Hierarchical structure of the Empire of Directionland

The Empire of Directionland is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary sovereign, a bicameral legislature, an executive government drawn from Parliament, an independent Supreme Court, and several layers of provincial and local administration. Formally, the executive is styled His Majesty’s Government of Directionland, acting in the name of the Emperor.

The Imperial Crown

The Imperial Crown is the ceremonial head of state. The monarch holds the title Emperor or Empress of Directionland, serves as Commander in Chief of the Imperial Army, and embodies the continuity of the royal bloodline from the old Kingdom of St. Stylinson.

Although the Crown has no direct political power, no bill can become law without royal assent. This requirement is intended as a safeguard against abuses such as attempts to suspend elections or raise unauthorised armies.

The reigning monarch is Alexander XVII of House Durias. His full formal style is:

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.

Council of State and audiences

By convention the Government acts in the monarch’s name. Two regular meetings bind Crown and executive:

• Council of State – Held every Ironday (Friday). The Emperor, the Crown Prince or Princess, the Chancellor, and the Cabinet meet to review the state of the Empire. At this council the Chancellor presents bills that have passed both houses of Parliament for the Emperor’s approval and signature.
• Private audience – Held every Copperday (Sunday). The Emperor and the Chancellor meet alone so that the sovereign can offer advice and the Chancellor can raise concerns in private. This maintains a direct constitutional link between Crown and Government.

Members of the imperial family use the style His/Her Imperial Highness.

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Directionland is the highest court of justice and guardian of the constitution. It ensures that the laws of Directionland, and the actions of the Government, conform to the imperial settlement.

The Court does not act on its own initiative. It becomes involved in government matters only when a bill or case is brought before it by a Member of Parliament or a Senator. Its decisions are binding throughout the empire.

The head of the Court holds the title Supreme Justice; the bench is made up of Supreme Judges appointed under imperial law.

The Legislature

Directionland has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Imperial Parliament and the Imperial Senate.

Imperial Parliament

The Imperial Parliament is the lower house and the primary elected chamber. Its members are:

• Members of Parliament (MPs) – Elected from local city councils across the provinces.
• General elections for Parliament are held every four cycles.

The Government is drawn from Parliament. The Chancellor and Cabinet are selected from among the MPs and are responsible for proposing legislation. Parliament debates and votes on these bills; measures that pass are sent to the Senate.

Parliament’s modern chamber is located in Ironwood. During the early imperial period both houses shared the old single-chamber parliament building in St. Stylinson.

Imperial Senate

The Imperial Senate is the upper house, representing the interests of the provinces. Its members are:

• Province Premiers and their Vice Premiers, who sit ex officio as Senators.

When a bill has been approved by Parliament, it proceeds to the Senate for further debate and a final vote. If the Senate passes the bill, it is sent to the Crown for royal assent. Senators may also petition the Supreme Court to review legislation or government action.

The Senate’s chamber is located in St. Stylinson, separated from the lower house in Ironwood to reduce direct interference between the two chambers.

The Government (Executive)

The Government of Directionland is the executive branch, formally styled His Majesty’s Government of Directionland. It is responsible for the administration of the empire, national policy, and the day-to-day running of the state.

• Chancellor – Head of government and chair of the Cabinet.
• Ministers – Members of the Cabinet responsible for specific departments.

The Government is formed from the majority party or coalition in Parliament. The Emperor formally approves the appointment of the Chancellor, but governance remains parliamentary in character. The Government introduces most bills in Parliament and steers them through the legislative process to the Senate and then to the Crown for assent.

Key departments include, among others, the Ministry of Defense (which oversees the Imperial Army, Royal Guard, and other armed forces) and ministries responsible for finance, infrastructure, justice, and external affairs.

Provincial governance

Provinces and Province Premiers

Directionland is divided into Imperial Provinces, which are administrative regions covering the entire empire. Each province is governed by a Province Council led by an elected Province Premier.

Province Premiers and their Vice Premiers:

• Oversee provincial administration and policy.
• Sit as Senators in the Imperial Senate, giving the provinces direct representation at the national level.

Members of the Province Council are styled Members of Province Council (MPCs). Premiers and Vice Premiers are addressed as Lord or Lady Premier and Lord or Lady Vice Premier.

Regional and colonial administrations

Governors and gubernatorial cities

Some settlements hold extended powers for historical or practical reasons and are designated Gubernatorial Cities. In these settlements, a Governor acts as the Crown’s representative.

A Governor:

• Holds executive power over the settlement.
• May command armies within the region without seeking prior approval from High Command, provided those forces remain within the settlement’s territory.
• Oversees a Gubernatorial Council; elections for the council are called at the Governor’s discretion.

Examples of gubernatorial cities include Fort Shagogbot, St. Niam, and St. Stylinson. Governors are styled Lord or Lady Governor; councillors are Members of Gubernatorial Council (MGCs).

Viceroys and colonial governments

A Viceroy is the Crown’s representative governing a colony or outpost. Viceroys hold powers similar to those of a Governor, but:

• They are appointed by the Imperial Crown, not elected.
• Colonial and outpost governments do not hold elections.

Such governments are considered temporary, founded with the expectation that colonies will one day be integrated as full imperial settlements. A viceroy is styled Lord or Lady Viceroy.

Municipal governance

Mayors and city councils

When Directionland was formed, the old hereditary aristocracy in most settlements was abolished. The title Mayor replaced former noble ranks in the majority of cities, even where the word “Duchy” is still used informally.

• The Mayor is the lowest level executive official, governing a city together with its City Council.
• Mayors are elected every six cycles.
• City Council Members (CCMs) are elected every five cycles.
• Any CCM may stand for election as an MP, providing a direct link between local government and the Imperial Parliament.

A Mayor cannot raise armies, and all major decisions must be approved by the City Council. The office holder is styled Lord or Lady Mayor.

Special civic titles

A small number of cities retain unique traditional titles for their civic leaders, while functioning much like ordinary mayoralties.

• Kingsvalley – The council leader is styled Duke or Duchess. The title is non-hereditary and the Duke or Duchess is elected every six cycles, ensuring a regular turnover of leadership.
• Raven’s Nest – The council leader is known as the High Raven, formally styled Raven Most High.

These roles carry the same practical responsibilities as a mayor, but preserve historic styles that predate the unification.