II. Elections and Titles

Election of the Emperor

Only de jure (official) Crowned Kings, recognized as sitting members of The Council of the Crowned, can elect the Emperor. The Emperor is elected by a clear majority (50% plus 1). A failure to elect a majority will result in the office being temporarily held by a Committee appointed by the Council of the Crown, traditionally but not necessarily headed by the Regent of the Empire, King of Greater Minerva. This Regency Committee will have its sole duty the establishment of ongoing elections until a clear majority is found. The Emperor remains in power until his or her death.

Recognition of a new King

Only de jure (official) Crowned Kings, recognized as sitting members of The Council of the Crowned, can recognize Kings as official peers in their Council. A King is elected by a consensus of votes by the Council (100%). A Kingdom remains divine and eternal once recognized, although inactive crowns may be forced to leave their seat in the Council vacant until their activity returns. A Kingdom must also satisfy the following requirements:

a) Having established in their realm two Duchies, comprised of six counties, as determined by a consensus of the Council of the Crowned.

b) Having established safe, secure, and extensive infrastructure as is serviceable for the prospective Kingdom, and as creates a safe and secure connection with the Empire via the Nether, as determined by a consensus of the Council of the Crowned.

c) Having proven themselves to represent the virtues of Hermertia and an outstanding member of Hermertia in the form of commitment, established personal lore, participation in Imperial lore and events, communal activity and relations, as determined by a consensus of the Council of the Crown.

Recognition of a new Duke

A Duke can be recognized under two circumstances. First, if they are settling in uncharted land: Only de jure (official) Crowned Kings, recognized as sitting members of The Council of the Crowned, can recognize other Dukes as official. A Duke and their Duchy is recognized if they receive official endorsement from a clear majority (60%) from the Council of the Crowned. Doing so makes the Council of the Crowned their official liege. Second, if they are looking to be recognized as Dukes under an existing official Kingdom, then they need a public and official recognition and endorsement from their liege.

Recognition of a new Count

A County can be recognized under two circumstances. First, if they are settling in uncharted land: Only de jure (official) Crowned Kings, recognized as sitting members of The Council of the Crowned, can recognize Counts as official. A Count and their County is recognized if they receive official endorsement from a clear majority (60%) from the Council of the Crowned. Doing so makes the Council of the Crowned their official liege. Second, if they are looking to be recognized as Counts under an existing official Kingdom or Duchy, then they simply need a public and official recognition and endorsement from their liege.

Recognition of a newcomer as a non-noble vassal

Only de jure (official) Crowned Kings, recognized as sitting members of The Council of the Crowned, and de jure (official) Dukes, recognized as sitting members of the House of Dukes, can official welcome new non-noble vassal to Hermertia. A non-noble vassal is welcome and awarded full status as such, including full rights established herein, after receiving (60%) from the Council of the Crowned, OR, receive 50% of the votes from the Council of the Crowned as well as at the same time a bill is passed by the House of the Dukes endorsing the non-noble vassal.

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Lord Siden Rua of Fichina
House of Rua
Imperial Minister of Surveyors and Civil Engineers

In the earlier Modernization of the Historical Constitution thread, I offered a modified version of this section of the Indoles Carta. Only a couple substantial changes have been made, both to simply bring the language in line with existing community consensus concerning two new laws that have been passed or are in teh process of being passed: the updated rules for the Election of the Emperor and the Recognition of a new King/Queen. Changes are highlighted in red.

II. Elections and Titles

Election of the Emperor/Empress

Only Crowned Kings and Queens, sitting members of the Council of the Crowned, may fill the elected position of Emperor of the Mercurian Empire. Upon the death or abdication of the current Emperor, an Empire-wide election for the position must be scheduled no later than one (1) year after the Emperor’s leave of office.

In the period immediately prior to the election, the Counts and Dukes of the Mercurian Empire may nominate current sitting members of the Council of the Crowned for the position of Emperor. Sitting members of the Council of the Crowned at the time of the Emperor’s leave of office may not nominate themselves or other sitting members of the Council of the Crowned.

Beginning the scheduled date of the election, a one-year period of voting shall take place, open to all nobles (Counts, Dukes, and Kings/Queens) of the Empire, for the election of the Emperor. Each noble is entitled to a single vote of equal value. After the one-year period has elapsed, all votes will be tallied. The candidate with the greatest total number of votes shall be recognized as the next Emperor, to serve until death or voluntary abdication. In a case where the two leading candidates receive an equal number of votes, a second run-off election shall immediately be held upon the conclusion of all votes being tallied, subject to the same procedures as the initial election, between the two leading candidates, repeating if necessary until a candidate emerges with a greater total number of votes to be designated the next Emperor.



