Basic Politics (Private, HyRune)

[Hoplites]

Timestamp:
Morning, Solaria, 1st of Ioannes,
Spring-Summer Juncture (Summer), Telath is in the Age of Darkening,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era III in the Tyrannical Mageocracy of Julos "The Mad",
Ten Eras Post-Fractum.
Paradigm: The Truce of Demios and the Merfolk

Summer. The air was permeating with a joyous heat, as the people of Demios continued to celebrate the peace which finally descended this battered isle. Albiet uneasy, it was better than a prolonged, continued bloodshed, no?

Passing the signature statue of the three-headed ivory dragon, the Politics student should find no problem at all finding the path back to the Old Schola, towards the direction where the eagle's head pointed, along with the inscribed word of "Knowledge". It spoke correctly for the blinded man too - he sought knowledge here, the knowledge in the field of Politics, a subject which brought with it lucrative opportunities throughout the bounds of the Empire. The path was still the same as it was when HyRune first took it to register for the class.

Morning air; it was warm and nonchalant. Buzzing in the air were a couple of bees, mindlessly flying about, whilst the voices of scholars and students also buzzed. Of speeches, from different subjects, and no doubt amongst them Politics was mingled within it, as words such as "Empire", "hierarchy" and even "Mageocracy" was decipherable from amongst the jumble of mumbles... No doubt it was something to do with Julos as well.

The Old Schola, in contrast, was slightly quieter. Footsteps resonated throughout the structure, though people only spoke in a quiet demeanor, perhaps one of scholarly manners. With the help of his walking stick, HyRune would have no trouble finding the front desk at all - where the clerk was already anticipating him. Smiling, the familiar tone rang out.

"Serale HyRune! Your professor is here already."

Rising from her seat, she led the man in a gesture of kindness towards his new professor, who soon, turned out to be a female Thėlyri with quite an energetic voice.

"Serale, Mister Raven. Here - I'll lead you to the classroom."

Changing hands, he was led rather languidly down to the classroom B12. Whilst, sure, he was able to find the classroom himself, the Schola staff here was kind and friendly enough. Light tapping of footsteps came from her, whilst the surrounding receded into murmuring quietness - classes were already starting in some rooms.

"So... HyRune, nice to meet you. Why the interest in Politics? The Empire is in quite a turmoil of it at the moment, you know?" She stretched a grin. "Oh, sorry - I forgot to introduce. I'm professor Ty'nadia."

[HyRune Raven]

If truth be told, HyRune was a bit miffed (he generally was when people took his blindness for helplessness), but he shrugged the irritation off and accepted the woman's offer of guidance. Following her down the long hall, it was not long before he sensed his guide turning and, turning with her, HyRune felt his staff come into contact with the thick wooden doorframe. Navigating this easily, he was presently within the classroom and listening to Ty'nadia's introductions.

Why the interest in politics? Well, it all started when they made me a powerful political leader in a country you've never heard of in a universe you've never seen. Then, through a process that is physically impossible, I left that world and came to this one. Ever since then I've just kind of had this thing for government and law.

"Couldn't say, really," HyRune said out loud with a shrug and a smile. "I suppose I just love to learn--about anything at all, really. I don't know a lot about politics in the Empire, and with everything that's going on right now I figured it was a good time to learn."

Somehow that answer just sounded much better than the first idea.

[Hoplites]

Of course, Professor Ty'nadia never really knew HyRune did not find people helping him to be a particularly amiable thing to do - otherwise, she would have allowed her student to head towards the classroom with only her verbal guidance. The staff coming in contact with the door, it was easily a signal that they had already arrived at classroom B12. Of course, however, due to the impaired status of the student, he would not be able to truly decipher the visual appearence of the classroom. Nonetheless, however, the air that immediately reached HyRune's face was one of... A typical classroom, filled rather heavily with the smell of parchments, and chalks too.

"Ah. This is... Well, not exactly the best time to start the Politics, let's say. Especially with the Rakrya now having seized the Imperial power." That brought a frown to her face. Needless to say, this very group had made everyone's life Aeternia upon the Empire... What with poverty and crime rising each Brightening, and the unstable politics within the Empire...

"That said, however, it is not a bad time to start. Not at all - because they are many out there that are starting to use political influence in trying to improve these trying times, and you might be able to make a difference - should you choose to persue this field." She obviously left out about the part where the Ancient Allerians had descended upon Alleria Prime, the grand Capital of the Empire.

