Ministry of State

The Ministry of State is the sphere of influence directly responsible for the welfare of the citizens of the Sovereignty. As the public office of the citizens of the Fireborn Sovereignty, it is here the curriculum for the Ember Academy is determined and implemented; and it is also responsible for the enforcement of the Laws of the Fireborn Sovereignty, fair adjudication of citizens accused of crimes, incarceration of offenders, and interrogation of suspects. In addition, the Ministry of State oversees the infrastructure of the Sovereignty, including but not limited to medical facilities, housing, and other public works.

Organization and Composition
The role of Minister of State is currently occupied by Darth Jhaffon'el Hane, who also sits upon the Dark Council and is conferred the titles of High Overseer and Chief Justice. The Deputy Minister of State, also known as the Inquisitor, is currently TBD.

The Ministry itself is comprised of three main branches, each with a different yet crucial purpose: the Judicial, the Educational, and the Interior. These branches are populated by a variety of personnel, ranging from members of the police force and courtroom officials, to educators, public servants, and members of other ministries.

While only tangentially connected, the Starbird Order is considered the fourth branch of this ministry.

Note: There are currently no assigned uniforms within the ministry, however all members are expected to maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times.

Sovereignty Capitol Building
Found on the first floor of the Sovereignty Capitol Building, the Ministry of State's office serves as both a classroom and a office for the Minister, as needed. Citizens wishing to speak to the Minister or any ministry official may schedule a meeting here. This is the most public headquarters for the Ministry, and all concerns regarding the Department of the Interior are to be directed here.

The Hall of Justice
Located on the Sovereignty's capital world of Amgarrak, the Hall of Justice is home to the Sovereignty's court system. A spacious facility located in Vaya'vilial, the Hall also houses the following:


 * The office of the Minister,
 * Headquarters for the Sovereign Advocacy Group and the Praetorian Prosecution Service,
 * Meeting rooms,
 * Holding cells,
 * Interrogation and interview chambers, and
 * Temporary living quarters for ministry personnel and the Starbird Knights, including medical facilities and a training area.

The Department of Justice headquarters is also heavily outfitted with state-of-the-art security measures (purposed with preventing both unauthorized ingress and egress, as well as assault against the building), forensics laboratories, and identification software. It houses extensive records on all sovereign citizens and prior investigations, as well as the Sovereignty's foremost legal library. A heavily guarded compound by all accounts, access to the Hall of Justice is restricted to State personnel, the Dark Council, the Arbiter, and the Praetor - unless otherwise indicated.

In the event of emergency, the Hall of Justice is used as a secure location to protect the Praetor and Dark Council.

The Ember Academy
Just outside of Vaya'vilial, the Ember Academy is the center of education and integration for citizens new and old. Here, citizens will find the following facilities:


 * Classrooms,
 * Sparring Rings,
 * Dormitories,
 * Libraries containing the history and customs of the galaxy and the Sovereignty,
 * Study areas, and
 * Meeting rooms for Overseers.

Unlike the Hall of Justice, the Ember Academy is open to all citizens of the Sovereignty, and its facilities can be reserved for both teaching and recreational purposes. All citizens who are currently students at the Ember Academy are automatically granted living quarters within the Academy grounds.

The Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior oversees the public works of the Sovereignty, from low-income or new-entry housing to medical facilities. Most non-privately owned enterprises withing the Sovereignty fall under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department, making it one of the largest branches of the Ministry of State. The Department of the Interior serves as the most publicly accessible face of the Ministry, and will often correspond with other ministries to ensure the contentedness and security of the Sovereignty's citizens.