Recognition of a new King/Queen

Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned can recognize Kings as official peers in their Council. A King is elected by a consensus of votes by the Council (100%). A Kingdom remains divine and eternal once recognized, although inactive crowns may be forced to leave their seat in the Council vacant until their activity returns. A successful ascension to Kingdom must also satisfy the following requirements:

a) Having established in their realm 2 duchies, comprised of 6 counties, as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

b) Having established safe, secure, and extensive infrastructure as is serviceable for the prospective Kingdom, and as creates a safe and secure connection with the Empire via the Nether, as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

c) Having proven themselves to represent the virtues of Hermertia and an outstanding member of Hermertia in the form of commitment, established personal lore, participation in Imperial lore and events, communal activity and relations, etc, as detailed in "Guidelines for Community Participation in Ascension to King/Queen", as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

d) Having obtained a unanimous (100%) vote of assent from the Council of the Crowned.



Recognition of a new Duke

A Duke may be recognized as a sitting peer in the House of Dukes under two circumstances:

a) If they are residing inside the borders of an established realm and under a liege, they must receive recognition and formal approval from their liege for ascension.

b) If they are established in land unclaimed by any currently internationally–recognized realm: Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned can recognize the ascension of other Dukes. A Duke and their Duchy is recognized if they receive official endorsement from a clear majority (60%) from the Council of the Crowned. Doing so establishes the Council of the Crowned their official liege.

Recognition of a new Count

A Count may be recognized under two circumstances:

a) If they are residing inside the borders of an established realm and under a liege, they must receive recognition and formal approval from their liege for ascension.

b) If they are established in land unclaimed by any currently internationally–recognized realm: Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned can recognize the ascension of other Counts. A Count and their County is recognized if they receive official endorsement from a clear majority (60%) from the Council of the Crowned. Doing so establishes the Council of the Crowned their official liege.



Recognition of a newcomer as a vassal – welcoming applicants to Hermertia

Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned and sitting members of the House of Dukes can officially welcome newcomers (applicants) to Hermertia. An applicant to Hermertia is welcomed and awarded the full status, including full rights established herein, of a vassal of Hermertia, after receiving either a clear majority (60%) approval from the Council of the Crowned or receiving a majority (50%) approval from the Council of the Crowned concurrent with the passage of a bill in support of the application from the House of Dukes.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

In the original Indoles Carta, one could ascend to the rank of Count or Duke after a majority of the Kings voted in favor (50%+1) or if a majority of the Dukes and 33%+1 of the Kings did as well. Right now, both require that 60% of the Kings vote in favor and leave the Dukes without any say. Perhaps we should seek a midway between the two considering recent concerns that have been raised about the promptness of Kings in visiting realms and voting on their ascension.

A potential compromise:

60% of the Council of the Crowned

or

a majority (50%+1) of the Dukes plus a majority (50%+1) of the Council.

What do we think?

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Ulrik Gunnarson
Duke of the Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH)
The Chairman of the GRHH Co.

I don't think this is needed for Count, as ascension to Count is based off of your liege. Are you referring to becoming an independent holding?

Agreed on the Duke bit. More power to the Dukes.

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Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

I am referring to independent holdings. Having personally experienced a long wait to receive votes (during which time laws were written introducing more restrictive requirements), I think it's time the Dukes had some power to alleviate this.

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Ulrik Gunnarson
Duke of the Gathered Races of Hermertia Homeland (GRHH)
The Chairman of the GRHH Co.

It could be that the more active duke base be given as much as 2 King's power on the Ducal vote? This could potentially speed up the process significantly.

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Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil

Sorry, I'm not following. Active Dukes (a term which as yet has no legal recognition) should be given the equivalent of 2 King votes? That doesn't sound right.

Or does that mean that a bill passed by the House of Dukes would hold the legal power equivalent to 2 King votes? This seems to be more plausible, though to be frank I still find the idea needlessly complex. Sorry if I'm missing something here.

If we do want to give Dukes a say, I'm with Mark and mostly with Chairman here: Dukes could be granted influence in the area of Independant Ducal ascensions by lowering the required Council threshhold upon the successful passing of a bill by the House of Dukes. I still am not a huge fan of this idea, being of the opinion that rank ascensions below KIng/Queen really should only be granted by those of the next rank up; that said, if we wanted to do this I think is makes most sense to implement it in this way.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

We will find something that works, its just trying to alleviate the inactive kings problem while using the Dukes to allow for smoother proceedings etc.

