The Bicameral Assembly of Gorundia
“It’s three days of pomp, posture, and piss-poor memory—but at least the Bannerhall gets to shout first. Most kingdoms don’t even pretend their knights have thoughts worth hearing.” 'Course, half the time they’re just shouting to hear their own voices echo off marble, but damned if it ain’t our echo.” - Sorek Redmarch
The kingdom of Gorundia, though ruled by a traditional monarchy, maintains a consultative dual-house assembly that lends legitimacy to royal decrees and provides a platform for noble consensus. This assembly is composed of two distinct chambers:
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The Lord’s Muster
Members: Dukes, Counts, and Barons of Gorundia
Meeting Length: 3–5 Days (see
Schedule)
Nickname: "The Crimson Chamber"
Location: The High Rotunda of Stormhold Keep
The Lord’s Muster is the highest consultative body in Gorundia beneath the Crown. It reviews and ratifies proposals forwarded from the Bannerhall, and may itself raise one new issue of concern each session. The king retains full veto power over any final resolution, but decisions of the Muster carry immense political weight.
The Verdant Bench: A row of seats along the western dais, reserved for trusted elvish advisors who may no longer hold full noble
Titles due to the fall of the Twin Kingdoms. Though they may not vote, their words are often recorded and considered, especially in matters of war, elven law, or ancient treaties.
Opening Ceremony, Day One:
Following invocation at the Altar of Heironeous, the
Tolls of the Dead are read aloud—listing noble deaths since the last gathering. This is followed by the
Introduction of New Members, where heirs stand, bow, and quietly take their seat. On rare occasions, an entirely new noble is raised—this is handled with more ceremony: a herald’s reading of the royal grant, the oath of fealty, and presentation of the sword and seal of office. These events are of great interest to the assembled lords—though often less so to the newly burdened.
“The dead get tolls and titles. The living get taxes and headaches.”
—Baron Cadaras Kendal
The upcoming recognition of
Baron Orin Kharne and Baroness Braga the Brazen of Westhold is anticipated with great curiosity—and no small amount of gossip. It is said neither one is eager to attend, and both would rather be fighting or drinking, possibly at the same time.
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The Bannerhall
Members: Landed knights, minor lords, and chartered civic leaders
Meeting Length: 2 Days, plus final day for response
Nickname: "The Iron Circle"
Location: Bannerhall Hall proper, adjacent to the Chapel of Heironeous
The Bannerhall is where most matters are first raised. It is a more impassioned, informal assembly composed of the knightly and gentry class. Proposals refined here are forwarded to the Lord’s Muster, who can accept, amend, or reject them. If the Lord’s Muster accepts a rebuttal from the Bannerhall, it may lead to a rare second deliberation.
“It is the highest honor I have known in this realm—to be chosen by my peers, not my pedigree. When I served as Chancellor before, I brought order. If ever I serve again, I shall bring clarity.”
—Dame Vynemmara Gylenda, known as ‘Venom’
Schedule of Assembly
Day 1-2: Bannerhall Convenes
Review petitions, taxes, disputes, war matters
Vote on proposals to elevate to Lord’s Muster
Day 3-5: Lord’s Muster Convenes
Invocation and Tolls of the Dead
Introductions of heirs and new lords
Reviews and debates matters passed from Bannerhall
May introduce ONE new matter of their own
Final decisions delivered to Bannerhall
Day 6: Bannerhall Re-Convenes
Hear outcome
May submit a single counterargument
If compelling, forces a One Day Return Session
Day 7 (Optional): Lord’s Muster Re-Convenes
Final deliberation on rebuttal
If tensions high or matter complex, meeting may extend +2 days
Day 8+: King Issues Final Pronouncement
Royal veto may override any or all conclusions
Appointments & Offices
- The Sword Herald: Appointed for life by the king, this official reads proposals aloud in both chambers. Must be a knight in good standing.
- Chancellor of the Banner: Elected every 4 years by the Bannerhall to chair its meetings. Usually a knight known for temperance and wit.
- Seal-Lord of the Muster: Traditionally a baron or count, holds the royal seal for session closures and is responsible for recording legal decisions.
- Writkeeper of the Verdant Bench: An elvish scribe-scholar from the Twin Kingdoms, responsible for archiving historical testimony and precedent.
Rites and Traditions
Opening Ritual:
Each session begins with a solemn invocation at the altar of Heironeous, with optional prayers to Pholtus, Pelor, Stern Alia, and Corellon. A ceremonial sword is laid across the speaker’s table, symbolizing truth in service.
Closing of the Blades:
At the end of each session, knights of the Bannerhall sheath their swords in unison—“to sheath our quarrels until the next fire.” A ceremonial rite with roots in the elvish Twin Courts.
The Verdant Invocation:
Elves on the Verdant Bench recite a single verse from the
Song of the Crowned Grove, commemorating their ancient pact with the First Kings of Gorundia.
The Judgment Flame:
When the Lord’s Muster rejects a counterargument, a brazier is lit in the Bannerhall for one night—“to burn regret, not resentment.” If the king vetoes the Muster, the flame is extinguished at dawn.
“House Thralen never stood in the Lord’s Hall. We were too small, too proud, and too easily buried.”
But now my daughter sits where none of us were allowed to. A Kharne by marriage, a Thralen by blood, and a Durathen by legacy. And the name they tried to forget will echo through those stones, whether they wish it or not.”
“They thought us ashes. Let them choke on the smoke.” - Lady Myreth Durathen
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