Atrian Politics



Whereas Az-Emberek bases its leadership on a popularity contest and the Jade Kingdom allows blood to rule, the Atrian League is a meritocracy where anyone with sufficient skill and ability may rise to the highest political stations. Well, at least that is what anyone, from a deck-swabbing slave to the Archon of Pharae will tell you. To be fair, it is at least partially true as there are no structural or intrinsic barriers to an individual rising to power.

In reality, however, the Atrian League is a plutocratic oligarchy with additional unwritten social traditions in place that can prevent an individual from achieving their political ambitions despite ability or prowess.

Social Status

Though wealth and power separate the Archons from the guttersnipes, there are three large social states which divide people within the League – Polítés, Metics and Slaves.

Polítés, or citizens, are those who were born and raised in the polis or, more generally, within the League. Metics and slaves can purchase their citizenship and enjoy the rights, freedoms and lower taxes that are the benefits of being a citizen.

Metics, or foreigners, are freemen/women who are resident aliens in the polis. They have no say in politics and are taxed more heavily than citizens, but are without any substantive restrictions.

Slaves are those who, due to wars, famine or destitution, are in service to another for their daily needs. Slavery is most often a temporary condition and is not trans-generational.

Governmental structure

The most important level of government for the average Atrian is the polis¸or city-state. The daily governance of each polis is conducted by the Archon, who administrates, collects taxes, leads the military and generally guarantees civic services. The Archon is secretly chosen from the top families in the polis by an elect group of the aforementioned families. In general, this works rather well as the different families ensure that no Archon becomes too powerful or abusive towards the public (lest they rise up and replace all the families as they did in the Triccian rebellion).

When it comes to matters which reach beyond the polis and the Archon, there is a similar structure which occurs. A Basileus is chosen from the Archons to rule the entire League for a two year, renewable term. Taxes are collected from each of the city-states, according to the relative wealth of each polis which go towards ambassadorial duties and other, required tasks.