My idea was just throwing out a suggestion of making the Dukes vote for Duke Ascension count for more, or make it so that there's less % of Kings required as a result.

So as normal Dukes reduce King's Votes required from 60% to 50% for certain things, this could apply to Duke Votes, or even drop it to 40% or something. Just an idea! Im drawing a blank on other solutions.

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Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil

Extensive discussion and legal wrangling (the best kind of wrangling!) has resulted in some proposed language that has, so far, met with a community consensus regarding the role we want Dukes to play in teh ascension process for new dukes. Changes since the last draft are sown in red.

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II. Elections and Titles

Election of the Emperor/Empress

Only Crowned Kings and Queens, sitting members of the Council of the Crowned, may fill the elected position of Emperor of the Mercurian Empire. Upon the death or abdication of the current Emperor, an Empire-wide election for the position must be scheduled no later than one (1) week after the Emperor’s leave of office.

In the period immediately prior to the election, active sitting members of the Council of the Crowned may declare themselves in the Offices of the Emperor to be standing for election to the position of Emperor.

Beginning the scheduled date of the election, a one-week period of voting shall take place, open to all nobles (Counts, Dukes, and Kings/Queens) of the Empire, for the election of the Emperor. Each noble is entitled to a single vote of equal value. After the one-week period has elapsed, all votes will be tallied. The candidate with the greatest total number of votes shall be recognized as the next Emperor, to serve until death or voluntary abdication. In a case where the two leading candidates receive an equal number of votes, a second run-off election shall immediately be held upon the conclusion of all votes being tallied, subject to the same procedures as the initial election, between the two leading candidates, repeating if necessary until a candidate emerges with a greater total number of votes to be designated the next Emperor.

Recognition of a new King/Queen

Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned can recognize Kings and Queens as official peers in the Council. A King is elected by a consensus of votes by active sitting members of the Council (100%). A Kingdom remains divine and eternal once recognized, although inactive crowns may be forced to leave their seat in the Council vacant until their activity returns. A successful ascension to Kingdom must also satisfy the following requirements:

a) Having established in their realm 2 duchies, comprised of 6 counties, as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

b) Having established safe, secure, and extensive infrastructure as is serviceable for the prospective Kingdom, and as creates a safe and secure connection with the Empire via the Nether, as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

c) Having proven themselves to represent the virtues of Hermertia and an outstanding member of Hermertia in the form of commitment, established personal lore, participation in Imperial lore and events, communal activity and relations, etc, as detailed in "Guidelines for Community Participation in Ascension to King/Queen", as determined in unison by the Council of the Crowned.

d) Having obtained a unanimous (100%) vote of assent from the Council of the Crowned.

Recognition of a new Duke

A Duke may be recognized as a sitting peer in the House of Dukes under two circumstances:

a) If they are residing inside the borders of a realm recognized under the Council of the Crowned and under a liege, they must receive recognition and formal approval from their liege, a sitting member of the Council of the Crowned, for ascension.

b) If they are established in land unclaimed by any realm currently recognized under the Council of the Crowned, they may be recognized as a sitting peer in the House of Dukes upon receiving an official vote of support from either 60% of active sitting members of the Council of the Crowned or 50% of active sitting members of the Council of the Crowned concurrent with 50% of active sitting members of the House of Dukes. Upon ascension the Council of the Crowned is established as their official liege.

Recognition of a new Count

Vassals residing inside the borders of a realm recognized under the Council of the Crowned and under a liege may be recognized as Count upon receiving recognition and formal approval from their liege for ascension.

Recognition of a newcomer as a vassal – welcoming applicants to Hermertia

Only sitting members of The Council of the Crowned and sitting members of the House of Dukes can officially welcome newcomers (applicants) to Hermertia. An applicant to Hermertia is welcomed and awarded the full status, including full rights established herein, of a vassal of Hermertia, after receiving either a clear majority (60%) approval from the Council of the Crowned or receiving a majority (50%) approval from the Council of the Crowned concurrent with the passage of a bill in support of the application from the House of Dukes.

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Wysterian Labourer's Council
Currently Holding Stewardship of Wysteria
Minister for Applications and Settlement
Forums Administrator

Love the new language!

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Hasan 'Darius V' Stark

Protector of the Vahnic Exploration Company
Ilkhan of Greater Karastan-Laghima