The Corriden Commonwealth
The Corriden Commonwealth is a strongly aligned group of worlds which share a common sense of identity and culture. While appearing somewhat feudalistic on the surface there are strong roots of democracy and self determination growing around the core traditions of House (and associated class system) that form the principle structures of governance and sovereignty.
The Commonwealth consists of the Free Dominions (overseen by system and planetary governors), six sovereign sanctuaries, a number of semi-independent systems and colonies, and five Corriden Kingdoms, ruled by four kings and one High King. The High King commands the Court (inner) worlds, and his brother/sister Kings hold subservient thrones overseeing the four outlying groupings of worlds and settlements that belong, first to Corriden rule, and after that the Commonwealth. The royal family is complex, interlinked by marriage and the system of adoptive fostering, ensuring that each of the outlying kingdoms is ruled by a relatively close relative of the King.
There has also been a number of alliances and marriages out to the Free dominions, and the sanctuaries: commerce and cultural exchange has cemented the commonwealth strongly enough for it to be seen as a single Territory within the greater Restoration, even if the complex politics and structures within it do not always work to common aims.
The King and the royal family are leaders of the House of Corris, with each subsidiary House swearing loyalty to their rule. As primary House, there are complex rules and protocols which determine where any one individual stands when marrying in (or out) of House lines. Thus Aless and Zendarion’s mother remained House Corris after her marriage, even though her Husband was head of House Castarion. This means that neither Aless or Zendarion have any claim of blood on House Corris, despite their mother being in the royal line. This doesn’t stop favours and preferences for House Castarion being in place through the Princess’s influence, but does mean that that they don’t officially take any precedence at court. It also means that Zen took up his father’s place when his father died, and the Princess automatically abdicated any control over Castarion matters or properties (although she frequently stays in at least two of the Castarion estates and expects to be treated as ‘in charge’ when she does so!)
There are 250 ‘Houses’ registered across the Kingdoms, with petitions to register sixty more in progress - these are ‘splinter’ groups, developed in colonies and on outlying worlds and most are recognised by their parent House as legitimate petitioners. (Often the result of family inheritances, inter-House alliances, and the desire for colonial Independence.) House Castarion is currently sponsoring one petition, supporting the establishment of a new House created from Castarion interests in one Colonial sector. The petition is led by Aless and Zen’s second cousin, who has built an alliance with a Freetown settlement in the Fourth colonial sector, where they have established trade in new resources, and are working to create a local House to manage and control the growing independent world (under the Fourth Sector Queen, who is also sponsoring the petition.)
Houses are traditionally run by titled nobles - but their rule (like that of the Kingdoms, and most of their associated worlds) is constrained by systems of local governance - from planetary parliaments, who decide laws, manage and maintain infrastructure and welfare services, collect taxes and fund law and order (generally independent of House structures), through Citizen Councils (usually found in large Urban centres, on jointly held Stations, and overseeing Multi-House initiatives and partnerships ventures - like asteroid mining etc)and down to House committees, who advise the Head of their House, oversee the management of House services and systems, and act as the voice of the House members.
The third ‘arm’ of governance in the Commonwealth is the House of Virtue, which, in turn, is guided by the College of Seven - the ruling body of their House, with an elected representative (drawn from the most experienced and virtuous among the guiders and seekers) representing the view of each of the seven virtues. They advise the King, offer counsel to Parliaments, Councils and Committees, and also issue advice and comment to the general population.
Any citizen of the Commonwealth can aspire to be a member of Committee, Council or parliament - but citizenship is hard won, and has to be earned, It’s not automatic on birth (which merely bestows nationality) although being a native of the commonwealth does tend to help. A citizen has to be sponsored by their House, petition by evidence of Virtue (obtaining a degree or mastership in a guild for instance, but also service in Defence, or being awarded a mark of note as a producer, or a creator), or be awarded in recognition of contribution. (Horgatha, for instance is a citizen, having been both sponsored by Zendarion, and recognised for his artistry.) This tends to mean that most Commonwealth politicians have proved themselves in service or in industry before becoming engaged in any kind of governance. It is possible for someone with noble title to engage in politics, but they need to be elected in the same way as any other citizen - often choosing Leadership as a primary virtue tends to lead towards House management, officer placings in Military roles, Fleet management in Commerce, or governance of academic institutions rather than parliment or Councils (which are generally seen as roles for those whose Virtues lie in Support or Production).
The small exception to this route to rule is the Regency. Regents are selected, rather than elected, and a child might be ‘entered’ into training for the role of King (or head of House) at an early age. Even so, should they fail to demonstrate the virtues of leadership, they may be ‘retired’ and replaced with a better candidate of a similar age - any one can be eligible for Kingship, but it’s pretty hard to earn a place in the race. And - at the end of the day - the new King is still subject to election, even if the pool of candidates is limited by earlier choices.
