Chapter 9-289: Of Kings and Things (1/2)
“The first organization is of the people, among the people. This is the Monarchy system. It is the most common among the Powered.”
I paused to let that sink in, looking around and over them. Most present were Powered, some weren’t. Those that weren’t were often Pactbound to make up for it. “That means that Monarchies tend to be gatherings of the elite. While those who are not Powered can certainly swear in, especially the most capable of them, those of Lower Levels and lower aspirations tend to do otherwise.
“Such people, the most common mortal souls, are tied to the Land. They want to work, and get on with their lives. They want to farm or go to work, to create, to raise a family, to attend a church, to love their mates, and enjoy the pain and the pleasures of mortal life, without rising into the conflicts that tend to require the Powered to address.
“Such people are the Bannersworn to a Monarchy... and they, in the end, will follow Kings and Queens.”
The words were different from kings and queens. The mystical feel from it tugged on the heartstrings of everyone present, despite themselves, gasping at the images that arose.
“A True King or Queen is Recognized by the Land, Approved by the Divine, and Acclaimed by their people. Without those three things, you are not a King, you are merely some other form of mundane ruler. You have not been Proven in Power.”
Faces flushed among the crowd. There were indeed a bunch of mundane rulers here, and now they knew it. There was nothing magical about their positions.
“To be Recognized by the Land is not a minor event. The Land must Know who you are, which is no small thing to us tiny little dust mites living on its skin. Typically, the Land’s attention is gained by a great Ritual, usually in the form of a great Competition for its recognition, as all those who seek the Mantle of a King compete for it.
“In such contests, the Land favors those born of its soil over those who are not; the young over the old; and the strong of soul over the weak. It does not judge people on their deeds or Alignments, their intents or their purposes... although those who have mistreated the Land will naturally never gain its recognition.”
I watched them all glance at one another. There were no true ruling monarchies in the world right now, save the Ælves...
“To be Approved by the Divine is to indeed be judged for your merits and deeds. While there is no Divine Right of Kings per se, without recognition by the Divine, you cannot be a King who speaks for his land and people! To be Approved means that you have been judged worthy to speak with the Divine on behalf of your Kingdom, not that you have been approved to rule by fiat!
“You represent your Kingdom, not Divine Authority! A King is his Kingdom!”
I let that subtle difference filter through. The power of a King still came from below... from their people, and from the Land.
“Naturally, that means you must be Acclaimed by your people! If the people will not bow down and swear Oath to a King, then you are, simply put, not their King!
“If they are willing to bend that knee, and you have Approval and Recognition, then you are a True King, the highest mortal representative upon this world. The eyes of the Divine and the Land are watching you, and you guide all those who dwell in the lands of your Kingdom!”
I let that all trail off for them to consider. Becoming a True King was truly one of the hardest, yet grandest and worthiest things a mortal could aspire to upon this world.
“Kingships and Kingdoms are not hereditary. The Lands and the Gods show no favoritism for parentage. Each King is judged on their own merits, no others, and you cannot fool the Land or the Gods as to those qualifications. For instance, eliminating any potential challengers will be known, and simply deny you the status. If you are not confident enough to compete for their Attention and the Approval, you are not fit to be a King!”
Which would naturally not deter all those who preferred there to be no King...
“So, as you can infer, there are not many Kings. On the other hand, there are going to be many Monarchs. Because of this, geographical power is going to fragment, because an Allegiance is its people, above all else. Where and how tends to fall behind in importance, as Allegiances can move where they wish, when they wish. It may be tedious, but the people of an Allegiance are not as tied to the land and area as are those of a Kingdom.
“However, Allegiances come with their own set of difficulties, which must be headed off early on, especially when it comes to accumulation of power and the like.
“Specifically, just like a Kingdom, there needs to be an incentive for the younger generation. As time grants power, the ability of older folk to cling to positions of power and authority only increases; it does not go down with time. This has the effect of stifling the young, sapping their ambition, and foiling their own success.
“Thus, Allegiances form among the people of a generation. As a new generation rises, new Allegiances form as well. Either they succeed their parents, who move on to other jobs and roles, or they go elsewhere, to pursue their own dreams of power.
“Thus, Allegiances rise and fall regularly, move about, and change, while a Kingdom stays in one place, persists, and grows with its King.
“This is the future of the world that is coming: one of Monarchs, and of Kings and Queens ruling their realms, bound by Oaths, and by Duty and Loyalty exchanged.
“The magical mechanics to adjust to this are already in place, you just do not know of them. I will be informing you, and everyone else, of the specifics of how this is done, and in doing so, the governmental and social structures of your nations are going to change.
“I do not apologize for this. If you have not taken steps along this road, then when the Shroud comes down you are going to be woefully unprepared to deal with it!
“Let me now proceed with the mechanics of how this works, and why you see the Banner of the Jet and Silver rising high above Heavenbound Hall.”
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The politicians and power-players sitting there were all stunned at the ease and swiftness with which Allegiances could rise... and if the total authority of a True King were to form, the power having one gave a nation in guiding its destiny forwards.