Governments

Government Types

Please note these descriptions are just for reference; they may not reflect the player currently in that role, but these descriptions are considered the nor, it just means that players may stray from being an average person in that role.

Monarchy

Monarchies are the most common form of government in Hollow; Monarchies usually feature a King and Queen or variants on these titles. Monarchs can rule by decree, meaning that their word is the law. More often than not, either the king or queen will be the reigning monarch, and it is with this individual that the power of the state resides within. The other individual in the relationship is often the married partner of the monarch (sometimes reflected with the prerequisite Consort, for example, consort queen) and has less power than the monarch but is a figure of reverence for their subjects. Twin married couples of equal strength are not uncommon among certain races. Some monarchs rule by divine right; this means that the reigning monarch is considered the chosen one of the deity or deities held in favour by the lands they rule. Sometimes this translates into that monarch’s decree’s be considered sacred or even ‘god inspired’; this means that the monarch’s word and law are also regarded as divine. Monarchs often rely on a court of nobles to appoint or dismiss at will to aid and advise them in their rule. Sometimes this means appointing a general or noble as governor of a portion of their lands who rule in their name. Monarchs are usually created through a succession line, meaning that the child of the reigning king or queen will be considered ‘heir apparent’ until the reigning monarch dies and they ascend to the throne. This is why monarchs tend to marry their offspring into other royal families to keep power among the royal bloodlines. If the monarch has no heir apparent upon their death, the royal court will often choose a successor from amongst their noble ranks, thus creating a new royal bloodline. There are various exceptions to this, such as among the High Elves who elect a King and Queen from the high court of nobles who then serve for their lifetime as a monarch.

Tribal Monarchy

Tribal Monarchies are a more straightforward form of monarchy often employed by the uncivilized races. Titles within a tribal monarchy may include king, queen, Chief, Chieftain, or pre-requisite title of whatever job the tribe holds in high regard such as high seer, over-lord, chief elder, etc. Tribal monarchies tend to be smaller than normal ones and often contain a council of elders or some variant of this. It is the council of elder’s job to decide if the current ruler is fit for the job by examining whatever criteria is the norm for that race or region. This may be that the ruler is a powerful mage, fearsome war leader, or even a fine bard. The tribal monarchy tends to have a royal bloodline, which may be arranged around a clan-based structure. In contrast, the clan in power chooses the heir apparent from the current ruler's offspring or family by deciding who fits the criteria the best. Tribal monarchies are usually distinguished by reverence to the family in power within which the power of the land resides and a complete disregard for foreigners and their ideas.

Absolute Monarchy

In an Absolute Monarchy, only the monarchs have any power; any council court, etc., have to give way to the monarch's wishes in all things.

Duchy

A duchy works in a very similar style to a monarchy with the following caveats:-

• (I) The head of state is titled duke or duchess
• (II) The head of state is the head of a noble ruling house, all of whom have political influence.
• (III) The ruling house owns the land they rule. (This precludes any notions of ‘divine right’)

Duke and duchesses are historically ranked lower than Kings or Queens, but their lands remain sovereign states. Duchys are usually made up of a single territory or settlement of small size similar to a fiefdom and therefore have lesser status.

Imperial

Imperial governments are similar to monarchies in many respects, including that there may be an imperial bloodline, including a line of succession and an imperial consort. The titles usually associated with the head of an empire are Emperor, Empress, Imperator, and Imperatrix. (The last two titles are usually an indicating the empire may be an imperium) Imperial governments also have a court similar to a monarchy. Still, the court is much more closely aligned to the ruler, meaning this may be a council of chosen generals, a council of governors, or merely a group of ‘yes men’ in the ruler’s current favour. In addition, the membership of this group is not usually restricted to the nobility of the land. The ruler can appoint and dismiss the court as they wish. The main distinguishing feature of an imperial government is the intent; empires are built for conquest. Any empire is usually interested in adding to its lands and appointing regional governors and provinces from their peoples and lands. If the empire is already substantial, the empire's goal may be to hold these lands in perpetuity, especially if the lands have been forcibly added to the empire and are conquered or subjugated. The power in an imperial style government is mostly held by the individual ruler (often a war leader) who acknowledges no equal ruler in Hollow and is often revered by their subjects as a living god.

Imperium

Imperiums (AKA Imperial Republics) are the same as empires but contain a senate made up of representatives appointed by the leader or voted on by the citizens. The senate can vote down the decree of the ruler or even vote them off the throne if they have a sufficient majority. The senate also has to confirm the present ruler's chosen successor is fit to rule and choose another if there is no heir.

Theocracy

Theocracies are a form of government where the land's religion and its current teachings are employed as holy law. The political rulers of the land are the representatives of the local religion. Therefore, theocracies tend to be one of the most authoritarian forms of governance as there is no arguing with scripture, and anyone doing so s usually considered a heretic. Titles associated with theocracies tend to be titles related to religion, such as a high priest, cardinal, bishop, seer, prophet, etc. The rulers of a theocracy may be considered divine, and therefore their words, law, or teachings can carry the power of the gods they represent. Theocracies may be ruled by a synod or council of priests or a single religious leader (especially if the religion favors is a cult). The council and leader may rule together with the council acting as an advisor or even a power balance to the leader. (Such as a senate may do in an imperial or republic.). Often the ruler is in the position for life after ascending to rule and will nominate their successor (usually their chief acolyte who will carry on their religious doctrine). If there is no appointed successor, the council will choose a new leader from among their number if one exists. If there is no council and no heir, the state will fall into anarchy, or a new religious figure may seize power. There is also the possibility of a religious schism with individuals of different doctrinal beliefs taking control, creating a religious holy civil war.

Republic

A republic is a form of government employing representative democracy. In a republic, there will be two groups of citizens the franchised and the disenfranchised. The franchised citizens will form the electorate; the electorate can vote for their representatives from a list of pre-approved individuals who will become their representatives, gaining the title of senator (or some variant of). The chosen representatives or senators will usually meet regularly at the land's capitol to discuss issues of the day and then vote on what is to be done. In theory, the representatives will represent the will of their electorate and vote in favour of measures that will aid their electorate. Sometimes the senate will elect one of their numbers as their leader who will keep order within the senate and be their face to the rest of the world. This figure often suggests other senators for various roles such as finance, foreign affairs, etc., for the senate’s approval. The titles associated with this role are Senate President, Chief Councillor, or Speaker. The republic is quite an advanced form of government employed by older races. The citizens within tend to be happier about their lot in life, especially if they are franchised citizens able to make their opinions heard.

Merchant Republic

In a merchant republic, the franchised are the wealthy merchants who can buy votes or buy their way into the electorate. This kind of government is therefore highly corruptible.

Magocracy

In a magocracy, the political elite are always the most powerful users of magic. Anyone without magic ability is often a second class citizen. The ruler of the lands is usually the most powerful magic user who may hold the title of Master Wizard, Arch Mage, Spell Master. The rule of the land may combine other systems such as a monarchy where a powerful family of mages is the royal bloodline, or it may be a republic where the franchised citizens must be mages. Or even a tribal-based system where the council of elders is the strongest mages. Anyone serving in such a governmental system may be referred to as a “magocrat.” Lands ruled under this system tend to be secretive and rich in magic. Sometimes the magocracy may be run so that a powerful group of mages lord over a non-magic peasantry, hoarding all of their arcane knowledge to themselves. These dark versions of magocracies tend to be ruled by evil wizards.