Eoion Monarchy Overview

The current monarchy is headed by the Shiroko Dynasty and has been since the empire was founded. At present, the ruler is Taras Shiroko I

Type of Monarchy

Absolute

Head of the Monarchy

Whoever is the monarch is the head. Spouses are termed ‘royal consort’ regardless of gender. If the monarch dies with no children or the oldest child is too young to inherit, the royal consort assumes the head of the monarchy. How active the consort is in the running of the empire is not consistent. Sometimes they are very involved in politics and sometimes not. Formally, they are seen as the second most powerful person in the empire. Given that the Shiroko have been intermarrying for centuries, the consort is often a cousin or sibling of the reigning monarch and thus the empire stays in the family regardless of the current ruler or royal consort.

How is the heir chosen

The oldest child of the reigning monarch is next in line. If the ruler dies but the oldest child is too young, the consort takes the title of ‘emperor or empress regent’. If both die, then the ruler’s oldest sibling takes the title previously stated

• ex. Taras's mother: empress Olha. Taras’s father: royal consort Yakiv. Taras’s uncle: emperor regent Andriy. Taras himself: emperor

Where do the monarchy live

The royal family lives in a large palace in the capital of the empire. However, they also have several homes around the country that they travel to depending on the seasons and if there is business that is best conducted there. These palaces are smaller than the main one and, especially the seasonal ones, tend to be more geared toward leisure than governance. The main palace, called the Gandenye , is composed of several buildings, like a small city within a city. The entire palace encompasses 1 sq mi. In its entirety, the capital city was built around the palace. The monarch may visit some or none of the various buildings in a given day.

Current Dynasty Length

700 years. Ilya Shiroko was the first emperor and overthrew the previous king after Ilya helped to free another kingdom from foreign control. He had the backing of the newly reinstalled royal family, felt that the current monarch was too weak, and controlled a large portion of new military power, the Ilyannoi

Symbol of the Royal Family

A five pointed star. This represents the four kingdoms that were subsumed into the empire, with Eoion represented by the topmost point. Their family animal is the tsirin, one of the first creatures Ilya made and what he rode into battle. Every new monarch must make one to prove their skills (this does not apply to regents or consorts, only people who take the title of emperor or empress). The family motto is netekjeon wu wagi shigwa iwobu vai (invincible in war and peace, lit. invincible the war and peace in)

Who directly serves the monarchy

Many servants work in the palace. Those closer to the monarch tend to be staffed by the older children of nobility in attempts to gain favor with the monarch. However, there are set duties, such as valets, ladies in waiting, gentlemen in waiting, and such that are staffed by paid servants. Eoion is also a slave country and many slaves work in the palace. They are in much lower positions and rarely engage directly with the monarch. Servants in positions of valet, groundskeeper, robe master, and other such duties have been passed down in families, although sometimes they are given as rewards for service. Noble families again, vie for positions for younger siblings of the current reigning noble or their children. Serving in such close staffing duties is considered an honor even though they are the work of servants in the noble houses themselves. The monarchs encourage this fighting for serving positions as it is also a way to remind the nobles that they are merely servants to the ruler. Advisors are also close to the monarch and tend to come from noble houses with dominions across the empire.

What type of clothes do the monarchs wear

Larger robes are more formal and tend to only be worn during celebrations. For day to day wear, the robes are closer to the body. Jewels sewn into clothing are used as a display of wealth. Whatever the monarch wears tends to become fashion for the nobles, although they wear less ostentatious things so as not to be seen as competing with them. For more information on Eoin clothing styles, see Eoion. The monarchs also own a golden ring with a tsirin engraved on it. This is a symbol of their authority and worn on a chain around their neck at all times. Two crowns are worn as well. The first is the crown worn by the conquered first dynasty of Eoion and represents their rule over the original kingdom. The second is more ornate and was commissioned by Ilya after the other four kingdoms were conquered. It represents their dominion over the entire territory.

