The Political Landscape of Belkar

Politics of Belkar

The Sultanate of Belkar is a fundamentally a federal monarchy system, with a two tier nobility plus a peasant class.

Nobels in Belkar belong to one of 12 Noble Houses, listed below. The Sultan of Belkar is the highest ranking political office, and is head of house for the most powerful noble family. Currently that is Sultan Theodosuis II, from House Aquilar, .

Sultan

This highest position in the land is the Sultan. The Sultan is the noble who deal with things on an international level and is the final arbiter of justice for all things inside the Sultante.

For example the sultan decides to go to war with other kingdoms, squabbles between lesser nobles and approves settlement expansion and exploration.

The sultan is the head of their noble house, and the head overlord of all the other noble tittle. This title is hereditary, but it also is not fixed; meaning other noble houses could seize power for themselves. This has happened twice, in the 500 or so years since the age of petty kings (roughly 700 CA). Once when House Emberforge united the noble houses and ended the age of Petty Kings, and once by House Aquilar, who seized the crown from Emberforge. Obviously no Sultan would accept the rebellion so such actions is punishable by death not only for the head of the rebel house, but marks every member of the house for death. So such things are not undertaken lightly or often.

The current Sultan is Sultan Theodosuis II from House Aquilar,

Timirs

Are the title for the head of noble houses. These are the governors of towns, cities and large areas of land. The Timirs are heredity, passing to the oldest child of the current Timir. (except House Brightwater ). Most houses recognize female elders, but not all.

Timirs are arbiters of justice for their lands, only to be superseded by the sultan. However it is extremely rare the sultan will interfere with the justice inside another house, as it undermines the authority of the local Timor, which risks angering other Timirs.

These local nobles hold authority in their lands, and in turn offer their support to the Sultan. The power and influence between Timirs is extremely vast. Some of the more powerful houses rival that of the Sultan himself, while the smaller houses might be eclipsed by wealthy merchants.

Lesser Nobles

Lesser nobles are those of noble houses who are extended family. These are the 2nd and beyond siblings, nieces, nephews and others that are related, but are not directly in line to inherit the title of Timir.

These family members typically serve in various positions to the benefit of their houses, acting as ambassadors, generals, negotiators and talent scouts for their family.

Peasants

Peasants make up about 99% of the population. These are the everyday people.

The quality of life for peasants can vary drastically, so there are very wealthy merchants that rival the power of smaller noble houses, but in general about 95% of people live a subsistence life, earning roughly 1 gold piece per month. (For more on this, see Coinage and Wealth in Belkar ).

It is possible for peasants to become noble either through purchasing a noble tittle, being awarded one for military loyalty, or by petition of a Timir (A Timir can ask for a new noble house to on their behalf). Only the Sultan can recognize a new noble house and it is so rare that it might happen once every 100 years.

Heraldry, What is it?

Heraldry is a system of designing and displaying distinctive symbols, called coats of arms, to identify individuals, families, or organizations.

These symbols, composed of various elements like colors, shapes, animals, and objects, were displayed on shields, banners, and other forms of regalia.