View source for Hierarchical structure of the Empire of Directionland

The '''hierarchical structure of the [[Directionland|United Empire of Directionland]]''' defines how authority, legislation, and justice are distributed from the Imperial Crown to provincial and municipal levels. Although the [[Imperial Crown of Directionland|Emperor (or Empress)]] is the state’s symbolic head and Commander-in-Chief, day-to-day governance is exercised by an elected government drawn from [[Imperial Parliament of Directionland|Parliament]], with a bicameral legislature and a [[Supreme Court of Directionland|supreme judicial body]] providing checks and balance.

== The Imperial Crown ==
The monarch holds the title [[Imperial Crown of Directionland|'''Emperor''' (or '''Empress''')]] of [[Directionland]]. While the Crown has '''no direct political power''', '''royal assent''' is constitutionally required for a bill to become law. This safeguard prevents abuses such as attempts to suspend elections or raise unauthorized armies. [[The Imperial Crown of Directionland|The Crown]] is also the '''Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army''' and the living embodiment of the realm’s continuity since the founding of the Kingdom of St. Stylinson.

'''Current monarch:''' ''[[Emperor Alexander XVII|Alexander XVII of House Durias.]]''

'''Styles and titles:''' ''His/Her Imperial Majesty (Emperor/Empress); His/Her Imperial Highness (Prince/Princess).''

'''Full formal style of the sovereign:''' ''His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Alexander XVII, Emperor of Directionland, Eternal King of St. Stylinson, Gandry, and the Divine Province, Defender of the Faith, and Protector of the Realm.''

== The Supreme Court ==
The '''[[Supreme Court of Directionland]]''' is the highest court of justice. Its role is to ensure that the nation’s laws and government actions align with the constitution. The Court '''does not act on its own initiative'''; it hears matters when '''a [[Imperial Parliament of Directionland|member of Parliament]] or the [[Imperial Senate of Directionland|Senate]]''' brings a bill or case before it.

'''Head of the Court:''' ''Supreme Justice.''

== The Imperial Legislature ==
Directionland has a '''bicameral legislature''':

=== Imperial Parliament (Lower House) ===
The '''[[Imperial Parliament of Directionland|Imperial Parliament]]''' is the popularly elected chamber. '''Members of Parliament (MPs)''' are elected from local city councils across the provinces. [[Government of Directionland|The Government]] (executive) is drawn from this house.

Parliament debates and votes on proposed legislation. '''If a bill passes Parliament, it proceeds to the Senate''' for a final vote before being sent to the Crown for assent.

'''Key offices and styles:''' ''Lord Chancellor (head of government), Member of Parliament (MP), Minister (Cabinet member).''

=== Imperial Senate (Upper House) ===
The '''Imperial Senate''' represents the provinces. '''[[Imperial Province of Directionland|Province Premiers]]''' and '''their Vice Premiers''' serve as '''Senators''' in the Senate, advocating for their regions’ interests and conducting the upper house’s review and final vote on legislation.

'''Key offices and styles:''' ''Senator, Province Premier/Lady Premier, Lord/Lady Vice Premier.''

== The Government (Executive) ==
The '''Executive Branch''', commonly called '''[[Government of Directionland|the Government]]''', is '''elected from Parliament''' and led by the '''[[Chancellor of Directionland|Chancellor]]''' and Cabinet. The Government drafts policy and '''proposes bills to Parliament'''; if passed, those bills move to the Senate and, once approved, are presented to the Crown for assent.

'''Key offices and styles:''' ''Lord Chancellor; Ministers of the Cabinet.''

== Provincial governance ==

=== Province Premiers and Councils ===
Directionland is divided into '''[[Imperial Province|Imperial Provinces]]''', each administered by a '''Province Council''' led by an '''elected Province Premier'''. Premiers (and their Vice Premiers) sit as '''Senators''' in the Imperial Senate.

'''Styles and offices:''' ''Lord/Lady Premier; Lord/Lady Vice Premier; Member of Province Council (MPC).''

== Special regional administrations ==

=== Gubernatorial Cities ===
Certain settlements hold '''gubernatorial status''' due to historic or practical reasons. A '''Governor''' serves as the [[Imperial Crown|Crown]]’s representative with broad local executive authority, including limited command of armies '''within the settlement’s territory''' without seeking High Command approval (provided forces remain within that territory). The Governor presides over a '''Gubernatorial Council'''; elections to the council are '''called at the Governor’s discretion'''.

''Examples include [[Fort Shagogbot]], [[St. Niam]], and [[St. Stylinson]].''

'''Styles and offices:''' ''Lord/Lady Governor; Member of Gubernatorial Council (MGC).''

=== Colonies and Outposts ===
[[Imperial Colony|Colonial territories and outposts]] are governed by a '''Viceroy''', appointed by the '''Imperial Crown'''. These governments are '''non-elective and temporary''' by design, with the expectation that colonies will eventually develop into full Imperial settlements.

'''Style:''' ''Lord/Lady Viceroy.''

== Municipal governance ==

=== Cities and City Councils ===
With the abolition of the old aristocracy at unification, most settlements adopted civic structures headed by a '''Mayor''' and '''City Council''':

* '''Mayor:''' lowest level executive, governing the city alongside the council.
* '''Elections:''' Mayors are elected '''every 6 cycles'''; '''City Council Members (CCMs)''' are elected '''every 5 cycles'''.
* '''Powers:''' Mayors '''cannot raise armies'''; major decisions require City Council approval.
* '''Parliamentary pathway:''' Any '''CCM''' is eligible to stand for '''MP''' to represent their city in the Imperial Parliament.

'''Styles and offices:''' ''Lord/Lady Mayor; City Council Member (CCM).''

=== Special municipal titles ===
A few cities retain '''unique traditional titles''' for their council leaders while functioning equivalently to mayors:

* '''[[Kingsvalley]]:''' leader styled '''Duke''' or '''Duchess''' (a '''non-hereditary''' office, '''elected every six cycles''').
* '''[[Raven’s Nest]]:''' leader styled '''High Raven'''.

'''Styles:''' ''His/Her Grace (Duke/Duchess); Raven Most High (High Raven).''
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== See also ==

* '''[[Imperial Parliament of Directionland]]'''
* '''[[Imperial Senate of Directionland]]'''
* '''[[Government of Directionland]]'''
* [[Supreme Court of Directionland|'''Supreme Court of Directionland''']]