Roleplay Kingdoms

Government and Administration

Overview:

The Vilkan Commonwealth's power is held interchangeably between the centralised state (the Kazaars/Princes) and regional governors. Power is passed democratically between the Kazaars who all answer to the Grand Prince. Under the Kazaars are lesser magnates, such as Zhupans (Counts) who overlord Gospodars (lords). Each provincial Kazaar belongs to one of the five Kazaar Houses. Their first-born child is always legible for office as Veliki Kazaar (Grand Prince). The younger scions typically receive lesser titles of administration and court in appanage, although lesser nobility could also be elected into such offices.

The provincial capital of each Voyvodaal is administered by the Voyvoda. Under the Voyvoda are District marshals of the capital, each assigned to specific sectors of the city. Each provincial capital has its own Senate Rotunda in what's known as the Grand Magistrate's District, where all matters of the legislature and the judiciary take place. In lesser cities, a gathering court would be in place to accommodate the Vyets as opposed to a rotunda.

The Commonwealth retains a strict system of a mixed constitution. Legislations are proposed from elected delegates of the locality, who range from the Sebri to Velikar. Such representatives are chosen from a popular assembly known as the 'Vyets', who can then attain seats in the Sabor (the lower chamber of the Vilkan Parliament). After extensive legal service, the Saborar (Delegates) can then be nominated to Staradar (Senator) rank from direct vote of the landed nobility. The Kazaars themselves are not permitted to retaining electoral seats to avoid bias in elections.

The five Kazaar Houses act as political parties in the legal system. Delegates that represent their locality could also represent their suzerains, who are typically one of the Kazaar Houses, however this might not always be the case.

The Grand Prince himself doesn't hold any administrative power, as the title retains more of a ceremonial position as opposed to a stately one. The Grand Chancellor is the official head of the executive branch and has the power (along with the Senate) to pass and veto laws. He must also abide by the articles of the Chevlak Constitution and any form of modification to it could provoke his removal from office.

The Legislature:

Intro:

The legislative body is bicameral, comprising of two chambers of parliament. The Upper Chamber is the Starad (Senate) and also holds executive power. The Lower Chamber is the Sabor and holds the most legislative power. The Sabor can greatly influence new legislation through their chamber of delegates who each represent their constituency.

The Starad

The highest legislative authority is the Starad (Senate), the Upper Chamber of the Vilkan Parliament. The Starad is comprised of (for the most part) 100 elected Staradars (officials/senators). The Starad came into being during the early 16th Century BU when increasing need for a deliberative body came in after the fall of the Novian Empire. The Starad takes many inspirations from the ancient Livonik Senate of the same name, without the hereditary retention of seats.

The Starad also acts as a Privy Council for the Grand Prince. Debates on stately and foreign affairs are chaired by the Grand Chancellor. The Grand Prince can propose bills to the Grand Chancellor, to which it's then discussed in the Starad. Despite being the 'Lower' Chamber, the Sabor can override any bill by a two-thirds vote.

The Senate is comprised solely of impartial statesmen, who do not belong to any of the five Kazaar Houses. These officials are usually elected directly from the Vlastelich landed nobility and not the Sebri (commoners).

In each provincial capital, the Starad's main seat for discussion is in the Rotunda of the Grand Magistrate's District of the city.


The Sabor

The lower chamber of Parliament is known as the 'Sabor'. It is the largest and most powerful body of government, comprising of a chamber of elected delegates, known as 'Saborar'. These representatives are nominated and elected from the Vyets, a popular assembly that takes place in each locality.

Anyone can be elected as a Saborar, although it is widely frowned upon for magnate nobility to be elected a seat. In contrast to the fact that those of petty nobility (especially commoners) are seen with much respect in their position.

The Sabor is comprised of from 450-600 delegates. The majority of these representatives are subordinate to more powerful politicians and ministers who not only represent their Zhupa, but also their feudal lords who govern them. Their suzerains are usually the more powerful Kazaars.

The Vyets

Although not technically recognised as an official chamber, the Vyets remains an important popular assembly for each locality and region. In each town or city, there is a golden bell which only the Peshnik (mayor) can ring in order to muster a gathering. The gathering is usually in regards to local issues, elections, and law and infrastructure. Through the Vyets, the locals can discuss matters of state and elect representatives. The Peshnik could also muster a militia out of the population in order to enforce the law or protect the citizenry, although the power to muster soldiers usually falls to the Gospodar (lord).

Representatives are selected from university graduates. Generally, the more experienced statesmen can become representatives within the Sabor. The representatives then become a committee of deputies for the Peshnik for a limited term. After their term, these deputies gain seats within the Sabor. Those who aren’t elected can become judicial magistrates for the Peshnik.

