What's it like? Is it a democracy? Monarcy? Deomocratinc monarcy? Most fantasies seem to have a Royal family it seems. In mine there's a Queen, then a Prime Minister and Government Officials. Pretty much like England really.
And what about religion? Do you create one? Twist one or use a proper one? Or maybe religion isn't even mentioned in your book.
Your Worlds Government
14 posts in this topic.
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I havent much time, so I'll be brief.
My government is a hereditary matriarchy. Women are in charge and all of the most prominent citizens are women. There is a ruling family - it's kind of complicated, though, as they're linked to the religion insofar as they're supposed to be Goddesses (blatant rip-off of ancient Roman emperors LOL, with a little bit of eastern mythology mixed in).
I've created - or rather, am in the process of creating - a brand new religion which basically sticks all the religions I know of in a blender and spits out the most relevant parts in different places. It's based around two duelling goddesses, who represent life (water) and death (the sun) - they're a desert culture, you see, and...yeah. Fun stuff
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Honestly, I haven't thought much about it.
Mainly because I'm horrible with political/government type stuff (seriously- I don't watch the news or anything like that) and don't know a lot about it.
I suppose there could be a human kingdom...but there won't be a re-established Alaycian kingdom until book two, and in that...someone'll become king and queen (dun wanna spoil anything o.o). So once I get to that point, I'll start trying to figure it out.
On the other hand, I'm going to be writing book three for NaNo this November (I am nuts and writing out of order o.o) so maybe I need to start thinking about it, at least. -
Well, in my world, as there are several continents, and so many more countries, there are many different forms of government.
For example, the continent where my novel is set has three countries, all three of which have hereditary heads of state, although they each have varying degrees of democratic values.
* The head of state for the first country is the Grand-Duke/Duchess. His decision is not absolute, at least for important matters, as his parliament is made of a group of high-status individuals (who are not there because of parentage, but through election). The three of these who have the highest level of "importance" (in that they control the most land, have the most responsibilty, etc.) are the three Governor-Generals of the three main regions of that country. The main bulk of the rest of parliament is made up of many other Governors, who each govern over a small region of the land.
* The head of state of the second country is the Imperial King/Queen. Their Kingdom is made up of seven Imperial Realms, and is part of a vast empire. This is not unlike the British Empire. This is not as democratic, as there are only four easily defined things that the King/Queen may wish to do, but which qualify for a vote: Execution, raise/lower taxes, introducing new laws, and declaring war. The voters consist of the Imperial Lords of the seven realms. The King/Queen can do almost anything else they so wish, ie imprison someone, mass an army, etc. The Imperial Realms on other continents (the Empire spans over all four) are subject to differing forms of government, which work for that particular group.
* The head of state of the final country is the King/Queen. Their word is absolute, although part of their job, and the way monarchs are brought up to believe, is to take a lot of advice from many different advisers. This kingdom is an island nation, and the youngest of all three countries to have independence (they were all once one country).
In the independent areas of other continents, government is varied. One favours a republic for the majority of its countries, while another is a tribal based system, with no defining laws or visible government until colonisation. Basically, the details for these are a bit sketchy.
As for religion, I have three different ones in my mind: one is a religion that worships one god, and one god only (similar to Christianity and Islam), another has eight main gods, though there will probably be many more (similar to Hinduism, and the religion of Ancient Egypt), and the third focuses on seven gods, that each represent something (this is made clearer in the book). This is similar to Paganism.
Wow, that's a lot. Hope that was a bit informative - it sure felt like it, writing it. -
Well, I have a large group of Elders, comprised of some of the more prominent Greek gods and goddesses. They run Atlantis anyway. Then the surface is run by the other governments we know of, USA, China, etc.
As far as religion, I had the idea of making it appear as though the antagonist schemed the major religions on Earth as a mean to control a majority of Earth's people. Still a Thought in Process, due to the fact I will be eaten alive for it later. People can be very touchy about their religion. -
Most of my governments so far have been Monarchies. One of my story's kingdoms has four vassals or Lords, but besides that it is pretty boring. In the story I'm developing (haven't started writing yet) I might have a tribal kind of government, a councel kinda thing, a guild run government, and a totaltalitarian kingdom. So ya, I'm trying to branch away from just Monarchies.
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The main "country" in my story (alternate historical fantasy thing) is a group of peoples descended from the Carpi tribe, who were Dacian originally. Originally the Dacians were sorted into tribes led by Kings. The Carpi were then defeated by the Romans, but not destroyed. After being under Roman rule, adopting some of their customs, they managed to rebel and escape North to the relative protection of the Carpathian Mountains.
