Charter of the Benacian Union (1752)

The Charter of the Benacian Union is the fundamental constitutional document of the Benacian Union, establishing it as a unified federal state composed of four member Realms. As reformed and ratified by the Eleventh Congress of Chryse, it establishes the governmental structure, classification of subjects, rights and obligations, and the Union Covenant as supreme law alongside the Charter itself.

Preamble

"The Unified Governorates of Benacia, the Sovereign Confederation of Governorates, the Kingdom of Ransenar, and the Free City of Chryse—unite themselves in one Union State—hereafter known as The Benacian Union."

"We, the subjects of the Benacian Union, acknowledging the supreme authority of Human Supremacy on Micras, do hereby establish this Charter as the fundamental law of the Union."

Chapter I: Fundamental Principles

Article I.1

The Benacian Union is a unified federal state composed of four member Realms. The Union preserves the territorial integrity of each Realm while vesting supreme authority in the organs of the Union established by this Charter.

Article I.2

All persons residing within the territories of the Union are subjects of the Union. There exists one Benacian nationality for all subjects of the member Realms.

Article I.3 - Classification of Subjects

Subjects are classified as:

(a) Meritorious Subjects: Civic Trust Score above 350, Union Covenant compliance, appearance on Register of Souls, no disqualifying convictions. Full civil and political rights.

(b) Subjects Without Merit: CTS 100-350, Covenant compliance. Civil rights only.

(c) Recusants: Refuse the Union Covenant. Subject to fines, community service, permanent political disability, and reduced civil rights.

(d) Heretics: Determined by the United Ecclesiastical Corporation to practice forbidden rites or reject the Covenant. Subject to loss of rights, prosecution, and purgation.

(e) Protected Persons: CTS below 100. Status governed by special law.

Article I.4

The Benacian Union is founded upon the Union Covenant, which establishes Human Supremacy on Micras and the divine foundation of lawful authority. All subjects are bound by the Covenant enacted by the Congress of Chryse. The Covenant forms supreme law alongside this Charter.

Article I.4A - Covenant Obligations

All subjects must enter the Union Covenant at the annual ceremony on the thirteenth day of the thirteenth month. Non-compliance results in notification to the Panopticon, Civic Trust Score adjustment, and penalties prescribed by the Covenant. The Register of Souls maintained by the Worshipful Guild of the Sacred Carnifices records compliance.

Article I.4B - The United Ecclesiastical Corporation

The United Ecclesiastical Corporation of Benacia exercises religious authority under the Union Covenant through its Council of Araxion. The Corporation determines heresy, certifies Realm religious practices for Covenant compliance, and maintains clerical registers. The Conservatory Senate may override heresy determinations by unanimous vote. The Corporation may not exercise temporal power or command civil authorities except through lawful processes.

Article I.4C - Religious Practice

Subjects must comply with the Union Covenant. Approved practices include those recognized by the United Ecclesiastical Corporation as Covenant-compliant. Forbidden practices include worship of the Vanir, Germania, Sisera, Baishens, daemon worship, and rejection of the Union Covenant. The Corporation may grant conscience exemptions for sincere religious beliefs preventing public participation, which exemptions do not relieve subjects of submission to lawful authority.

Article I.5

The capital of the Benacian Union is the Free City of Chryse.

Chapter II: The Consular Executive

The Three Consuls

Article II.1

Executive authority of the Benacian Union vests in a Consulate of three persons: the First Consul, the Second Consul, and the Third Consul.

Article II.2

The First Consul holds supreme executive power and:

(a) Commands the Benacian Union Defence Force;

(b) Directs foreign policy through the Commission for Foreign Affairs;

(c) Possesses sole authority to propose legislation through the Council of State;

(d) Appoints and dismisses all ministers, commissioners, and Realm executives, subject to the limitations of this Charter;

(e) Issues decrees with force of law during legislative recess;

(f) Represents the Union in all international affairs.

Article II.3

The Second Consul oversees internal security and the Commission for the Panopticon. The Third Consul oversees the Commission for the Sacred Treasury and economic policy. Both must countersign First Consul decrees touching their respective domains, but their assent is not required for such decrees to proceed. They serve at the pleasure of the First Consul.

Article II.4

Each Consul serves a term of ten years. The First Consul may serve no more than two consecutive terms unless this limitation is waived by plebiscite. The Second and Third Consuls serve without term limits at the pleasure of the First Consul.

