Merosian Government
Meros is divided into nine powerful city-states (referred to as Principalities), each governed by a Prince or Princess elected by its citizens. Each Principality is independant from the other, and has its own government, citizenry, and laws.
Every five years the Princes and Princesses of Meros gather to elect a Monarch of Meros from their number, who is responsible for mediating disputes between the Principalities and managing Meros as a whole.
Every five years the Princes and Princesses of Meros gather to elect a Monarch of Meros from their number, who is responsible for mediating disputes between the Principalities and managing Meros as a whole.
The Monarch of Meros
Every five years, the Princes and Princesses of Meros convene to elect a ruling Monarch from their number. Though nominally only the Princesses have a vote in this matter, they are careful to keep the mood in the Principalities in mind when casting their vote. During their tenure as Queen, the elected Princess’ city-state becomes the official capital of Meros. The current Queen of Meros is Evangeline Carissima.
The duties of a Queen of Meros are many, though they do not have the authority required to become a tyrant. Their most important job is to mediate disputes between the Principalities, ensuring that no quarrels between Princesses become violent. On top of this, they coordinate wars and negotiate trade deals with other nations, must appoint a competent Secretary of Defense (must have the approval of at least four other Princesses), act as the political face of Meros, and lastly enforce laws if a Princess or other high-class individual breaks them. Their city-state is also required to put on a good face to represent Meros as a whole, becoming the country’s official capital during the Monarch’s reign. If a Queen fails in their duties or abuses their position, they may be removed from power; any Princess can call a vote at any time in their five-year-reign. If more than half of the Princesses vote that they do not trust the current Queen to fulfill their responsibilities and act without bias, they will be removed from power and a new Queen will be elected. Such a vote is rare, as Princesses will only do so if they’re certain they have support to avoid embarrassment, but it does act as an important check on the power of the Queen, forcing her to consider the opinions of the Princesses and other powerful political entities in Meros before acting. |
The current Queen of Meros, Evangeline Carissima. Artwork by GIowbug. |
Recent Monarchs
Every five years, a different Monarch of Meros is selected. Here is a list of recent title-holders, ordered from most to least recent:
- Seventy-seventh Queen of Meros, Evangeline Carissima (503 - current)
- Seventy-sixth Queen of Meros, Aemeliana Madeo (498 - 503)
- Seventy-fifth Queen of Meros, Albina Testudo (493 - 498)
- Seventy-fourth Queen of Meros, Calpurnia Ferro (488 - 493)
- Seventy-third Monarch of Meros, Alda Solis † (483 - 488)
- Seventy-second Queen of Meros, Phoibe Chrysos (478 - 483)
- Seventy-first Queen of Meros, Caterina Pruina (473 - 478)
- Seventieth Queen of Meros, Eliana Amara † (468 - 473)
- Sixty-ninth King of Meros, Cirino Solis † (463 - 468)
- Sixty-eighth King of Meros, Notus Madeo † (458 - 463)
- Sixty-seventh King of Meros, Lykos Ferro † (453 - 458)
- Sixty-sixth Queen of Meros, Orsola Amara † (448 - 453)
Princes, Princesses & their Families
Each city-state has a Princess leading it, elected from the royal family by the people of that city. Their heir is typically voted upon when the Princess reaches mid-thirties so that they can be mentored by the city’s current ruler, but the ruling Princess can call for a vote at any time. Even illegitimate children of the family are eligible for the role, should they be voted in.
Princesses rule for life. Anyone of citizen status who is at least 18 years old may vote.
The ruling families are named after their respective city-states. They are as follows:
Heirs assist their Prince(ss) with governing their City-State and hold a level of influence. Once the previous one dies, they take their place as the leader of the City-State. While uncommon, if a Prince(ss) is disappointed in their heir, they may call for a second election if at least five years have passed since the first.
Within the individual cities, the ruling Prince(ss) holds court with their family and powerful citizens. The ruling families do not keep a hold of their power just by being born into it; they must carefully balance their own finances and the interests of the powerful people of their city, lest they fall from grace and be replaced. This is achieved by marrying rich citizens, funding new inventions, and even simply sending family members more removed from power out on trading missions.
A complex system of record-keeping and officials keep track of business agreements and wills; every important document is copied multiple times, with one copy sent to an enormous library kept by the Prince(ss) themselves. This helps avoid any confusion in terms, or contracts getting ‘lost’.
When a Prince(ss) is chosen as the five-year King/Queen of Meros, their heir manages their city for them while they are busy with the responsibilities of kingship.
The current Princes and Princesses of Meros are:
Princesses rule for life. Anyone of citizen status who is at least 18 years old may vote.
The ruling families are named after their respective city-states. They are as follows:
- The Amara family. Powerful and wealthy traders who live further inland than most of their countrymen, with rumours of black market involvement hanging around them like smog. The current head of the family, Prince Astrophel Ksenija Taavet Amara, only came to power recently - on February 21rst, 502 A.E.D - after the previous ruler of Amara Antrum was poisoned.
- The Carissima family. A wealthy family with an agricultural background and a common talent for Harvest Magic. The current head of the family is Queen Evangeline Valentina Carissima, who only became Princess of Carissima on September 14th, 500 A.E.D, and was elected Queen of Meros on May 13th, 503 A.E.D.
- The Concido family. Down on their luck, but were at one point the most powerful family in all of Meros. The current head of the family, Princess Caelia Diána Rosaline Concido, has been making efforts to try to raise Concido back to its former status. Rumour has it she's sent her heir to Padwell of all places to help accomplish this.
