IMPORTANT, THIS IS A WIP AGAIN
{Overview}
The Free City of Varisia is constantly the place of subterfuge and espionage, where coin, knowledge, and a little bit of luck are the defining factors of the success of Noblemen and women. The political landscape is ever changing, with people buying influence or persuading others to do their will are the most active and prestigious among the community, if they are not caught. Trade plays as another central power for the city, as there is a constant flow between the north and south, being the shortest route between either region. For that reason, the city has become home to many guilds and merchants, and with that, those people also play a central role in the development of the city.
{Government Structure}
There are two major groups within the Free City of Varisia, and the Administrative Forum of Varisia. The council of Varisia consists of all members of Varisian nobility, and it is where laws, important treaties, civil disputes and many more topics are discussed. Verdicts for these topics can be formed here, and this council is the driving force behind the city. The Administrative Forum is the city's elite, consisting of only the Lords and the Titular Duke of Varisia. This Forum is also open to Varisia's allies, though the decision making ability remains with the nobility of Varisia. There are also many other factions at play within Varisia, some hidden and some public, but constantly present.
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The Council of Varisia
The Council of Varisia operates to maintain the laws of the city, as well as dealing with any internal issues that may present themselves. The Council consists of all members of the nobility, the Duke taking the role as the head of the council, and is there to make sure the Council runs smoothly. The Duke also reserves the right to veto any legislation formed, to protect the city at all costs, though they cannot automatically pass legislation through, and if they did, it would be seen as a dire misdemeanour against the council.
The process taken by the council is simple. If any member of nobility wishes to propose something, they are to announce it at the start of the session, in order of rank, then wealth and standing. The Duke will then decide what is the most important, and start discussion on such a topic. Once resolutions to the problem is found, the council will vote for their preferred solution, and it shall become instated as law. If there is a tie, then the Duke shall break the tie how they please. The Duke still has the right to vote prior to such a tie.
Manners of foreign policy nature and of charges pressed on the nobility of Varisia will not be discussed within the Council, and instead will be determined in the Administrative Forum.
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The Administrative Forum
The Administrative Forum is the upper branch of politics in Varisia, and the Forum is only open to the Lords and Ladies of Varisia. The Duke is once more the head of the Forum, and holds similar responsibilities as those they hold in the Council. Lords and Ladies follow similar procedure as that in the Council of Varisia, in that they all present dilemmas at the start of the meetings, and resolutions are found. The key difference is the lack of Chancellors, and that there must be a unanimous decision found before a resolution can be formulated.
Varisian allies can attend these meetings, though they are not given the right to vote, though contribute to discussion and help formulate resolutions.
{Rankings}
The Titular Duke of Varisia - Lord Geoffrey Varisia
The Titular duke of Varisia is the highest ranked lord, and the chosen leader of the city and her tributaries. The Duke also controls special law making and political abilities, such as managing foreign relations, veto capabilities, and executive powers. The Duke holds overall say in how the city is run, however they still have the council to endure, otherwise risk losing their seat of power or more.
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Lords and Ladies of Varisia
A lord of Varisa sits at the very top of the Council. The Lords of Varisia each own the most prominent of guilds and businesses, and are the pillars of leadership that support the city. The Duke can often call upon these members to act as advisors, or perform other task related to the city, such as creating foreign policy, laws, and the economic management of the Free City. These lords are the most likely to be able to replace the Titular Duke of Varisia out of the members of the council.
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Chancellors of Varisia
A Chancellor is someone who hold a significant amount of land, a leader of a rising group or guild, or a successful merchant based in Varisia. Through this title, the government of Varisia has stated that you have the right to become involved in the affairs of the city, and are now called to serve the city on the council. Chancellors are recognised as 'nobility' of Varisia, and officially have the right to carry a banner, have a personal coat of arms, and the rights of nobility within the lands of Varisia. Chancellors are expected to provide aid to the city if a dire situation surfaces, as it is the responsibility to their right.