Any bill the Vyets wishes to propose is held in review by the Grand Vyets (supreme court) before being forwarded to the Sabor. The elected delegates of the Vyets represent this bill from their locality and constituency.

The Vyets at one point in history was considered the highest legislative authority, formally created in the Republic of Buletan. The system was later disposed of in place of an autocracy, but was revived by Grand Prince Grigori in the form it is today.


The Executive:


The Grand Chancellor

Not only the head of government, but also of foreign relations and diplomacy, the Grand Chancellor holds the most executive power in the Vilkan Commonwealth. He has the power to pass and veto laws, by applying the Commonwealth seal. If he chooses to veto the law, the Sabor can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.

He acts as the head advisor of the Grand Prince, and typically engages in council with him on a regular basis, particularly on bills the Grand Prince wishes to propose. The Grand Marshal acts as his secretary and deputy in both his and the Deputy Chancellor's absence.

The Grand Chancellor is elected from all social classes. Anyone can be a Chancellor at first, being nominated from the Vyets. The public nominates two Chancellors of their Voyvodaal who (depending on the capital's current location) can be elevated to Grand or Deputy Chancellor at the behest of the current Grand Prince.

The Grand Prince is given advice and counsel by the Grand Marshal in who he should nominate Grand Chancellor of the two nominees. The one he doesn't select as Grand Chancellor becomes a Deputy Chancellor, who can act on behalf of the Grand Chancellor.

His office is known as the 'Grand Chancellery' and is primarily seated in the Chancellor's District of the provincial capital of his Voyvodaal. In his office, he typically applies the Commonwealth seal on important documents on bills proposed either by the Starad, the Sabor, or the Vyets. He's also the one who chairs the Starad during open discussions, however his power is confined mostly to keeping the peace in the room along with the Deputy Chancellor.


The Judiciary:

Intro:

The Vyets is divided into two subcategories according to its legal role as the judiciary. The Grand Vyets acts as the supreme court of the Commonwealth, with the final resolution of disputes taking place in the Grand Magistrate's District of the provincial capitals. The Small Vyets is the localised version, serving as a lower court for lesser disputes.

The Grand Vyets

Commonly characterised as the supreme court of the Commonwealth, the Grand Vyets holds the highest judicial authority. Primarily seated in the provincial capitals, disputes concerning the Voyvodaal and the Commonwealth as a whole are held in the Grand Magistrate's District of the capital.

Supreme court cases taken by the Grand Vyets are chaired by the Turotsek (Literally, 'truth seer'. Sense for sense 'Grand Magistrate/Justice') who sits separate from the tribunal at his bench. Issues concerning the Church and State are headed by the Chelnik who sits to the left of the Turotsek. Issues concerning finance are headed by the Kaznats, who sits on the Turotsek's right. Issues concerning the military are headed by the Voyvoda, who sits directly in front of the Turotsek, at a lower elevation. Stately issues, such as that of high-treason or sedition are headed by the Turotsek. Regardless, the Turotsek keeps order in the court and reviews any forms of evidence or witness accounts, not unlike the adversary system of common law nations.

There are 5 Turotsek, each corresponding to their Voyvodaal, who then preside over many district magistrates. They are appointed by the Grand Prince himself, approved by the Starad, and serve life terms.


The Small Vyets

Characterised as the lower court system, the Small Vyets caters to disputes on a much smaller scale than that of the Grand Vyets. It is presided over a district magistrate who acts impartially in the proceeding between the plaintiff and the accused.

The venues are carried out in the courthouse of a locality in the Magistrate's sector of the city, smaller towns tend to have the court in the centre. Minor disputes such as theft, assault, trespassing, etc. are chaired by the magistrate. The plaintiff would present evidence and witness accounts to the magistrate and are reviewed accordingly.

After the court has reached a verdict, the magistrate will compensate the injured party and prosecute the accused. Nobility tend to have lesser punishments compared to Sebri (commoners).

Military:

Commonwealth armies tend to follow a highly sophisticated structure when compared to other feudally governed states. Since regional power is concentrated to feudal lords, the armies tend to follow a form of fealty from lesser tenants to suzerains.

Every Vilkan male is expected to attend a military academy according to their financial standing. Those who cannot afford tuition fees or fail their studies typically serve as unranked soldiers in service to more powerful officers. There are no exceptions, even amongst the magnate nobility. If a magnate (Velikar) fails their exams, they are obligated to serve as an unranked soldier within an army. If they are unfit to serve regardless (a disability for example) they are confined to more stately or clerical affairs.

After a period of service to their suzerain, unranked soldiers can become suzerains themselves from their experience and esteem on campaign (and their previous educations).

