The Political and Social Organization of the Floridian Empire at the Dawn of the Bronze Age c. F.Y. 1500
The construction of imperial rule emerged from the status of cities within Florida. Near the arrival of the Bronze Age, the government had stabilized and restructured for improved efficiency and administration. A more complex society was also beginning to emerge as greater wealth poured into the nation from increased trade not only with the Three Kings, but also with new markets in California and the west. The new contacts spread some new ideas to the wealthy of Florida, and a true upper class emerged, showing the start of the later caste system which would predominate Floridian society for hundreds of years.
Political Structure
King of Orlando: As in previous ages, supreme administrative authority in the Floridian Empire rested within the Tocs Dynasty, which had ruled Orlando since the first overthrew of priestly rule for over five hundred years by this date. By the Bronze Age, as the empire grew, he began relying more and more upon the Ducs for controlling the various regions of the empire.
The Ducs:
Duc of Tampa: The Duc of Tampa became one of the positions to which people were most frequently appointed. No true standing dynasty lasted for Tampa, as it would frequently fall under the control of the most influential priest of the city. This politicization of the religious community is occasionally considered the cause of the religious upheaval within the early Bronze Age.
Duc of Bayout: At the dawn of the Bronze Age, the Duc of Bayout was the most consistent dynasty within the Floridian system, after only Orlando itself. Resting under control of the Andor family, it proved to make the family the most wealthy within the empire. By the Bronze Age, the word of the Andor family head had to be taken into account by any King of Orlando.
Duc of Heverr: Heverr was one of only two cities in the Floridian Empire which was run by a local family rather than a peninsular appointed dynasty at this time period. The original peninsular family appointed when the first Duc was created for the city proved to be corrupt and incompetent. The resulting ennoblement of the Tano family established the equality and position of non-peninsular Floridians in the society.
Duc of Roherr-Tlaxcala: The position of Duc of Roherr was constantly in flux since the city’s establishment. Living on the frontier and corruption frequently resulted in change in the position of Duc. Many attribute this corruption to the reason why later regimes were frequently former military leaders. At the dawn of the Bronze Age, the establishment of Floridian authority over Mexico resulted in the region of Tlaxcala being added to the realm controlled by the Duc of Roherr.
Duc of Mexicerr: When the King of Mexico submitted to the King of Orlando at the tail end of the Stone Age, his family remained in charge as the Ducs of Mexicerr, the capital city. They retained much of their original stature and position in society, being recognized as equals of the nobility of Florida. A similar culture and language enabled them to be more readily adapted into Floridian society. The Anna Dynasty would continue their reign over Mexico, now under the Floridian monarchy
Below the King and the Ducs were the
Lilo. They were the bureaucrats of the Floridian Empire, managing events on a local and village level. Though they began as mere advisors of the Ducs and King, the position soon became one of the lower level management. Though in theory they would be appointed by the King, most of the time, local Ducs appointed them from the most able and trained locals. Despite this, by the Bronze Age, the Lilo was beginning to take on a position of lesser nobility, and some were beginning to argue for establishing the position as hereditary like that of the Duc.
Early Floridian Caste Stucture
The Upper Nobility (King, Ducs and their families)
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The Clergy and Priests
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The Lower Nobility (Lilo and wealthy merchants)
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The Peasants
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