Across the Valley, a Reeves' Council is simply any meeting between two or more Reeves' to discuss an issue that faces more than one borough. At a Summit the circumstances are changed somewhat, but the core understanding remains: a meeting of Reeves' to discuss issues that face more than one borough.
In all circumstances at a Summit, a Reeve is someone who is the leader of a Borough Player Group. While it is likely that many characters are Reeves' in their own right as they lead their personal investments, it is only the Boroughs that are influential enough to be represented as a Player Group that have the power and sway required to sit on the Reeves' Councils at a Summit.
Forms
At a Summit, Reeves' councils fall under one of two forms:
- A High Reeves' Council includes all the Reeves' present at the summit. Importantly these are Reeves' who represent a Borough present at the summit. The High Reeves' Council also includes Iron Valley Senators and the Champion of the Valley.
- A Regional Reeves' Council (‘The Bolsterlee Reeves' Council’ for example) includes all Reeves' present at the Summit who reside in that Region. A Regional Reeves' Council may also include title holders relevant to that region, such as senators or deed holders within its territory.
Frequency, Location, and Attendance
At each Summit there is no set amount of times any Reeves' Council may meet. It is common practice for the High Reeves' Council to meet at the beginning of Summit to discuss issues that have become immediately apparent, but it may meet numerous times throughout the Summit as circumstances change.
A Regional Reeves' Council meets far more infrequently, if at all, unless particular issues face that region. Each borough is only permitted to reside within one region for the purposes of Councils.
Any member of a Council has the power to call it, and this is done by literally ‘Calling the Reeves'’. Shouting at the top of your lungs “I CALL A HIGH Reeves' COUNCIL” coupled with sending out runners to seek out Reeves' to the traditional method of doing so. If your reasons are important enough and your reputation strong enough, those Reeves' you call will attend.
Most Reeves' Councils occur within the Iron Valley ‘Longhouse’ but there is nothing stopping them occurring inside a tavern, in a field, or anywhere else.
Reeves' should attend councils wherever they can and a Reeves' Council with less than two thirds of the possible Reeves' would not be looked upon as representing the opinions of the Valley as a whole. Not attending a council due to be indisposed is understood, as the Summit is a busy time. Not attending a council deliberately is a statement, stating that your borough stands against that council or perhaps the Reeve calling the council, best resolved through a Sokn Duel.
During a Reeves' Council, it is the council members who speak and it is generally seen as disrespectful for non-Reeves' to interrupt or voice their opinions. Instead they should speak through their Reeves' by offering them council. Non-Members may be invited to speak before the council, particularly when they are non Valleyfolk, but the Council should be careful for the creation of ‘Baelags’, a pejorative term for those Valleyfolk who attempt to usurp their reeve and stand on the council in their own right.
Powers
Reeves' councils have no powers and instead act as an opportunity to discuss and reach consensus. They tackle issues, share information, and choose direction, with the individuals of the council and their respective boroughs using their own powers to complete these goals rather than any power the council might actually hold.
The Reeve of the Reeveless
The Reeve of the Reeveless represents the heroes of the Valley who are not members of a particular borough represented at the Summit. The Reeve of the Reeveless is technically a member of all the Reeves' Council. More information on the Reeve of the Reeveless can be found on their wiki page.