Rohrmarch system of government

Government

Rohrmarch is a feudal realm. The king rules, but only with the support of his nobles. Each province is ruled by a noble, who supports lesser nobles and commoners below him. Support from the nobles is critical to the smooth running of the realm. The civil war was largely caused by a division of loyalties among the nobles.

The King’s Council

During the civil war, King Alaric and Prince Oden operated in similar fashion to King Wilhelm, as both sought to maintain the continued legitimacy from the previous king. In their respective seats in Oden and Kiedel, both regents continued in the tradition of the King’s Council, a meeting of 10 days on the first planting in spring and harvest fair in autumn with the nobles of the land. During King Wilhelm’s time, the Council met to vote on taxes and laws. However, military matters dominated discussions during the civil war. During the civil war, the nobles were divided, with the Duke of Friedlund, the Count of Edel, the Count of Alklund and the Baron of Nunkappel meeting King Alaric, while the Baron of Werthangen and the Count of Osternord met Prince Oden. Prince Oden himself assumed the title of Duke of Rohrgaard.

The new regent has yet to call a King’s Council but all of the nobles should be present. The Baron of Werthangen and the Count of Osternord have both pledged allegiance to the new regent. The new regent will also have to decide whether to appoint a new Duke of Rohrgaard or assume the title himself. The two main cities of Oden and Kidel are run by their respective mayors who are invited out of courtesy to attend the King’s Council, although they have no say. The mayors are usually selected from the gentry class.

Taxation

The king determines the tax rates. In theory, the nobles are expected to obey and collect their vassals’ taxes and forward to the king. In the past, the King’s Council has served as a lively forum in which nobles with their own agenda would argue for a lower tax rate, of course, these nobles intend to collect the same rate but forward a smaller amount to the king. During the civil war, differences between the nobles and the regents were minimised due to the urgency of the war but such differences can be expected to resurface now that the new regent has assumed power.

Money

Since the days of Alder I, Rohrmarch has minted its own coinage. The gold Crown, the silver Mark and the copper Hansa. The gold Crown features the Crown of Rohrmarch on the front. The front of the silver Mark shows a split picture of a carpenter and a miner at work. The copper Hansa shows a picture of Castle Oden. The reverse of all the coins shows the visage of Alder I. However, during the civil war, the north was forced by Prince Oden, under the advice of Kurt Warkinde, to reject the old currency and to mint its own. The northern gold Crown shows the crest of Oden on the front. The silver mark has two lightning bolts zigzagging across the front face. The copper Hansa shows two hills with a stream running between them, representing the province of Rohrgaard. The reverse of all the northern coins shows the visage of Oden. Most southerners reject the northern currency and the death of Oden has left great uncertainty among northerners as to the fate of their wealth. The guilds had not objected to Oden’s drive to create a separate currency, merely seeing an opportunity to gain revenue through the exchange rate. The two guildmasters have suggested to the new regent on the need to implement a currency exchange program as part of his drive to unite the land. Of course, they see an opportunity to earn revenue in exchange for their services.

Law Enforcement

King Alaric and Prince Oden had considerably different philosophies with regards to law enforcement. As a ranger, King Alaric preferred to tread softly and carry a big stick. As a result, law enforcement in the southern provinces usually consisted of a strong network of rangers operating between villages, developing local constabularies and information networks to nip potential problems at the local level. Many of these rangers had adventured with Alaric during his days in the Brothers of the Forest. Under Alaric, the organization became the linchpin for law enforcement in the south. The villages also have a way of contacting the rangers by means of leaving trail signs should back-up be required. In the lands belonging to Haelyn’s Warriors, the people answer also to church law. The law emphasizes the civil and spiritual dictates of Haelyn. Although the law is severe, priests who sit as judges are expected to apply mercy in their rulings.

Provinces under Prince Oden’s rule operated with far less leeway, with sheriffs and guards appointed and deployed from Oden. These sheriffs tended to operate in a more heavy-handed manner, as they had little sympathy or awareness for local sensitivities. In the wake of Prince Oden’s death, law enforcement has collapsed in the provinces of Werthangen, Rohrgaard and Osternord. While royal troops occupy these provinces and maintain some semblance of order, the new regent must move quickly to stamp his authority in these regions or risk anarchy and rebellion.

Commoners who are feudal vassals are brought to justice under the landed lord they serve. Free commoners, such as those who own their own farmsteads, receive justice at the village level. In such cases, the village head will convene a gathering of village elders to hear the case. A King’s Ranger will oversee the hearing to guide the village elders on points of law.

Nobles can be arrested and brought to trial under the king’s orders. This is usually a matter of last resort as the publicity of a trial tended to undermine thew entire nobility - and all sorts of uncomfortable truths could be revealed during the trial of the various political compromises made in the realm by other nobles, as such, under King Wilhelm, nobles tended to use peer pressure to keep each other in line.