Kingdom of Lothian

The Kingdom of Lothian is a nation on the northern reaches of the Thamian region, bordering on the Nornish Jarldoms. The kingdom is mountainous and rocky and exceptionally cold in winter. [needs more]

Government
The Kingdom of Lothian was originally a traditional monarchy. However, a revolutionary movement grew among the serfs and peasants for the creation of a more representative government. Forty-seven years ago, King Doran V met with Dunain Heighton, the leader of the revolution, in order to make concessions to avoid an impending civil war. The king, however, found Heighton's ideas enthralling and implemented them immediately, remaining a staunch supporter of the new system until his death.

Lothian now operates as a constitutional monarchy. A senate of elected representatives wields power equal to that of the king and in fact can veto a king's decision if a majority quorum votes to do so, though this power has been exercised only twice. Senators are elected every ten years by a vote of the common people and can come from any rank of society, including non-landed freemen and serfs. The senate also chooses which member of the royal family will accede to the throne on the current monarch's death. The system is referred to as the Golden Liberty by its supporters and Lothian's priests have declared that the Mandate of Divinity is with the king and senate.

The current monarch is Queen Elinora IX, the eighteen year-old granddaughter of King Doran V, who inherited the throne seven years ago and was officially crowned two years ago. The queen has remained as much a supporter of the senate as her grandfather, though the senate's decision to give the throne to a young girl, open to indoctrination by her tutors, was controversial among those who oppose the Golden Liberty.