Opening the door - they were within classroom B12 already.

The smell of parchments and chalk remained. Inside, the walls were completely white-washed and exuded a clean quality to it. The chalkboard bore evidence of adequate uses, and there were several pieces of broken chalk upon the holder. A few desks were arranged neatly in the middle, although from the amount of them present within the confines of this room, it was evident that this class was not meant to contain a lot of students at any given one time. HyRune would not be able to see it, but pictures were put up upon the walls of the room, some of them being paintings of the Concordia Incola within Primus Gaudeo, the Sovereignty of Enamoria's Seat of Council, whilst some others were of the Aetherium-crafted palace upon Insula Coronae, the Isle of the Crown.

The professor gestured, accompanied by "Here, take a seat", and indicated a desk and seat which HyRune could settle himself upon. They were just the right height for the Human.

"Now. To understand the government's structure, we start from the top. The reverse could work... But it is usually easier to do so from the top. Now, could you tell me, who is at the very top of the political hierarchy - before the takeover from the Rakyra?"

She said that last word with a tinge of distaste. Nonetheless, she shook that off soon enough, and awaited an answer from the student.

[HyRune Raven]

HyRune listened carefully for the sounds of parchment rustling or of movement. If there was anyone else in the room besides himself and Ty'nadia, the blind man would know. He still hadn't been informed if this was a private class or one with other students, and that would effect what type of ettiquette he followed.

If he sensed others, HyRune would raise his hand politely before responding. Otherwise, he would reply immediately, since the question could only have been meant for him.

"Well, the Emperor, naturally--or in most recent years, and hopefully again soon, the Empress."

[Hoplites]

OOC: Forgive me stretching things out a bit - I'm right now following the format another mod's teaching of Politics... And as such, I've got absolutely no idea where to go after this. *looks lame* I'll need to check up on the Compendium and ask at the FF soon.

IC:

No sounds at all - there were no other sounds of books and tomes rustling, people breathing or causing a ruckus, or quills scratching vociferously upon the bleak landscape of parchments - there were simply nobody within the room besides the professor and HyRune himself. Therefore, indeed, he thought right - the question must indeed be intended for him and him only. There was nobody else here.

From HyRune's answer, it was pristine-clear on which side the Human was aligned to. Definitely, Empress Audrey de Lylles was the legitimate monarch of the throne... At least, that was what most people though. Others definitely disagreed... But those were, quite unsurprisingly, within the minority, the rather hated minority. Professor Ty'nadia definitely agreed with her student, and nodded her head.

"That is correct." She stated in a gentle tone tinted with approval, whilst running a finger down the length of her hair to smooth and un-knot them. "Yes, the Emperor or Empress (she did that purely to show which side she was on, as well) is the head and ruler of the Empire. Before the seize of power by the Rakrya and the tyranny of Julos, I hope you know, the position of the Emperor was hereditary, and it was passed down the line, whenever an heir was avaliable. If not, the position was passed down sideways, such as the Emperor's wife, who would become the Empress. It could even be passed down sideways, from uncle to nephew, and however it is passed down, it is done so through the line at the Aliares." She gave a slight pause to allow HyRune to digest the information.

"As well as that, the Emperor is the Allerian Imperial Army's commander-in-chief, and oversees all units and such... Although, this work is mostly done by the Imperial Marshall, as the Emperor would have other issues to deal with, such as taxation within the Empire. Another interesting thing - any citizens, no matter how lowly, has the right to request an audience with the Emperor or Empress, and ask him or her to dispense justice to a case." He paused again, taking a small sip of a cup of water upon her desk.

"I'll continue on, but for now, do you have anymore questions as to the position or duties of the Emperor or Empress?"

... There went the slight stress on the word again.

[HyRune Raven]

ooc: No prob. Feel free to share notes with AGM Gyrfalcon in Diana (where I mod). He just volunteered for a politics class and is going to be doing some of the same research as you, I think. I dunno how much he's done yet or if it'd be any help...but maybe you can help each other. And remember I'm in no hurry .

ic: He was a little surprised that he had a private class all to himself, and a little concerned as well--was the rest of the island really so disinterested in the way their Empire was run? Regardless, it was nice to have an instructor all to himself.