How complex is the family line

The family line is a bit more like a pretzel. When the monarchy began, they married other nobility, sometimes for love, sometimes for political or other advantage. However, they began inbreeding to keep the secrets of the Ilyannoi in the family and the line has become very twisted with uncles, siblings, cousins, aunts, and grandparents sometimes having different roles to the same people (Example: Taras’s mother is also his aunt and one of his cousins is also another uncle) Marrying family is expected and marrying outside of the family has become frowned upon. The monarch is encouraged to have many children (usually 5-7) so there are enough people to marry around.

Monarchial Divinity

There is a sect of the country’s dominant religion that worships the royal family as creators of life and as descendants of a Dea . However, this is not seen in the wider regions of the country and is pretty much confined to the capital. The rest of the country sees them as human, distinctly above commoners, but definitely human.

Royal Education

All royal children learn politics, strategy, and history. They are generally educated with children of high ranking nobles. The heir is expected to travel around the empire as part of their education. Only the heir, second, and third child are taught how to make Illyanoi, thus Taras began learning from his mother and then later the education continued with his uncle. However, he spent most of his time learning alone and grew much more powerful in stitching than his uncle. In keeping with the tradition of the Shiroko as conquerors, the royals are also taught sword fighting, archery, lance work, etc.

Royal Sports

The monarchs can participate in whatever sport they want. Often, solo sports are popular, such as fencing and swordplay. Horse racing is another popular pass time, although it varies between monarchs as to whether they enjoy watching or participating. No royal has ever fought in the arena.

What is the public’s impression of the monarchy (and vice versa)

In general, the population sees the monarchs as correct. After several unsuccessful rebellions, most of the population has come to the conclusion that the Shiroko are meant to rule. The people know about the inherited madness of the Shiroko but the full extent of it is generally kept secret. The monarchs tend to see the public as people to keep safe, but also basically necessary. Without the public, they have no empire. However, commoners are also below them and need the monarchy for direction and order.

The best and worst monarchs

Ilya is revered as the best of the line and all Shiroko since then have tried to live up to him. He was the start of everything, invented the Ilyannoi, and was a great statesman. The worst was Karim I as he was killed by his own Ilyannoi and thus is considered completely unfit to have even been part of the family, let alone in charge of it. The Ilyannoi are Ilya’s most lasting legacy and being proficient in making them is important to both the royal family and the public’s perception of them. The better someone is at creating the creatures, the more positively they are perceived.

Relationships with other monarchies

The royal families of the kingdoms which were subsumed into the empire are now vassal lords to the Shiroko family. The best relationship is with the former royal family of Ulena due to the liberation from Yzel that Ilya assisted with. They were the only monarchy to be voluntarily annexed into the empire and history states that they bowed willingly. The other three were conquered and have since become used to living under another family. Braca has the worst relationship due to the rebellion. The family was heavily punished for it, still carry the diminished status, and are trying to earn their higher place again. Royal houses from the former kingdoms have intermarried, but have not married into the Shiroko house in many centuries. Yzel’s royal family is at odds with the Shiroko due to the past wars. They are currently diplomatic with one another since the latest treaty, but there is still a good deal of tension. Taras and Kaelo Sranten II in particular have very different views on monarchy and their roles in it.

Declaring War

The monarch can declare war at any time. The Ilyannoi are a major part of the military and completely under Shiroko control. Human soldiers come from both an army run by the royal family and from the major noble houses. Money is a joint affair and nobles will attempt to win glory by taking on high positions and offering as many resources as possible.

Rebellions

There have been a few rebellions. One was a revolt due to high taxation, another was an abolitionist movement, and the third was by the citizens of Braca (see Bracan da Libre and Braca's Final Fall). All three were crushed by the Shiroko. The fact that none of the rebellions succeeded further solidifies in the public’s mind that the Shiroko are meant to be in charge, something the dynasty encourages. For more details, see History of Eoion

Public Involvement in the Royals' Lives

Those who ascribe to the religious sect that worships them are very attuned to everything they do, but the general public is not heavily interested in royal gossip.

