Archive:Holy Xhovian Empire

The Most Holy and Sovereign Xhovian Empire of Alcia zjоľake xhsechekh zjоľoťgo
Flag
Official languages		* Xhorial Keloran Yoesal Szezk Lhivralan Torrjeli
Recognised national languages		* Xhorial Keloran Yoesal Szezk Lhivralan Torrjeli Azovian Alsimmi Settian Niofean Jugian Oszetet
Ethnic groups (2015)		96% Xhovian, 2% Neviran Heritage
Demonym		Xhovian/Imperial
Government		Semi-Democratic Federal Mixed Model Aristo-Monarchy
-	Emperor	Matja I Arsil
-	President (Senate)
-	Lord Chancellor (Parliament)
Legislature		Imperial Government
-	Upper house	Noble Parliament
-	Lower house	Senate
Independent Nation-State
-	Official Formation	1134
-	Decree of Unity (Yhael)	1387
-	Northern Expeditions	1652
-	Pacification of the Xong	1659
-	Submission of the East	1702
-	Szezk Acquisition	1821
-	The Retribution	1839
-	Xhovian Civil War	1856
-	Talisian Reforms	1868
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.hx

The Holy Xhovian Empire (Language: zjоľake xhsechekh zjоľoťgo [IPA]), officially the Most Holy and Sovereign Xhovian Empire of Alcia, is a country located in Alcia, taking up the majority of the region, bordering Norjihan, Nevira, Settia, Ittohar and Xhodiar. The result of medieval conquests and diplomacy, the Empire has what some may call an outdated form of government, still prominently featuring nobility and royalty, fused with mass decentralisation and elements of democracy. Its size, wealth, and military history has ensured it is a major world power, and thusly was a founding member of the International Congress.

Etymology

The name, zjоľake xhsechekh zjоľoťgo, or Holy Xhovian Empire, was one bestowed in 1387, after the union with Yhael, onto the Empire by the Hykiri of Xhodiar, as a form of official church endorsement.

Politics

Administrative divisions

The Imperial system of Administrative Subdivision is one of the most archaic and confusing to follow for outsiders. In effect, there are 7 types of division, each with different degrees of autonomy, rights, privileges and restrictions. The divisions are as thus:

Kingdom

Kingdoms are the largest, and most independent of the Imperial territories. Currently, there are only three territories granted this title: Kelor, Szezkia and Yhael. The Kingdoms have more representation in both the Senate and Parliament than other types of division (Each being entitled to 5 seats in the Noble Parliament, and 5 in the Senate). They are permitted the greatest degree of legal freedom as well. Whilst like all other subdivisions, Imperial Law takes supremacy, the Kingdoms are allowed to legislate independently on all matters except for foreign affairs. This thereby makes them quite a different landscape from the rest of the Empire. (Notably the Yhaellan faith laws, as an example of extra laws, or the Szezk birth registry). Whilst not required by law, the noble leaders in Kingdoms all style themselves as King, as the name may imply.

Principality

The five Principalities making up the region of Lhivrala are granted special status in terms of administration. In terms of representation, they get 3 in the Parliament and 3 in the Senate. For their legislation, they are allowed to pass laws similarly to the Kingdoms, but their caveats are foreign affairs, religious affairs and Baredan matters.

Duchy

The most numerous of the divisions, the duchies receive 1 and 1 on the Senate and Parliament each, and their governance privileges are some of the most restrictive. They are not allowed to legislate on: Foreign Affairs or Trade, and in practice, they tend to only really vary massively in terms of taxes, military contribution and welfare programs.

Northern Duchy

The Northern Duchies are an oddity, effectively operating under the normal duchy rules for legal freedoms, but also being forbidden from Religious or Baredan matters. However, they are much larger than the duchies, and since the Talisian Reforms, they have been allowed 2 and 2 on the Parliament and Senate respectively.

Eastern Marches

All of the lands acquired in the Submission of the East were given this title. They, despite being very large territories, are only allowed 2 and 2, in Parliament and Senate. Legally, they operate with relative freedom. Forbidden from foreign affairs and international trade legislation independently, but, they are unique in two regards. One, they are subject to a much lower rate of contribution to the Imperial Armed Forces, and two, their law enforcement agencies have absolute supremacy in their land. Without Imperial Warrant, even the UIPF cannot overrule them. These rules stem from when they were acquired, and subjugating the locals was of utmost importance. The noble leaders here style themselves Marquis, and are granted rank in the Imperial Army equivalent to (RANKHERE).

Imperial Republic

A title unique to Niofe, but theoretically grantable to others, should they desire it. The Imperial Republic is a territory without, or that has abolished, its nobility. This poses some unique difficulties given the Xhovian system, as they cannot have representation in both houses in this case. In exchange for having no nobles and thus no Parliamentary presence, Niofe has been granted 5 senatorial seats, as much as the Kingdoms. In addition it is given a great deal of legal Freedom, only forbidden from International Affairs.

Free Imperial City

The Free Imperial Cities (FICs), are few and far between in the Empire, but have unique function. Theoretically governed directly by the Emperor, the FICs have no direct representation in Senate nor Parliament. They are however, completely exempt from massive areas of Imperial Law. They tend to be specialised, and very wealthy. For example, FIC (NAME), is where the Court of Noble Justice, and Supreme Imperial Court are located, and is rendered exempt from all military contribution, as well as paying barely any Imperial Taxation. Conversely, FIC Ossetia, the largest FIC, is where some of the largest Imperial Navy bases are, as well as being a key position for control of the Gulf of Ishenar. It is utterly tax exempt, but is bound by its military contributions.