Something to tide y'all over until the update this Friday! (It's gonna be a double one, by the way. Christmas and all that.)

This is all written by my sister Mercy. I own none of it except whatever joint proprietorship goes into the ideas behind it all.

Government:

Orden's government is organized thus:

King

General, Governor

Captains' House, Lords' House

Army, People

The King is the highest ruler in the country, and as such can officially make or overturn laws as he wills. Thireler the Conqueror was the first king of Orden, and a very direct ruler, having no general between him and the army. After the rule of King Mirad the Rash, the offices of General and Governor were instituted, removing the king from having direct influence over the army and the lords of the land, because the power he held over the army made it difficult to resist his decisions. Despite his official power, the king is limited by the council of Lords and Captains inasmuch as he cannot easily enforce laws without their aid. A wise king will always consider the council's advice in any case. The next king is always the son, or next closest male relative to the late one.

The General is one of the king's highest officials, the other being the Governor. He is directly over the Captains (and is also called the First Captain) and the army, but during the rule of King Conrad III Derek Winston took many more responsibilities, making him an unofficial spokesman for the people especially, something that the Governor was traditionally. This can only be blamed on those who were not doing their own jobs. The General's office is typically hereditary, but if he does not have a son, or the son chooses not to take his place, a new General is appointed by the king and approved by the council.

The Governor is the second of the highest officials, over the Lords and the people. Even before the time of Conrad III his office was rather a figurehead than nothing else: he presided over councils and gave advice and was a route to bring complaints to the king. After Conrad III his duties grew even less, as people turned to the General for help. The Governor's office in contrast to the General's is not hereditary; the king chooses a new governor from among his close friends or allies. Both the offices were originally made as a way to divert power from the king, because of King Mirad's abuse of control of the army.

The Captains are nine in number, ranking from nine(the lowest), to one(the highest who is also the General). They stand between the General and the army, and together make up the Captains' House, one branch of the council. They represent the army and the families of professional soldiers, but also collaborate with the Lords in various areas to oversee government projects. This is easier for them often because they reside in Mitheren and do not have their own lands to take care of. The office of Captain is a very old one, originating when Thireler the Conqueror chose nine men to lead the army. Since then, the army and captain offices have evolved considerably. Like the General's office, the Captains' places are hereditary traditionally but not mandatorily.

The Lords are over the twenty fiefs of Orden, and with one elected to the council per fief. A few other lordships are over the largest cities such as Mivena and Dracan. They rule over their territory, judging and leading and speaking in the councils for the sake of those beneath them. In the smaller fiefs that do not have sheriffs they take care of disputes. The idea of lordships is also very old, evolving naturally for the safety of the people. The office of Lord is always hereditary unless it has just been instated.

The Council is presided over by the king, unless he is unable to in which case he appoints a replacement. If he is unable to appoint someone because of illness or otherwise, the council elects one from among them. The council is made up of the General, Governor, Captains' House, and Lords' House. Because of distance no full conference of all the council is possible more than once a year, but incomplete sessions come together at least once a week. The council together make decisions as small as taxes, or as large as a peace treaty. They also consider laws suggested by the king or others, and decide whether or not to instate them (or enforce them). Occasionally a special council is called for out of order, usually in times of national emergency. Unless the council is secret anyone can attend, though only members can cast votes. Each member of the council represent in a small way his immediate family, and in a much larger way his fief, city, or division of the army.

Law Enforcement and Courts: Sheriffs are chosen by the Lords in cities or large fiefs. They enforce the law, sometimes with the help of the soldiers employed by the lords. With small offenses the lord generally acts as a judge, hearing cases and meting out punishment. However if the accused appeals, and with larger cases, a trial can be held in the cities where a jury of ten men selected from the area. If convicted the accused can appeal to the Governor, and then to the king if he desires, though few take it that far. Since Conrad III it has been more common to appeal to the General instead.