Imperial Charter of Unity

Preamble

  We, the Realms of the Sapphire Empire, to secure unity, order, and equal protection under Imperial law; to coordinate governance across the Seventy-Five Realms; to safeguard the Weave and common peace; and to affirm the sovereignty of the Sapphire Throne, do ordain and establish this Imperial Charter of Unity as the supreme law of the Empire.  

Article I – The Sapphire Assembly

 

Section 1. Legislative Authority

  All legislative powers of deliberation and enactment herein granted shall be vested in a unicameral body known as the Sapphire Assembly, composed of Delegates representing the Realms of the Empire.  

Section 2. Composition and Apportionment

  1. The Assembly shall consist of not fewer than six hundred twelve (612) Delegates, apportioned among the Realms by population, provided that each Realm shall have at least one Delegate.     2. Apportionment shall be conducted every ten (10) years by the Imperial Census, under the authority of the Ministry of Statistical Concordance.     3. Each Realm shall determine the manner of choosing its Delegates, whether by election, appointment, or other lawful process consistent with this Charter.     4. No Delegate shall be seated except by formal confirmation of the Sapphire Throne.  

Section 3. Qualifications of Delegates

  1. No person shall serve as a Delegate who has not attained the age of twenty-five (25) years, nor who has not been deemed of age of majority of their represenative realm.     2. All Delegates must be inhabitants of the Realm from which they are chosen at the time of their selection.  

Section 4. Tenure and Vacancies

  1. Delegates shall serve without fixed term limit, subject to the laws and customs of their Realm, and may be recalled or replaced by their Realm at any time.     2. Vacancies shall be filled by such method as the Realm concerned shall determine; provided that all appointments are subject to confirmation by the Throne.  

Section 5. Powers of the Assembly

  The Assembly shall have authority:   1. Revenue and Appropriations – To levy taxes, duties, and contributions for the support of the Empire, provided all revenues be uniform across Realms; and to oversee appropriations for the maintenance of Imperial ministries, defense, and infrastructure.     2. Commerce and Transit – To regulate commerce and transit among the Realms, including the use and governance of inter-realm leyline hubs, conduits, and transport systems.     3. Civil Law – To establish uniform laws concerning citizenship, migration, and the rights and duties of Imperial Citizens across the Empire.     4. Security and Order – To authorize measures necessary for the suppression of rebellion, sedition, or disruption of Imperial unity, and to provide for the regulation of militias and local defense forces within the Realms.     5. Treaties and Concords – To ratify inter-realm compacts, treaties, or agreements, whether between Realms of the Empire or with extra-Imperial entities discovered beyond its present reach.     6. Tribunals – To constitute inferior tribunals, commissions, and magistracies subordinate to the Imperial Judicature.     7. Necessary Legislation – To enact such laws as shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Charter in the Government of the Empire.  

Section 6. Oversight and Accountability

  1. The Assembly may summon ministers, officers, or magistrates of the Empire to answer inquiries and provide testimony.     2. The Assembly may initiate proceedings of censure against officers of the Empire by majority vote, and may, with a two-thirds vote, recommend removal to the Throne.     3. The Assembly shall require from all ministries a public accounting of funds, and shall cause to be published regular statements of Imperial revenues and expenditures.  

Section 7. Limitations

  1. No law of the Assembly shall take effect without the assent of the Sapphire Throne, save where passed again by a vote of three-fourths (¾) of all Delegates present, in which case the measure shall be referred to the Imperial Judicature for review and final determination.     2. The Assembly shall make no law impairing the unity of the Empire, permitting the secession of any Realm, or diminishing the supremacy of Imperial law.     3. The Assembly shall make no law contrary to the rights and liberties enumerated within this Charter, save where such rights are suspended by Imperial decree in the discharge of Her Radiance’s office.  

Section 8. Internal Governance

  1. The Assembly shall choose its own Presiding Speaker and officers, and shall determine its rules of procedure.     2. A majority of Delegates shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent members.     3. The Assembly shall keep a public Journal of its proceedings, excepting those parts deemed by two-thirds vote to require secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of all votes shall be published upon demand of one-fifth of those present.  

Section 9. Sessions

  1. The Assembly shall convene in Athomathia not fewer than once per Imperial Year, at such times as the Throne shall direct.     2. Extraordinary sessions may be convened at the call of the Throne or upon petition of two-thirds of the Realms.  

