The Court

The Prince is the sovereign of Ashkeep and the highest authority of the domain. He appoints officers, chooses who is granted a seat on the Council, and sets the overall direction of Ashkeep.

Part of his power is deliberately shared with the Council: new laws, major decisions, and formal judgments are debated and voted on there. That means the role is not just about giving orders. A strong Prince needs to be politically skilled, build support, manage rival interests, and know when to persuade rather than command.

The Hand is the Prince's closest officer and primary representative. They receive petitions, manage access to the Prince, handle negotiations on behalf of the Crown, and carry matters forward when they do not require the Prince's direct attention.

The Hand keeps the Court moving day to day and may speak with the Prince's authority when acting within their office.

The Master of Whisperers oversees reputation, conduct, and the flow of information within Ashkeep. They monitor disputes, judge breaches of etiquette or trust, and arbitrate conflicts surrounding boons when their meaning or repayment is contested.

They also keep a close eye on who is gaining influence, who is losing it, and which tensions are beginning to matter before they reach the Court.

The Lord Commander of the Ashguards commands Ashkeep's guards and knights. They oversee security, organize patrols and escorts, respond to threats, and decide how force is used when the Court needs it.

They are also responsible for military readiness, discipline, and the people trusted to carry arms in Ashkeep's name.

The Castellan is the master of the castle and oversees everything that happens within its walls. They control access to restricted areas, supervise the castle staff, maintain order, and deal with breaches of protocol or security inside the keep.

When the castle itself is involved, the Castellan is the first authority people answer to.

Councillors are Lords who hold a formal seat on Ashkeep's Council. They debate and vote on new laws, major decisions affecting the domain, and formal judgments brought before the Court.

Their influence comes from both their own standing and their ability to shape decisions that affect Ashkeep as a whole.