The blind man nodded. "Yes, actually. You say that every citizen of the Empire has a right to an audience with the Emperor--surely there must be some kind of limitation. There must be hundreds of people who want to see him every day? How does he manage to get to all of them? Or does everyone who signs up end up on a pattern-long waiting list?"

HyRune was quite curious. He'd never known about this aspect of the Imperial Crown, and he found it intriguing, even fascinating. Could he really walk right up to the Imperial Palace gates and demand to speak with the Mad Emperor Julos? A part of him--the adventurer part that he never seemed to quite manage to kill--wanted to try.

[Hoplites]

OOC: Right, okey dokey. I think I'll pull the other mods who are teaching/taught politics as well... But if only I'm free, which I'm currently not. As a result of that as well... Please excuse my shorter postings.

IC:

Perhaps, the rest of the island really was rather disinterested in the politics of the Empire - after all, it was already after the attack of the Merfolk, everyone was still trying to overcome the trauma and scar they had to live through - they would probably bear those for life - and the fact that the Fire Isles was detatched from the mainland only made the case more justified. There were little politicians and minds of the likes of HyRune and professor Ty'nadia here, and therefore, the opportunities here for the man here, quite rightly, was boundless - if he knew how to exploit them.

That was something most of the students which the Telera taught did not do - voicing things in the ways and forms of queries. This question, posted by her student, was one that more or less had to do with some logics - although, true enough, very little people knew about the workings of the top levels of the Imperial Hierarchy, and it was not a surprise for her that HyRune had decided to voice this particular question. Brushing her hair gently, she nodded to herself, before answering.

"Yes, there will be some... Kind of limitation." She repeated what he said, though now, she delved more into the details, "If the imperial courts' judgement had been deemed unfair by the individual, or another person deemed the judgement unfair for the accused, say, then they would have a right to appeal to the Emperor. This is on a case-by-case basis, though, and that happens very, very rarely these days now. Crimes that had been commited at the very top of the Imperial Hierarchy tends to be judged by the Emperor or Empress, too.

Of course, some people, such as the Governess of Enamoria, had spoken with Julos directly before, upon the Bastion of Eternity - although for normal citizens, they had little reasons to. Besides, would it be wise for HuRune to endeavour such a thing?

"Therefore," she continued on, "As these cases are rare, they do not have a Pattern-long waiting list, fortunately. I would deem, most would receive an audience within two Brightenings. That depends upon the Emperor's workload at the time, and other circumstances as well."

She hoped that was verbose enough for her student. So far, this question had been a good one, to understand the working of the Emperor clearly is certainly going to help boost his knowledge in Politics.

"Are there anything more you are interested about the position of the Emperor you would like to voice?"

[HyRune Raven]

HyRune shook his head. "Not at all," he said, though in his mind he was thinking, Note to self: Next time I'm in the vicinity of Alleria Prime, walk up to the gates of the Palace and demand an audience with the Emperor--just to see what he's like. Then he belatedly added, ...or she, realizing that it might be quite some time before he was anywhere near Prime. Too bad. He very much would have liked to see what made Mad Julos...well...mad.

"Please continue."

[Hoplites]

OOC: Terribly sorry for the very late reply. As explained in the PM, you may either get a peer-mod or self-mod.

IC:

Then of course, the Allerians had occupied the ancient Citadel of Prime, and effectively sealed it off with a barrier. If HyRune was to either see the Empress or the Mad Man, then it would have to be later - though it was an interesting idea HyRune harboured nonetheless. Some said Julos indeed was very mad. Thinking on that perspective, it was little wonder why the majority of the citizens of the Allerian Empire did not really want Julos as their Emperor.

"Please continue."

The professor nodded, momentarily forgetting that her student was unable to see. The chalk upon the chalk-tray of the blackboard was never moved, and there was no necessity for them to move as well. Instead, she continued letting her voice to do the job for her. "Right below the Emperor or Empress, lies the Imperial Court, and only a select, elite few could make this position. They act as advisors, secretaries and courtiers. They would advise the Emperor or Empress on the best course of actions on issues, and maybe manage some Brightening-to-Brightening tasks for him or her. Only those who had shown they are very proficient and effective at dealing with the demands of the Empire's beaucratic administrations will even be considered a place within the Imperial Court. Then, they hardly stay on that position for long.

