Featherian Constitution

Featherian Constitution

''Throughout our history, the Featherian People have endured great hardship. Fleeing persecution, we ventured across endless plains and boundless oceans to found our home in Old Sutherlind. The purpose of this document is to codify the laws and government that will guide all Featherians to a shared future. We will also respect the contributions of others to our great nation, ensuring that their rights are protected as full fellow members. With this constitution as our guiding hand, we aspire to achieve the dream of power, peace, and prosperity for the people of Holy Goose.''

Part One: The Structure of Government

Article 1: The Executive Council and The Head of Government

1.1.           The legislative power of the Kingdom of Featheria shall be vested in the Executive Council. The Executive Council consists of Consuls, Mayors, and Nobles.

1.2.           The Executive Council may choose to undertake the following actions by simple majority:

i.                   The amendment of the constitution.

ii. The vesting of emergency powers in the First Consul.

iii. The investigation of citizens suspected of committing offences against the state.

iv. The banishment of citizens who have committed offences against the state.

1.3.           From its own ranks the Executive Council shall select a member to serve as First Consul by simple majority. The First Consul shall also be considered the head of government as a whole. The First Consul may simultaneously hold the title of Mayor or Noble.

1.4.           The First Consul has no set limit on the length of their term. The Executive Council may choose to impeach the First Consul through simple majority to remove them from office.

1.5.           As head of government and of the Executive Council, The First Consul shall hold the following powers:

i.                   The First Consul may induct new territories into the Kingdom and permit the creation of new towns in existing territories.

ii. The First Consul may declare national holidays and celebrations.

iii. The First Consul may declare war on another state and order the Featherian Military to mobilise.

iv. The First Consul may initiate military action on insurrectionary or seccessionary forces within the Kingdom.

v.                 The First Consul may order the Executive Council to assemble.

vi. The First Consul may pardon citizens of their crimes.

vii. The First Consul may dismiss members of the Executive Council proven of dereliction of duties.

viii. The First Consul may appoint two additional consuls from the Executive Council and delegate their own powers and responsibilities to them.

1.6.           Additional consuls shall be known as the Second and Third Consuls. The Second Consul succeeds the First Consul and the Third Consul succeeds the Second Consul.

1.7.           The Second and Third Consuls may undertake any act relating to powers and responsibilities delegated to them by the First Consul. The first Consul may revoke these delegations at any time. The First Consul may also dismiss the Second and Third Consuls at any time.

Article 2: Mayors

2.1.      A Mayor is the overseer of a settlement, town, or city in the Kingdom of Featheria. Mayors serve as local governors and represent the interests of their town in the Executive Council. The main responsibilities of the Mayors are to maintain and expand their towns while contributing to the overall growth of the Kingdom.

2.2.      The Mayors are free to run their towns as they see fit, so long as their development does not interrupt the development of other towns. All disputes between towns should be openly expressed and debated on the Executive Council where they can be resolved, by majority vote if necessary.

2.3.      Mayors have legal dominion within their towns and may run their own courts, creating local laws so long as they do not contravene the laws outlined in the constitution.

2.4.      Mayors shall not secede from the Kingdom or sell any territory of the Kingdom unilaterally under any circumstances. Any attempt at secession will result in the Mayor’s immediate replacement.

2.5.      Directly administered by the King, the Featherian capital of Gooseburgh is a crown territory which is legally exempted from making the King a mayor.

Article 3: Nobles

3.1.      A Noble is a Featherian citizen who has accomplished great deeds for their country and been recognized by the King. The King may make any Featherian citizen they deem worthy a Noble.

3.2.      Nobles have voting rights in the Executive Council but do not have the powers and responsibilities of Consuls or Mayors.

3.3.      The title of Noble is not transferrable or inheritable.

Article 4: The Head of State

4.1.           The Kingdom of Featheria’s official monarch and head of state shall be referred to as ‘King/Queen of the Featherians’. This name indicates that the King rules over the Featherian People, rather than the territory of Featheria.

4.2.           The King has the right to be consulted on all matters of state and their input must be considered by members of the Executive Council. However, direct command of government shall be left to the First Consul.

4.3.           Any impeachment, banishment, or change to the constitution approved by the Executive Council may be vetoed by the King. The Executive Council may overrule this veto by a 2/3rds majority.

4.4.           The King shall not hold any position in the Executive Council, but must previously have held the title of Noble.

4.5.           The King shall also hold the title of ‘Supreme Head of the Honkist Faith.’ This makes them responsible for maintaining the cultural and religious heritage of the Featherian People by officiating state-run festivals and ceremonies.

4.6.           All actions undertaken by the Featherian state shall be performed in the name of the King. This includes interactions with other states as well as internal governance.

4.7.           The King shall be considered commander-in-chief of the Featherian Military and will lead the armed forces into battle with the assistance of the military command.

4.8.           The King may freely appoint any Noble as their heir. The heir shall take the King’s position in the event of death, abdication, or incapacity.

i.                   The heir is permitted to hold a position on the Executive Council. Any positions on the Executive Council must be abdicated upon accession to the throne.

ii. The heir will also inherit all titles held by the King. The Kingdom of Featheria is an indivisible title which cannot be divided into smaller titles.

iii. The succession of an heir can be vetoed by the Executive Council. Should the Executive Council choose to veto the succession, they must select another viable candidate for King by 2/3rds majority.

iv. Should the King die, abdicate, or become incapable without designating an heir, the Executive Council will select a suitable noble by simple majority.

 Part Two: The Rights and Responsibilities of the People 

Article 5: The rights of Featherian Citizens

5.1.      A Featherian citizen is a resident of any settlement in the Kingdom of Featheria who has successfully applied to have their residence recognised by the Featherian government.

5.2.      All Featherian citizens have the right to practice their own religion and celebrate their own culture. The Featherian state may not bar a citizen from office on the basis of their faith, culture, or gender. In regards to religious tests of office, the sole exception to this rule is the monarch. The monarch must follow the Honkist faith as they are also its leader and representative.

5.3.     All Featherian citizens have the right to own property and run their own businesses. The Featherian state is obligated to protect Featherian property and businesses.

5.4.     All Featherian citizens have the right to petition the government. Members of the        Executive Council are obligated to hear the requests of citizens.

5.5.      All Featherian citizens have the right to bear arms and armour. The Featherian state cannot disarm a citizen on any grounds.

5.6.      All Featherian citizens have the right to a fair trial. Any ruling which a citizen believes is unjust may be appealed.

Article 6: The Responsibilities of Featherian Citizens

6.1.      All Featherian citizens are obligated to serve in the Featherian military. The     Featherian state may call upon any citizen to fight during times of war and must supply sufficient arms and armour for them to do so.

6.2.      All Featherian citizens are obligated to ensure each other’s physical safety. Featherian citizens must not turn their arms on one another. If a Featherian citizen is being attacked by an aggressor, fellow Featherians are obligated to protect them.

6.3.      All Featherian citizens are obligated to protect state secrets. Featherian citizens must not share sensitive information about Featherian towns, businesses, government, or the military with non-Featherians.

6.4.      All Featherian citizens are obligated to respect the natural environment of the Kingdom. Changes to the landscape should be kept to a minimum during construction and should be repaired wherever possible.