Imperial Court of Natopia
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This article or section is a work in progress. The information below may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change. |
The Imperial Court of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation is a constitutionally-defined organ of the Natopian Imperial Government, comparable in power and responsibilities to the Imperial Chancellery of Natopia. While the exact nature and composition of the Imperial Court can be interpreted in various ways due to ambiguities in the Caprine Code, the strictest interpretation defines it as consisting of the Emperor, the Regent, and the Secretaries of the three Courts. Together with the Imperial Chancellery of Natopia, it forms the ad hoc Imperial Council of Natopia.
History
Current Officeholders
Courts of the Imperial Court
Court of the Calm Waters
The Court of the Calm Waters is an extension of the Imperial Court, serving as the office for His Most Bovic Majesty's Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Chamberlain of the Court of the Calm Waters. The Secretary is appointed directly by the Emperor, ensuring alignment with imperial foreign policy objectives. Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing Natopia's foreign policy;
- Advising the Emperor on diplomatic matters;
- Serving as chief diplomat of Natopia;
- Acting as de facto ambassador to other nations.
Court of the Verdant Gardens
The Court of the Verdant Gardens, another extension of the Imperial Court, houses the office of His Most Bovic Majesty's Secretary for Defense and Chamberlain of the Court of the Verdant Gardens. The Secretary is appointed by the Emperor, ensuring direct imperial oversight of defense matters. Its primary functions include:
- Providing for the Empire's defense
- Administering the Natopian Defense Force, the Western Natopian Demesnial Forces, and other military forces of Natopia;
- Advising the Emperor in their role as commander-in-chief;
- Maintaining Natopian state icons as per Chapter VI, Section 2 of the Caprine Code, including:
- The Heraldic Achievement of Natopia;
- Coat of Arms of Natopia;
- All affiliated emblems and imagery.
- Creating and maintaining emblems for awards and orders listed in Chapter X of the Caprine Code.
Court of the Noble Fountain
Formerly known as the Natopian Supreme Court, the Court of the Noble Fountain serves as the office for His Most Bovic Majesty's Secretary for Legal Affairs and Chamberlain of the Court of the Noble Fountain. Together, they interpret Imperial and demesnial law, serving as the highest judicial authority in Natopia. Its composition includes:
- The Emperor as presiding officer;
- The Secretary for Legal Affairs as main judicial advisor;
- At least one associate advisor.
The Court's Imperial and Royal Tradition
The Imperial Court is the epicenter of Natopia's imperial traditions, with the Emperor holding significant powers:
- Regulating the Court;
- Serving as head of state;
- Guiding Natopian culture, society, and foreign policy;
- Commanding the military.
The Emperor's role is to build upon, clarify, and solidify the concept of a central, unifying figure. However, the legal extent of the Emperor's power has been subject to challenges, and their rule is not absolute. Natopian monarchy has undergone a gradual process of liberalization and benevolence, often viewed more favorably than early forms of Natopian republicanism, which resulted in totalitarian states or societal collapse. Natopians have come to embrace their monarchs while remaining vigilant against potential abuses of power. It is the Emperor's moral duty to ensure the monarchy remains a positive element in Natopian society, never becoming a burden on the people.
Court Uniforms
Emperor Naian reestablished and codified the practice of formal dress guidelines for Natopian officials to wear when attending Imperial Court functions. A five tier system of guidelines and uniform patterns were provided for the Emperor (first tier), the Chancellor, Chief Justice, Regent (second tier), demesne leaders (third tier), Secretaries, Ministers, Associate Justices (fourth tier), Frenzy Representatives, and Ambassadors (fifth tier). Members of the military would wear their Defense Force uniforms.
In 1685, Emperor Nathan II authorized the update of the Court Uniforms, replacing gray with white. Dress shoes were replaced with mid-calf, lace-up leather boots. The option to wear a skirt, kilt, or dress instead of trousers is available to anyone. Alternations can be made to add sleeves if the need arises.
The Court's Composition
In a broader sense, the Imperial Court can be used to refer to the personal court and appointees of the reigning Emperor. The Imperial Consort, the heir-designate to the Caprine Throne, ambassadors, members of the military, and their supporting staff, have been considered members of the Imperial Court, and thus must follow lawful directives and decrees of the Emperor. The size of the Imperial Court is largely dependent on the personality, wishes, and preferences of the reigning Emperor or Empress.
