Imperial Protocol

Overview

The rules governing the Eoion Empire's imperial family, the Shiroko Dynasty, are varied and highly dependent on whether it is family interacting with other family or outsiders interacting with members of the ruling dynasty. Below is a detailed description of protocol in various scenarios.
As the connection to the Bolu through Ilya Shiroko increased, the formality and pageantry surrounding the family increased due to their association with divinity. Hierarchy became increasingly important within as well once inbreeding began under the Doctrine of Dea-an Heritage.

Outside of the Family

Interacting directly with the imperial family

The acceptance of the Shiroko dynasty as either themselves partially divine or simply descended from a quasi-divine being has led to a great deal of protocol and ceremony intended to direct the behavior of others and show proper respect and deference.

• Never touch a member of the royal family. The only exception to this is physicians while carrying out their assigned duties
• Do not speak until spoken to
• Always use proper titles when speaking. Nobility may refer to the royal as simply 'Majesty', 'Highness', or 'Grace' along with their title after the initial greeting. (ex. Your Imperial Highness upon first meeting, then subsequently Highness Royal Consort), but commoners must use the full respectful address
• When meeting a member of the royal family, bowing is done in various different forms depending on status. For extended family, a half bow from the waist is appropriate. For aunts, uncles, siblings, and grandparents, a three fourths bow is needed. Parents and younger children are given a full bow. The heir is greeted by kneeling on one knee and bowing at half. Both knees on the floor and a half bow is given to the spouse. The ruler is greeted by kneeling completely, with the forehead pressed to the floor. Upon first meeting, six bows are performed, one for each of the four conquered kingdoms and two for Eoion. After this, in all instances, when dealing with adult members of the family, rising is only done when given permission. When meeting children, three seconds is appropriate.
• Standing and sitting are done only when the highest ranking royal in the room does so
• Always arrive early when meeting a member of the royal family.
• Never leave before the highest ranking royal unless dismissed
• Do not look the royal directly in the eye unless instructed
• When referring to oneself in conversation with the ruler or their spouse, the speaker must refer to themselves as 'your humble servant' (bu tsiron purei in Eoin) followed by their name on the first instance. After this, the standard 'I' can be used.

Being hosted by the imperial family

Invitations to the Gandenye or to join the imperial family, particularly the reigning baejan (emperor/empress) in some other way, are considered a high honor and it is extremely important to show proper respect when being hosted.

• When hosted in the Gandenye itself, arrive by the main eastern gate at least fifteen minutes before the arrival time to ensure there will be no lateness
• If meeting in the High Grand Hall, bow at each third of the way to the throne and then make the requisite bow to the ruler, if meeting them directly
• If the meeting is to take place in another location, bow at half the distance as directed by the above protocol
• Do not ask directly where one will be housed. This is taken care of by various stewards and departments. Asking directly is asking the royal to fulfil a lower role. Only discuss accommodations if the royal does so first
• Formal attire is required for the first meeting. Occasion and activity will dictate all other forms of dress, but in all instances, never appear unkempt
• Gifts are highly encouraged for visitors who arrive infrequently. These are generally given to the particular royal being met and their spouse. Children are optional. Guests who visit with regularity are not looked down upon if gifts are not given. First time visitors should bring a gift. If meeting the baejan, it is considered appropriate to bring a gift for their tsirin as well.

Hosting the imperial family

When a member of the Shiroko family is to stay in the home of another family, the host is responsible for ensuring that the royal is properly cared for and treated well.

• The entire household, including head servants, must be present when greeting the royal(s). Bowing is done only when the highest ranking visiting royal leaves their vehicle.
• A prayer is given to the Divine Founder in thanks for the safe travel and arrival of the royal(s)
• The ruler's tsirin is given a room inside the home, if they are able to enter. If not, a fine tent is given. The tsirin is never housed in stables or with farm animals.
• Hosts are permitted to remain in their normal bedrooms. Guests rooms are given in order of rank. The most well furnished are given to the ruler and their family.
• A standard staff (valet, chambermaid, cloth master, butler, and three slaves) is assigned to each royal. In smaller houses with less staff, this can be varied. At minimum, each royal must be attended by a butler or maid and one slave. Any staff assigned to a royal must be well versed in proper standard protocol
• Staff that are brought with the royal are housed with the host's staff
• The schedule of the house does not alter unless directly ordered by the royal, although this is rare.
• At meals, the highest ranking royal guests sits at the head of the table. The head of the host family will sit directly to their left with the rest of the host family on that side in descending order of rank. At the right will be any other royals in the same order.

