Seats of Power
There is much specialization of political officials, and social differentiation is by hereditary class and social class. The King and various councils oversee the complex, centralized political structure, including a wide range of permanent institutions having legislative, executive, and judicial functions. These include the Small Council, the Big Council, the Iron Table, the Order of the Red Eagle, and the Black Table.
The authority of lesser rulers devolves from the monarch. Powers and obligations are delegated – in order of precedence – to courts, churches, duchies, districts, provinces, local governments, guilds, and citizens.
Judicial and ecclesiastical authorty
The powers and duties of the courts of law and the churches are set out in the Lex Libri. The clergy are a powerful political force in Kalderesh, a tradition which goes back to the founding of the nation. The most powerful influence is from the Aadites, who enjoy much royal support. The Qidranians are the next-most powerful group, followed by the Oohmians and Razimites. The Salee and the Aranites have the least influence. The Aranites have not had a Prelate for many centuries; all the other organized faiths have such a senior cleric, and all are resident in Camfor.
Local authority
Duchies are the largest political subdivisions in Kalderesh. There are five duchies: Kirvan, Krethes, Barban, Toreen, and Daern. The boundaries are defined by natural features such as rivers and mountain ridge lines. The duchies are, of course, complex and varied in organization and nature, but the stereotypical attribute ascribed to Kirvan is “mysterious”, Krethes is “philosophical”, Barban is “regal”, Toreen is “spiritual” and Daern is “just”.
Within the duchies are semi-autonomous parcels of land that are directly under control of the monarch (districts) or under control of a specific church (provinces). At the smaller end of the scale, the local governments of settlements, usually organized as town councils, govern their areas. Within these towns and cities, various guilds oversee the activities of specialist groups.