Succession

Article II.5

In the final year of a Consular term, the outgoing Consulate and the Conservatory Senate jointly prepare a shortlist of three candidates for First Consul from the Lists of National Notables. The Congress of Chryse selects the First Consul by majority vote. If the Congress rejects all candidates, new lists are prepared and the process repeats. The outgoing First Consul continues in acting capacity during any interim.

Article II.6

If the First Consul dies or is removed mid-term:

(a) The Second Consul immediately becomes Acting First Consul for ninety days;

(b) The Conservatory Senate prepares a shortlist and convenes an extraordinary Congress to select a new First Consul;

(c) If both First and Second Consuls are unavailable, the Third Consul assumes acting authority;

(d) If all three Consuls are unavailable, the Conservatory Senate appoints an Acting First Consul from its membership by majority vote.

The Council of State

Article II.7

There is established a Council of State of thirty to fifty appointed experts who draft all legislation at the direction of the First Consul. No bill may reach any deliberative assembly unless first composed by the Council of State. Members are appointed by the First Consul for five-year terms and may be removed at any time.

The Office of the Lord High Censor

Article II.8

The Congress of Chryse appoints a Lord High Censor who directs the Benacian Censorate. The Censorate serves the Consulate in matters of population enumeration, maintenance of registers, and the upholding of moral standards. The Lord High Censor reports to the Congress but responds to the requirements of all three Consuls in the execution of Censorate duties. The Censorate supervises the Rehabilitation Office, the Population Management Bureau, and the Worshipful Guild of the Sacred Carnifices.

Chapter III: The Selectorate System

Article III.1

Political participation operates through graduated tiers of filtration:

(a) Bailiwick Assemblies of franchise-holding subjects;

(b) Lists of Communal Notables (10% of Assembly participants);

(c) Governorate Colleges selecting Departmental Notables (10% of Communal Notables);

(d) Realm Conventions selecting National Notables (10% of Departmental Notables);

(e) The Congress of Chryse (delegates from National Notables).

Article III.2

To participate in a Bailiwick Assembly, a meritorious subject must:

(a) Possess a Civic Trust Score above the Franchise Threshold (currently 450 points);

(b) Have held meritorious status for five consecutive years;

(c) Maintain institutional enrollment;

(d) Have completed the Course of the Engaged Subject;

(e) Possess a positive institutional recommendation.

Article III.3

Bailiwick Assemblies convene once per decade. Participants submit ranked preferences for qualities and attributes. The Commission for the Panopticon algorithmically matches these preferences to subject profiles, generating the List of Communal Notables. Subjects learn only whether they were selected, not their ranking.

Article III.4

The Congress of Chryse comprises delegates selected by Realm Conventions, with each Realm receiving delegates proportional to its meritorious subject population (minimum five per Realm). The Congress convenes every five years and selects members for all Union deliberative bodies.

Chapter IV: The Deliberative Bodies

The Chamber of Guilds and Corporations

Article IV.1

The Chamber of Guilds and Corporations is the supreme legislative organ of the Union, comprising delegates from the constituent guilds and corporations of Benacian society. The Chamber receives legislation from the Council of State, deliberates upon it, and votes on final passage.

Article IV.2

The Chamber comprises delegates from:

(a) The Guild of Academicians;

(b) The Guild of Factors;

(c) The Guild of the Lotus;

(d) The Worshipful Guild of the Sacred Carnifices;

(e) The Benacian Union Defence Force;

(f) The Honourable Company;

(g) The Nationalist & Humanist Party;

(h) The United Ecclesiastical Corporation; and

(i) Such other guilds or corporations as may be admitted by Chamber vote.

Each guild/corporation receives delegates proportional to its meritorious membership, with minimum representation of five delegates each.

Article IV.3

Delegates to the Chamber are selected by their respective guilds and corporations according to their own internal processes. Each guild determines its own qualification requirements, selection methods, and delegate terms (which may not exceed five years).

Article IV.4

The Chamber:

(a) Receives bills drafted by the Council of State;

(b) Debates legislation publicly (proceedings broadcast throughout the Union);

(c) May propose amendments (which the Council of State may accept or reject);

(d) Votes on final passage by majority of delegates present;

(e) May employ weighted voting on specific measures as regulated by Chamber rules, whereby delegates spend institutional credits to cast votes of greater value.

