The Dukes of Bordevar were once the key advisors of The King, those greatest nobles and their houses that ruled with Artourious Bordevar’s blessing and empowerment. In the modern day, they work alongside the Wise Council to lead Bordevar into the new age alongside the Concord. Ducal Councils are the highest point of this leadership, bringing together representatives from the commonfolk, nobility, and influential title holders from across a Duchy and Region to lead the Realm.
During a Concordian Summit, the Ducal Council is under pressure. While the regions Senator champions Bordevarian interests in the arena of the Senate, it is the role of the Ducal Council to advisor the senator, make decisions regarding the internal politics of their region or duchy, and to act as the heroic leaders of the Realm alongside other title holders.
Forms
Each Bordevarian Region has a single Ducal Council, as such there is only one Ducal Council currently in existence. As Bordevar regains lost territory and expands further, it is possible that this will grow. If this were to occur, there would be two kinds of Ducal Councils:
- Regional Ducal Councils, these being the councils as we know them today.
- Grand Ducal Councils, bringing together all members of all Ducal Councils.
Frequency, Location, and Attendance
During a Summit, Ducal Councils met irregularly, but formally. Generally this results in a Council meeting being called at least once a day, perhaps more, after important events or proceeding deadlines for decision making.
Members of a Ducal Council are as follows:
- A Region’s Senator
- All the Region’s Dukes
- All the Region’s Sheriffs
- The Champion of the King
- The Royal Ranger
- The Monarch of Bordevar
The Royal Ranger, The Champion of the King, and the Monarch of Bordevar are all granted the right to attend, speak, and vote on the Ducal Council, but their attendance is not counted towards quorum. A Ducal Council meets Quorum when at least 2/3rds of its members are in attendance. Under no circumstances are Dukes permitted to speak on behalf of their Sheriffs, or vice versa. Members are each permitted up to a single aide to take notes, carry messages, serve food and drink, ect. These aides are not permitted to speak before the council, to avoid the influence of scheming advisors, although they may speak privately and quietly to their primary.
Tradition has it that any Duke of the Council may call a Ducal Council meeting, as can a Noble Senator, or a Noble Champion of the King. Sherrifs may only request a Ducal Council meeting, rather than call it themselves. The difference is largely one of protocol, but underscores the distance between the heroic nobility and common folk of Bordevar.
Ducal Councils of all kinds are private affairs, allowing the attendance of those who are members to that council, as well as any temporary statements or experts required to voice their opinion and stand to questioning. Because of this Ducal Councils meet in private locales that can provide light, writing surfaces, comfort, and privacy.
Powers
Formally, the Ducal Councils have no powers, instead relying on the powers of each of their members to see their goals to fruition. Instead Ducal Councils act as a meeting and discussion place for important decisions facing the region and its Duchies.
The Ducal Councils will sometimes receive correspondence and be asked to make decisions on matters facing the region, Duchies, or the Realm. In these circumstances they are to reach consensus, through vote or words, before acting upon it. It is important to note that not all decisions placed before a Duke or Sheriff or any other members of a Ducal Council are ‘Ducal Council Decisions’. Only those queries addressed explicitly to the Ducal Council are. Of course there is nothing stopping members bringing these concerns, correspondence, and decisions to the council for guidance and support.