[Passed] Amendments to the Scroll of Ma'at

[Treize Dreizehn]

I spent a little bit of time going over the scroll of Ma'at. I had a few notes that I felt like working into an amendment, but this is not at all exaustive. If you've spotted something in the Scroll that's either exploitable in a bad way or is vague, we can add it into an omnibus amendment here. Let me outline the biggest issue first.

Right now the Council of Priests has veto power over Pharonic Succession but also has a place in the line of succession if there's no heir. This could conceivably lead to a Priest becoming permanent "acting pharaoh". While this situation is unlikely (incredibly so with our current priests in fact) it's not impossible.

With that said I've been discussing and thinking about possible fixes to this issue. I think the simplest solution is to have an heir selected long before one is needed.

I'd like to propose the following change in regards to that:

First we remove 4.1.5 from the Scroll completely. For reference that's this part:

(5) In the event that the Pharaoh abdicates without a successor being chosen and approved, the Priest with the highest endorsement count may serve as acting Pharaoh, and the Council will appoint a new Pharaoh with the approval of the Council of Scribes.

That's the bit that sticks the Priests into the line of succession. That solves most of the problem on its own, but leaves us with no solution for who takes over if the Pharaoh abdicates or disappears without a successor.

For that I propose the following alterations to 3.1.2:

The Pharaoh will serve until abdication and will, with the approval of the Council of Scribes and the Council of Priests, choose a successor upon abdication. Resignation or expulsion from the World Assembly or ceasing to exist will be considered automatic abdication.

will become

The Pharaoh will serve until abdication and will, with the approval of the Council of Scribes and the Council of Priests, choose a Royal Heir. Resignation or expulsion from the World Assembly or ceasing to exist will be considered automatic abdication.

This removes the "upon abdication" language, thus allowing the Pharaoh to select his successor months or years in advance if needed. It also changes the generic "successor" language to "Royal Heir".

After that, we'd insert a new 3.1.3 and 3.1.4:

(3) The Royal Heir will, after approval by both the Council of Scribes and Council of Priests, hold the second highest number of endorsements to the Pharaoh. Upon a Pharaoh's abdication, the Royal Heir will succeed automatically to the office of Pharaoh.
(4) The Pharaoh retains the capacity to vacate the office of Royal Heir at any time prior to abdication.

The remainder of the section (what is currently 3.1.3 through 3.1.8) would be renumbered 3.1.5 through 3.1.10.

Anyway. That's a start. If there are any other problems that people have noticed, we can work on an omnibus amendment to correct them.

[Tim Stark]

While this situation is unlikely (incredibly so with our current priests in fact) it's not impossible

Depends on if you catch us with our GCR Tyrant hat on or not


All the changes seem rather appropriate though, aye.

[Cormac]

I think this is the right direction to take, but will probably require more extensive amendment than you've outlined. I suggest the following amendments, along with some other things I've caught:

Omnibus Amendment to the Scroll of Ma'at Section 1: Establishment of the Heir Apparent

(1) The following will be amended into the Scroll of Ma'at as Article III, Section 2:

Section 2: Heir Apparent of the Osiris Fraternal Order

(1) The Pharaoh will, with the approval of the Council of Scribes and the Council of Priests, select an Heir Apparent, who will succeed to the office of Pharaoh upon abdication of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh may vacate the office of Heir Apparent.
(2) The Pharaoh may delegate the exercise and fulfillment of powers and responsibilities assigned to the Pharaoh to the Heir Apparent.
(3) The Heir Apparent will hold the second most endorsements in the region, up to a limit determined by the Pharaoh, which will be no less than 75% of the Pharaoh's endorsement count.
(4) The Heir Apparent will act as chairperson and spokesperson of the Council of Priests, but will not serve as a Priest and will have no vote in the Council of Priests.

(2) The current Article III, Section 2 of the Scroll of Ma'at will be renumbered as Article III, Section 3.

Section 2: Amendments Related to the Heir Apparent and Succession

(1) Article II, Section 1(3) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(3) The Pharaoh and Priests will have no vote in the Council for the duration of their service as Pharaoh and Priests.

(3) The Pharaoh, Heir Apparent, and Priests will have no vote in the Council for the duration of their terms in office.