Article IV.5

The Chamber may not initiate legislation. The sole source of legislative initiative is the First Consul through the Council of State. The Chamber's role is deliberative and ratificatory.

The Conservatory Senate

Article IV.6

The Conservatory Senate comprises fifty members serving life terms (subject to mandatory retirement at age 75 or after 30 years of service, whichever comes first). Initial members are appointed by the First Consul with Congressional approval. Vacancies are filled by Senate nomination of three candidates, Congressional selection of one, with First Consul possessing one-time veto per vacancy.

Article IV.7

The Conservatory Senate:

(a) Guards the constitutional order;

(b) May annul any legislation, decree, or action deemed contrary to this Charter;

(c) Approves or rejects the shortlist for First Consul;

(d) May remove the First Consul by three-quarters vote for gross violation of this Charter;

(e) May remove Senators for cause through complex proceedings;

(f) May override Panopticon algorithmic determinations by two-thirds vote;

(g) Arbitrates jurisdictional disputes between Union institutions.

Article IV.8

All Senate proceedings are confidential except when the Senate votes to publish. Senators enjoy immunity from surveillance of their deliberations but not of their private conduct.

The Council of Realms

Article IV.9

There is established a Council of Realms comprising three delegates from each of the four member Realms (twelve members total), selected by each Realm according to its own processes for five-year terms.

Article IV.10

The Council of Realms:

(a) Provides concurrent consent (by majority vote) for: expansion of Union competencies, modification of Realm boundaries, amendments to this Charter's federal provisions, and Union abrogation of Realm acts;

(b) Advises on foreign treaties affecting Realm interests;

(c) May veto (by three-quarters vote) Union abrogations of Realm acts or Panopticon threshold adjustments reducing any Realm's Congressional representation by more than 20%, subject to Senate override by two-thirds vote.

Article IV.11

The Council of Realms may not initiate legislation, veto ordinary Union legislation, or interfere with First Consul executive powers. Senate decisions override Council decisions when the Senate acts by two-thirds vote or unanimous vote as specified in this Charter.

Chapter V: The Panopticon and Merit

Article V.1

The Commission for the Panopticon operates under the Second Consul and calculates Civic Trust Scores for all subjects based on: employment history, tax compliance, criminal records, civic participation, social associations, public statements, location patterns, consumption behavior, and institutional loyalty metrics.

Article V.2

Civic Trust Scores range from zero to one thousand points. Meritorious Subject status requires a score above 350. The Franchise Threshold is set by the Commission at 450 points but may be adjusted based on conditions. All scoring methodologies are published, but individual scores and applications remain confidential.

Article V.3

Subjects may appeal their Civic Trust Score annually. Appeals are reviewed by three-member panels who may adjust scores for algorithmic or data errors. The Conservatory Senate may override any Panopticon determination by two-thirds vote.

Article V.4

No subject may have meritorious status revoked or be classified as a Protected Person based solely on algorithmic determination. All such actions require review and approval by a human official whose identity is recorded.

Chapter VI: The Member Realms

Realm Sovereignty

Article VI.1

The sovereignty of member Realms is limited only by matters vested in the Union by this Charter. Each Realm exercises public powers independently within its sphere. Each Realm retains the right to withdraw from the Union in a manner accordant with law, the Union Covenant, and the maintenance of Human Supremacy.

Article VI.2

The territory of a member Realm may not be modified without its consent. The right of withdrawal may not be eliminated except by unanimous consent of all Realms.

Realm Executives

Article VI.3

Executive authority within each Realm vests as follows:

(f) Unified Governorates of Benacia: The First Consul governs directly as Head of the Realm.

(g) Sovereign Confederation: The Uvngætz is selected by internal Miþuï structures, provided the candidate has signed the Covenant, appears on the Register of Souls, and is not determined heretic by the United Ecclesiastical Corporation. First Consul confirmation may be refused for Covenant violation, heresy, criminal conviction, foreign allegiance, or Senate constitutional threat determination.

(h) Ransenar: The Szodan is selected according to Ransenar's internal constitutional processes (which Ransenar determines by its own Realm constitution). Confirmation follows the same limited grounds as the Sovereign Confederation.

(i) Chryse: The High Commissioner is appointed by the Congress of Chryse and is not subject to First Consul confirmation.

Article VI.4

Realm executives may be removed only by:

(a) Internal Realm constitutional processes; or

(b) The First Consul with two-thirds Conservatory Senate concurrence, but only for treason, gross Charter violation, criminal conviction, or referral from the Worshipful Guild of the Sacred Carnifices.