Because they took some customs from the Romans, their leader was named Dux, which in Latin, was a title given to a military commander. This lasted centuries, until it became the European title "Duke". At the time of my story, the Carpi have become somewhat Slavicised after centuries of interbreedings between the two peoples. They founded the Duchy of Karpatea, nestled in the Karpates (Carpathian Mountains).
The Duke title still stands (in the Slavic language he is referred to as the Knyaz.) They have an early form of Fuedalism, in which the Duke has absolute control but uses vassals in the outer borders of his lands, small chieftains and such. He is helped in Government by his Bojars, ruling aristocracy that hold civil and military positions. Posadniks are the city "mayors" and the Voyevoda are the elected Generals of the (small) armies in times of war. There are then the Duke's/Knyaz's Druzhina, his bodyguard and personal detachment of troops. They are one of the few professional soldiers, the rest of the armies raised by a form of levy. Oops, I'm going somewhat off on a tanget here XD Sorry, history rambles get me going.
As for religion, it is somewhat confused. The beliefs of the early Dacians has tangled with Slavic mythology. However, the majority follow a similar line to Old Slavic mythology -- beliefs in witchcraft, fairies and a similar sort -- with a major God and some minor ones. It is not all completed yet, but will be integral as the invading Maygars have converted to Christianity and the Pope wants the men of the Karpates to abandon their old Pagan ways.
That was fun. -
I have a monarchy but the king can only put an idea forward and his dukes will vote upon it. But the king is usually killed off and the highest ranking duke takes his place. Hence the royal families in my world dont last very long. the longets one in it's history is something like seven years.
The religion of the country is split. Demon worshipping is common but not openely spoke about. Only the higher memebers of this religion can actually summon demons and unless they are powerful they need a vessel. Usually found in beggers. The lower people in the religion usually set up small shrines to one of the demon kings in the home and a drop of blood is spilt upon it each morning byt one member of the family.
The worship of the Overlord and his four Generals is the main religion. Each general is worshipped for specific things. i.e. the fourth general is the general of war and animal sacrifices are made to him before battles.
The head of the chruch is seen as the first general for in the history of the religion the first General founded the church. -
Monarchy with the lords as land owners.
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The one in my Faerie Trilogy is a Monarchy, but it is set up quite a bit differently. The Light Faerie is the King/Queen (gender doesn't matter) of their land, though it isn't a title that gets passed down through the family. Whoever is born with the Light Faerie's Power (only once every generation) becomes the new ruler. While it is typically someone who is closely related to the current Light Faerie, relation doesn't really matter. There is, however, suggestion that there is a small group of lesser law-makers that the Light Faerie has to watch over, though this task is typically handed to the Mind Faerie. The Mind Faerie is always closely related to the Light Faerie (first cousin, half-sister etc.) of their generation and are born to protect him/her from danger. As a result, the Mind Faerie is typically placed in command of the castle guards and is often times the Light Faerie's adviser, though this isn't so common because their ability to manipulate others makes everyone uneasy about them.
After the trilogy, however, the monarchy becomes more of a partnership between the Light and Mind Faerie in order to maintain checks and balances and have more than one opinion on different situations. -
Mine has several countries.... and the one my main character happens to be placed in has no government...anarchy rules. As for religion, i just stick with the One God thing, easier to base around and it gives a sort of connectivity to the reader since they already know about it.
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If anyone is having problems.... one of the best political described fantasy books i have ever read was the bartimaeus trilogy....that and the Night Angel trilogy. so if you need help, there are some references...good luck!
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Love Bartimaeus!
For Songwood... I'm not sure exactly what to call it. I think an oligarchy. There is a kingship, passed down like a normal monarchy. He has two councilors that are elected every few years, and a council of twelve people elected every few years as well. When they make a decision regarding law, policy, etc., they all must be unanimous.
For religion, I've based the Eastern religious buildings on the Tabernacle from the Old Testament. I haven't really developed the Western religion, but they are more polytheistic. -
I have a system of tribes, each headed by a wealthy family, called the Vahlein. In settled tribes,they command the military, establish the economy, and are in charge of land, much like a medieval Lord was.
In nomadic tribes, they do the same, only without command over land, as they're nomads, with more freedom.
My world's religion is a vague sort of nature worship, with belief in a mysterious all-powerful being who has no name. Spirits can intercede and bring favor for the living (or deceased) so they're prayed to for luck and blessing.
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