FROM THE DESK OF HIS HIGH EMINENCE THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF THE REGALIAN EMPIRE 1 April 309 AC Having ensured the certainty of the following actions' acceptability among the greater body of the Peerage, and having delayed long enough in observation, I find it prudent to make the following statements and proclamations. Concerning the Retreat of the Sendrassians: The Lord Chancellor is of the opinion that while the population in Regalia may see the retreat as a victory, a vanished opponent should be treated with the utmost caution. Therefore, Military presence should remain strong in the regions affected by Sendrassian devastation. The region should be fortified, abandoned Sendrassian resources seized, and the resources and manpower used to aid rebuilding and fortification efforts in the devastated southern areas. To this end, Duke Abelhard Latimer is staunchly recommended to organize reconstruction and fortification efforts in Hadar, though if the Military objects to this appointment they may choose another member from their ranks instead. Barring communication otherwise by Friday the 9th, the provisional appointment is confirmed. A Reorganization of the Ministries: While the fundamental structure of the New Model style of government has proven effective, I take issue with a few of its aspects. Namely; there is a lopsidedness in the fundamental necessity of each Ministry's functions, and there is a lethargy among the Ministerial structure that I believe to be inherent. To remedy this, I am placing the Ministerial system as a whole under strict review. A "Department" system is introduced. Ministries may be, upon proclamation, organized under the header of a particular Department. While each Minister maintains their delegated position and rights, Ministries within Departments are expected to cooperate to a particular, specially defined degree. Rights akin to those granted to individual Ministries, may be provisionally granted to these Departments, requiring internal consensus for their use. A formalized series of checks will be instituted for all Ministers, akin to those applied within the Imperial Court. This will introduce some objective measure of merit, and ensure efficiency among the ranks. These checks are to be made known to the Ministers following this proclamation. The Logistics Ministry is - perhaps as mere reiteration - formally folded into the Defence Ministry. The Defence Minister may delegate its functions as desired, or - for the time being - hold them personally. The Lord Chancellor finds the Logistics Ministry redundant as an independent Ministry. Further decisions regarding these two ministries' functions are to follow. A Scholar Ministry will be created, currently unfilled. Please write to the Lord Chancellor regarding applications to said position. The Ministry has the following rights: The right to choose in what manners the State focuses research. The right to commission scholars and resources to advance said research. The right to mount official investigations into scholarly matters abroad. The Arcane Ministry and Scholar Ministry are placed together within the "Department of Scholars" for the time being. It lacks a department head, having only two Ministries within it. Its specifications are: A mandate to share, internally, information regarding Occult population and discoveries within the city. A mandate to share, internally, provisional access to State-secured Occult objects. A mandate to share, internally, the fruits of research regarding the Arcane, and the ability to combat or contain Arcane forces. A Shuffling of Agencies: As a result of discussion with several members of the Peerage, the following Agency changes are implemented: Duke Theopold Kreiburg is made Commandant of the 71st Tenpenny Contingent. Lord Reginald von Falkenreich reprises his position as Mercenary Commissioner, replacing Duke Theopold Kreiburg. The Mercenary Commissioner is given the explicit right to organize the body of Mercenaries as they wish beyond the definitions of Regalian Law, but never in contradiction to it. Under the Mercenary Commissioner, the position Mercenary Representative is created, and given to Duke Keen. This position has the following rights and duties: The duty to bring organizational decisions unfavourable to the body of Mercenaries before the Lord Chancellor for review. The duty to bring approved Mercenary Companies and individual Mercenaries before the Lord Chancellor for review. The right to call approved Mercenary Companies and Mercenaries to a vote, which by majority may veto an organizational decision made by the Mercenary Commissioner. Concerning Committees: Prior to the next Assembly, the Lord Chancellor would like to present an Assembly measure that he will, using his authorities, promote. A Committee is a specially-delegated body to determine policy on a particular, specialized topic. Any titled member of the Peerage may motion to commit a topic, either as an independent proposal, or during the debate of a proposal regarding a complex or specialized issue. They should then proceed to describe the method of determining committee members, and whether the Committee has legislative authority, or if it will merely present a decision to the Assembly to be affirmed or denied. Should this motion pass majority vote, it will be instituted. The Chancellor may choose to commit a topic at will, which may be seen as a combination of veto power and independent legislative power. Concerning the 'Slime' Attacks Last Night: The Lord Chancellor commends Violet Order, Mercenaries, Knights, and Civilians who aided in putting down the attacks on Greygate and the Sapphire bar. Through cooperation and quick thinking, what could have easily been a far greater disaster was handily mitigated, and defeated. The Lord Chancellor also calls for the Violet Order, and populace at large, to be on high alert in the following days, particularly around water features and waterways. While the previous victory demonstrates the unfailing spirit of Regalia and its citizens, it is not unlikely that this incident may be repeated in the following days. The State, and private organizations, are following up on the attacks, and aim to determine precisely - and put an end to - the cause of them. To this latter end, should any citizens have relevant knowledge, they are called to seek a meeting with the Lord Chancellor personally. Please send inquiries to Duchess Tuija Viduggla, who will handle the appointments. The Rulings of this Decree take Full Effect of State Law By the Grace of providence alone, His High Grace Augustin Reinard, Lord Chancellor of the Regalian Empire, Duke of Rennais and Worthing, Duke-Consort of Baarlowe
