The Government of the Shadow Empire

Concerning the Shadow Empire, The Duchy of Marseille and the Protectorate of The Domain Thereof.

The Lextalionis of the New Independent States.

Herein follows the laws of the State and the structure of the government that upholds them. Included are proclamations set forth on this date Septembre 17, 2001 A.D. by his Imperial Majesty, Xian Li Loong, then Prince of Marseille, Emperor of the *Shadow Empire, Protector of Domain.

*The Shadow Empire is defined as the domain or territory ruled and or protected by Xian Li Loong, including all metaphysical and supernatural interests encompassed within the free and independent regions of France, Marseille and the Domain owned by the Loong Family.

· Concerning the Traditions applicable to all people regardless of Breed, Clan or Supernatural Race:

The First Law: The Masquerade
Thou shall not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing such shall renounce thy claims of Blood.
· Wherein 'blood' shall now refer to rights as a citizen of the Shadow Empire as defined by an individuals supernatural origins.



The Second Law: The Domain
Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain.
· Wherein 'domain' refers to individual havens, lairs or dwellings of the citizens of the Shadow Empire. The Prince of a given city is responsible for the protection of said Domains within his city in the interests of the Citizens who dwell there. In reference to domains owned and or controlled by the Prince or his Ministers or members of the Senate or Nobility of the Shadow Empire, including the Domain, and any and all residences of afore mentioned individuals or groups, breakage of this tradition/law will result in trial and punishment as dispensed by the Shadow Court.

The Third Law: The Progeny of the Kindred
Thou shall only Sire another with the permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine Elder's leave, both thou and thy Progeny shall be slain.
· This law is applicable only to Kindred or other beings that reproduce by supernatural means and/or bear supernatural offspring that could be deemed to be a concern where population increase may result in difficulties for the State.

The Fourth Law: The Accounting
Those thou create are thine own children. Until thy Progeny shall be Released, thou shall command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.

· Wherein 'Released' is defined as a time when the child or progeny is considered matured and deemed capable in the eyes of the Sire(s) and/or the Crown.

The Fifth Law: Hospitality
Honor one another's domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou are nothing.
· See the second law for the Crown's definition of 'domain'

The Sixth Law: Destruction
Thou art forbidden to destroy another citizen of the Empire or it's domains and protectorates. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine Prince. Only thy Prince shall call the Blood Hunt.
· In definition of 'Bloodhunt' it is necessary to explain that the Bloodhunt is Imperial Permission to attack, detain, or destroy the offending party and object of the Hunt. No reprisals shall come from the Crown or it's Minister for any actions taken against the condemned.

The Seventh Law: Mortals
Thou art forbidden to destroy any mortal within the Empire or it's domains and protectorates. Transgressing this Law shall be deemed a breach of the First Law and is punishable by a penalty up to and including death.
· ' Mortal', in this instance is defined as any person of normal or mundane lifespan or any person who is not aware of the existence of the supernatural entities in or around the Domain.

The Structure of the Government

In descending order the Stations of the Crown are as follows: All titles confer the requisite status and respect to those who hold them and all citizens are expected to honor such titled personages. Periphery and Honorary Titles are also listed and although no official position or power is attached to these titles proper decorum, protocol and respect is deserved and expected when addressing holders of said Honors.

Imperial Level of Government

Emperor -self explanatory as held by the dynasty of Loong. (see proclamations below)

Dauphin - The heir designate of the Emperor.

Heralds- The Herald's are the Word, the Hand and the Will of the Empire's state heads. Each Imperial level title-holder possesses one Herald who does his business for him/her. They can often be seen travelling the various districts of the Empire and are recognizeable by 5 gold dragon pips located on their collars.

Imperial Magistrates of the Circuit Court- For matters requiring the attention of the Empire's lawmakers a Circuit Court with mobile Magistrates has been created to investigate, judge and enforce the law of the Empire. These travelling Lawkeepers are designated by a row of 4 gold dragon pips located on their collars.

The Ministers of the Shadow Cabinet- These Imperial Ministers are the official policy making and governing body of the Empire. Chosen by the Emperor they see to the day to day business within the Government and each Minister is assigned to an are of expertise much the same as the Domain Ministers (see below). They are only ever seen in their identity concealing robes and gold sashes within the Forbidden City and the Palace Imperial. Their identities are protected and they remain unknown. Examples of Ministers may include: Minister of the Office of the Emperor, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Social Programs, etc.

Domain Level of Government

Prince du Sang - being of the blood or granted the rights of a member of the family of Loong. The titled ruler of a city or domain as defined within the empire.
The highest titled position in a given Domain. The diminuatice Prince may also be given in lieu of an Imperial Representitive within the Domain.
Principal Minister - The Prince's second, also known as Seneschal or Vizier. Second highest titled position in the Domain. The Principal Minister also oversees the next tier of the structure and takes reports from that tier.

Ministers of State - The Third tier whose business is overseen by the Principle Minister, as indicated above. The Minsters conduct the day to day business of the Domain and it's environs as directed by the Crown and the Principal Minister. Each Minister has an area of specialty over which he has complete authority under the Law and the Crown as mentioned above. Noble titles include any and all titles granted by the Prince in honor of service or dedication to the Crown and its concerns.

Sheriff and Deputies - The Enforcers of the Law in any of the Imperial Domain.

Senator or Primogen - The representatives of the people. These positions are given or elected and represent the policy makers and speakers for the groups, tribes, clan and breeds of the citizens of the Shadow Empire as defined above. The Senate can pass motions or concerns on to the Crown as embodied by it's Ministers and the Prince to be approved by it and ordered into Law by majority voting procedures, though the Monarchy retains all veto rights in accordance with it's authority and the well being of the entire State. Senators are granted this title and privilege regardless of their individual titles and honors and status in their individual domains and territories outside the boundaries explained above.

Proclamations

The Proclamation Concerning the Monarchy

"Henceforth from this day forward the Crown of the Shadow Empire, the Domain of France, the City of Marseille and the Protectoracy of the Domain shall move in hereditary declination from one Emperor and High Protector to one chosen by him or delineated by blood or honor by him as the Heir to that Crown, designated Crown Prince Heir or Dauphin. The family Loong as represented in his Imperial Majesty, Xian Li Loong, shall originate this Dynastic Progression. Furthermore, all members of the family in existence as of the time of this proclamation are deemed to be of Noble Status and possessing the title of Imperial Compte or Comptess. (fr. Count or Countess)" -Xian` Septembre 17, 2001

The Proclamation of the Dauphin

"I hereby name Qian, sometimes called Estheban, Li Loong, Dauphin and heir to the throne of the Shadow Empire, and the High Protector of the Domain." -Xian` Septembre 17, 2001

"Nicholas Lacroix is hereby named Prince du Sang and given the status of Prince, le duc de Marseille." -Xian` Li Loong
December 24, 2001

"Nicholas Lacroix and all his compatriots, including Karida and Alexadra Meers are hereby condemened as traitors to the Empire and the Domain of Marseille. All rights and privelages are revoked from said personages and they are to be arrested on sight and taken into custody for deliverance to the Palace Imperial within the Forbidden City to await judgement and punishment for crimes against Us." -Xian Li Loong, May 18th, 2002

 

"Lady Bronwyn is hereby elevated to the title of Imperial Magistrate to the Circuit Court. She is to be accorded all rights and privelages of that rank and respected as the word of Law in the Domains of the Empire." -Xian Li Loong May 20, 2002