Article II – The Sapphire Throne

 

Section 1. Vesting of Executive Power

  The supreme executive Power shall be vested in the Sapphire Throne, occupied by the Empress of the Empire. She shall reign for life, save by abdication or lawful succession, and shall exercise the executive authority of the Empire in all its fullness.   The Empress may appoint two principal officers of confidence:   The First Handmaiden, who shall act as Chief Vizier and Proxy of the Throne, empowered to discharge executive duties as the Empress shall delegate.   The Second Handmaiden, who shall act as aide-de-comp, charged with administration, correspondence, and ceremonial obligations of the Throne.  

Section 2. Powers of the Throne

  1. Commander-in-Chief – The Empress shall be Commander of all Forces of the Empire, including the Azure Vanguard, the Sapphire Glaive, and the militias of the Realms.     2. Decrees – She may issue Imperial Decrees, which shall hold the force of law throughout the Empire unless repealed by process of the Assembly.     3. Appointments – She shall appoint, at Her discretion, Ambassadors, Ministers, Consuls, Officers, and Justiciars of the Imperial Judicature.     4. Clemency – She shall have power to grant reprieves, pardons, and acts of mercy for offenses against Imperial law, save treason against the Throne.     5. Diplomacy – She shall receive envoys and ministers of the Realms, and may conclude compacts, treaties, and concords, subject to the Charter.     6. Vacancies – She may fill offices vacant during recess or disruption of the Assembly, by temporary commission until such time as permanence is confirmed.  

Section 3. Duties of the Throne

  1. The Empress shall from time to time address the Assembly on the State of the Empire, recommending measures as She deems necessary.     2. She may convene the Assembly in extraordinary session, and in case of disagreement concerning adjournment, She may adjourn them to such time as She deems proper.     3. She shall ensure that the laws of the Empire are faithfully executed, and shall commission all officers of the Empire.  

Section 4. Succession and Proxy

  1. Succession to the Sapphire Throne shall pass to the Virellia, named at the sole discretion of the reigning Empress.     2. In the event of abdication, death, or incapacity, the Virellia shall immediately ascend the Throne.     3. If no Virellia be named, succession shall be determined by extraordinary convocation of the Assembly and certification of the Imperial Judicature.     4. During absence or incapacity of the Empress, the First Handmaiden shall act as Regent and Proxy, exercising all powers of the Throne, save those explicitly reserved by law to the Sovereign alone.  

Section 5. Immunity and Inviolability

  1. The person of the Empress is sacred and inviolable. She shall not be subject to impeachment, summons, or indictment.     2. No law shall restrain or punish the acts of the Empress performed in the exercise of Her office.     3. The Handmaidens, when acting by express delegation of the Empress, shall enjoy the same immunities as the Throne, save where the delegation is revoked.  

Article III – The Imperial Judicature

 

Section 1. Judicial Power and Tenure

  The judicial Power of the Empire shall be vested in one High Bench of the Empire, and in such inferior tribunals as the Assembly may from time to time ordain and establish.   The Justiciars of the High Bench, and the judges of inferior tribunals, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive at stated times for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.   The High Bench shall be composed of eleven Justiciars, appointed for life by the Empress, and presided over by the Grand Arbiter of the Empire.  

Section 2. Jurisdiction

  The judicial Power shall extend to all cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Charter, the laws of the Empire, and the treaties and concords made under its authority;—to all cases affecting Ambassadors, Ministers, and Imperial officers;—to controversies to which the Empire shall be a party;—to controversies between two or more Realms;—between a Realm and Citizens of another Realm;—between Citizens of different Realms; and between Citizens of the same Realm claiming rights under the authority of different Realms.   In all cases affecting Ambassadors, Ministers, Realms, and those in which the Throne shall be a party, the High Bench shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases before mentioned, the High Bench shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Assembly shall make.   The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the Realm where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any Realm, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Assembly may by law have directed.  

Section 3. Treason

  Treason against the Empire shall consist only in levying war against the Throne or the Realms united, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.   No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open Court.   The Assembly shall have power to declare the punishment of Treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.  

Article IV – The Cohesion of Realms

 

Section 1. Supremacy of Imperial Law

  1.01. The Imperial Charter of Unity is the supreme law of the Sapphire Empire.
1.02. All decrees, statutes, and customs of the Realms inconsistent with the Charter or Imperial law are null and void.
1.03. No Realm shall secede, dissolve, or assert independence apart from the Sapphire Throne.
 

