The Landsraad is a collective body of political governments enacted to discuss and resolve potential threats or issues related to their combined members.
The Landsraad plays a very important role in the political and economic power balance of the Empire, which is shared among the Landsraad, the Emperor and to some extent powerful societies like the Exchange of Light and the Preceptors of the Great Archive.
The supreme military power of the Emperor, paired with his essentially unlimited wealth, makes him the principal power in the known universe. The Landsraad represents the unification of all the other Houses, creating a check against the power of the Emperor which is theoretically a comparable force. This delicate balance of power serves to prevent any particularly ambitious or destructive faction or individual from upsetting the stability of society; at least, for a time.
Individually, the noble houses - such as House Ryen and House Quintan - do not approach the power of the Emperor's House Hammacher. Their individual influences are also diluted by their constant competition for fiefdoms, financial and political power, and Imperial favor. However, their combined representation in the Landsraad and their combined armed forces provide a check and balance against the power of House Hammacher and the Emperor.
In the Landsraad all member Houses may file petitions, lodge Bill of Particulars against specific Houses, motions to vote, proposals for specific Acts, Charters or changes in laws and so on. Many wars have begun within the Landsraad as well as many long lasting relationships. It is up to the Houses to interact within it cautiously and with respect.
The High Council
This is an inner circle of the Great Houses. These Great Houses stand as supreme tribunal when such matters as; Great Convention violations and disputes between Houses affect the stability of the Imperium as a whole.
The Landsraad By-Laws
Article I
The Landsraad is chartered by the Houses of the Imperium, under His Imperial Majesty the Padishah Emperor, to conduct the drafting of universal legislation for the Imperium and to adjudicate conflicts and judicial disputes between the nobles of his majesty’s Imperium.
Article II ~ The Landsraad Body
Section 1 ~ Membership of the Landsraad
Sub-Section 1 ~ All Great Houses of the Imperium shall have gained membership in the Landsraad holding 3 full votes.
Sub-Section 2 ~ All Elevated Minor Houses of the Imperium shall have gained membership in the Landsraad with 1 full vote.
Sub-Section 3 ~ Houses that are declared dead, renegade, exiled or who are stripped of noble status shall lose their seats in the Landsraad automatically.
Sub-Section 4 ~ Any houses that choose to renounce their seat upon the council may not regain it without both the consent of the Imperial House and a vote by the Landsraad Council.
Section 2 ~ Powers of the Landsraad
The Landsraad shall hold the following powers:
- Pass legislation for the Imperium at-large
- Judge petitions for advancement as set by law.
- Elect a Chair from among the members of the High Council, who shall concurrently serve as Chair of the High Council and the full Landsraad.
- Hear, discuss and resolve issues of Imperial importance, so long as it does not step into the sole bounds of the High Council, Sysselraads, the Imperial House, or the AIHMD.
- Charter committees of the Landsraad and commissions generally to review and resolve major issues in the Imperium so long as it does not step into the sole bounds of the High Council, Sysselraads, the Imperial House or AIHMD.
- To order intervention of Landsraad forces in an area and to extend an emergency intervention declared by the High Council if such action is still required after two trimesters.
- Pass amendments to these by-laws by 2/3rds vote, that have been proposed and passed by the High Council.
- Pass non-binding resolutions expressing the view of the Landsraad on any issue.
Article III ~ Landsraad High Council
Section 1 ~ Membership of the Landsraad High Council:
All Great Houses shall have received seats on the Landsraad High Council upon elevation to Great House. This seat is forfeit if membership in the Landsraad body is lost.
Section 2 ~ Powers of the Landsraad High Council
The Landsraad High Council shall hold the following powers:
- To adjudicate House-to-House disputes in both an informal and formal judicial setting, as structured by law
- To pass general rules of the Landsraad for its proper, fair and efficient governance.
- To order intervention of Landsraad forces to an area in an emergency situation. Emergency intervention may not last more than two trimesters without full Landsraad approval.
- To amend these by-laws by majority vote and 2/3rds vote of the full Landsraad.
