Kratus
The Kingdom of Kratus is relatively young in the world, having only been established within the last 800 years or so. It is a small, but powerful realm and The Praxxis Family has ruled since its inception. Originally a family of smiths, engineers and techno-mancers, House Praxxis had been renowned as brilliant creators, advancing technologies both machine and arcane alike. Their wealth and power grew primarily as shipwrights, designing the fastest and most powerful vessels that ever plied the endless oceans. In those days the Praxxis shipyards stretched across the entire base of the Falboia Bluff.
It was there that House Praxxis had established the forge city of Stonefall over a millennia ago; the largest city on Silvercliff Bay. So great and powerful, Stonefall and its ruling family were a kingdom unto themselves, maintaining neutrality among all the races of the world. The wisest and most creative inventors and engineers would sojourn there in hopes of seizing a chance to work among these titans of industry and technology. Human, Dwarven, Gnome and even Orcish Smiths plied their trades there. Even the wise and noble High Elves studied amongst them, curious about this magic they themselves did not fully grasp
It was at Stonefall that the Techno-mancers of House Praxxis achieved their greatest feat; the airship. Using arcane energies and spells known only to them, they had discovered a way to refine and energize a curious material into a powerful magic core which had since become known as a Praxxis Lodestone. The Lodestone’s energies (when properly harnessed) could be focused and channeled through the specially crafted hulls of ships, making them as light as a feather. This breakthrough ushered in an age of untold exploration and trade, expanding map borders and opening new trade routes among the skies.
House Praxxis jealously guards the secrets of the Lodestones; only those of the true Praxxis bloodline are schooled in the art of its creation. Even then, only a few children in each generation were even born with the power to fuel the process. Though many have tried to unlock its secrets, none have ever been able to duplicate the power of the Praxxis Lodestones.
A time of strife befell the land, and in the peaks and plateaus of the Falboia Highlands The Falboian Blood War had reached its climax. None truly know what started the war, but it seemed all who it touched were consumed by it, and in their bloodlust they joined the fray. Great war machines and unparalleled arcane energies ripped through the land, the blood of many nations soaked the mountains and ran to the seas below. The High Elves; seeking an end to the bloodshed, entreated The Praxxis Family to assist in ending the conflict. The fleet of Praxxis Airships could bring peacekeepers to the warzone in record time and provide air superiority for the elvish troops.
Once the Praxxis family had entered the fray, the conflict was put down in a matter of days. Indeed the elves and the Praxxis Airships proved to be a force that none could reckon with. In return for their service, House Praxxis was granted Lordship over the region. Dubbed ‘The Kingdom of Kratus' after the family patriarch Kratus Praxxis, first of his name. A Counsel was created, with each nation of the world represented such that no conflict of this magnitude could scar the world again. For six hundred years the Praxxis family kept the peace in the region, continuing to ply their trade and ruling generously over a prosperous, peaceful kingdom.
The Praxxis Family has been ruled the Kratan Kingdom since Kratus Praxxis himself was charged with its creation. The monarchy is patriarchal, though it is possible for a queen to sit the throne in the right circumstances. A sitting king may designate his familial successor, though such a decision must be ratified by both the High Court and the Senate. The King is the ultimate authority in Kratus. The king's word is immutable law, and may override any decree, proclamation or judgement from any other entity in the kingdom. While the king's authority is absolute, it is not without limits. The guidelines that all Kratan monarchs must abide are known as "The Law of Rule".
Kratan Government
A Crowned Monarchy, the Kratan Kingdom is ruled by a Senatorial body elected by the people, but held to the King's authority.The Crown
The Praxxis Family has been ruled the Kratan Kingdom since Kratus Praxxis himself was charged with its creation. The monarchy is patriarchal, though it is possible for a queen to sit the throne in the right circumstances. A sitting king may designate his familial successor, though such a decision must be ratified by both the High Court and the Senate. The King is the ultimate authority in Kratus. The king's word is immutable law, and may override any decree, proclamation or judgement from any other entity in the kingdom. While the king's authority is absolute, it is not without limits. The guidelines that all Kratan monarchs must abide are known as "The Law of Rule".
The Law of Rule
- By birthright and decree, the ruler of the Kratan Kingdom shall be a Praxxis by blood.