Section 2. Recognition Across Realms

  2.01. Each Realm shall give recognition to the public acts, lawful decrees, and judicial determinations of every other Realm.
2.02. Recognition under §2.01 shall not extend to acts contrary to Imperial law or the Charter.
2.03. All Imperial Citizens shall enjoy equal standing, rights, and protections in every Realm, irrespective of origin, species, or domicile.
 

Section 3. Extradition and Enforcement

  3.01. No Realm shall provide refuge or sanctuary to persons charged with treason, sedition, or any crime defined under Imperial law.
3.02. Upon lawful petition or Imperial directive, such persons shall be surrendered to the jurisdiction entitled to claim them.
3.03. The Sapphire Bureau of Intelligence and the Imperial Judicature shall possess concurrent authority to compel compliance with this Article.
 

Section 4. Autonomy of Realms

  4.01. Realms retain sovereignty in matters of domestic governance, culture, and law not inconsistent with Imperial supremacy.
4.02. No Realm shall alter its territorial boundaries, governmental structure, or succession laws except in conformity with Imperial decree and approval of the Sapphire Assembly.
4.03. Realm constitutions, charters, or equivalent documents shall remain operative only to the extent they conform to the Charter and Imperial law.
 

Section 5. Guarantee of Order

  5.01. The Sapphire Throne shall guarantee to each Realm:
 (a) the preservation of lawful internal sovereignty;
 (b) protection of recognized institutions; and
 (c) assistance against insurrection, sedition, or unlawful usurpation.
5.02. The Throne may, at its discretion, deploy Imperial forces to enforce the guarantees enumerated in §5.01.  

Article V – Amendment of the Charter

 

Section 1. Power to Propose Amendments

  5.01. Amendments to this Charter may be proposed:
 (a) by resolution of two-thirds of the Sapphire Assembly; or
 (b) by decree of the Sapphire Throne.
 

Section 2. Ratification of Amendments

  5.02. A proposed amendment shall take effect upon ratification by:
 (a) approval of the Sapphire Throne; and
 (b) assent of a majority of the recognized Realms, expressed through their lawful delegates in the Sapphire Assembly.
  5.03. The Sapphire Throne may, in its discretion, submit a proposed amendment to direct plebiscite across all Realms, the result of which shall be binding.
 

Section 3. Entrenched Provisions

  5.04. No amendment shall alter:
 (a) the supremacy of the Sapphire Throne;
 (b) the perpetual unity of the Empire; or
 (c) the inviolable dignity and rights of Imperial Citizens as recognized herein.
 

Section 4. Publication

  5.05. All amendments, upon ratification, shall be inscribed into the Charter with equal force as the original text and published to every Realm within thirty days of enactment.  

Article VI — Supremacy and Oath of Office

 

Section 1. Supremacy of the Charter.

This Charter of Unity shall be, in all times and places, the supreme law of the Sapphire Empire. All decrees, enactments, statutes, customs, and judgments shall derive their authority therefrom, and any provision of realm or local law contrary to this Charter shall be null and without effect.  

Section 2. Hierarchy of Law.

The order of precedence of law within the Empire shall be as follows:   1. The Imperial Charter of Unity and its duly ratified Amendments.     2. Imperial Decrees of the Sapphire Throne, including Organic Decrees of foundational import.     3. Statutes and Enactments of the Sapphire Assembly ratified by the Throne.     4. Regulations and Directives issued by the Imperial Ministries.     5. Laws and customs of the constituent Realms, insofar as they do not contravene higher authority.      

Section 3. Oath of Loyalty.

All Delegates of the Sapphire Assembly, Magistrates of the Imperial Judicature, Ministers of the Imperial Government, and all Officers civil or military, of both the Empire and its constituent Realms, shall be bound by solemn Oath or Affirmation to uphold this Charter of Unity, to preserve the authority of the Sapphire Throne, and to administer faithfully the laws of the Empire.  

Section 4. Exclusivity of Allegiance.

No qualification of birth, bloodline, creed, custom, or realm tradition shall be required as a condition of service, save loyalty to the Throne and fidelity to this Charter. Any oath or vow contrary to such loyalty shall be void.  

Article VII – Ratification

 

Section 1. Authority of Ratification

7.01. This Charter shall take effect as the supreme law of the Sapphire Empire upon its ratification by Her Beloved Radiance, the Empress, together with the unanimous assent of the seventy-five Realms.  

