alas_a_llama | Worldexpanding thoughts.

So, since I'll (probably) be apping Priest!Leo (Prieo, if you will), I've been doing some world-expanding on his canon, no doubt to the vexation of everyone in chat who has to listen to me musing on it.

Essentially, in his canon there are two 'worlds' featuring prominently - Earth, and Makai, which is more of a system of connected mystical sub-worlds linked to Earth. We're not told a great deal about Makai or how it works, although there are a few things which are obvious. So that's where most my expanding is going towards.

So here's me just throwing out my thoughts into text.

Makai is led by the Makai Order, the order of priests and knights that form the main protective force against Horrors, human-devouring demons from Makai's underground caverns. While entry to the order is technically semi-open, only those with magical potential can become priests, and knights are usually selected from long bloodlines thereof.

(The above is all canon.)

The role of head of state is filled jointly by two beings called Grace and Gajari, neither of which are human - or, indeed, technically two beings, instead being two manifestations of the same magical creature. Grace, representing Yang, presents herself as a woman in her forties clad in glowing white, occupying the front chamber of the Senate building in Makai's capital city. She is typically benevolent, acting as the voice of the Senate and their emissary to any visiting humans.

Grace also has control over the orders given to the Senatorial Knight, and anybody she has assigned to assist him - while she has direct control over him, though, the Senate can choose to veto her orders and supply new ones in their stead.

Gajari, representing Yin, occupies his own chamber at the back of the Senate building, and presents himself as a red and black eldritch abomination composed of tentacles, eyes and floating lights. He is typically malevolent, seeing no difference between Horrors and humans, and killing any of the latter that enter his chambers without invitation. Gajari typically does not fulfill any duties within the government, but he has the right to summon any citizen before him if he so chooses, and the right to do as he likes with them.

(The above is partially canon, partially expansion.)

The executive and legislative branch of the government is the Senate. They are a small senate, numbering forty-two people in total, with twenty-one 'auxiliary' members who can be called in to replace absentee senators, or to break a tie in votes.

Of these forty-two people, twelve are permanent members, appointed to the Senate for life, and these are usually senators who have occupied temporary senatorial positions before. Fourteen are elected members, serving five year terms, having been voted on by the general population. There are two major parties in Makai, which are ??? (I'll fill this in later, when I know! At the moment I'm absolutely stumped on this one). Another fourteen are appointed members, also serving five year terms. These are appointed by the permanent and elected members from a pool of candidates, after a process of manifesto-readings, debates and interviews. Two members are appointed by Grace and Gajari (although functionally just by Grace) at their discretion.

(Again, partially canon, partially expansion.)

Beneath the Senate are the Watchdogs, which serve as regional, advisory governments on Earth. There are numerous Watchdogs, usually four per country (for the North, South, East and West), which direct the movements of the Makai Order on Earth. Their role is strictly advisory, however - while knights and priests on Earth almost invariably do follow their commands, they are not obliged to.

Watchdogs report to an auditor in Makai, who collates all reports from a certain region and then uses it to compile a report to a high auditor who will be in charge of two or three regions, who then creates a report to go to the Senate.

As part of their duties, Watchdogs are also responsible for the forced repatriation of Horror remains and the detection of Horrors within their jurisdiction.

(Predominantly canon, some expansion.)

The judicial system in Makai is an oft-informal one, to say the least, but one governed by traditional codes. For trials and disputes, towns and villages will often appoint a respected local citizen to act as a judge, and to decide upon both the verdict and the sentence. If a Makai Priest is passing through, then they have the right to take this role, and are usually called upon to do so.

Trials generally proceed in a more or less typical fashion of both sides giving evidence and testimonies, with the judge eventually making a decision and passing a sentence. The option exists, however, for trial by combat - for which several days grace for training is granted, and for which either or both sides can select a champion to fight in their place. The rules of these trials are hazy at best, and most often are decided upon by the judge.

Imprisonment is an uncommon punishment in Makai - death, exile to a less desirable subworld, injury, a fine or community service of some variety are more common, depending on the severity of the crime committed.

Lawyers do exist, in theory, but in practice they are more likely to be a well-read townsperson who has studied law, and thus can be trusted to practice it, but whose actual job is something else.

In the capital city (I, er, still need a name for that), the judicial process is much the same, but somewhat more structured and formal.