Any such removal may be appealed to the Council of Realms.

Realm Competencies

Article VI.5

The following are exclusive Realm competencies:

(a) Cultural autonomy (languages, heritage, religious institutions, traditional law for civil matters, commemorations);

(b) Educational content (curriculum for non-civic subjects, universities, vocational training);

(c) Local economic development (intra-Realm commerce, local licensing, regional incentives, tourism, local infrastructure);

(d) Internal governance (bailiwick organization, local services, Realm judicial organization, administrative procedures);

(e) Realm symbols and honors.

Article VI.6

The Union may not abrogate Realm acts touching exclusive competencies except when such acts:

(a) Violate the Union Covenant;

(b) Impair Union institutions;

(c) Create inter-Realm conflicts; or

(d) Threaten constitutional order as determined by two-thirds Senate vote.

Any abrogation requires Council of Realms concurrence or unanimous Senate override.

Union Competencies

Article VI.7

The Union exercises exclusive authority over: foreign relations and treaties; war and peace; the armed forces; foreign and inter-Realm commerce; monetary and credit systems; the Commission for the Panopticon; surveillance and merit evaluation; the selectorate system; and federal nationality law.

Article VI.8

Union law prevails over conflicting Realm law in all areas of Union competency. The Conservatory Senate is the final arbiter of competency boundaries.

Chapter VII: Additional Provisions

Plebiscites

Article VII.1

Plebiscites may be called by:

(a) The First Consul at any time on any matter;

(b) The Conservatory Senate by two-thirds vote on constitutional questions;

(c) The Congress of Chryse by three-quarters vote on succession or fundamental constitutional questions.

No plebiscite may be initiated by popular petition.

Article VII.2

All meritorious subjects meeting the Franchise Threshold may vote in plebiscites. The Council of State drafts the question (answerable by yes or no), subject to Senate review. Results are tabulated by the Panopticon and announced by the First Consul. The outcome is binding unless annulled by the Senate.

Rights of Subjects

Article VII.3

Subjects who comply with the Union Covenant possess rights including life, liberty, security, property (subject to taxation), petition, religious practice, and lawful occupation. Rights are subject to lawful authority, and limitation by law for security, health, order, rights protection, or heresy suppression. Recusants possess only Protected Person rights. Heretics may be subject to complete loss of rights.

Emergency Powers

Article VII.4

In cases of imminent threat to Union survival or complete failure of essential government functions, the First Consul may declare Constitutional Emergency with two-thirds Senate concurrence (or Senate and Council of Realms may jointly declare by two-thirds of each).

During emergency:

(a) First Consul issues decrees with immediate force without Council of State drafting or deliberative body approval;

(b) Senate retains annulment power with seven-day review;

(c) Council of Realms concurrent consent is suspended;

(d) Panopticon operates independently.

Emergency lasts ninety days maximum, extendable once by unanimous Senate to eighteen months total.

Prohibited actions: Charter amendments, territorial changes, Senate abolition, indefinite detention, Covenant violations.

Hierarchy of Authority

Article VII.5

In conflicts between institutions:

(a) On strategic matters (foreign affairs, war, defense, monetary policy, Union-wide surveillance): First Consul has final authority, subject to Senate annulment for constitutional violation;

(b) On constitutional questions: Conservatory Senate has final authority;

(c) On federal questions (Realm competencies, boundaries, Union-Realm disputes): Council of Realms has primary authority, subject to Senate override by two-thirds;

(d) On jurisdictional disputes: Conservatory Senate arbitrates with binding effect.

Symbols

Article VII.6

The Union's insignia is the Seal of Chryse surrounded by a golden raptor over a blue shield. The Union flag features the Congressional Emblem over a white fess with gold fimbriation over blue. The military flag is fringed in gold with the Congressional Emblem and Archonic Ouroboros on blue with radiating beams, bearing the inscription "Ußar Ał Boþ Ußar Reht" (Our Might is Our Right).

Amendment

Article VII.7

This Charter may be amended by:

(a) First Consul directing Council of State to draft an amendment;

(b) Senate review;

(c) Two-thirds approval in the Chamber of Guilds and Corporations;

(d) Ratification by three-quarters of Realm executives;

(e) Promulgation by First Consul.

