The Prism Mandate

Overview

The Prism Mandate is the foundational document that established the government and cultural framework of what would become The Couvalon Kingdom in its current state. Written in the twilight of Ellaluna's mining era, the Mandate formalised the transformation of the settlement into a centralised kingdom, codifying a unified governance system, trade rights, civic institutions and most importantly, the structure of the Luminary Council and the Prism Bearer. Though title of Prism Bearer has changed hands between dynasties over the milennia, the Mandate has remained the enduring pillar of Couvalni identity.

History

Ellaluna was founded over 9,000 years ago as a mining settlement, thriving on the extraction of rare gem vein clusters. When those veins were finally exhausted, Ellaluna stood at a crossroads: risk abandonment or find a new purpose. The leaders of the time chose the latter. They authored The Prism Mandate: a charter of rule, trade, law, education, and faith that framed Ellaluna not just as a place of resources - more gem veins must exist further away - but as a centre of culture and power.

This shift led to a formal establishment of a monarcy, supported by six core institutions, each symbolised by a different gemstone. The monarchy itself - the Prism Bearer - was granted authority by unanimous consent of these six institutions, laying the groundwork for the new kingdom.

Naturally, the Mandate has been amended over the years, with the expansion of the Kingdom comes new challenges and new facets to consider. The expansion south found The Phantasma Jungle as notably dangerous location to attempt to expand their borders into. By the time they did manage a successful crossing, the discovery of a second civilisation on the other side introduced more amendments, settling the Jungle as the de facto border. Amendments for the consideration of the native Zurkali people, maintain their sacred groves as sovereign soil for their kind too were needed later as well.

Contents

Though the original manuscript is carefully preserved within the Diamond Assembly, copies are naturally available in the history books. The key aspects include:

• The creation of the Luminary Council. Known as the Ejectutore el'Corona (Extensions of the Crown) in the burgeoning Suriimese language, at the time. Now the members are simply known as The Executors. They represent six main areas: military, navy, education, arcane, law keeping, and order (the courts and prison).
• The establishment of the Prism Beaer as the central sovereign of the region.
• The declaration of Ellaluna as the capital and sacred seat of the Kingdom.
• The guarantee of trade rights across northern Suriima under the Kingdom's protection.
• The moral and philosophical doctrine that defines the values represented by each gemstone, and by extension, the Prism Bearer who represents all six.

Culture

The Mandate is not merely legal, but ceremonial and sacred these days. Each new Prism Bearer, be they from the same family or a changing of the guard, swears an oath upon the Mandate itself. Children learn its tenets during their studies.