- The Chrysos family. Very wealthy, with a strong connection to the cross-Gaping Sea skyship trade with Ironbrook and the Stormheralds. Most members of the family are runesmiths, alchemists, or both. They’re (in)famous for their excessive and gaudy fashion.
- The Ferro family. A military family, every member is expected to study for at least four years at the local Grand Meros Academy and/or serve in the army for four years. They’re all trained in the use of modern and traditional weapons from a young age.
- The Madeo family. Every member of the family is expected to spend at least a few years at sea, and most of the older Madeos are sea captains with their own trading companies operating across the Gaping Sea.
- The Pruina family. Has close ties to Dutoria and are infamous for their height, purple eyes, and skill at hunting dangerous animals. They’re a lot quieter and less publicly involved than most of the ruling families of Meros.
- The Solis family. Like a not-insignificant portion of the population, the family also worships the sun god Hyleg and has close trading ties with the Sundrakes… although they’ve become somewhat strained ever since King Tigerlilly took power.
- The Testudo family. They help run the Royal Testudan Bank and all members of the family are expected to study for at least a few years at the local Testudo Academy of Finance University.
Heirs assist their Prince(ss) with governing their City-State and hold a level of influence. Once the previous one dies, they take their place as the leader of the City-State. While uncommon, if a Prince(ss) is disappointed in their heir, they may call for a second election if at least five years have passed since the first.
Within the individual cities, the ruling Prince(ss) holds court with their family and powerful citizens. The ruling families do not keep a hold of their power just by being born into it; they must carefully balance their own finances and the interests of the powerful people of their city, lest they fall from grace and be replaced. This is achieved by marrying rich citizens, funding new inventions, and even simply sending family members more removed from power out on trading missions.
A complex system of record-keeping and officials keep track of business agreements and wills; every important document is copied multiple times, with one copy sent to an enormous library kept by the Prince(ss) themselves. This helps avoid any confusion in terms, or contracts getting ‘lost’.
When a Prince(ss) is chosen as the five-year King/Queen of Meros, their heir manages their city for them while they are busy with the responsibilities of kingship.
The current Princes and Princesses of Meros are:
- Evangeline Valentina Carissima, Queen of Meros and Princess of Carissima. Became Princess September 14th, 500 A.E.D, and was elected Queen of Meros on May 13th, 503 A.E.D. 27 years old.
- Phoibe Tihomira Alpus Ateano Chrysos, Princess of Chrysos. Born September 6th, 450 A.E.D. 55 years old.
- Astrophel Ksenija Taavet Amara, Prince of Amara Antrum. Born March 21, 481 A.E.D. Became Prince February 21rst, 502 A.E.D. 25 years old. No heir yet.
- Albina Elpis Anita Szabolcs Testudo, Princess of Testudo. Born August 9th, 440 A.E.D. 65 years old.
- Calpurnia Érico Ai Ferro, Princess of Acies Ferro. Born May 28th, 447 A.E.D. 58 years old.
- Caterina Silvanus Faustinus Pruina, Princess of Pruina. Born June 8th, 439 A.E.D. 66 years old.
- Trajan Dariusz Pene Solis, Prince of Pars Solis. Born February 29th, 467 A.E.D. 39 years old.
- Aemiliana Neville Mawar Madeo, Princess of Madeo. Born May 11th, 461 A.E.D. 44 years old.
- Caelia Diána Rosaline Concido, Princess of Concido. Born June 15th, 447 A.E.D. 58 years old.
Citizenship in Meros
Citizenship is for a singular city only. You may be a citizen of more than one city-state, though. It is granted immediately to those who fit the following criteria:
Otherwise, full citizenship is rarely given to first-generation immigrants to Meros, unless they possess a notable skill in a valuable trade or are extremely wealthy, and must be approved by the ruling Princess/Prince. Non-citizens do possess numerous rights, and student/permanent resident/merchant status isn’t too hard to achieve, giving various additional rights and allowing you to live/work in Meros for long periods, so long as you make sure to renew it for student/merchant status.
Merchant status is only required for those who earn over a certain amount of money trading in a Merosian city, so it’s not strictly illegal to sell goods there without a permit, just if you’re making a decent amount of money.
Land ownership is limited to citizens, but non-citizens can rent without too much trouble.
Meros has a system of passports for its citizens:
- Are the child of a citizen
- Are married to a citizen
- Are given it as a gift by the ruling Princess/Prince - usually only done as part of a contract of great value or to welcome powerful foreign dignitaries.
Otherwise, full citizenship is rarely given to first-generation immigrants to Meros, unless they possess a notable skill in a valuable trade or are extremely wealthy, and must be approved by the ruling Princess/Prince. Non-citizens do possess numerous rights, and student/permanent resident/merchant status isn’t too hard to achieve, giving various additional rights and allowing you to live/work in Meros for long periods, so long as you make sure to renew it for student/merchant status.
Merchant status is only required for those who earn over a certain amount of money trading in a Merosian city, so it’s not strictly illegal to sell goods there without a permit, just if you’re making a decent amount of money.
Land ownership is limited to citizens, but non-citizens can rent without too much trouble.
Meros has a system of passports for its citizens:
- Each city-state has its own, there's a standard 'booklet' that the Queen/King of Meros makes minor changes to. Each is marked on the cover with the insignia of the city-state it was issued by.
- Citizens are expected to have it, especially if they're traders/travel outside their city-state. The only major exceptions are farmers/those who stay entirely in one place.