Any form of war is first to be discussed in the Starad (Senate) before being approved by the Veliki Kinishven (Grand Marshal). After approval, the Grand Prince is given emergency powers and has command of all armies of the Republic. Though stately affairs are still confined from him.

Organisation:

The Voyvoda (Voivode) is the supreme military commander of a Commonwealth army, in second to the Grand Voyvoda. Under the Voyvoda are Zhupans, who command lesser Gospodars, to which Kapitans and Serjeants remain subordinate.

Due to the feudal nature of the Commonwealth armies, the Voyvoda (Voivode) is obligated to raise as many soldiers as he could in times of war to aid the Grand Prince. However, the Voyvodas would go on campaign much more frequently than the Grand Prince himself, since the largely peaceful state of the Expanse hasn't called for it yet.

Regional Counts, known as Zhupans are obligated to rally to the Voyvoda's cause, with their own armies made up of Gospodars who act as officers. Petty nobility (known as Vlastelich) and commoners (Sebri) make up the unranked soldiers.

The Grand Voyvoda:

The Grand Voyvoda in particular is usually the Grand Prince on campaign, but due to the largely peaceful state of the Expanse, his role as Grand Voyvoda remains uncalled for. Only time will tell when the Grand Prince himself rides out in war... When he will (if ever) he has the highest command of all Commonwealth armies. All Voyvodas and lesser Kazaars (Princes) are subordinate to his authority. To avoid any form of incompetency from him, his chief military adviser, the Grand Marshal is obliged to counsel him on any military affairs. During campaign, the Grand Marshal can act as his deputy in his absence.

Voyvodas:

Under the Grand Voyvoda are lesser princes who retain the title of 'Voyvoda' (Voivode). Historically, the Voyvoda was the prime military commander of an Ambaran tribe, up until the various military reforms of past governors.

In the Princely Voyvoda's absence, his vice-general, the Ranyavoyvoda (literally 'root general') commands the Host in his absence. The Ranyavoyvoda is not of Princely descent and is often elected indirectly from the people or nominated from the Grand Marshal.

The Host is the unit that either ranks command. It is comprised of a mixed variety of Regiments supplied from the Zhupans.

In today's world, the Voyvoda not only has full command over a large army, but a territory known as a 'Voyvodaal' who under him are lesser Zhupans. His adviser is the provincial Court Marshal.

Zhupans:

Known colloquially as 'Counts' these regional lords serve as high-ranking commanders in war. They can call upon the feudal aid of their tenants in war and muster large formations of horse archers, mounted knights and spear infantry.

Zhupans also include border lords (Kaminyar) who administer and manage fortresses and its troops on the borders. The border lords typically remain a defensive countermeasure for foreign invasions, or to quell any seditious local uprisings.

Each Zhupan holds command of an entire regiment, which in turn is comprised of smaller Banners.

Gospodars:

The staple lord of the municipal territories, the Gospodar can come in several forms, depending on their occupational role in society. In war, they take the roles of lower-ranking commanders and officers, depending on their education.

The Gospodar has control of a municipal territory known as a 'Bodeksha' (Fertile land) who overlords lesser vassals in the forms of Boyars (Knights) and Voynitsi (Unlanded warrior nobility). In exchange for military aid, the Gospodar can grant fiefs or fiscal assets to their vassals and tenants. These assets for the most part, aren't hereditary, and inheritance is usually confined to the more senior officers.

Everyone Else:

Under their feudal suzerains, the Voynitsi, Boyars and Sebri make up the majority of the Commonwealth armies. Their military assets, which includes armour, weapons and mounts are privately bought from legally registered quartermasters.

Under the provincial government, the Court Marshal organises and sorts the armies in accordance to their equipment and social status. The vast majority of soldiers make up peasant levied spearmen. Under the Court Marshal, he assigns officers to watch over the feudally trained soldiers, before eventually forming them into a much larger unit.

A group of 10 soldiers is known as a 'Banner' and can broadly vary from Spear Banners (made up of spearmen) to Heavy Lance Banners (made up of mounted knights). Each banner is organised and lead by a Serjeant, a trained officer employed by the municipal government through the education system. Artillery Banners only make up 2 pieces per Banner.

Larger formations are known as 'Companies' are made up of 10 banners each, with the exception of foot knights making up 5 banners. They are lead by a Kapitan (Captain) and are appointed through their education by the provincial government.

A step above the Company is the Regiment, comprising of 15 Companies. The Regiment is usually lead by a Zhupan who retains the rank of 'Zhaneshnik' (Constable) in war. The Zhupan himself could possibly have inherited the rank, but it's not unheard for lesser men to earn the rank of Zhaneshnik during war.

