Officers of the People

All kingdoms within the expanse of Greyhawk have an Overlord or King of some description. However the concept of democacy is not a lost one in Greyhawk as each town and village ( withhin certain Kingdoms ) will have an elected Mayor or other representitive. The type of elected official and the amount of officials depends on the size of the settlement in question so each should be treated separatley. Bear in mind also that the Kings man will also hold sway over any local government and make their pressence felt, backed by the weight of the Kingdom, on issues of importance.Lets lool at the representitives first and assertain their role in the running of a town or city.

Mayor. The highest rank held in society by a non-noble not directly employed by the King. The Mayor has the power to organise local populace and pass or reject proposed local laws. The Mayor also has great influence over trade issues. Although the lands leige sets tarrifs and taxes the mayor may change the levels ( with permissio for large changes ) to encourage or help sectors of growth. This means he may raise local taxes slightly in order that a trade agreement with a forign city can be accomadated. The tax increase can be passed onto the people or other areas of trade. A lowering of taxes for the general population may be desirable in order to boost settlement within the town. The Mayor also decrees town holidays and oversees festivities. For convienience sake the Moyoral role is up for election once every two years.

Governor. Autocratic regimes may install a governor to run the Kings affair in a city or town. More often than nnot a Governor will exist in every large settlement but will act as an agent of the King making sure his laws and will are being obeyed. If the Mayor is removed or dies a Governor may take his place until the next elections. Governors are drawn from the civil servents of the lands or lesser nobles who are given the power to govern without the benefits of personal gain. This instance is more common in lands occupied through war. Although this role is not elected it is included because of the direct link with local politics and politicians.

Councillor. These elected officials site on a city or town council. Togehter they oversee the maintenance of town infrastructure and interact with the common people ( in cities they do this through secretaries and assistants ). The council meet at least three times a week in the town hall or a prupose built assembly. Their should be one councilor for every 1,500 head of population. The role of councilor is often filled by a trusted local or more often by the family members of guilds in order to have a greater voice.

Ombudsman. thsi position is usually apointed by the Mayor. The job of Ombudsman is to act as an adjudicater in disputes between common people. In the event of an arguement over something ( commonly goods or land demarkation ) the Ombudsman is called by both parties. He listens to all arguments and decides the outcome. The judgement is not binding on either party involved but the weight of the Ombudsman opinion is usually respected. If the argumant goes before a proper judge then the side with the Ombudsmens blessing will usually prevail. The Ombudsman is usually a trusted and popular figure, in small villages a blacksmith would usually fill this role. The post may also be filled by election.

Community Heads

Sheriff. This is a position appointed by the King. The Sheriff is charged with overseeing the colection of taxes and upholding local law in the Kings name. The Sheriff will have a troops of soldiers available dawn from the local area and backed up by the local Kings garrison when necessary.

Bailiff. This is the Sheriffs officer. The Baliff is in charge of evictions and the collection of taxes on the ground.

Judge. This job is filled by political appointment. Although large cities and towns will have dedicated court buildings and permanent judges smaller setlements also hold court. Villages and small towns will be on the circuit maintained by a travelling judge. In these small places court is ususlly held on the strps of a temple/shrine or in an Inn during bad weather. For serious offences the Judge may direct a criminal to a city for trial or punishment. A Judge is acompanied by a troop of guards and a number of Bailiffs.

Witch Hunter. Most feared amid government appointees the Witch Hunter is charged with a difficult task. It his lot to hunt down, arrest and bring to trial rouge wizards and witches. He is invested with maguical items for protection and is accompanied by a large force of loyal troops. Although he is feared by many this reputation is undeserved and most people are just as relieved to see the arrival of a witch hunter as they are to see him depart. The Witch Hunter and his men investigate spottings of undead and other foul creatures of magic and Witch Craft. They insure graveyards are undisturbed by ghouls and the populace is not panicking over nothing. They are quick to dispel rumours of witch craft and clear innocent people of blame. The accused in the wrong can expect mercy from the Witch Hunter and punishment for their accusers.