In the Age of Steel, year 4, the Senate of the Commonwealth was founded. This style of governance came into prominence after the divine Triumvirate stepped down from power, and the people they had led went through several styles of government. With the founding of the Senate, the Commonwealth itself was established. This was not an easy union, and required decades of design and negotiation, with many players coming to the table. These founders included all of the Chieftains of the villages in the jungles and grasslands, the varying priests that teach the ways of Galetira, Raxen, and Syren, the Dragons of ___ Mountain that would later become Drathera, as well as the leaders of the large cities, former kingdoms, of Dratir, Kythera, and the Dawnmartyrs of Ailos. The new government was built to represent the interests of all who called these wildlands their home and wished to preserve the lands, the skies, the waters, and all the beings that live there.
The original Senate Forum was hosted in Dratir, which first led to discussions of the founding of a new capital city, a neutral place so that neither Dratir, nor Kythera, nor Ailos, nor any of the villages could hold more sway than any other. Many options were presented, but none were ever settled until the Fall of Ailos during the Imperial Invasion. With Dratir decimated, Ailos leveled, and Kythera sacrificed, a new city was founded in the nesting mountain of the Green Dragonflight, and was named Drathera, honoring the cities that were lost in the war.
The Senate itself is the largest building atop the mountain, standing taller and more grand than either of the three temples that join it on the peak. This building was constructed by the most skilled craftsmen of the Commonwealth, overseen and aided by Fyraea herself. Every stone, every carving, every inch of the building was enchanted by the priests and mages who swore to never allow the atrocities of the Imperium ever happen again to their people. The building is the true heart of not simply the city of Drathera, but the entirety of the Commonwealth, and the magics built into it extend as far as the borders of the nation. The magics within allow the building to grow inwardly as large as is needed to house the entire populace of the Commonwealth, grant every citizen the abilities they enjoy from their Citizenship Marks, and serves as the center for the magical defenses of the nation. Additionally, one of the founders imbued it so that when a Senate meeting has begun, it can take as long as necessary to finish, without disrupting the life of the Commonwealth. As such, Senate meetings can go on for days inside the Senate, but outside of the Senate, they always take an hour, as that is the amount of time allotted for them. Time is frozen inside a Senate meeting, so none age while in the meeting.
The Senate convenes on every 1st, and subsequent tenth day within a season (1st, 11th, 21st, etc). The leaders of the Commonwealth still go by the name of the Triumvirate, as modeled by the demigods that helped found the nation, one representing each of the Three Paths. The Muse, representative of the Path of Soul, also holds the seat of Consul of Peacetime. When the nation is not at war, the Consul of Peacetime is the presiding Consul, and their role largely consists of breaking ties in the Senate and declaring War. If war is declared, the Consul of Wartime takes over as the presiding Consul, also known as War Chieftain from the Path of Strength. While the War Chieftain is in power, all matters of War ultimately require their approval. War can be considered ceased following a vote from the Senate and approval by the Consul of Peacetime. The final member of the Triumvirate is the Shaman from the Path of Wisdom. However, the Shaman never holds a Consular position, but rather serves as advisor to the current Consuls, as well as performing the duties associated with their leadership of their Path.
The Senators come from all three Paths, positions that are earned by following them, and are elected by those within the associated Path. This gives representation to all citizens of the Commonwealth, however, they are not the only Senators. Additionally, all village Chieftains are automatically granted Senator status, as are all Divine Champions and Divine Heralds that hold Ecithian citizenship. Finally, all Ancient and Greatwyrm dragons that hold Ecithian citizenship are also granted Senator status.
The role of the Senate is to craft the various laws that govern all of the Commonwealth, and ensure that they follow the 27 Tenets. Any appeals against a law are made directly to the Senate themselves, and any citizen may make such an appeal. Additionally, the Senate determines the best usage of taxes and national treasury, grants citizenship to prospective citizens, and can declare or cease war. The Senate does maintain the ability to establish diplomatic relationships with foreign countries, however, this only exists with the Sangen Federation.
Acquiring Citizenship at the Senate
Any person may request an audience before the Senate once per season in order to apply for citizenship. This process can be conducted in the Senate, either of the Three Temples, or by any Senator. This largely comes down to personal preference, as some prefer to gain their citizenship in the eyes of their gods, others wish to keep their citizenship separate from their religious beliefs, and then occasionally it comes down to convenience. All methods are equally valid in the eyes of the Senate, as it is meant to be an inclusive process.
This process begins first with meeting with an individual Senator. This Senator will interview the prospect, learning more about their life. Following that will come a discussion, or perhaps several, about the 27 Tenets and how they are represented in the prospect's life. Once the Senator is satisfied, then a Seer will be summoned so as to apply the citizenship markings and document the new citizen.
Link to citizenship marks