Section 2. Supersession of Prior Instruments

7.02. All prior compacts, treaties, and accords of union are hereby nullified upon the ratification of this Charter.  

Section 3. Continuity

7.03. All offices, laws, and obligations existing at the time of ratification shall remain in effect, except where inconsistent with this Charter.    

Amendaments to the Imperial Charter of Unity

 

Preamble to the Bill of Rights

  In order to secure the dignity of Citizens, to preserve the liberties of the Realms, and to balance the powers of the Sapphire Throne with the protections of the governed, the following Amendments are declared as binding guarantees of the rights of all Imperial Citizens, and shall hold perpetual force alongside the Charter of Unity.
 

Amendments I–X: The Imperial Bill of Rights

 

Amendment I – Fundamental Dignity

1.01. All Imperial Citizens are equal before the law, without distinction of Realm, species, culture, or creed.
1.02. No title, birth, or inheritance shall diminish the inherent dignity of any Citizen.
 

Amendment II – Security of Person

2.01. No Citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or bodily integrity without due process of Imperial law.
2.02. No Citizen shall be subject to torture, cruel treatment, or punitive mutilation.
 

Amendment III – Expression and Belief

3.01. Citizens shall enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, expression, and assembly.
3.02. No law shall establish or impose religious practice upon any Citizen.
 

Amendment IV – Knowledge and Learning

4.01. Education to a basic Imperial Standard shall be guaranteed to all Citizens.
4.02. The right to pursue knowledge, craft, and lawful discipline shall not be abridged.
 

Amendment V – Privacy and Sanctuary

5.01. Homes and sanctuaries of Citizens shall be free from intrusion, save upon lawful warrant.
5.02. Personal communications and memory-records shall not be seized or searched except under judicial writ.
 

Amendment VI – Mobility and Travel

6.01. Citizens may move freely between Realms, save where restricted by lawful decree for security, quarantine, or preservation of order.
6.02. No Citizen may be exiled from the Empire, nor denied re-entry to their Realm of origin.
 

Amendment VII – Arms and Defense

7.01. Citizens retain the right to personal defense, subject to regulation of arms and Weave by Imperial law.
7.02. No standing army or militia shall be raised by any Realm without sanction of the Throne.
 

Amendment VIII – Justice and Due Process

8.01. No Citizen shall be imprisoned without charge, nor held beyond ten days without hearing before a magistrate.
8.02. Trials shall be public, except where secrecy is required for Imperial security.
8.03. Citizens accused of crime shall have the right to counsel, to confront witnesses, and to appeal to higher authority.
 

Amendment IX – Economic Security

9.01. All Citizens shall have access to sustenance, shelter, and healthcare as a matter of right.
9.02. No Citizen shall be compelled into labor without lawful cause or voluntary oath.
 

Amendment X – The Weave

10.01. All beings born with potential to touch the Weave possess the right to recognition and lawful training.
10.02. The practice of the Weave may be regulated to safeguard public order, but shall not be wholly denied to any Citizen except by judgment of the Imperial Judicature.
 

Addendum of rights: Amendments XI-XV

 

Amendment XI – Petition and Redress

11.01. All Citizens shall have the right to petition the Sapphire Throne, the Assembly, or the Judicature for redress of grievances.
11.02. No Citizen shall suffer penalty or reprisal for lawful petitioning of authority.
 

Amendment XII – Cultural Continuity

12.01. The peoples and Realms of the Empire retain the right to preserve their customs, languages, and traditions, provided such practices do not contravene Imperial law or the Charter.
12.02. No decree shall compel uniformity of culture or creed across the Realms, save where necessary for the preservation of unity and order.
 

Amendment XIII – Succession and Property Security

13.01. The inheritance and succession of lawful property, title, and station shall not be abridged or denied, except upon conviction of treason or lawful forfeiture under Imperial law.
13.02. No decree shall annul or reassign rightful succession without due process of law.
 

Amendment XIV – Representation of Realms

14.01. Every Realm of the Empire shall be entitled to at least one (1) Delegate in the Sapphire Assembly, regardless of population.
14.02. This right of representation is perpetual and may not be diminished by statute, decree, or amendment.
 

Amendment XV – Right of Refuge

15.01. Citizens displaced by calamity, persecution, or lawful cause shall be entitled to asylum and resettlement within the Empire.
15.02. No Realm may deny safe entry to Imperial Citizens so protected, save upon explicit decree of the Throne.