Monarchical Wealth

The imperial family and reigning monarch's wealth is a combination of two different factors. First, the Department of the Treasury collects taxes from the empire and allocates a percentage specified by law toward the upkeep of the Gandenye, other palaces, royal staff, etc. This money is specifically for official expenses related to the palace. A second allocation is made for the imperial family's travel and anything else related to their official duties. Any royal working in one of the twelve departments also collects a salary related to their position. The emperor and royal consort collect a salary for their position as well. Currently, the salary of the ruler is 47.6 million saqushir ($70 million USD) and that of the royal consort is 44.2 million saqushir ($65 million USD).
Aside from the salary earned through their work, the Shiroko Dynasty also earns money through private funds. The most prominent of these is the old Shiroko manor near Parishi. Originally, the manor was a working rice farm, which continues today, along with producing animal products. Outlying buildings and business are also part of the wealth portfolio of the royal family. They also own several mines in the western mountain range north of Sariiga. These funds are used for private expenses of the monarch and both the ruler and royal consort hold authority to distribute these profits among the rest of the family, generally through percentage allowances. The total surplus revenue from these to be divided among the family is generally between 15-20 million saqushir ($22.1-$29.4 million USD).

Daily Life of the Monarch

The monarch wakes at around 5 am in a ritual headed by the First Valet. They are greeted with "bu gandayan zasheka, ro tai a hù gehumi patsilai" (trans. your imperial majesty, please rise). Once the baejan is awake, the valet will present them with several options for the day's clothing from the imperial closet. The monarch chooses their preferred attire for the day. After this, the monarch is seen by the High Physician and given a daily check up. When this is complete, the ruler leaves the room and is dressed in the second antechamber by members of the royal court. Their hair is also combed and braided/styled for the day during this time.
Breakfast is eaten either with close family or the heads of various departments, depending on the a particular baejan's preference. The waking, dressing, and meal are all completed by 7. At this point, the morning meetings officially begin. All heads of the imperial departments are present to give reports and update the ruler on their work. These meetings are held in a group and then become individual as necessary. These meetings are held in the High Grand Hall throne room and various smaller meeting halls within the building. After the morning meetings, the ruler will answer letters from provincial nobility and other officials who do not reside in or near the Gandenye.
Lunch is generally short and taken while paperwork is being done, although if there is a holiday or particularly important guest, lunch becomes a larger affair. The lunch meal is the smallest and least formal of the day. While usually taken between 12pm and 2pm, the ruler will often dictate when, exactly, they wish to eat sometime around 10:30am and the kitchen will prepare their meal to meet that deadline. The ruler's spouse is generally the only person who may take lunch with them, particularly if they are working on the same project at the time. Lunch is generally complete by 2pm.
After lunch, there are meetings with military commanders and continued correspondence writing. Military matters are dealt with first in either the High Grand Hall or smaller areas. If there is not an active conflict, these meetings are more about updates to border security, Ilyannoi activity, and troop supplies. Correspondence for the day is completed as before, in one of the ruler's private offices. After these affairs are dealt with, the papers are handed off to be delivered to the appropriate parties. These duties are often completed between 4pm and 6pm.
After work is done and there is leisure time before dinner, the largest and most extravagant meal. This is traditionally begun at approximately 6:30. The ruler will eat with their family and wider court during this time. Members of the court who have not spoken to the ruler through the day are permitted to seek an audience with them, although these requests can be denied. During and after dinner, there is entertainment for relaxation. The particulars have varied by ruler, but the most common are watching performances, engaging in or watching sporting events, and private artistic pursuits. More violent rulers have also watched executions or torture during and after dinner, but this has been rare.
Any entertainments continue until the ruler decides to retire. This is generally between 10pm and 12am. When the ruler returns to their home within the Gandenye, they are dressed for sleep by their valet and their hair re-braided in a simple style to keep it from becoming tangled overnight. Once this second dressing is complete, the ruler officially retires to sleep for the night.

Titles

Social structure in the empire is highly regimented and the titles are the same. Within the nobility and royal family, a slight variation in title can make a large distinction in a person's place within the social hierarchy.

