Is it time to talk about the Noble Republic again? I think it is!
As it stands right now, The Noble Republic of Sanguirne is not mentioned in my current world/project (being as it is not part of that world), but has a high chance of being a side project in the not too distant future, so let's talk politics.
For brief history, the founding of the Noble Republic has it's roots in the 8 Noble Houses entrusted to governing the islands of Sanguirne during their time as a territory of Greater Marille, and the question of who was to lead the new nation. The danger of civil war threatened the country, and unless all of the houses stood together they were all equally vulnerable to retaliation by Greater Marille and the other mainland nations. After much debate, the houses agreed to have each house retain rule over their respective island(s), while the houses would vote on a singe person to make decisions that concern Sanguirne as a whole and settle disputes between houses.
Okay, so how does it actually work?
Originally voting rights were restricted to only the head of each house, but now each house declares 1-4 additional members of either their house or an approved branch house as voting members, depending on the population of their respective domains. At election time each house declares their candidate for the High Prince position (usually the Prince, or head, of the house) and each representative for the houses votes on who they think is best suited for the position. Of course, no house is required to vote for their candidate, and most smaller houses or those without a strong candidate with make agreements with another house for favors or influence in exchange for votes. In the case of a tie, another vote is called with only the two leading candidates as options; the total tally of votes equals 27, preventing a complete stalemate.
The title of High Prince is actually a gender-neutral title, and Sanguirne has seen a few female High Princes. The High Prince serves for 10 years, and is only removable from office by a vote of the other 7 houses, an action which has been attempted, but not fully enacted. Although the individual houses maintain control over their territory and their individual forces, the High Prince is in control of all international relations. The High Prince has the ability to declare war, make alliances, and has executive command over Sanguirne forces in times of crisis. While they cannot directly interfere with the ruling of the individual islands, the High Prince also maintains the power to remove a house's Prince from power, provided 5 out of 7 of the other houses approve the action.