(2) Article III, Section 1(2) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(2) The Pharaoh will serve until abdication and will, with the approval of the Council of Scribes and the Council of Priests, choose a successor upon abdication. Resignation or expulsion from the World Assembly or ceasing to exist will be considered automatic abdication.

(2) The Pharaoh will serve until abdication. Resignation or expulsion from the World Assembly or ceasing to exist will be considered automatic abdication.

(3) Article IV, Section 1(5) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(5) In the event that the Pharaoh abdicates without a successor being chosen and approved, the Priest with the highest endorsement count may serve as acting Pharaoh, and the Council will appoint a new Pharaoh with the approval of the Council of Scribes.

(5) In the event that the Pharaoh abdicates and the office of Heir Apparent is vacant, succession to the office of Pharaoh will be determined from among the Council of Priests as prescribed by law.

(4) Article VI, Section 1(1) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(1) The Pharaoh, the Chief Vizier, the Chief Scribe, and Priests are classified as senior government officers. Senior government officers may not serve in more than one senior government office at a time.

(1) The Pharaoh, the Heir Apparent, the Chief Vizier, the Chief Scribe, and Priests are classified as senior government officers. Senior government officers may not serve in more than one senior government office at a time.

Section 3: Council of Scribes Amendments

(1) Article II, Section 1(5) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(5) The Chief Scribe is responsible for presiding over the Council according to its procedural rules. Where no rules exist, the Chief Scribe may exercise discretion in determining procedure.

(5) The Chief Scribe is responsible for presiding over the Council according to its procedural rules. Where no rules exist, the Chief Scribe may exercise discretion in determining procedure. The Chief Scribe will not preside over elections, which will be administered as prescribed by law.

(2) Article II, Section 1(6) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(6) If the office of Chief Scribe is vacant, or for the duration of discussion and voting on a motion to remove the Chief Scribe from office, the business of the Council will be administered by the Pharaoh or by a Priest.

(6) If the office of Chief Scribe is vacant, or for the duration of discussion and voting on a motion to remove the Chief Scribe from office, the business of the Council will be administered by a deputy previously designated by the Chief Scribe. If no deputy is available, the business of the Council will be administered by the Pharaoh, by the Heir Apparent if designated by the Pharaoh, or by a Priest designated by the Council of Priests.

(3) Article II, Section 1(7) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(7) Unless otherwise noted by this constitution, all votes of the Council will be determined by simple majority vote.

(7) Unless otherwise noted by this constitution, all votes of the Council will be determined by simple majority vote, which is defined as 50%+1.

Section 4: State and Executive Government Amendments

(1) Article III, Section 1(1) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(1) The Pharaoh is the head of state of the Osiris Fraternal Order and is required to serve as the World Assembly Delegate of Osiris.

(1) The Pharaoh is the head of state of the Osiris Fraternal Order and is required to serve as the World Assembly Delegate of Osiris. The Pharaoh may, if necessary, permit the Heir Apparent or a Priest to temporarily serve as World Assembly Delegate to address a security threat.

(2) Article III, Section 2(1) of the Scroll of Ma'at will be amended as follows:

(1) The Chief Vizier is the head of government of the Osiris Fraternal Order and is responsible for managing domestic and foreign affairs in the name of the Pharaoh.

(1) The Chief Vizier is the head of government of the Osiris Fraternal Order and is responsible for managing domestic and foreign affairs in the name of the Pharaoh, pursuant to requirements and restrictions imposed by law.

[Cormac]

Anyone have any further thoughts here?

[Severisen Montresor]

Seeing no discussion has taken place, I move that we vote on Cormac's version.

[Koth]

I second the motion.

[Amerion]

A lapse of judgement on my part has resulted in a breach of the Provisional Rules of the Council of Scribes. This Bill requires another second before a vote can be held. The vote will be postponed until another Scribe seconds the motion. Should no second be heard by the Chief Scribe in the next 72 hours, the vote will be canceled. I apologise to this Council for my error.

Scribes are advised that a vote has been presented to the floor of this council.

[Treize Dreizehn]

Seconded.

[Amerion]

Noted.

Scribes are advised that a vote has been presented to the floor of this council.