Birdfolk Council
History
The first Birdfolk Council was organized by founder Ava Windsweft, not only to govern the new city of Alderheart, but to foster a sense of unity among the five birdfolk clans. However, these clans held the largest perches in Humblewood, and leaders saw little value in undermining their own power. As such, many prominent city founders abstained from taking up seats on the Council. Grido and Farro refused nomination, some say out of loyalty to their clans, though others claim it was from fear of banishment. Hevod and Edwin refused as well out of concern that their respective clans would abuse the Council’s authority for their own ends. Ava was fortunate that the lumas of Humblewood understood the need for birdfolk to look past their differences, and received her clan’s blessing to leave them on good terms, and lead the city as best she saw fit.
Because only a few candidates for the Council came forward, the matter of who would govern the new city was put to Alderheart’s citizenry. In return, the appointed Council members were to vote among themselves to decide would serve as their leader. In the end, the council voted unanimously for Ava Windsweft, whose efforts were pivotal to the Council’s formation.
32nd Birdfolk Council
Administration
There are currently only five seats on the Birdfolk Council: Brackenmill, The Avium, Saltar's Port, Marshview, and Alderheart. Perches that reach sufficient size and wealth can appeal to have a seat added, but the Council tends to make these changes slowly, if at all. At the head of the Council is the Speaker, who wields veto power, which they are expected to use rarely and wisely. Speakers serve for as long as they are able, so these delegates are held to a very high standard. The Council can vote to strip the Speaker of their position in cases of abuse of power, but thankfully, no Speaker in all of Humblewood’s history has ever needed to be removed this way. The Council changed as Alderheart’s influence spread, and small villages harassed by the remains of the First Coalition, or threatened by dangerous beasts, began to call upon the Perch Guard for aid. There were yet more struggles as perches of different birdfolk clans began to challenge Alderheart, but these were short-lived, and what remained of the clans’ influence shrank with Alderheart’s rise. In time, the Council came to govern the whole of the Wood.
In addition to being Humblewood’s legislative body, the Birdfolk Council also serves as Humblewood’s highest court. Anyone in Humblewood can request an audience with the Council and make their case, whether to suggest a change to a law, express an issue affecting the city, or to address a legal dispute that needs settlement. The council is often busy with the day-to-day tasks of governance though, and the wait to see them can be long, but they try to see as many citizens as they can. Larger disputes, however, are always scheduled in front of the Council, which decides the outcome based on evidence and witness testimony. In such cases, the Speaker acts as judge.
Council Members
Bita Whitewing, the Council Speaker and Alderheart Seat
Bita is a bright gallus whose elegant white plumage resembles that of a peacock. As the Birdfolk Council’s Speaker, she is always first to address those who have been granted an audience with the Council. She takes her duties as the Speaker and as a Council member very seriously. Despite her profound affection for Humblewood and it’s citizens, she often comes off as severe and cold. Bita believes in doing what’s best for the folks of the Wood, and sometimes this means making levelheaded, tough decisions.
Berkley Sandcrest, Provost of the Avium and The Avium Seat
Stout strig based on the burrowing owl. Berkley holds the highest position of power within the Avium university and town. He is intelligent and is a powerful wizard, but he holds prejudices against Humblefolk. He does not believe humblefolk possess much magic or ability to harness it. Any examples of humblefolk using magic he hears about he often scoffs off as hearsay and rumor. Berkley tends to view humblefolk as "lesser" species that aren't as esteemed as Birdfolk.
Master Beckett Hudsonia and Brackenmill Seat
Master Beckett Hudsonia is the elected Birdfolk Council seat for Brackenmill. He is a corvum resembling a magpie, or pica hudsonia. Master Beckett is most concerned with the food and resources production of Humblewood and especially of Brackenmill. He has a favorable view of Humblefolk and often advocates for them as equals to Birdfolk.
Jasper Saltar and Saltar's Port Seat
Head of House Saltar and sits on the Birdfolk Council for Saltar's Port. The Saltar's are lumas inspired by the nightingale songbirds. While somewhat plain in appearance, their songs and performance work is unmatched. Due to their close business partnerships with humblefolk near the sea and their acceptance along the Fulmar Cliffs, the Saltar's have a favorable relationship with Humblefolk.
Papa Kingsley De Leon and Marshview Seat
Papa Kingsley De Leon is not a friendly raptor. He resembles a king vulture with his brightly colored face and white-and-black feathers. He spends little time in Marshview, the town he presides over, because he doesn't much like how quiet it is and in his old age he doesn't much like the weather and humidity. He's far more ambitious than the small town he inherited will allow. Kingsley tends to avoid Humblefolk, viewing them as dirty necessities. Kingsley is by far the most conservative and prejudicial of all the Birdfolk Council.
City Officers
The Birdfolk Council governs Alderheart with the same system of officers that is used across Humblewood, so the information provided here should also prove useful if you find yourself in another one of Humblewood’s perches. There are three different kinds of officers: Judges, Officials, and Magistrates, each of which has different responsibilities.
Judges
Judges work to settle most legal disputes within the city and are appointed by Birdfolk Council delegates based on both their understanding of the laws of the Wood as well as the quality of their character.
Officials
Officials work under the Magistrate and help manage their work. In big perches like Alderheart, there are many officials, whose duties range from tax collection to approving new shaping requests. Officials can also petition Magistrates to amend city codes or laws based on input from folks in their districts. Officials are elected by city residents, to which they are accountable. Though Officials have the authority to call upon the Perch Guard to make arrests, they can’t settle legal disputes.
Magistrates
Magistrates answer directly to the Birdfolk Council. Each perch has one Magistrate, who is elected into office by the folks who live there. Alderheart’s Magistrate serves as both a lawmaker and an adjudicator. Generally, Magistrates can only craft laws that pertain to their own city or village, and their power is further limited by the Council, which must approve each law before it becomes official. Magistrates also have the authority to try criminals and enforce the laws of the Birdfolk Council, and they serve as judges on disputes too large to be handled by lower courts, but too small to be brought before the Birdfolk Council immediately. Magistrates are elected each song, and the most successful campaign tirelessly to maintain their positions. If you pass a Magistrate on the street, be sure to treat them with due respect. Their word alone can get you out of a spot of trouble!
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