Government!

Like every realistic realm, Vastonia incorporates a complex system of leaders, rules and regulations. There are certain standards and guidelines that everyone in some shape of form is expected (perhaps forced) to follow. This site details the largest, most common laws of the land, there rulers and a host of other critical information which sets this realm apart from any other.

Vastonia hosts a complexity of government forms. They all function in some sort of manner, whether it being benign dictatorships or enlightened monarchy's. The people of each kingdom/region live by one of the government forms listed.

Beyond establish systems of governing there are strict laws of the land that every citizen (nobility, serf or otherwise) is expected to obey, although these laws vary from from region to region. Most of the realm follow a feudal type legal system and these laws are widespread and quite universal across all Vastonia. Remember though, there are many Demi-Human races within Vastonia and each of those cultured races follow and dictate there own laws. As characters enter strange lands they may encounter different regulations and local authorities may become hostile towards them if they seek to bend such laws.

Most of the land use a standard currency to pay for legal representatives, judges, jury, bailiffs etc. These people hold a unique presence amongst everyday society and carry great responsibilities upon their shoulders. They are expected to be fair and just and not sway from their personal ethics. In some regions the king or Emperor may be the judge, jury and executioner, while other regions may use trails of combat or other brutal methods to prove ones innocence.

To keep things ordered and fast, Vastonia uses a system called an area alignment, this system allows (me) the DM to get a quick overview of a city, town or villages general populaces moral ethics (basically categorizing the entire population into one alignment). Now that sounds friggin stupid eh! Well think about it, you and your friends and their friends more than likely act quite similar. Thus the same system is used throughout Vastonia. However there are ALWAYS people who don't follow the flow of traffic. Some citizens will be quite unique compared the the general populace and usually these people are important NPC's, or at least that's how it works in my campaign. So lets say for example, out of a village of 400 people, 350 are all the same general alignment (lawful, neutral etc.) and another 25 or 30 of those people are (lawful good or true neutral). Leaving the remaining people of the town applicable NPC's (people with real meaning to the campaigns flow).

Within these communities exists another complex set of important world detail. Each city, town or settlement have their own vast array or unique individuals. All of them have specific occupations, but most of them bend to the masses and usually take up typical labor related jobs (sound familiar?) sheep herders, farmers, house wives etc. All of which are good jobs but will never gain them a favorable advantage within the realm. Up and above those individuals are merchants, captains, guards, councilors, proprietors and other high-middle class socialites. Last but not least every city, town or settlement will have it's leaders, ones of noble status. Such as kings, queens, lords, ladies, knights and other such gentry. These individuals lead through example, force or incentive but all of these people hold the communities well being and functionality in the palms of there hands.

The following list shows the order of social ranking within a Vastonian feudal society.

King

Queen

Royal Prince

Royal Princess

Duke

Prince

Princess

Marquis

Count

Viscount

Baron

Baronet

Knight (Head)

Arch Bishop

Bishop

Abbot

 

What's left to the puzzle, well not much except the presence of the characters at your table, a fine gathering of friendship, a few thousand coca cola cans and an awesome DM who keeps the game fun and exciting, but maintains a strict reality on the game itself. Hope you enjoy using Vastonia as your campaign realm. Please let me know if any of you are hosting games within this mighty realm and I'll be sure to mention it on my homepage.