Alternatively, amendments may proceed directly to plebiscite by unanimous Senate vote or three-quarters Congress vote.

Article VII.8

No amendment may abolish the member Realms, eliminate the right of withdrawal, or contradict the Union Covenant without unanimous consent of all Realms.

Supremacy

Article VII.9

This Charter, laws made in pursuance thereof, and Union treaties constitute the supreme law. In case of conflict, this Charter prevails. The Conservatory Senate interprets this Charter with final authority.

Chapter VIII: Transitional Provisions

Article VIII.1

This Charter supersedes all prior constitutional arrangements including the Charter passed in the Second Session of the Congress of Chryse and revised in the Fourth Session.

Article VIII.2

Transition proceeds as follows:

(a) Year One: Constitutional enabling legislation; Panopticon develops systems; Civic Trust Scores initialized;

(b) Year Two: First Bailiwick Assemblies; Communal Notables selected;

(c) Year Three: Governorate Colleges and Realm Conventions; Departmental and National Notables selected;

(d) Year Four: Congress convenes; first Consulate and deliberative bodies selected;

(e) Year Five: Full implementation; prior structures dissolved.

Article VIII.3

Current office-holders receive:

(a) Automatic placement on appropriate Lists for the first cycle;

(b) Civic Trust Scores initialized at 600 points;

(c) Exemption from Course requirements for one cycle;

(d) Priority consideration for Council of State or other offices.

These privileges expire after one complete ten-year cycle.

Article VIII.4

The current Szodan of Benacia serves as the first First Consul until completion of the first selectorate cycle. During transition, the High Presidium continues until the Consulate is operational.

Article VIII.5

Within six months, each Realm selects three delegates to the Council of Realms. The Council convenes within nine months. Until operational, the Senate acts in the Council's stead for consent matters.

Article VIII.6

The Sovereign Confederation and Ransenar shall establish their executive selection processes within one year. Each Realm submits its constitution to the Senate within two years for conformity review.

Article VIII.7

This Charter enters into force upon ratification by the Congress of Chryse and promulgation by the Szodan of Benacia.

Done in Session of the Eleventh Congress of Chryse

Appendix: Quick Reference

The Four Power Centers

The Executive (First Consul)

• Controls: Day-to-day government, military, foreign policy, legislative initiative
• Checked by: Senate (constitutional), Council of Realms (federal), Chamber (legislative approval)

The Senate (Conservatory Senate)

• Controls: Constitutional interpretation, veto power, can remove First Consul
• Checked by: Very difficult (basically self-governing)

The Chamber (Chamber of Guilds and Corporations)

• Controls: Legislative approval, guild representation
• Composition: Delegates from 8 major guilds vote on laws
• Checked by: Senate (can annul), First Consul (sole initiative)

The Council (Council of Realms)

• Controls: Realm competencies, veto on federal matters
• Checked by: Senate override (2/3 vote)

Decision Matrix

What You're Doing	Who Decides	Can Be Vetoed By
Declare war	First Consul	Senate (if unconstitutional)
Pass new law	First Consul proposes → Chamber debate → Chamber vote	Senate (if unconstitutional)
Appoint Realm executive	First Consul	Realm Council appeal → Senate arbitrates
Override algorithm	Senate (2/3 vote)	Nobody
Realm cultural policy	Realm (exclusive)	Nobody (unless Covenant violation)
Modify Realm border	Affected Realm + Council of Realms	Nobody
Declare emergency	First Consul + 2/3 Senate	Senate can revoke
Interpret Charter	Senate	Nobody (final)

Civic Trust Scores

Score Range	Classification	Description
800+	Elite	National Notables level
600-800	Solid citizen	Has franchise
450-600	Meritorious	Franchise threshold at 450
350-450	Meritorious	Low participation
100-350	Subject Without Merit	Civil rights only
0-100	Protected Person	Status governed by special law

The Four Realms

Realm	Executive	Selection Method	Character
Unified Governorates of Benacia	First Consul	Directly governed	Union loyalist core
Sovereign Confederation	Uvngætz	Selected by Miþuï	Traditional, culturally distinct
Ransenar	Szodan	Method determined internally	Moderate, monarchical traditions
Chryse	High Commissioner	Congress appoints	Merchant pragmatists, capital city

See Also

• Benacian Union
• Congress of Chryse
• Union Covenant
• Panopticon
• Conservatory Senate
• Chamber of Guilds and Corporations