• Ruler (or regent)- Your/His/Her Imperial Majesty (trans. bu, wû, nga gandayan zasheka)
• Royal Consort- Your/His/Her Imperial Highness (trans. bu, wû, nga gandayan deneun)
• High prince/princess- Your/His/Her Royal Majesty (trans. bu, wû, nga rolev zasheka)
• Siblings/Lower royal children- Your/His/Her Royal Highness (trans. bu, wû, nga rolev deneun)
• Parents of the ruler- Your/His/Her Honored Majesty (trans. bu, wû, nga yosorupi zasheka)
• Aunts/Uncles of the ruler- Your/His/Her Majesty (trans. bu, wû, nga zasheka)
• Grandparents of the ruler- Your/His/Her Highness (trans. bu, wû, nga deneun)
• Extended family- Your/His/Her Grace (trans bu, wû, nga ehumini)

Hierarchy of the Family

Within the royal family, hierarchy is just as rigid as the rest of the nobility. Strict hierarchy within the family began under Timof II Shiroko with the introduction of inbreeding. This was done to clearly define power both within the family and within the country overall. The rankings of the family are listed below from highest to lowest, along with translations of the titles into Eoin. In order to form the 'title' version of each word, the suffix -vela is used. For example, 'Taras is the emperor' would have 'emperor' as 'baejan', whereas 'Emperor Taras' would see 'emperor' stated as 'baejanvela'.

• Emperor/Empress- baejan
• Emperor/Empress Regent- vlabaejan (lower ranking ruler)
• Royal Consort- tsudaeba
• Parents of the ruler- janyúova (mother), janyúeto (father)
• Heir (High Prince/High Princess)- tajanji
• Younger siblings of the heir (hierarchy from oldest to youngest)- janji
• Siblings of the ruler- tawùhu (high brother), tawùhi (high sister)
• Grandparents- tajanyúova (lady grandmother), tajanyúeto (lord grandfather)
• Aunts/Uncles- tawetso (high aunt), tatwetse (high uncle)
• Extended family- inemekave

Protocol

Given how long the Shiroko dynasty has been in power, there are a myriad of social rules for how to interact with the royal family. Commoners and nobility have their own set of rules, whereas other members follow a slightly altered etiquette.
Those outside of the royal family adhere to highly deferential forms of etiquette, particularly with the ruler and their immediate family.

• Never touch a member of the royal family. The only exception to this is physicians while carrying out their assigned duties
• Do not speak until spoken to
• Always use proper titles when speaking. Nobility may refer to the royal as simply 'Majesty', 'Highness', or 'Grace' along with their title after the initial greeting. (ex. Your Imperial Highness upon first meeting, then subsequently Highness Royal Consort), but commoners must use the full respectful address
• When meeting a member of the royal family, bowing is done in various different forms depending on status. For extended family, a half bow from the waist is appropriate. For aunts, uncles, siblings, and grandparents, a three fourths bow is needed. Parents and younger children are given a full bow. The heir is greeted by kneeling on one knee and bowing at half. Both knees on the floor and a half bow is given to the spouse. The ruler is greeted by kneeling completely, with the forehead pressed to the floor. Upon first meeting, six bows are performed, one for each of the four conquered kingdoms and two for Eoion. After this, in all instances, when dealing with adult members of the family, rising is only done when given permission. When meeting children, three seconds is appropriate.
• Standing and sitting are done only when the highest ranking royal in the room does so
• Always arrive early when meeting a member of the royal family.
• Never leave before the highest ranking royal unless dismissed
• Do not look the royal directly in the eye unless instructed
• When referring to oneself in conversation with the ruler or their spouse, the speaker must refer to themselves as 'your humble servant' followed by their name on the first instance. After this, the standard 'I' can be used.

Royal family members must abide by slightly altered protocols when dealing with those of a higher rank than themselves.

• Titles are used only with the ruler and their immediate family. Younger children are called 'Grace'. The heir and spouse are referred to as 'Highness'. 'Majesty' is used for the ruler. When addressing a higher ranking family member by name, 'Lord' or 'Lady' (taibehon) is placed in front of the name. Formal titles such as 'baejanvela', 'tsudaebavela', and 'tajanjivela' can also be used.
• Children are given a half bow at the waist. Adults outside of the ruler's immediate family are given a three quarters bow. The ruler's siblings and children are given a full bow. When in the presence of the ruler or their spouse royal family members kneel on one knee and perform a full bow.

Extended protocol can be found here: Imperial Protocol