Although only the ruler's administrators, they hold incredible nonetheless - this is espeically true when they actually determine the Empress' schedule. Most audiences, documents and legislations must go through the Imperial Court first before they reach the Empress herself - with only a few exceptions. Finally, they oversee the Imperial policies' implementation, so they are often regarded as the executors of Imperial objectives."

Taking a small sip of water, she silently hoped it was not too much for her student to take in at once...

[Roland Moonstar]

OOC: Picking up the thread from Hoplites.

IC:
At that point, a studious young Lutran entered the room. "Serale, Professor Ty'nadia. Sorry I'm late, did class start already?"

He paused as he heard the lecture on the Emperor's schedule, and realized that he was in fact late. "Oh, sorry about that. Had a bad brightening-- I chipped a tooth last night and had to get that looked at."

The Lutran went and took a seat next to HyRune. "Serale, I'm Loogando Lotholdt, assistant Justicar of Centripax. My friends call me Looie." HyRune could hear the Lutran flipping through the pages of a textbook. "The Legion of Justice always investigates when a Thane leaves office under mysterious circumstances, as happened here in Demios. But I always try and continue my studies whenever I'm in a new city. Human culture is so amazingly simple compared to Lutran politics that it dazzles me and I fear there must be some nuance I must be missing."

[HyRune Raven]

HyRune was greatly surprised by the arrival of his fellow student--or rather, by the attitude of that student. His only contact with the playful race of otter-like men and women was Lenny Gio, and Lenny was absolutely nothing like the polite, mature young creature who was now sitting next to him.

"Serale," he said to her pleasantly, "Legion of Justice? I have heard of it. I'm glad to know you're involved in the mystery of the Thane--it has been on everyone's minds lately, I think. You're actually not very late at all--we've covered the Emperor and discussed the Imperial Court a little, and that's it. Nice to have a classmate." He smiled jovially in the direction of the new student.

[Roland Moonstar]

ooc: the professor is a gal, Looie is a boy.

The professor chuckled at Looie's last remarks. "You find human politics to be amazing simple and lacking in nuance? Well then, Master Looie, why not come up here and teach the class for a bit?"

Looie had the good grace to blush. "Well, no offense intended, professor. Humans live in a two-dimensional world, on top of the surface of the earth. Lutrans have three dimensions to our culture because we have dwellings with entrances that one can swim into at any level, so we are naturally a bit more fluid."

Still, as various people in the class applauded for him to do so, Looie overcame his natural reticence and waddled over to the front of the classroom. For a Lutran he was tall and stout, and there was grey fur mixed in with his natural brown. "The problem with human politics is that it is too rigid. If Keeva is the Aedile and Yarrow is the Prefect, then that is what they are. But what if the town needs an Aedile and only Yarrow is around, but not Keeva? Lutran politics clearly and effortlessly avoids this rigid tangle by having a more fluid system in place. . . "

Looie proceeded to spend the next candlemark or two talking about an extremely fascinating system of politics and leadership, pausing to touch upon an example that HyRune himself may have heard of- how the young toddler Leonard P. Gio of the Sugar sea (by way of Cyan Reef) was by dint of the necessity of circumstances, forced to become High Tungro (the word did not translate well, but sort as 'High Host/Master of Ceremonies') of all the Lutrans to add Demios in the battle of the mermen.

Then he turned to the class. "But of course, you are here to understand elementary human politics. So, let's go to that. It seems that the professor has already talked of the Emperor and the Courts-- I will go the other way, from the bottom. Being as I already spoke of the Prefect and Aedile, I will discuss how politics works on the local level."

He paused a moment to see if there were any objections, or if anyone had any questions.

[HyRune Raven]

ooc: My mistake, for some reason I thought Loo was a girl. btw HyRune is the only other student here.

ic: The blind man was immensely amused by the fact that the tiny mammalian creature had been given control of the class in place of the learned professor. If truth be told, he was finding himself liking this race more and more. He even found himself greatly intrigued by the lutran system of government, and wondered idly if something of the sort could ever work in the Empire.

He nodded when Loogander suggested moving from the bottom up. The truth was that most of this was a review for HyRune anyway--he'd made it his business when he first came to the Empire, years ago, to learn how it was run--but it never hurt to relearn things already known.

He made no comment, but waited patiently for the lutran to continue.