Landsraad Chairperson Act
Article I
The Landsraad shall have a Chairperson for the general political leadership of the Landsraad and its High Council
Article II ~ Selection Process
The selection process shall follow these listed guidelines as set forth by the Council:
- The Landsraad Chairperson shall serve for a term of one standard year.
- A New Landsraad Chairperson will be chosen at the start of each new standard year.
- The Landsraad Chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the Landsraad Council.
- Nominations will be taken the last trimester of the year before election, elections will then occur that trimester from the nominated Houses.
- Nominations require both an initial nomination by one member and a second by another member.
- If no House wishes to accept nomination to the position of Landsraad Chairperson it will be defaulted to the Secretary-General.
- If it is the wish of 60% (3/5ths) of the Landsraad Council or more a Landsraad Chairperson may be removed at any time from his or her position at any time during their term to be replaced by another House.
- The Secretary-General shall serve as Chairperson for the removal vote and if removed, shall serve as full Chairperson until a special election has been concluded.
Article III ~ Powers of the Chairperson
Section 1
Sub-Section 1 ~ The Landsraad Chairperson will have the power to break ties in a vote, with permission from the Imperial House. The Imperial House Hammacher has the first chance to break tie votes.
Sub-Section 2 ~ The Landsraad Chairperson shall retain their vote as a Greaat or Minor House and only shall receive a second vote in the instance of a tie under the conditions of the preceding section.
Sub-Section 3 ~ The Landsraad Chairperson shall have the power to create special committees of the Landsraad, lasting no more than one year, to deal with special issues in the Imperium. The matter can be appealed by three Houses and put to vote if there are objections to the committee.
Sub-Section 4 ~ The Landsraad Chairperson shall be considered the figure head leader of the Landsraad.
Sub-Section 5 ~ The Chair shall be considered the default representative of the Council on its behalf on all matters unless the Chair or Council determines otherwise in a specific case.
Sub-Section 6 ~ Any legal agreements that the chairperson enters into on behalf of the Landsraad must be ratified by the majority vote of the Landsraad Council.
Sub-Section 7 ~ The Landsraad Chairperson shall serve any other role charged to him/her by future acts of the Landsraad.
Section 2 ~ Dissention Clause
Sub-Section 1 ~ When a motion is presented among the Council that is meeting with stiff resistance (At least 3 votes are against it with valid arguments to be determined by the Secretary General) it may be tabled if the Secretary General and other members so wish it without a separate vote.
Sub-Section 2 ~ A motion that has been tabled can be voted upon again once at least one other motion has cleared (just to allow the option).
Sub-Section 3 ~ A tabled motion cannot remain tabled for any longer than one trimester without another table presentation being offered
Sub-Section 4 ~ No motion can be tabled any more than twice before a vote must be forced except for in a period of extreme emergency to be determined by Council Members
Sub-Section 5 ~ A motion to indefinitely table may be presented but must approved by 70% or more of the Council to pass and if failed another motion to indefinitely table may not be presented until next trimester.
Section 3 ~ Motion Presentation Clause
Sub-Section 1 ~ A separate hall (board) will be opened strictly for proposals by members of the Landsraad Council to increase the efficiency in which the Secretary General can present motions before the Landsraad Council
Sub-Section 2 ~ The separate hall will voice no arguments and have no discussions in it other than proposals any non-appropriate proposals (threads) will be removed by the Secretary General (or the staff whichever is easier)
Sub-Section 3 ~ All proposals that have already been voted upon and had the vote closed will be removed from the Motion Presentation Hall
Section 4 ~ Seven-Day Voting Limit Clause
A seven-day voting limit shall be placed on the members of the Landsraad Council and that any non-votes will be considered abstains/recues in the final tally.
The seven-day voting limit has become an official policy of the Landsraad Voting Chamber. The policy can be removed or amended at any time by a majority vote from Council Members.
The policy is to be enforced by the Secretary-General of the Landsraad and the Landsraad Chairperson.