The Commonwealth consists of the Free Dominions (overseen by system and planetary governors), six sovereign sanctuaries, a number of semi-independent systems and colonies, and five Corriden Kingdoms, ruled by four kings and one High King. The High King commands the Court (inner) worlds, and his brother/sister Kings hold subservient thrones overseeing the four outlying groupings of worlds and settlements that belong, first to Corriden rule, and after that the Commonwealth. The royal family is complex, interlinked by marriage and the system of adoptive fostering, ensuring that each of the outlying kingdoms is ruled by a relatively close relative of the King.
There has also been a number of alliances and marriages out to the Free dominions, and the sanctuaries: commerce and cultural exchange has cemented the commonwealth strongly enough for it to be seen as a single Territory within the greater Restoration, even if the complex politics and structures within it do not always work to common aims.
The King and the royal family are leaders of the House of Corris, with each subsidiary House swearing loyalty to their rule. As primary House, there are complex rules and protocols which determine where any one individual stands when marrying in (or out) of House lines. Thus Aless and Zendarion’s mother remained House Corris after her marriage, even though her Husband was head of House Castarion. This means that neither Aless or Zendarion have any claim of blood on House Corris, despite their mother being in the royal line. This doesn’t stop favours and preferences for House Castarion being in place through the Princess’s influence, but does mean that that they don’t officially take any precedence at court. It also means that Zen took up his father’s place when his father died, and the Princess automatically abdicated any control over Castarion matters or properties (although she frequently stays in at least two of the Castarion estates and expects to be treated as ‘in charge’ when she does so!)
There are 250 ‘Houses’ registered across the Kingdoms, with petitions to register sixty more in progress - these are ‘splinter’ groups, developed in colonies and on outlying worlds and most are recognised by their parent House as legitimate petitioners. (Often the result of family inheritances, inter-House alliances, and the desire for colonial Independence.) House Castarion is currently sponsoring one petition, supporting the establishment of a new House created from Castarion interests in one Colonial sector. The petition is led by Aless and Zen’s second cousin, who has built an alliance with a Freetown settlement in the Fourth colonial sector, where they have established trade in new resources, and are working to create a local House to manage and control the growing independent world (under the Fourth Sector Queen, who is also sponsoring the petition.)
Houses are traditionally run by titled nobles - but their rule (like that of the Kingdoms, and most of their associated worlds) is constrained by systems of local governance - from planetary parliaments, who decide laws, manage and maintain infrastructure and welfare services, collect taxes and fund law and order (generally independent of House structures), through Citizen Councils (usually found in large Urban centres, on jointly held Stations, and overseeing Multi-House initiatives and partnerships ventures - like asteroid mining etc)and down to House committees, who advise the Head of their House, oversee the management of House services and systems, and act as the voice of the House members.
The third ‘arm’ of governance in the Commonwealth is the House of Virtue, which, in turn, is guided by the College of Seven - the ruling body of their House, with an elected representative (drawn from the most experienced and virtuous among the guiders and seekers) representing the view of each of the seven virtues. They advise the King, offer counsel to Parliaments, Councils and Committees, and also issue advice and comment to the general population.
Any citizen of the Commonwealth can aspire to be a member of Committee, Council or parliament - but citizenship is hard won, and has to be earned, It’s not automatic on birth (which merely bestows nationality) although being a native of the commonwealth does tend to help. A citizen has to be sponsored by their House, petition by evidence of Virtue (obtaining a degree or mastership in a guild for instance, but also service in Defence, or being awarded a mark of note as a producer, or a creator), or be awarded in recognition of contribution. (Horgatha, for instance is a citizen, having been both sponsored by Zendarion, and recognised for his artistry.) This tends to mean that most Commonwealth politicians have proved themselves in service or in industry before becoming engaged in any kind of governance. It is possible for someone with noble title to engage in politics, but they need to be elected in the same way as any other citizen - often choosing Leadership as a primary virtue tends to lead towards House management, officer placings in Military roles, Fleet management in Commerce, or governance of academic institutions rather than parliment or Councils (which are generally seen as roles for those whose Virtues lie in Support or Production).
The small exception to this route to rule is the Regency. Regents are selected, rather than elected, and a child might be ‘entered’ into training for the role of King (or head of House) at an early age. Even so, should they fail to demonstrate the virtues of leadership, they may be ‘retired’ and replaced with a better candidate of a similar age - any one can be eligible for Kingship, but it’s pretty hard to earn a place in the race. And - at the end of the day - the new King is still subject to election, even if the pool of candidates is limited by earlier choices.
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