Duchy of the Guttuli

The Guttuli
Subdivision type:	Duchy
Capital:	Lachlan
Population:
Largest Cities:	Solaris, Gaton, Kelb
Local Leadership Title:	The Duchess
Local Government:	Dukedom
Current leader:	Salome
Local language:	Præta, Istvanistani, Laqi
Local Religion:	Cedrism

The Duchy of the Guttuli is a constituent territory of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, located at the mouth of the River Elwynn, following the Kalirion Fracture. The name Guttuli comes from the ancient Gates of the Guttuli at the mouth of the Red Elwynn.

Until 1687 AN, the territory had been governed by a criminal state that called itself the Guttuli Protectorate.

Governance

Initially, the Duchy of the Guttuli was governed directed through the two Lieutenancies that were established in its territory, that of Far Guttuli (Guttulinese territory east of the River Elwynn as well as islands located therein) and that of Near Guttuli (Guttulinese territory west of the River Elwynn). By V.1687 AN, the two Lieutenancies independently chose to appoint a Coordinating Committee, consisting of a mixture of Imperial courtiers, senior Laqi officers, and the few anti-Protectorate locals with some measure of means. The Coordinating Committee for the Guttuli would issue directives and coordinate resource allocations across the duchy as necessary to rebuild the economy, stabilize the ongoing humanitarian crisis, and construct a new political structure after the previous one had been wiped clean.

A basic law for the Duchy of the Guttuli was received by the beginning of 1688 AN, and, with some revisions to accommodate the Kaiseress's comments, approved via Imperial Decree on 21.VII.1688 AN. Also included in that decree was the creation of new noble titles, designed to fit with the structure set out by the new basic law for regional governance.

Administrative Divisions

The Basic Law for the Guttuli organizes the Duchy into three Imperial Circles:

Near Guttuli Circle

Far Guttuli Circle

Coastal Guttuli Circle

Each of the three circles maintain a Circle Court, for the purpose of serving as a legal court of appeals and equity, administrative oversight for their constituent subdivisions, and to issue grants for the use of public lands. Despite large portions of the Guttuli being portioned into feudal holdings of various size and dignity, much of the Guttuli remains classified as "public land", with rents paid directly to the ducal coffers.