Housing and Financial Aid
It is the goal of the Department of the Interior to ensure every citizen of the Fireborn Sovereignty is entitled to the basic necessities. As such, there are several programs within the Department to achieve this goal:


 * Student Housing and Stipends - As most students of the Ember Academy are new to the Sovereignty, and therefore may not have housing or a steady income, the Department of the Interior (in conjunction with the Department of Education) offers housing within the Academy dormitories for the duration of a student's tenure in the Academy. In addition, the Department of the Interior also provides a small stipend to students so they may purchase food, clothing, and other comforts. The stipend ends upon a student's graduation, whereupon they are taken into a ministry and will begin to earn a living wage.
 * Low-Income and Disaster Housing - Citizens who are unable to work due to injury, criminal history, or who are displaced by a disaster (natural or otherwise), will be provided basic housing or shelter until such a time as they are able to work, or the disaster has passed.

In addition, the Interior Department is responsible for the maintenance of the basic utilities: water, power, sewage, and waste removal. These services are included in the rent or purchase price of any property.

Citizens who wish to build upon land outside of Vaya'vilial must submit an application to the Interior Department. From there, Interior officials - in conjunction with the Ministry of Galactic Influence - will ensure the land is free for use before approving the application.

Medical Facilities
All public medical facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department, which also oversees the training of civilian medics, paramedics, and nurses. There are several medical facilities within Vaya'vilial, including:


 * The Capitol Clinic, located within the Sovereignty Capitol building. While this location primarily serves the public officials who work in the Capitol, citizens may make appointments for routine check-ups if necessary.
 * The Academy Infirmary, located within the Ember Academy - limited to Academy personnel and students.
 * The Vindictiva Roderick Memorial Hospital, located in the heart of Vaya'vilial, the VRMH acts as the largest medical facility in the city, and is the primary location for trauma care. The hospital also serves as a shelter and evacuation point, as necessary.

In addition to the construction and maintenance of these facilities, the Interior Department maintains a strict universal healthcare policy. All non-elective procedures, doctor's appointments, physical therapy, and mental health initiatives are available to the public for a minimal fee, and most non-addictive prescriptions are free with a note from a physician.

Parks and Public Spaces
Most parks and public areas - including the Capitol Marketplace (though not the merchants who sell there) - are built and maintained by the Interior department. In addition, all government buildings, with the exception of the Intelligence headquarters and the Citadel, are maintained by Interior officials.

Census and Taxes
The Interior Department is responsible for taking a census of the Sovereignty's population - which provides information regarding aid programs, financial means, and the general public opinion of the Sovereignty. In addition, Interior officials are responsible for collecting any taxes levied by the Dark Council.

Relief Efforts
In the event of an attack or natural disaster, the Interior Department - in conjunction with the other ministries and the Department of Justice - is responsible for the sheltering and evacuation of Citizens from designated areas or from the city as a whole. These shelters will be equipped with access to medical care, soup kitchens, and rudimentary sleeping quarters.

Current designated shelters include:


 * The Sovereignty Capitol Building
 * The Ember Academy
 * The Hall of Justice
 * The Vindictiva Roderick Memorial Hospital
 * The Keine Raam Memorial Spaceport

After a disaster or attack has passed the Interior and Justice Departments - along with other ministries - will spearhead the reconstruction effort as needed.

The Department of Education
The Department of Education is responsible for the education of every new sovereign citizen. This is primarily achieved through the classes held at the Ember Academy, however smaller classes can be held on an as-needed basis. The Education Department is not, however, responsible for the contractual agreements between Masters and apprentices, nor does it control what is taught during that indentured period.

In addition to answering to the High Overseer, members of the Department of Education may also answer to the Inquisitor - both of whom are responsible for proctoring exams, the resolution of conflict between instructors and students, and discipline of students. As the heads of the ministry, the High Overseer and Inquisitor are both expected to teach classes and be available to handle student queries. They are held to the same standards and protocols as every member of both the department and ministry.

Roles Within the Department
While the Department of Education is proud to contract members of other ministries to work as instructors in the Ember Academy, only instructors who are not contracted may be eligible for the position advancements listed below:

Current Curriculum
The Ember Academy operates on a hybrid system of classes, study materials, and proctored exams. Students unable to attend a class will be expected to complete an exam in order to progress. While private lessons are available for students, they are generally discouraged.

