The Halfling Leadership Charter

[CanadianKiwiFlight 1901]

 

The Halfling Leadership Charter

 

This is the official Halfling Charter, a government system made by the late Pal, who died in a drinking contest before he could propose this system. After the coup of Dunshire by Rollo Applefoot, the self asserted Thain has decided he wants to honor Pal’s name by implementing this political structure. As such, the text below shall be the way us weefolk try and go about a fair, quick, precise, and communally helpful government.

 

Glory To Weefolk

 

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Thainship

 

The Thain is the leader of the lands in Halflingdom, the ruler of the village and the wildlands beyond the town to the borders. To an outsider or bigg’un, the Thain is the closest one would find to a feudal lord in the world of the Wee Folk, being the head of all political actions. Halfling culture is very odd however, and you’ll find often the Thain, while commanding much authority and respect, is seen more as a pillar of the community; a leader rather than a ruler. They’re normal people, if only a bit more motivated. They are the most prominent position a Halfling can hold, and is both a duty and honor to be called Thain.

 

    The Authority Of Thain

 

I.

The Authority To Banish

 

II.

The Authority To Conduct Foreign Diplomacy

 

III.

The Authority Over Burrows And The Land

IV.
The Authority To Call An Eldership NC Vote

V.

The Authority Over The Storage

 

VI.

The Authority Of Legislature

 

VII.

The Authority To Propose Replacements For Respected Elders

 

The Duty Of Thain

 

The duty of the Thain is to be the pinnacle leader of the Halflings. He is not only descended from a respectable family, but is also an Elder, an elected Elder of Elders. While they may not be the single leader of the Halflings, they are the highest, and the final and most important voice when making decisions. It is among their duty to lead the Halflings to properness, safety, and happiness (in that order).

 

The Appointment And Reign Of Thain

 

The Thain is appointed via vote by (and from) the four Elders. In order to become Thain, the specific Elder must receive ¾ of the votes. Voting for yourself is allowed. If a decision cannot be made, the High Pumplar is allowed to cast a tie-breaking vote under the authority of Knox. The Thain leads until his/her death, or retirement due to age or illness. There is a new appointed Elder, and the process begins again.

 

In the event the Thain becomes tyrannical, falls ill, or loses his sanity (not rare for us Wee Folk), and is unable to properly lead, or is unwilling or unable to retire, the Elders, High Pumplar, or Sheriff, may call a NC vote. This allows all five (three Elders, Sheriff, and High Pumplar) to vote to remove the Thain, or to keep them. The vote requires a unanimous 5/5 vote in agreement to remove the Thain.

 

 

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Eldership

 

The Elders have, for most known Wee Folk history, guided the Halflings in their daily lives. They have provided history, knowledge, and taught the ways of properness to the new’uns. Through many political changes, the Elders have remained, and have used their age to further influence the villages under them, and in recent history have lead the village in a trinity. Now, however, they are returned to their original positions as Elders of culture, faith, and knowledge, rather than the overall task of leadership.

 

The Authority Of The Elders*

 

I.

The Authority To Vote On Thainship

 

II.

The Authority To Conduct Minor Diplomacy

 

III.

The Authority Over Burrows And The Land

 

IV.

The Authority Over The Storage

 

V.

The Authority To Call A Thain NC Vote

 

VI.

The Authority Of Legislature

 

The Duty Of Elders

 

The Elders are, as the name implies, the Elder Halflings of the village. They have been around the village for some time, and are knowledgeable about the laws, properness, the culture, and all the little things new’uns may not know. Thus, it is the duty of the Elders to teach new and improper Halflings of properness, and shepherd them to being proper halflings of the community. While this is their main duty, their secondary duty is to upkeep the village itself. The Thain may handle busy work, but he alone cannot control the whole village, and it’s up to the Elders to aid in giving out burrows, organizing and gathering for the storage, planning festivals, as well as construction, and all the smaller (and less glamorous) things in the village.

 

The Appointment And Reign Of Elders

 

Elders are appointed by the village from a vote. Each Elder is decided based on which halfling the village thinks is the most knowledgeable and able to lead. There is no tie-breaking vote, so you’ll have to convince the village that you’re worth electing! They serve until death, or retirement, just as the Thain does.

 

Also like the Thain, an NC vote may be called upon sick, improper, missing, or otherwise neglectful Elders by the Thain themselves. All five voters (Thain, Two Elders, High Pumplar, and Sheriff) vote, but you only need ⅗ of votes to remove an Elder. The village then holds another election for their new Elder. Halflings who are voted out can become Elders again in the future, but it is required you wait 2 Elven months before running for election again.

