Gwyfales
In wood elf politics, the Gwyfales (master of reasons) is the chair and moderator of confederal assemblies. The current Gwyfales of Qosid is Sedden Thulyndy. Traditionally, the Gwyfales of Qosid is housed in Thellur, where representatives of the communes head during the Full Assemblies.
Qualifications
The title of Gwyfales is bestowed through majority vote by the Representatives of the Communes of the Communes, to one of its members. There are no formal requirements beyond being a Representative, but an extensive deliberative process guarantees that only senior representatives with clear rhetorical, critical and inquisitive abilities are chosen for the role. Representatives who have demonstrated a strong capacity to steer discussions during assemblies and who are considerate of many points of view are more likely to be chosen as Gwyfales.
Requirements
To become a Gwyfales, one must have been sent out as Representative from a recognized Qosidian commune.
Appointment
Every 50 years, a Full Assembly is held in Thellur in which the new Gwyfales is chosen by majority vote. The votes are cast by the Representatives of the Communes, and all Representatives themselves are automatically nominated. The announcement of the winner takes place in the Thallidien, the Thellur amphitheatre, and the winner is given the option to accept or refuse the position. If the winner refuses, another vote is organized, with the refusing winner no longer nominated. This cumbersome process exists so that the preferences of the Representatives remain fully transparent.
If the winner accepts, his or her commune is informed about the decision via messagebird, and the previous Gwyfales (or substitute) travels to this commune to request permission for the promotion of their Representative. If such permission is given, the commune becomes the host of a ten-day feast one month later, to which all wood elves are invited. Custom has it that visitors bring copious amounts of food to this celebration. Once the tenday ends, the new Gfywales heads to the Moss Cave to undergo a druidic initiation rite.
Duties
The Gwyfales must remain impartial and open-minded, and should always be informed about the state of Qosid and the political considerations that exist with the many communes. Besides this clearly political role, a good Gwyfales also seeks council from religious and scholarly institutions and seeks to have a deep understanding of current issues.
Responsibilities
The Gwyfales should call for limited or full assemblies of the Communes if pressing matters arise. If such assemblies are called, the Gwyfales opens and moderates the discussions. This includes making sure that all opinions in an assembly are heard and substantiated with argumentation. The Gwyfales also calls votes during such assemblies, to force decisions to come through. It is at the discretion of the Gwyfales to set conditions on the vote (e.g. whether a majority or unanimity is required for a vote to pass). The moderation is aided by magical means: a floating stick that is held by the Representative who receives a turn to speak and voting stones that help properly count the popular opinion.
Benefits
There is a strong social benefit to the role of Gwyfales, as the position commands respect and attention from fellow citizens. Food and lodging in Thellur for the Gwyfales are provided for and of high quality. Besides this, those who hold the title are also motivated by the personal growth the position offers and by the large network that a Gwyfales has access to.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The Gwyfales has a large wooden staff with a radiant orb that is ceremonially used during assemblies. The orb can change color at will of its holder and is, for example, used to indicate the outcome of a vote in a way that is immediately visible to all attendants in an assembly.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
If a Gwyfales is accused of abusing the position, this becomes the topic of either a limited or full assembly of Representatives of the Communes, dependent on the size and substance of the accusation. During such an assembly, differences can be resolved and trust regained or, alternatively, the integrity of the Gwyfales can be contested. Even if only a single Representative contests the integrity of the Gwyfales after the assembly, a Full Assembly is called to decide on the moderator's fate.
During this Full Assembly, the Gwyfales hands over his role to a Representative who contests his integrity and temporarily resumes duties as a regular Representative. The Full Assembly then discusses the matter for at least one tenday, which is closed by a definitive vote. If more than three-fifths of the Full Assembly doubts the integrity of the Gwyfales under discussion, he or she is dismissed and a new initiation vote immediately follows.
Type
Civic, Citizenship
Form of Address
Spirit of us all
Source of Authority
Length of Term
50 years
Current Holders
Related Locations
Comments