Members' Obligations to the Imperial Court
The extent that listed successors given the title of Prince/Princess of Natopia are in the Imperial Court is a matter of legal debate. It is assumed that a Prince or Princess of Natopia would be a full member of the Imperial Court if they have no other positions that would constitute a conflict of interest. For instance, the Kaiser of Shireroth is presently a Prince of Natopia, but it is not expected that the rules and regulations of the Natopian Imperial Court could be enforced. Also, for a time the Chancellor of Natopia was also a Prince of Natopia, but the Natopian Caprine Code defines a clear separation of powers between the Emperor and Chancellor, so the Chancellor could not fulfill obligations to the Imperial court that conflicted with his or her duties to the Chancellery or Frenzy.
The Imperial Court of Emperor Nathan II
- Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chamberlain of the Court of the Calm Waters, Her Excellency, Dr. Mishti Lohani* (Flaventia)
- Delegate to the Micras Treaty Organization, The Honorable, Mr. Marco Lungo* (Dos Gardenias)
- Plenipotentiary to the Permanent Commission of the Raspur Pact, The Honorable, Baroness Ursula Brandt* (Flaventia)
- Secretary for Defense, Chamberlain of the Court of the Verdant Gardens, His Excellency, Adm. Pierre Francois*, Ret. (Arboria)
- Representative to the Joint Military Command, The Honorable, Gen. Rolf Devold*, Ret. (Lindstrom)
- Chief Herald of Natopia, The Honorable, Claire De Fond* (Flaventia)
- Secretary for Legal Affairs, Chamberlain of the Court of the Noble Fountain, Her Excellency, Princess Li Naomiai (Mar Sara Asara)
- Legal Advisors: The Honorable, Ryker Everstone (West Tapfer), The Honorable, Áþamé Issèla Mari Vāstra (West Tapfer)
- Captain of the Satyric Guard: The Honorable, Mr. Alexandros Epsilon* (Athlon)
- Regent of the Bovic Empire: His Highness, Prince Janus Eadric (Dos Gardenias)
*NPCs created to flesh out the court
| Role | Holder | Tenure |
| Regent | Ernesto de la Cruz | 1668-pres. |
| Naya Angus-Moonoak | 1660-1668* | |
| Vidar Ayreon-Kalirion | 1651-1660 | |
| Christo Eucalyptos | 1648-1654 | |
| Secretary for Foreign Affairs | Peder Eikegaard | 1660–1678. |
| Thorstein Noah | 1651-1660 | |
| Secretary for Defense | Marco Lungo | 1668–pres. |
| Isabella Kalirion | 1654–1668 | |
| Marco Lungo | 1651–1654 | |
| Imperial Consort | None | |
| Princes and Princesses | Clara Waffel-Paine, Heir-Designate | 1668–pres. |
| Naya Angus-Moonoak | 1660–1668*. | |
| Vidar Ayreon-Kalirion | 1648–1671* | |
| Thorstein Noah | 1648–1668 | |
| Benjamin Meir | 1648–1668* | |
| Isabella Kalirion | 1648–pres. | |
| Secretary for Legal Affairs | Li Naomiai | 1666-pres. |
| Ryker Everstone, Legal Advisor | 1666-pres. | |
| Áþamé Issèla Mari Vāstra, Legal Advisor | 1666-pres. | |
| Ivo Angus, as Chief Justice | 1624-1666 | |
| Thorstein Noah, as Associate Justice | 1631-1666 | |
| Áþamé Issèla Mari Vāstra, as Associate Justice | 1660-1666 | |
| Kurai Darkmoon, as Associate Justice | 1633-1660 | |
| Lord Chamberlain | Thorstein Noah | 1660-1668 |
(*)Died while holding title/office.
The Imperial Court of Emperor Zakyyr
| Role | Holder | Tenure |
| Regent | Christo Eucalyptos | 1648-1654 |
| Secretary for Foreign Affairs | King Noah | 1651-pres. |
| Janus Eadric | 1646–1651 | |
| Secretary for Defense | Marco Lungo | 1651–1654 |
| Kyle Kilynn | 1648–1650 | |
| Isabella Kalirion | 1638–1648 | |
| Imperial Consort | Li Naomiai | 1647-1653 |
| Princes and Princesses | Nathan II, Heir-Designate | 1648-1653 |
| Vidar Ayreon-Kalirion | 1648-pres. | |
| Thorstein Noah | 1648-pres. | |
| Benjamin Meir | 1648-pres. | |
| Isabella Kalirion | 1648-pres. | |
| Supreme Court | Ivo Angus, Chief Justice | 1624-pres. |
| Thorstein Noah, Associate Justice | 1631-pres. | |
| Kurai Darkmoon, Associate Justice | 1633-pres. |
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