The current class load for the Academy is as follows:


 * Basics of Combat and Communication (Introduction to RP and Roll-Based Combat)
 * The Laws of the Sovereignty and her Customs
 * The History of the Sovereignty and the Philosophy of the Ashborn
 * Overview of the Ministries (an open forum for citizens to consider their futures in the Fireborn Sovereignty)

These classes will be held on a regular schedule each week, and will last for a maximum of three hours per class: For students, study materials are available here.

Quizzes for missed classes can be found here.

For pedagogues and advisers, lesson plans for each class are available here.

Graduation
Students wishing to graduate from the Ember Academy must have a credit in all four classes to graduate. Credits are gained through attending a class or passing the corresponding exam.

Graduates will be informed of their status following the 'Overview of the Ministries' Academy class every week. Upon being confirmed for graduation, students will attend a graduation ceremony in the Ember Academy (graduation ceremonies are open to all members of the Sovereignty):


 * 1) The Graduation ceremony has four levels of participants: Officiator, Commencement Speaker, Graduate, Spectator.
 * 2) *The Officiator is the Praetor, High Overseer or Inquisitor - they will run the ceremony.
 * 3) *The Commencement Speaker is the special guest who will give the commencement speech.
 * 4) *Graduates are the eligible students who will be assigned masters, ranks and/or roles in the Sovereignty.
 * 5) *Spectators are any and all of the non-aforementioned citizens who wish to attend.
 * 6) Before conducting a graduation ceremony, the High Overseer must confer with each student and get an idea of where and with who the students will be assigned. Ministry leaders who want recruits should talk to individual students during the 'Overview of the Ministries' Academy class. The students will ultimately decide their careers but their masters are assigned by the High Overseer and the Praetor or their designee(s).
 * 7) At the graduation, citizens will be summoned to the auditorium of the Ember Academy. Students will sit in the chairs facing the throne, spectators will sit in the chairs on the sides. The highest-ranking member of the Fireborn Sovereignty present for the graduation will serve as the Commencement Speaker, unless another is assigned.
 * 8) The Officiator will call the meeting to order and begin with:
 * 9) *"We gather here, today, in the name of the Fireborn Sovereignty to honor the graduates of the Ember Academy. Graduates, rise."
 * 10) Officiator will wait for the candidates to rise, and ask:
 * 11) *"You came to this academy untested and unproven, but the knowledge you have gained here will help you better serve your Sovereignty. Before we begin, I must ask you: do you still honor the oath you swore as citizen of the Fireborn Sovereignty?"
 * 12) The students will answer in the affirmative or be denied assignments and face potential expulsion.
 * 13) The Officiator will then direct the students to sit and will introduce the Commencement Speaker. They will then pause for applause before yielding the floor.
 * 14) The Commencement speaker will give brief remarks of their choosing. The theme should be service to the Sovereignty, unity, loyalty and/or strength during troubling times ahead. The Officiator will again pause for applause.
 * 15) The Officiator will then call the candidates up one by one. They will kneel before the Officiator where the Officiator will say:
 * 16) *"Congratulations (acolyte for Sith, student for non-sith), you have passed the tests and trials of this academy. You will henceforth be a full and faithful citizen of the Fireborn Sovereignty. You will be assigned to (name of master for sith, name of commander for non-sith). Rise, take your seat and report to your master as soon as they are available after this ceremony."
 * 17) The officiator will repeat this process with every graduate present.
 * 18) At the end the officiator will ask the graduates to rise, and wait for them to comply before concluding with:
 * 19) *"Graduates, Serve your Praetor, Bring Glory to your Sovereignty and may the Force ever serve us!"
 * 20) After waiting for the customary response, the Officiant will end the ceremony.