A Host is comprised of 5 Regiments and is lead by a Voyvoda/Ranyavoyvoda. If an army is comprised of 2-4 Hosts, it becomes a 'Prime Host' and is lead by the most senior Voyvoda (who is usually a Kazaar). Any more than 4 Hosts is known as the 'Grand Host' as is lead by the Grand Prince/Voyvoda himself.

Formations:

Cavalry:

Vilkan knights tend to follow the wedge style formation during charges. The Vilkan knights are often drafted from the Vlastelich (petty nobility) and form a strong basis of mounted heavy cavalry. Knights can also dismount temporarily and act as heavy infantry if needed, typically in more adverse terrain. Knights typically make up a Banner of 10, with Companies making up at least 50.

Vilkan Military orders, such as the Zheka Order (River Order) typically make up formations of mounted monk knights in war. The Kyavat Church typically drafts these much more disciplined knights from a chapter house, comprising of knighted warrior monks. The church pays for their training and equipment and typically only use the heraldic sigils of the River or the White Wolf.

The more sparingly armoured light cavalry are used for skirmishes, to soften up enemy formations before the knights are deployed. Light cavalrymen can typically be retainers of more powerful knights and make up a good majority of the cavalry of a Commonwealth army. They can also be drafted from the military orders of the Kyavat Church to be employed in war.

Horse archers are also a staple part of Vilkan conventional warfare. Companies of horse archers can move incredibly quickly and rain down volleys of arrows in substantial quantities on their enemies. Their formations are typically very loose to avoid enemy arrow fire and to make it difficult for more heavily armoured opponents to keep up with. These light skirmishers can include Kozak mercenaries from the Veliki Steppes or even Boyars that choose heavy armour but also rely on bows and arrows. Some more specialised units can be deployed using crossbows on horseback.

Infantry:

Levied spearmen form the backbone of a Commonwealth army. Usually drafted from the Sebri, they can be called upon to form massive formations of expendable cannon fodder. They are predominantly used to counter cavalry charges with their shield walls and to swarm smaller enemy forces. Thanks to these massive hordes of spearmen, the Commonwealth has a fierce reputation for their massive armies.

Nobility who can't afford to live the life of a knight, typically become better equipped spearmen in much smaller ranks than the levied peasant spearmen. These noble spearmen are of Vlastelich decent and make up Companies no larger than 50, just like their more heavily armoured contemporaries. The more heavily armoured knights tend to defame and bully these poorer nobles due to their status and equipment.

The knighthood of the Commonwealth hold dominance on the battlefield through their training and equipment. Wearing a mix of plate armour and lamellar, these highly effective warriors make up a strong basis of any army. They can make up a Banner of 10 heavy infantrymen, with Companies making up at least 50. More specialised units of foot knights can be deployed with polearms, such as poleaxes or guisarmes are divided into smaller divisions, usually making up 35. This same principle applies to the Zheka Order knights.

Due to the Commonwealth’s increasing reliance on specialised and professional servicemen, Companies of poleaxemen can hold particular dominance on the battlefield. Drafted from all castes of the Commonwealth social hierarchy, these professional and elite shock troopers can form spear walls to counter a cavalry charge or to defend a tightly guarded position. However, they are poor in full on assaults.

Ranged Infantry:

Although not as prevalent as horse archers, there’s still a strong military code on deploying loose formations of foot archers. Since archery can be time consuming to learn, archers make up a small minority of the infantry. The most primitive and barebones of these units would be the militia archers, often drafted from poor Sebri and trained by the town watch.

A step above would be more elite Boyar foot archers, who retain much better armour and more powerful composite bows. However, these are quite rare compared to their mounted contemporaries. In war, they can be deployed to reign massive volleys of arrow-fire on enemy formations, although piercing armour (especially plate) is not very likely.

Crossbowmen are drafted from Voynitsi families and come in several different forms. The most common of these is lightly armoured crossbowmen, along with those with pavise shields on their backs. The most elite of these crossbowmen is the arbalester, who use powerful heavy crossbows that can pierce maille armour, but again, these arbalesters make up an even smaller minority amongst the archers.


Artillery:

A staple part of Vilkan conventional warfare, the use of gunpowder and traditional siege equipment is incredibly prevalent in the Vilkan military code. A typical banner comprises 2 artillery batteries, either cannons, bombards, or mortars. More intricate equipment, such as trebuchets are usually comprised of just one per banner. Such units are commanded by an Artillery Serjeant. Artillery units rarely exceed more than 2 due to the ineffective means of transporting them efficiently and are typically carried by individual units. Of course, ballistas could be used on occasion, though they are quickly being replaced by gunpoweder equipment.