Gwilith
Considered one of the most unique monarchies throughout the world, Gwilith was disbanded for 400 years during the war of the three kingdoms, and the battle of Sergale. Having been revived on Lanfest the 15, 603 thanks to an attack on Drakenvald from a warband of orcs from The Outlands, the country has steadily rebuilt itself to its former glory from its previous position as an occupied territory.
Structure
As is normal for a feudal society, the country is organized into three distinct social hierarchies. From top to bottom is the monarchy, the aristocracy, and the peasentry. Throughout these roles however weaves the complex social fabric of elven culture, most commonly realized on the citywide level.
At the top of the social totem pole lies the Monarchs. Often called the Sun and Moon of Gwillith, these two roles maintain power over the other monarch by the time of day. The Sun of Praerba ruling the country during the day, and the moon of Tallaut ruling throughout the night. Because of this unique setup throughout the kingdom, a large amount of legislation and executive rights have been passed to make the process of defeating the other monarch an extreme labor of patience, and legal red tape.
Below the monarchs lies the blessed council, and the Council of Anor and Ithil. Both councils are made up of the regional aristocracy, and both have the elite within the aristocracy deciding upon the members that make up the council. These councils decide upon the laws of their respective region, with the blessed councils of the capital cities deciding upon legal matters affecting the kingdom as a whole.
Finally, beneath the aristocracy is the peasentry. Most elves live a simple life, with a requirement to participate in the armed forces for no less than 10 years, but with many choosing to maintain between 30 to 50 years or more within the different armed forces throughout Gwillith. Merchants and scholars also fit in this level, should they not be in the nobility, as well as any non-elf race from within the country. Most non-elves find themselves in an unfamiliar territory when residing within a country built by, and upkept soley by elven monarchy, and so their numbers wane in the lower percentile throughout society as a whole.
The Legistlative Process
Since the inception of Gwillith, the legislature is formed by the twin councils. Each city has its own legislation, one set taking place during the day, the other during the night. In most cases, the daytime council is called the council of Anor, and the nighttime is called the council of Ithil. Each council has the same power as the other, and are treated as equals in all respects. However, each council is only able to operate during their time of the day, and no other.
In order to pass a law, a law must be brought before the council in order to be voted upon in their region. The council must pass the law on a majority vote, at which point the law is saved for the nighttime council. The nighttime council than must also pass on a majority vote, and send the law for inspection to the blessed council in the capital.
The blessed council is made up of representatives of areas throughout gwillith, and votes upon laws throughout the kingdom. The law made by the city legislature must be agreed upon by both the representatives from their blessed council party, at which point the law is sent back, approved for use throughout the city.
However, if there needs to be a countrywide law passed, there are additional steps to this process. Instead of just being the representatives of the blessed council, the representatives must each make their way to their individual cities, and speak with the cities in order to provide the above process to make the law legal. Once all cities have voted, all representatives must than go back to the capital, and using those votes, must also perform a similar vote as their blessed day and night council.
Only than, will the representatives send their law to the opposing city, to be voted on by their own blessed council, and approved by the monarch of the opposing city. Though long and convoluted, this process has allowed for many rediculous laws to be absent from society alltogether. Its said that only an elf society would be able to posess the patience of such a long winded process for laws.
History
As one of the oldest countries within pondera, Gwillith began its journey from just after the consumption. With a strong oral and practiced tradition, the elves within the Great Forests of Vitium quickly worked together to rebuild destroyed foundations and societies from scratch. The first two of these societies were Praerbaand Tallaut, which were structured within five years of the consumption.
Upon completion of the two cities began the long, arduous process of selecting a ruler. The two species of elves that held the most power in these decisions were the High Elves and the Wood Elves. Both wanted equal representation for the kingdom of elves before them, and neither was willing to budge. It was the work of the Wild Elf druid Clover that brought this argument to rest.
"The lands themselves are benevolant, and neither care nor desire a singular ruler. There must always be a balance. Let one rule the night, and one rule the day, and together they will find the balance they desire."
Both sides were equilly satisfied and dissatisfied with this agreement, but accepted this wisdom. Praerba would have a ruler that comanded respect from all during the day. But at night, the ruler of Tallaut would be the deciding voice of the kingdom.
The council then needed to decide upon the first monarchs, and decided to elect a pair of elves that would best gather the populace beneath a single banner.- Monarch
- Blessed Council
- Council of Anor and Ithil
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