The Council of Seven

The Council of Seven is held by the heads of the seven ruling families of Almenan. They usually hold council in the High Hall and have regular open forums to allow the people to voice their concerns. Despite its name, the council actually consists of 9 individuals, 8 of whom hail from the ruling houses while the final individual is elected as a representative of the citizens of Almenan.
The seven ruling families are the Ubsani family, the El-Muneer family, the Pysaal family, the Torganira family, the Brightsteel clan, the Doleva family and the Padovan family. The elected member of the council holds the title of The Civost and the election is held every three years by popular vote. The other Seats are each held a specific family.

Seat of Infrastructure

The Ubsani family holds the position of the Seat of Infrastructure with responsibilities relating to the maintenance and construction of infrastructure in and around the city. The elven family is currently lead by Lady Alia Ubsani. This family's lineage is passed from mother to 2nd daughter on the daughter's 60th birthday. The daughter is expected to wait until after she has taken office to select a suitor for herself. The current heir is Alia's 2nd female cousin Kazne as Alia has no heir of her own. In fact, despite holding the seat for over 40 years, she has yet to choose a suitor. In addition to being the Lady in Waiting of the Ubsani house, Kazne also currently holds the title of Civost.

Seat of External Affairs

Despite being part of the  Raselan Kingdom, Almenan functions mostly independently. As such, the Pysall family is responsible for organizing the relationships between Almenan and the wider world. This family is always ruled by twins so that one can be present in the city while the other is away on diplomatic business. The Halfling family is currently lead by Crest Amoli and Ishmun Pysaal as the oldest true born twins within the house. Upon their resignation or death, the duty will fall to the next eldest surviving pair of twins born within the family's hillside keep, Crest Balaram and Valpin.

Seat of Education

Responsible for academic and educational pursuits of Almenan, the human Doleva house has long held a close working relationship with the Great Almen Archive as well as regular correspondence and agreements with the Emaurian Academy. The house is currently lead by Alenka Doleva who will hold the position for another 8 years until her son Ayrbeg is 18. The Doleva family, with their academic pursuits, holds the belief that the Seat should be held by the most suited individual for the position. As such, Ayrbeg will be expected to marry a wife who is best equipped to handle the needs of the city and the council whereupon the Seat will be passed to her.

Seat of Economy

The Brightsteel clan is best known among the people of Almenan as crafters and merchants skilled in smithing and woodworking. This dwarven clan also has a member who occupies the Seat of Economy for 49 years at a time. During the 50th year, the seat remains empty while competition is held between the next generation of crafters within the clan. The winner becomes the Master Craftsman and holds the seat for the next 49 years. Currently, Master Karna Brightsteel has held the Seat for 42 years and manages internal business affairs of the city as well as trade with other cities and kingdoms.

Seat of Judgement

Syr Tajel El-Maneer is the head of the fire genasi El-Maneer house which holds the Seat of Judgement. As the sitting councilman in this position, Syr Tajel is also the Highest Judge in the judicial system. His responsibility is to organize and oversee the Judicial system of Almenan, training and appointing judges as well as preside over matters of extreme import or contention. The El-Maneer house's Seat is passed based on the recommendation of the current Sitting member. Syr Tajel named his successor recently as Lay Hamsa, the wife of his young nephew Rofeer much to the chagrin of many family members and long-standing members of the judicial system.

Seat of Protection

Responsible for the city guard as well as the detachment of the Raselani Navy and Army positioned in Almenan, this seat is held by the half-orc Lord Khasar Torganira, a brilliant tactician with close ties to the Doleva family. Since he bested his elder brother Arslan, Khasar has lead the guard to become a well-respected group of peacekeepers. In the 10 years since Khasar took the Seat from his brother, he has been challenged four times. However, none of these have been fruitful. It is suspected that he will be the first to pass on his Seat due to old age rather than defeat in the Labyrinth since the positional was first held by Shayozi Torganira.

Seat of Resources

Envoy Vedran Padovan is responsible for the city's generation and use of resources, ensuring that taxes and distributed fairly as well as taking stock of what is needed to keep the city thriving and what is produced in excess and therefore eligible for trade. This seat requires the most cooperation and integration with the other seats and the Half-Elven Padovan house have long been respected for their ability to mediate disagreements within the Council. The responsibility of sitting on the council is passed traditionally to the current sitting Envoy's eldest child. Currently, Envoy Vedran's eldest child is a daughter named Dorotea who is only 7 years old.

Civost

The elected representative of the citizens, a position of great respect and amongst both the people and the council members. The election is held every three years. The current Civost is Kazne Ubsani.

Type

Geopolitical, Town Council

Related Ranks & Titles

• Civost