The Divine Kingdom of Idos

“Idosian politics are often centered on the nature of religion and faith, hence the centering of the nation on the guiding politics of the Pantheon. Respectively, the Idosian Pantheon (which has come to dominate most of the Human, Elven and even Dwarven races) is meant to embrace a number of societal positions, from smith to arbiters of law. And so, a set perspective guides the ways in which certain historical records are kept, as set priests of a certain theological schools often examine from the perspective of their god. So, exploring these events take a strenuous toll on the thinkers, for they must carefully examine each document with a careful eye that can dissect the documents that carry with them a certain lens. But, this is what it means to exist within the realm of Idos, for it is seeped in this form of religious ideology which drives the politics of the land. Thus, the work I present to you is of a more objective nature due to the dire need for a candid interpretation of events.

The political system of Idos is a difficult one to decipher, for it is wholly based on the assumption of one’s proximity to faith. Which is to say, the closer to a set deity, then the higher the prestige an individual might be granted. Yet, there is a clear political line that differentiates priests and nobles. Priests and those attempting to receive priestly titles have to take civil service exams as a means of even receiving such a position, which is of course taken after a rigorous education at either a seminary or mentorship given by another priest. While nobles are binded to a set route of education for their children that requires set protocols and methods of understanding respective fields of knowledge... While people from noble houses can take on the roles of priest, oftentimes they take on other roles within the government or serve within the military as a means of gaining further prestige.

The hierarchy of the Idosian monarchy: At the top is the King, a title that has been granted at the behest of the Priestly Council. The titular role of King is normally granted to one a noble house who has displayed esteemed piety in the eyes of the council. The King serves as the supreme arbiter of the divine law of the Pantheon within the land, the commander and chief of the armed forces and the leader of the Council in times of emergency. The Council falls underneath the King, it is composed of esteemed priests from within Idos (traditionally eight priests, these individuals are voted in by elder priests). The Council is often seen as a religious advisory board for the King, but also deals with issues that tend to require divine judgement rather than the rule of law that the King utilizes to govern. It is here that the power between the Council and the King are often at odds with one another. The position of Lord falls directly under that of King within the realm of nobility. While respectively, Lords often come from a number of houses and govern fiefs within the lands of Idos, they can also be symbolic roles granted as a means of expressing the allegiances that certain individuals might retain. They function as the arbiters of the King’s will within their fief and also encompass the highest order of nobility within the Kingdom. The Major Houses are made up of Lords of notable esteem that define the politics of the land. Functioning as the direct retainers of the King. They have their own retainers (vassals) who receive the similar title of Lord yet come from minor houses. The King also has a variety of advisors that come from these houses, traditionally the major houses, which manage to ease internal affairs...

Often, the King functions more as an esteemed diplomat than as a true arbiter of the law, for his rule is in truth usurped by the will of the Council. And so, the King of Idos traditionally sought consort within other realms as a means of playing some role within the government beyond his traditionally symbolic one. Thus, the politics of the King were centered on international affairs and economic necessities of the land. Working closely with his Lords and with other Kingdoms, the role has granted a face to the nation of Idos beyond that of the priest…

[t]he Idosian Council did approve an appeal that allowed for women to serve the role of sole monarch in 843 AFE. This move of course was done out of political necessity, yet it proved a pivotal shift in the dynamics of politics within Idos and Idosian society as a whole. As soon after, Lords began to allow for equality for all forms of bodies within Idos, and allowed for no discrimination on the basis of gender. Is that to say it is non-existent? No, but Idos has moved to take swift action against this sort of offence.

As for matters on what might become, there have been reports of undead attacking Orcs and Dark Elves. With these reports in mind, King Kosak Pendragon has pushed for further reports on the affairs and has even started the process of demanding total control of the government. The times ahead shall be interesting, but the gods shall hopefully provide us with some semblance of security in the matters that are to come.”