 

 

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Sheriffdom

 

The Sheriff is the law of the village, and the keeper of the peace. Along with his deputies they patrol the boundaries (thus the nickname bounders) of the nation, keeping out spooky folk and munchkins, and keeping the town safe. The Sheriff’s office is the local law, the authority of the village, and the muscle of the land really comes from the Sheriff and his trusty spade.

 

The Authority Of The Sheriff

 

I.**

The Authority To Imprison

 

II.

The Authority To Appoint Deputies

 

III.

The Authority Of Legislature

 

IV.

The Authority Of Tie-Breaker Thainship Votes

 

V.**

The Authority To Enforce The Laws

 

The Duty Of The Sheriff

 

The Sheriff is the law enforcement of the land, along with his deputies, and while their job may not be easy, it is extremely important. Their duty is to ensure the safety of Halflingdom, and to make sure the Halflings of the nation, including the Thain and Elders, adhere to the law. In the event of emergency, we rely on the Sheriff and Deputies of our nation to hold the line.

 

The Appointment And Reign Of Sheriff

 

Sheriffs have been elected democratically. This will remain, and allows for any proper Halfling who lives in the Village (or the lands of the Thainship) to vote for the Sheriff. The Sheriff can be elected from the common halfling village, and is often used to avoid nepotism in the law. Deputies are not elected, but rather picked by the current Sheriff. Both Sheriffs and Deputies serve until death or retirement.

 

Sheriffs and Deputies can both be fired by the Thain without a vote. It should be noted that unwarranted firings, while legal, are frowned upon in the Halfling society, and may be looked at as a political power-play, which is a sign of improperness!

 

 

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The High Pumplar

 

The High Pumplar is the head of the Knoxist religion, the spiritual leader of the Halflings. He is the ultimate voice on all things Knoxist, or relating to Knoxism, and can put into effect religious doctrine. The Halflings don’t care too much for detail, however, and the High Pumplar often takes a more culturally important role in the nation rather than a political one.

 

The Authority Of The High Pumplar

 

I.

The Authority To Pardon Unto Knox

 

II.

The Authority To Appoint New Knoxist Dogma

 

III.

The Authority To Anoint Pumplar Sainthood

 

IV.

The Authority Of Legislature

 

V.

The Authority To Declare Religious Legitimacy

 

 

The Duty Of The High Pumplar

 

The High Pumplar may be the least important role in the collection of leaders, but it is still important to the Halflings none the less. The High Pumplar’s duty is to guide the spiritual nature of the Halflings, and to help the Halflings better connect with Knox. His other duty is to ensure a good relationship between the spiritual entities (Knox, Harvest Spirits, Arugula, Etc.) and the people of the Halfling nation.

 

The Appointment And Reign Of The High Pumplar

 

High Pumplars are chosen by Knox himself, spiritually though not in person. Any such Halfling wishing to become High Pumplar will need to speak to Knox. They will declare their wish to become High Pumplar and, if worthy, Knox himself will grant them their position. If they are unworthy, the Halfling will be denied.

 

High Pumplars serve until death, and do not retire. Considering they are not elected, the High Pumplar cannot be voted out of their position. The only person who has the authority to remove a High Pumplar is Knox himself, considering he also grants the position. This is extremely rare, but in the event Knox himself removes the High Pumplar, all of the changes the Pumplar put into place will be retracted and considered null & void. It should also put the now Ex-High Pumplar under investigation for improperness or munchkinism, due to being deemed unfit by Knox himself.

 

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The Current Leaders

 

Rollo Applefoot: Thain of Dunshire

 

Petrus Frondor: Elder of Dunshire

 

Harold Applefoot: Elder of Dunshire

 

(To Be Revealed): Elder of Dunshire

 

Daisy Applefoot: High Pumplar

 

Ander Swiftoak: Sheriff

 

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* The Thain holds a higher Authority than a single Elder on issues

 

** These authorities also apply to Deputies

 

All changes to those in power will be edited into the charter, along with any amendments.

 

 

[NotEvilAtAll 10906]

Daisy Applefoot, a halfling of Dunshire, applauds this new system of leadership “Amazin’! T’is ough’ ter serve us well!”

[Boonay 50]

((Lil Dickie for President))

[Guest]

      The Prince of the Alderfolk Kairn Ithelanen pours one out to the glory of Pal, the bringer of peacetime in the Bronze Revolution. 

 

            “Someday I will see you again old friend. And like the squirrel barking up a dog’s tree, you will greet me with surprise.” 

[osumanduas 1442]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.