Hierarchical structure of the Empire of Directionland
The hierarchical structure of the United Empire of Directionland defines how authority, legislation, and justice are distributed from the Imperial Crown to provincial and municipal levels. Although the 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 Parliament, with a bicameral legislature and a supreme judicial body providing checks and balance.
The Imperial Crown
The monarch holds the title 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 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: 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 member of Parliament or the 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 is the popularly elected chamber. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected from local city councils across the provinces. 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. 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 the Government, is elected from Parliament and led by the 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 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 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
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).