THE CIRCLE of FOUR's STRUCTURE

As penned by M. Noctis

“None above, none below—four faces to the wind.”

The Circle of Four is a quadrilateral council of shared authority, tasked with preserving the order, justice, prosperity, and cultural continuity of the town. It operates as a consensus-based leadership body in which no single figure holds supremacy, and each decision made in governance reflects mutual stewardship and civic responsibility.

SYMBOL OF OFFICE
Upon assuming their role, each councilor is granted a Signet of the Circle—a finely forged token bearing the seal of office, symbolizing their lawful authority and commitment to the town’s welfare. This signet must be returned at the end of their term. It is utilized to officialize writs and mandates, alongside their formal votes as a councilor. 

In the event a councilor dies during their term, the signet is buried with them, bent and scored to indicate the Breaking of the Ring—a solemn mark acknowledging their irreplaceable service and the fracture left behind.

THE FOUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES

Each member of the Circle must contribute to the following core functions of governance:

1. Deliberate and Pass Ordinances

• All laws, edicts, and public measures require a majority of 3:1 or greater to pass.
• Petitions submitted by the Petitioners’ Forum must be acknowledged within two weeks of processing.

2. Appoint Officials

• The Circle oversees appointments to key positions (e.g., militia captains, aides, clerks, envoys).
• New positions may be created as deemed necessary by a majority vote.

3. Manage Resources

• Councilors jointly govern all public assets, including budgeting, land use, and emergency rationing.
• Resource decisions must be published in a seasonal ledger for public record, found in townhall archives and able to be requested by the clerks.

4. Uphold Justice

• Serves as the court of last appeal in town-wide or politically sensitive disputes.
• May issue pardons, exiles, or sentences with a 3:1 or unanimous vote.
• The Guard Captain must be present for any matters involving Penances or detainment.

RULES & PROCEDURES

Unanimity for Major Changes

• All foundational changes (to charters, taxes, alliances, etc.) require unanimous consent.

Term Duration & Affiliations

• Councilors serve for one year (typically aligned with a server campaign cycle).
• A councilor may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
• A councilor may not serve as a ranked officer within the militia.

Conflict of Interest

• Councilors must recuse themselves from decisions where personal interest is present.
• Failure to disclose a conflict results in immediate removal from the current vote and potential review.

LIMITATIONS

Impeachment & Removal

• A councilor may be removed from office if:
  • Two other councilors file a formal accusation, or
  • A formal accusation is submitted by the Petitioners’ Forum

• Valid grounds include dereliction of duty, corruption, or treason.
• The accusation must be confirmed by a public vote.

Upon removal:

• A by-election must occur within 30 days.