- No king may serve beyond his sixtieth year of life.
- No king may disband or otherwise nullify the Kratan Senate.
- No king may disband or otherwise nullify the High Court of Kratus.
- The king must accept the judgement of the High Court and the Senate when the matter of succession is in doubt.
The Kratan Senate
Kratan government is managed by a senate, made up of elected representatives from each city within the kingdom. Every year each city and town holds elections and selects two citizens to serve as senators for the coming year. These representatives may serve for no more than twenty years in total on the senate. Regardless of how long they've served, no senator may serve beyond the first day of the New Spring following their eightieth year of life. Still living former Kings of Kratus, or properly trained members of the sitting royal family (princes or princesses) have honorary seats in the Kratan senate (they are known as Regency Senators) that they may occupy when they come of age. A Regency Senator can only be removed by order of the king, by a vote of censure by the senate body, or by conviction from the High Court of Kratus.
The senate handles the bulk of the state's decision-making, and generally without the king's input. The sitting king; however, has ultimate veto power, and can overrule or redirect decisions made by the senate at will. The Kratan Senate does have one unassailable power over the king. By unanimous vote, the senate can censure the king, essentially seizing power for a period of time. The vote for censure must be formally called for by the High Court of Kratus before it can be brought to the senate floor for debate. This drastic action is not without consequence; should a censure occur, The World Council of Azurvan would immediately oversee the Kratan government as executor by treaty, acting as a 'neutral' third party to stabilize the situation. This caveat gives pause to kings and senators alike, and as such a censure vote has never been called in the history of the kingdom.
Cities and towns establish councils in much the same manner, electing representatives from the districts in their city to serve on a common council.
The Kratan High Courts
The High Court of Kratus interprets all matters against the established laws of the kingdom. Composed of nine High Arbiters, the high courts generally decide matters of extreme significance to the realm. While they cannot outright nullify legislative decree, they can demand that a particular law be redressed or revised, if not altogether repealed. The court may also decide (by greater majority) to make a formal request of the king. High Arbiters are elected by the sitting court, are approved by the king and serve until their eightieth year. In the year of a High Arbiter's eightieth year of life, the court will select his or her replacement by vote. The selection process formally begins on the first day of Early Harvest, and the vote must be finalized not later than the last day of the month of Winter. New High Arbiters are installed on the first day of the New Spring as with all other elected officials. Still living former Kings of Kratus, or properly trained members of the sitting royal family (princes or princesses) have honorary seats in the high court as Arbiter Regents. Arbiter Regents may speak to any matter brought before the courts. They may vote in any judicial decision except the selection of new High Arbiters, or a call to censure the sitting king. Their place in the courts is optional; the court may proceed in a matter without the Arbiter Regents, and not every king has chosen to sit as an Arbiter Regent. Should the vote of an Arbiter Regent cause a deadlock, the vote of junior-most member of the court is nullified in favor of the Arbiter Regent, even if this results in the Arbiter Regent ending up on the minority side of the vote.Elections & Change in Office
For any elected position in the Kratan government, public elections are held on the first day of Second Harvest. All (regular) changes in office occur on the first day of the New Spring.Technological Level
The Kratans are perhaps the most technologically advanced civilization in Azurvan. They have advanced science and engineering by leaps and bounds through the ages. Unafraid of combining technology and magic, Kratan smiths, engineers and techno-mancers have created wonders and marvels that many in the world could never imagine. Until the time of Kratan Penance, their schools and universities were a cosmopolitan gathering of the keenest minds in the world.
Infrastructure
Given their advanced technology, Kratan cities are some of the most luxurious in the world. Cheif among these is abundant, clean water and indoor plumbing. Water is typically supplied by a mountian spring and distributed via an elaborate aqueduct and pipe network established in every Kratan city. Sewage is also managed to a degree, with some cities reclaiming water to be filtered and reused in non-potable applications. Ultimately, city sewers are often plumbed to empty into abandoned mining pits at the base of the mountains below.
Our power is knowledge, our strength is wisdom, our gift is the skies.
Founding Date
06/18/1202
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Kratan
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Crowned Republic
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
The Kratan Senate
Judicial Body
The High Court of Kratus
Executive Body
The Crown
Location
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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