#ayyy we've got the first of the series up

[a-world-in-grey]

Lucian Council Part I

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

General Overview

Creation

-The Lucian Council was not established until the reign of the Clever, about 850 years before the reign of King Regis and King Noctis. It is said that the Clever created the Council to easier manage the duties of ruling Lucis, which by that point had come to span the entirety of the continent. 

-(It is also said the Clever created the Council to give himself more free time to pursue his interests in the arts. Historians have yet to prove or disprove this hypothesis.)

-The original Council established by the Clever held 6 positions. These positions consisted of the Shield (Defense), Agriculture, Education, Finance, Health and Welfare, and Justice.

-Around 250 years later, after the Just established Insomnia as the capital of the Kingdom of Lucis, she added two more positions to the Council. Housing and Development and Foreign Affairs.

-150 or so years after that, the Warrior added the positions of the Hand (Royal Advisor) and Energy and Natural Resources to the Council, bringing the total number of seats to 10. This version of the Council would survive for the next 450 years until the Fall of Insomnia and deaths of the current Council.

Staffing

-Legally, the current monarch has the power to staff their Council however  they wish. The Council’s purpose is to assist the monarch in governing the Kingdom and advise on matter in their area of expertise. Therefore, it is the monarch’s right to staff their Council with people they trust.

-Traditionally, the positions are held by the noble families of Lucis, and passed down to another family member of their choosing, typically parent to child.

-Most monarchs and their Councils come to a compromise between the two extremes. The most notable exception to this was during the reign of King Mors, who staffed his Council to his desires and often replaced members who displeased him. Many of the noble families saw their traditionally held positions given to outsiders. During King Regis’ reign, the nobles pushed to reclaim the power and influence they lost under Mors. To avoid ruffling feathers, King Regis staffed his Council far more Traditionally, but often bowed to pressure from the Council which allowed the Council much more leeway to pursue their own agendas.

-Council members can serve for life, or until replaced by the current monarch. Traditionally, councilmembers train up their successors during the first years of a new monarch’s reign, handing over the positions to the next generation. This change over can take anywhere from three to six years.

Family

 -Council members are gifted a share of their monarch’s magic. It is very limited, usually only enough to create their own armiger. (No one bats an eye when more enterprising Council members use their armigers to cart around piles of paperwork.) However, the Councilmembers’ families are not granted magic except in exceptional circumstances.

-Families of the Council are given a residence in the Citadel, alongside the noble families. Neither the Council nor the nobles are required to live in the Citadel, but most choose to do so. Most who live outside the Citadel are young adults of college age or those without children.

-Noble children and the children of the Council receive combat training to the same standard as the royal children. It is not uncommon for royal children and noble children to share lessons and training if of a similar age and skill, which helps foster relationships between the next monarch and Council.

Positions

-Shield: The head of Lucis’ military forces, including the Crownsguard and the Royal Guard (later the Kingsglaive). Oversees the defense of Lucis, the King, and the royal family. The position is only ever held by the Shield of the King, and is left vacant otherwise, though the duties are managed by a General or other appointed military officials. Current Councilor: Lord Clarus Amicitia.

-Hand: Oversees general management and offers general advice for their monarch. Is typically more involved with the civilian side of government than the military. The position is only ever held by the Hand of the King, and is left vacant otherwise. If vacant, duties may be managed by a Royal Advisor or other appointed individuals. Current Councilor: None. Current Deputy: Royal Advisor Pelagius Scientia.

-Agriculture: Manages the food production and distribution in Lucis, as well as oversees the food safety regulations of food sourced locally as well as imported food. Current Councilor: Lord Aestas Colere.

-Education: Oversees public education and the standards for various certifications and their testing. Current Councilor: Lord Docetus Memini.

-Energy and Natural Resources: Oversees energy production and natural resource management. Current Councilor: Lord Frigus Ferum.

-Finance: Oversees general finances, the national budget, taxes and revenue, and commerce. Current Councilor: Lord Plenus Egestas.

-Foreign Affairs: Oversees training and appointments of diplomats, general foreign policy, and immigration. Current Councilor: Lord Narro Veteris.

-Health and Welfare: Oversees health safety regulations, various welfare programs, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and medical research and development. Current Councilor: Lord Salus Operis.

-Housing and Development: Oversees housing regulations and building codes, urban development, civil engineering projects, and other city planning. Current Councilor: Lady Odisse Patiori.

-Justice: Oversees the justice system. From oversight of new laws to regulations and standard for law enforcement, overseeing the appointment of judges, and correctional facilities and policies. Current Councilor: Lady Integra Aequum.