The Department of Justice
The Department of Justice upholds the Laws of the Sovereignty, as set forth in the Fireborn Sovereignty Constitution as well as the 'Amendments to Sovereignty Public Law'. In addition to this, the Justice Department handles the investigation, resolution, and fair adjudication of crimes against the Sovereignty and her citizens. Members of the Justice Department may serve as law enforcement officers, advocates in the Sovereign Advocacy Group, prosecutors in the Throne Prosecution Service, or officers of the Judiciary.

In addition to answering to the Chief Justice, members of the Department of Justice may also answer to the Inquisitor - who is responsible for mediation between the prosecution and defense, the approval of warrants, and aiding the Chief Justice in any fashion. Despite their positions at the head of the ministry, the Chief Justice and Inquisitor are both barred from influencing any investigation or trial. They are held to the same standards and protocols as every member of both the department and ministry.

Judicators
The Justice Department oversees the fair adjudication and sentencing of any Sovereignty citizen who has been formally charged with breaking Sovereignty Law. This department is lead by the Judicators - members of the ministry who possess the knowledge and temperament to sit on a tribunal panel for felonies, or pass individual sentences during misdemeanor hearings.

Praetorian Prosecution Service
As the representatives of the Sovereignty in all tribunal hearings, members of the Praetorian Prosecution Service (PPS, better known as Prosecutors), have an in-depth knowledge of law, case lore, and courtroom etiquette. They are driven to protect the innocent and punish the guilty.

Sovereign Advocacy Group
As a defense guild, members of the Sovereign Advocacy Group (SAG, or Advocates), serve as public defenders within the court system. They are tasked with representing defendants during any and all criminal proceedings - should the defendant accept representation. Like their counterparts in the PPS, they are well-versed in law, case lore, and courtroom etiquette. Unlike members of the PPS, Advocates can be members of other ministries, but must not have any conflicts with or relations to the defendants they represent.

Constabulary
Members of the Constabulary are responsible with the investigation of crimes and the apprehension and interrogation of suspects. They are expected to record and correlate any information and evidence retrieved from suspects, as well as reach conclusions about cases and present these conclusions in a concise manner. Constabulary members may specialize in one of three fields: Investigation, Interrogation, and Patrol. Despite this specialization, all members of the Constabulary are expected to be well-versed in all departmental protocols and procedures.

The ranks within the the Constabulary are as follows, in descending order of seniority:


 * 1) Captain - Limited to those with Sr. Lord standing and higher, captains are responsible for the smooth running of the constabulary. They work primarily with other officers in their field, and ensure that every action taken stands up to departmental protocol.
 * 2) Lieutenant - As the second-highest rank, Lieutenants have free will to pursue cases as they choose. They are expected to be well-versed in their chosen specialty, and may be asked to aid in the training of new Sergeants.
 * 3) Sergeant - Sergeants are responsible for aiding in the training of officers on the inner workings of the department. As the first rank allowed to specialize, they are allowed to be assigned cases according to their chosen specialty.
 * 4) Officer - As the entry-level rank within the Constabulary, officers are not allowed to specialize in a field, and are automatically assigned to a Patrol unit.

Progression through the Constabulary ranks relies on an individual's successful caseload,

Departmental Procedures
Procedures for the investigation of crimes, as well as the arrest and interrogation of citizens can be found in Sovereignty Public Law (SPL) Section 2. Procedures for trial and punishment may be found in Sovereignty Public Law (SPL) Section 3.

The Order of the Starbird
While not an official branch of the Ministry of State, the chivalric Order of the Starbird is considered an extension of the ministry. Members of the Order come from all walks of life, and are not limited to State personnel. Members of the most senior three ranks belong the the elite Knights of the Starbird Order, and may be called upon to serve any ministry, and are responsible for the protection of the Lord or Lady Praetor and the Dark Council. While the Starbird Order does not have a headquarters, those with the rank of Knight or higher are cleared to use the training and living facilities within the Hall of Justice.

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