Rubies Regnant
An Emperor need not bother with the frivolities of rule. We are the gems of His crown! We are the Rubies that complement His blackest of diamonds!The ruling structure of the Medimian Empire has long been fraught with political struggles, from petty courtroom drama to nightly assassinations. Various emperors and empresses found themselves drawn into the game, some winding up dead, others earning greater control than any before them. As the dynasties progressed and the empire gained power, it was no secret that the ruling class found this unacceptable. And so came the Rubies Regnant: pinnacles of Medimian ideals given extensive powers over sections of the church or state. Each ruby is represented in the Juris Diadem, and one of the crown's enchantments reflects the eye of each current Ruby Regnant in the physical jewel, granting the impression that the Rubies are always watching.
Duties
Each of the Rubies Regnant has power over a different sector of the Empire, and thus has a number of different responsibilities. The current five Rubies cover the areas of War, Trade, Law, Religion, and Research.
The Ruby of War holds control over the state military and must coordinate troops for both defence of the Empire and expansion attempts. They are responsible for organising the Gemstone Regiments, but must take into account the will of the other four Rubies and lower ministers. They also organise recruitment and training across the entirety of the Empire, and often run recruitment drives during times of war.
The Ruby of War is largely considered to be the most dangerous to oppose due to the power they hold both personally and politically, and the post is generally awarded to particularly experienced military generals with a strong penchant for diplomacy.
The Ruby of Trade coordinates exploration of the world and handles the nation's agricultural and production decisions, often needing to work with the Rubies of Law and Research to ensure the nation's coffers remain filled.
This Ruby must have had prior experience in the Empire's treasuries to even be considered for the post of Ruby by most Emperors. As they have the most access to the Empire's coffers of anyone aside from the Emperor themselves, the Ruby of Trade is most respected in the nobility - and often disrespected by the commonfolk.
The Ruby of Law is perhaps the most close Ruby to the Emperor, as they must carry out the Emperor's will with regards to new laws. They are also responsible for their own upholding of law, including those laws that control the populace and maintain the air of peace within the Empire's borders.
They are regarded as the weakest Ruby by outsiders, but those higher in Medimian society will swear that every Ruby of Law is a deadly poison against the seditious and chaotic elements that might threaten the Empire. No sane person would directly counter the Ruby of Law's ruling, not when the Ruby also controls interrogation...
The Ruby of Religion maintains the relations between church and state. No Ruby of Religion will ever be anything less than a powerful and highly-respected cleric or similar who worships Asmodeus or another of the Lords of Hell; it is said that they alone bear a similar role to the Emperor in having a direct line to Hell.
They oversee the handling of religious propaganda and work closely with the Ruby of War to destroy heretical beliefs such as the worship of Cayden Cailean. They also hold responsibility over the fate of spellcasters, particularly those who dare to channel the arcane, and are granted special powers over the Amethystine Regiment that counter even the Ruby of War.
Finally, the Ruby of Research is responsible for industrialisation and exploration of both the natural and unnatural worlds. They are the most likely to travel outside of Medimia and seek new information, and due to this, common rumour states that the Ruby of Research also holds power over Medimia's spy networks. They work closely with all factions of Medimian society to improve every facet where possible, often pushing their fellow Rubies to make changes in how they utilise their hostage populace.
Despite the nation's disgust for the arcane, the Ruby of Research is granted permission to withdraw units from the Amethystine Regiment if arcane magic is needed for research purposes - this is often seen as a practical way to dispose of the less-useful members in the Regiment.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Traditionally, a Ruby holds their position until death. However, within the past few centuries, new rules have been instated by the Emperor to allow Rubies to retire if they have reached an age or mental state that prevents them from correctly performing their duties. Only the Emperor can grant a request for retirement, and should the Ruby in question be denied, they will often simply be killed for treasonous thoughts instead.
Former Rubies are treated with the same respect they once held and are often called upon in a strictly advisory role. Even a dead Ruby is not spared this: the Ruby of Religion will gladly call upon the soul of a passed Ruby if said Ruby died whilst in a position of respect. Treasonous Rubies often have their souls called back to then be bound to a soul gem to prevent other nations from doing similar and gaining state secrets.
History
Emperor Salvius Iustianus Valenus established the Rubies Regnant in 3285 EA after his ascension was marred by a series of political duels and assassinations that threatened to destablise the legal structure in place over the region of Lucis. Pressure from neighbouring Vriestadt led Salvius to believe that a war would break out if something wasn't done to strengthen his regime and reduce the in-fighting, but it still took a direct threat from one of the lower lords - who very much regretted it - to push Salvius into establishing the Rubies.
The Emperor took the Diadem from his head and bore it aloft, and so flowed his power - each of the Rubies erupted with scarlet light! He swore that they would mark our Empire's path forward, and the Gods themselves agreed: the Beams became Sceptres, and a Great Tournament was held to name their First Holders!
Notable Holders
Her Imperial Grace Idaura Esdras Lexea currently holds the position of the Ruby regnant over War, and leads the assault against the Aletheian Empire and its vassal state of Ordan.
His Imperial Grace Emidius Cyricus Domitus held the position of Ruby regnant over Trade during the late 3500s and remains a household name for the naval and trade connections established with a number of tribes and countries located across Xin Jiyu and Takawaoku. He is held in high respect as one of the first to prove the worth of Emperor Salvius's plans.
Type
Civic, Political
Status
Currently active; 5 holders.
Creation
Decree of Emperor Salvius Iustianus Valenus, 3285 EA
Form of Address
His Imperial Grace
Alternative Naming
the Ruby of...
Source of Authority
the Emperor of the Medimian Empire
Length of Term
Until death or honourable retirement
Related Organizations
Related Military Formations
Comments