of Court sessions within a year in order to be added to the roster of Court members. However, there is a certain degree of mystery to the roster. The roster is a plaque mounted in an alcove of the Hall. It lists all current members of the Court. But no one actually knows who oversees the roster, nor how many sessions one must attend within a year in order to be added. The general consensus is that the number of required sessions is at least ten and that representatives do not count towards that number. Many assume that the Keeper of the Hall attends to the roster, especially since names added and removed are done so while the Hall is closed. However, generations of Keepers have fastidiously denied any such thing.
Individuals who attain membership to the Court have certain privileges, mostly related to voting on Court and nobility administration. Members can vote on Court events, admission to the nobility, proposed changes to how the Court is run, and possible law changes affecting the nobility, among other things. Members are also given precedence in regards to conflicting Court events and in seating arrangements. When utilized to its fullest extent, membership to the Court can be quite powerful. However, votes do not happen very frequently and can be influenced even without an official vote, while the other privileges are somewhat superficial. As such some merchants elect not to put the time into attaining membership, only attending Court when it is convenient.
Type
Court, Royal
Alternative Names
The Summerian Court
Demonym
courtiers
Parent Organization
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
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