The Collective

The Collective is the governing body of Illragorn and the surrounding regions. It consists of one representative for each of the recognized vicinages. The exact number varies as new vicinages are built, while others may be absorbed by larger, more prosperous, neighbors. 
The exact level of authority and jurisdiction of the Collective is something that is often debated. On a high level, it is responsible for issues that impact Illragorn as a whole, as well as seeing to the protection of Illragron, and the surrounding environs, especially the Wild Wood, as a whole. Of course, exactly how to interpret this mandate is something that is often hotly contested when their decision impact vicinages in ways that are not popular.

Structure

The Collective is a body of representatives of each of the vicinages, with each one gaining but a single representative which prevents the older, more populous or wealthy vicinages from gaining effective control over the fates of the newer, smaller ones.
Representatives are appointed by individual vicinages, using whatever system each has determined for itself. In most cases, this is based on a general vote of the population, but some use systems that are less democratic. Once appointed, a representative serves a term of six years. There is no limit to the number of terms a representative can serve, but once they have been removed from office, they can never again be appointed to it. 
Once appointed, the Collective assigns each a position within one or more committees, each of which is responsible for specific aspects of the day-to-day running of Illragorn. There are more than a dozen such committees with varying levels of prestige, but the most important of these are as follows:

• Committee of Justice: Considered by many to be the most powerful of the committees, the Committee of Justice is responsible not only for the implementation of laws within Illragorn and the surrounding regions, but also in the creation of it. Unlike many other city-states, Illragorn sees no distinction between the two. The committee is also responsible for internal security and maintains the city's militia. However, external security lies within another committee's jurisdiction.
• Committee of Security: What military Illragorn maintains is overseen by this committee. It is responsible not only for securing the city from external geopolitical threats, but also to see to the safety of the outlying farms, ranches, logging camps and similar industries that help the city to survive. The logging camps are of especial interest as it is the chief source of revenue for the city.
• Committee of Relations: When dealing with foreign entities, be it representatives of the Republic or the arrival of a nomadic trade caravan, the Committee of Relations is the primary body that meets and determines policy regarding these other entities. For many centuries, this committee was seen as largely unnecessary, but as the world regained its footing and communities began to look beyond their own needs, the prestige of this committee has steadily risen.

Culture

Like basically all political entities, the internal workings of the Collective are complex and filled with a level of duplicity and intrigue that might surprise an outsider - especially given the relatively laid-back nature of Illragorn as a whole. However, competition between the various vicinages for power and control is surprisingly intense. Many of the older ones resent the fact that they have no more representation or control over the future of Illragorn than a newly recognized one with a quarter the population and 10% the wealth. These older, more populous, and wealthier vicinages believe they should be given more representation in the Collective. Unsurprisingly, the smaller vicinages disagree, and so so with energy. Their argument is that such a change to the political pillars of the city would fundamentally alter the balance of power and put their fates into the hands of wealthier neighbors. The argument is an old one which will likely continue long into the future.
Despite the infighting over this, and other, contentious issues, the body as a whole is in general in agreement when it comes to external issues. While there are certainly those who wish to engage more with the outside world as a means of both improving the security or the city, and increasing its wealth, most prefer the current approach of staying in their own part of the world, and leaving the rest of it  to their own intrigues. As such, the city maintains a strictly neutral stance towards all the other powers hoping to stay as unnoticed by the world going forward as they are today.

Founding Date

365

Type

Geopolitical, City council

Alternative Names

The Wild Council

Location

Illragorn