Hoxian Politics

Hox can best be described as aloof and purposefully politically isolated, not getting involved in international struggles unless absolutely necessary. Far from the turmoil of the midlands, especially Anaxas, Hox has mostly considered Mugroba a close ally while more or less ignoring the rest of the Six Kingdoms. Rumor has it, the Hoxians are especially wary of Gior, as ancient grudges are buried in historical records untouched for decades.

Until this most recent Symvoulio when the Kingdom of Anaxas became the seat of the Six Kingdoms’ overarching government, there hadn’t even been any diplomats, envoys or ambassadors sent to other Kingdoms in over a century. While many intellectuals and sorcerers from Hox certainly traveled to other Universities and visited other Kingdoms, it can be said that the northernmost kingdom has, for the most part, kept to itself for as long as history can remember. It is only due to the efforts of Anaxas' Queen Ester that Hox has been persuaded to enter into political discourse.

On the other side of the same coin, many Kingdoms view Hox and its rather extremely egalitarian system of government as alien and strange, unsure of how every day citizens elected to important legislative positions could ever be effective in running a Kingdom. Hoxians have no parliament, no king or queen, and no political positions whose terms last more than five years in length—any eligible galdor may be elected into any office, with some limitations.

The Pal Tzeh: A Citizen’s Assembly

The Hoxian demarchy is centuries old, though many theorize that the northernmost Kingdom's style of government predates the War of the Book. The Pal Tzeh and all other government positions (including city counsels instead of mayors or governors, court jurors and juries, and even military leadership) are chosen through variations of sortition.

The Pal Tzeh is basically a citizens' assembly of eligible galdori, a body of 101 individuals who serve a single five-year term as a legislative body over the entire Kingdom, elected by the drawing of random names from the registered eligible population. This drawing takes place in Achtus and terms for the chosen begin in Intas of the new year for those serving single-year terms in various other government positions (the Court of the People, the Frecksat Circle, or minor municipal offices in any Hoxian city, town, or village, etc.), and different offices have different eligibility requirements. No one may be elected for two different positions at once, which means for the very small Hoxian population, their government is very small and centralized, but also very robust and active because of it’s wide representation and cognitive diversity.

The 61 elected magistrates, called xjioven (xji, singular), oversee the passing of legislation, the rationing of resources, and lead the decision making for the entire Kingdom for five years. After their term is up, they may not be selected for the Pal Tzeh again for two terms, but may serve in other positions of government before returning to the Pal Tzeh.

To be eligible for the Pal Tzeh, a Hoxian must:

be 25 years or older,
have graduated from University,
have served their required 2-year term in the Karmine or in the Hoxian armed forces,
not have any passive children (this is a controversial and so-called outdated requirement but one strangely upheld every year),
and not have any criminal history whatsoever.

The Court of the People

In order to serve on the Court of the People, which consists of 101 randomly chosen citizens and acts as both judge and jury by majority vote for all crimes heard throughout the Kingdom, both among galdorkind and the lower races, eligible galdori must:

have graduated from University
not have any passive children
have no criminal history whatsoever

Members of the Court of the People travel in groups of 3-9 members from Frecks to various cities, towns, and municipalities for minor infractions, usually summoned by the Karmine. For larger, more complicated cases, the entire Court holds trials in the capital once every season for at least a week.

Ambassadors, Diplomats, and Additional Local Government Positions

All other positions of government in municipalities across the Kingdom of Hox, as well as Diplomatic and Ambassador positions throughout the Six Kingdoms, require galdori to have either served their military term or received an intellectual, physical, or religious exemption. Those who wish to be in positions of command over the Karmine or the Hoxian armed forces must have served in those organizations for at least five years to be considered eligible for offices.

This means that Hoxians do not make a career of politics—to be a lifetime politician is not generally an option for a Hoxian galdor. The rare exception to this can be found in the positions of Ambassador and Diplomat, both of which are a consular sort of position in the function of Hoxian society. Oftentimes, a Hoxian Ambassador in one of the other five Kingdoms or a Hoxian Diplomat serving with the Vyrdag will be granted permission to remain in their position for longer than the usual term of office because of the relationships they have formed in the governments of other Kingdoms. Permission for these extensions of status usually require vetting and a personal meeting with the current Pal Tzeh in the form of a hearing.

Political Controversies

Anyone who has passive children are always banned from government office, without exception. Historically, those belonging to the Hexxos are also almost universally exempt from government service due to their investment in the dead. In recent years, the Mhoren Basheva have stopped asking for the same religious exemption and become more active members of Hoxian government and society.

Religious exemptions from government participation (as well as martial contributions to the Kingdom's defense) can be applied for and are usually granted for those who belong to orders such as the Hexxos and the Mhoren Basheva. Often, students who are continuing into post-graduate studies and other research fields also apply for exemptions from both service and government sortition, though many return to their homeland when finished with their studies in order to apply themselves to the betterment of their Kingdom.

Martial Participation

Martial participation in either the Karmine or the Hoxian Armed Forces (of which the naval division is quite famous) is compulsory for all eligible, able-bodied Hoxian galdori for two years, though there are religious exemptions given to the Mhoren Basheva, Hexxos, and other religious organizations as well as extensions of leave granted to students studying abroad or pursuing post-graduate degrees in other Kingdoms.

Because of this requirement, training begins in the last two years of University, and visiting students from any of the Six Kingdoms who are attending Freckstat are allowed to participate, but at this time, only legal Hoxian nationals are allowed to fill the ranks of the Kingdom’s armed forces and local police. Passives are, of course, not allowed in any military organization, though some have been known to find their way into the loosely organized human militias that are granted permission to operate in the villages and townships to protect humanity from the Hoxian wilds and occasional nomadic wick raiders.

Crime and Punishment

The Kingdom of Hox has a shockingly low crime rate among all races. There is very little focus on material goods among the average Hoxian, though there are enough galdori who still find value in hoarding wealth for their own sense of security that this cannot be said to entirely be eliminated. Despite this, humans and galdori share very little with each other, and wicks even less. While violence and murder are not unheard of, the keeping of grudges is considered a very poor choice.

Crimes of all kinds still do happen, and when they do, the punishments tend to be quick and severe. The Court of the People has always been known for its ruthless decision-making, and the galdori of Hox do not feel it is a good idea to offer second chances when their very geography certainly doesn't, either.

All crimes are tried by members of the Court of the People: whether a delegation of an odd number (to prevent a tie vote) is sent to the township or village or whether the crime is tried by the entire Court in Frecks depends on the severity of the crime committed and difficulty of travel to the location.

Humanity, for the most part, is self-regulated in this respect, but crimes against galdori by humans or wicks is given the symbolism of a trial by the Court, though the punishments for such infractions are considerably more severe than for any galdor-on-galdor crime.