Gifts

The art of gift giving is dependent on social and economic status. A commoner meeting a royal would not be expected to give the same level of gift as a high ranking aristocrat. Even so, there are certain guidelines that must be followed.

• Rare celebrations (coronations, weddings, etc) require more elaborate gifts. Two is standard, but more are acceptable. For coronations and weddings, swords and other weapons are not considered appropriate as they bring violence to a happy occasion. Funerals will not have any rings given. Rings represent eternity and a member of the 'eternal dynasty' has just passed. Civilian families are not thought to be eternal and thus rings are an acceptable gift. Other forms of jewelry are appropriate in all events. Gold is common for those able to afford it. Gifts bearing the image of a tsirin are to be given only to the ruler or tsudaeba (royal consort)
• Meeting gifts can be smaller and usually only one is given. Flowers or other fine plants are appropriate for children, but not adults. Combs, rings, and necklaces are the most common. These can be simple designs. Overt extravagance is considered bribery so there must be a balance between honoring the royal's station and not appearing gaudy.
• Gifts of clothing are reserved only for outer robes. The fit of inner robes is strictly governed while outer robes can be looser. This variation in fit allows for more variety for the giver.

Within the Family

Interacting with members

When members of the Shiroko dynasty interact with one another, protocols are slightly altered as a royal dealing with another royal is closer in social rank than a noble or commoner.

• Titles are used only with the ruler and their immediate family. Younger children are called 'Grace'. The heir and spouse are referred to as 'Highness'. 'Majesty' is used for the ruler. When addressing a higher ranking family member by name, 'Lord' or 'Lady' (taibehon) is placed in front of the name. Formal titles such as 'baejanvela', 'tsudaebavela', and 'tajanjivela' can also be used.
• Children are given a half bow at the waist. Adults outside of the ruler's immediate family are given a three quarters bow. The ruler's siblings and children are given a full bow. When in the presence of the ruler or their spouse royal family members kneel on one knee and perform a full bow.
• Kissing the palm of the ruler and their spouse is a standard greeting. This is to demonstrate that all the wider family has is given from them and the lower ranking member is grateful.

Being hosted by/hosting other members

A higher ranking member hosting a lower will have only very basic protocols, mostly revolving around the number of servants allotted to their relative. Beyond this, the lower ranking member is still below their host and must act in a deferential manner at all times. If a lower member is hosting a higher, different protocols are followed.

• Only the family of the host and their three highest ranking servants must be present to meet the higher royal. Protocol similar to nobility can be followed to show greater respect, particularly if the difference in station is high or the ruler themselves is being hosted.
• A higher ranking member staying with a lower is expected to be respectful, but is allowed far more freedom to dictate schedule than the opposite. Most often, they will adhere to the same standards of politeness shown with aristocracy.
• Casual forms of address are acceptable in private in all instances when the difference in rank is within two levels. Outside of this, 'Lord' or 'Lady' (taibehon) will be used as a title, along with the royal's first name when addressing a higher rank, as in standard protocol

Rank addresses

Lower ranking members speaking to those above them is highly regimented and discussed above. Between family units or higher addressing lower, there are other rules.

• When a high member speaks to a lower, they often use their family relation to refer to them. The suffix -vela, used to make a word into a title in Eoin, is added.
• A child addressing their parents will use 'mother' and 'father'. The exception to this is imperial children of the reigning monarch. In this case, using the prefix ta- before the name, denoting a higher rank. They may also use 'majesty', 'highness', or 'grace' depending on the rank of their parent.
• Nicknames are never used in public, only private

Other rules and protocol

These are uncategorized rules which are adhered to by the royal family as part of standard protocol.

• Royals are to wear at least three robes unless otherwise dictated by a specific tradition or ceremony. The excess fabric of the sleeves must be at least waist length for extended family, mid-thigh for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, knee for parents and children, mid-shin for the spouse, and just above floor length for the ruler. However, the ruler can decide to go shorter, but never above the knee and they must wear at least one more robe if this is done.
• All members of the royal family must hold a job that in some way benefits the nation. They cannot be employed outside of the country. Specific governmental work is not necessary and work with charities is common with those who do not wish to serve in the administration of the empire. A few members have become artists, scholars, and such, but their work must be geared toward Eoion and no other nation. Jobs that fall outside of government or charity work can only be done with the permission of the ruler.
• Certain furniture is only used by specific family members. For example, the long bench-chair in the main auxiliary meeting room of the High Grand Hall is reserved for the ruler only.