[Proposal] Scroll of Horus

[Cormac]

Scroll of Horus Preamble

We, the citizens of Osiris, have convened to establish this Scroll of Horus as a covenant between us and as the official constitution of Osiris, in order to ensure the peace, order, and good governance of our regional community. It is our hope and our commitment that the government hereby established will foster an active and engaged community built upon a foundation of mutual respect, cooperation, and friendship.

I. Pharaoh

(1) The Pharaoh will be the monarch, head of state, head of government, and lawful World Assembly (WA) Delegate of Osiris.

(2) The Pharaoh will serve until abdication, or will automatically be removed from office upon their WA nation in Osiris resigning from the WA, being expelled from the WA, or ceasing to exist.

(3) The Heir Apparent will be first in the royal line of succession if the office of Heir Apparent is filled, followed by each Guardian in the order determined by the Pharaoh. The first person in the line of succession willing and able to serve will succeed to the office of Pharaoh in the event that the office of Pharaoh is vacant.

(4) The Pharaoh may appoint the Heir Apparent or a Guardian to serve as Acting Pharaoh in the event of the Pharaoh's scheduled absence. In the event of the Pharaoh's unscheduled absence exceeding seven days, the first person in the line of succession willing and able to serve will serve as Acting Pharaoh.

(5) The Pharaoh will be the ultimate governing authority of Osiris, responsible for interpreting and enforcing the constitution and laws of Osiris. The Pharaoh may, with the approval of the Council of Guardians, enact, amend, or repeal the constitution, laws, treaties, or declarations of war.

(6) The Chief Scribe will promptly present all legislation passed by the Council of Scribes to the Pharaoh for consideration. The Pharaoh may then grant or withhold assent, but only legislation to which the Pharaoh has granted assent will become enacted law.

(7) The Pharaoh may, with the approval of the Council of Guardians, impose revocation of citizenship, ejection and/or ban from Osiris, or other measures to preserve the security and stability of Osiris, for whatever duration of time is determined appropriate by the Pharaoh.

(8) All powers not explicitly granted to any other institution or office by this constitution may be exercised by the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh may delegate any powers or responsibilities of the office of Pharaoh to other officials or institutions.

II. Heir Apparent

(1) The Pharaoh may appoint an Heir Apparent to serve as Vice Delegate and hold the second most endorsements in the region, up to a limit determined by the Pharaoh, which will be no less than ten endorsements over the limit imposed upon Guardians. The Pharaoh may remove the Heir Apparent from office.

(2) The Heir Apparent will serve until resignation, removal from office by the Pharaoh, or succession to the office of Pharaoh, or will automatically be removed from office upon their WA nation in Osiris resigning from the WA, being expelled from the WA, or ceasing to exist.

(3) The Heir Apparent, if the office is filled, will be the chairperson of the Council of Guardians, presiding over the Council of Guardians according to its procedural rules and acting as its spokesperson. If the office of Heir Apparent is vacant, the first person in the line of succession willing and able to serve will serve as chairperson.

III. Council of Guardians

(1) The Council of Guardians will be the security council of Osiris, tasked with enforcing regional security in cooperation with the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh may attend all meetings of the Council of Guardians.

(2) The Council of Guardians will be comprised of the Heir Apparent as a voting member, if the office is filled, and a minimum of three Guardians.

(3) Any citizen who served as Pharaoh under the Scroll of Ma'at, or is currently serving or will serve as Pharaoh following enactment of this constitution, will automatically be appointed to the Council of Guardians following their service as Pharaoh. The Pharaoh may, with the approval of the Council of Scribes, remove such Guardians from office.

(4) Should any person described in Section 3 decline automatic appointment, resign from the Council of Guardians, or be removed from the office of Guardian, except to serve as Pharaoh or Heir Apparent, they will not be subject to future automatic appointment or its protections.

(5) The Pharaoh may appoint additional Guardians, but such additional Guardians will be restricted to numbering equal to or less than the number of Guardians appointed under Section 3 or three additional Guardians, whichever number is higher. The Pharaoh may remove such additional Guardians from office without the approval of the Council of Scribes.

(6) Guardians will maintain WA nations in Osiris and will be expected to maintain high endorsement counts, up to a limit determined by the Pharaoh, which will be no less than 50% of the Pharaoh's endorsement count.

(7) A Guardian will automatically be removed from office upon their WA nation in Osiris resigning from the WA, being expelled from the WA, or ceasing to exist.

(8) Unless otherwise provided by this constitution, all votes of the Council of Guardians will be determined by absolute majority vote, which is defined as 50%+1.

(9) The Council of Guardians may further provide for its procedural rules. In the absence of such rules, or under circumstances not adequately covered by such rules, the chairperson may determine provisional procedure.

IV. Council of Viziers

(1) The Pharaoh will appoint a Council of Viziers to assist in managing the executive affairs of Osiris. The Council of Viziers is responsible solely to the Pharaoh and shall only have such powers and responsibilities as delegated to it by the Pharaoh.

(2) The Council of Viziers will be comprised of the Pharaoh, the Heir Apparent, a minimum of three Viziers appointed by the Pharaoh, and other officials as the Pharaoh deems necessary. The Pharaoh may remove anyone from the Council of Viziers.

V. Council of Scribes

(1) The Council of Scribes will be the legislature of Osiris, comprised of all citizens of Osiris.

(2) The Pharaoh will have no vote in the Council of Scribes, and the Acting Pharaoh will have no vote in the Council of Scribes for the duration of their service as Acting Pharaoh. A Guardian will have no vote on their own removal from office, and the Heir Apparent and Guardians will have no vote on amendments to this constitution.

(3) The outcome of any vote of the Council of Scribes will be determined by tallying the counts for and against. Abstentions will not be taken into account to determine the outcome of any vote.

(4) Unless otherwise provided by this constitution, all votes of the Council of Scribes will be determined by absolute majority vote, which is defined as 50%+1.

(5) The Council of Scribes may further provide for its procedural rules by law.

(6) The Council of Scribes has broad legislative power and may enact, amend, or repeal any law or resolution. Resolutions may be binding or non-binding in their effect. Resolutions that are non-binding in their effect will not require the assent of the Pharaoh.

(7) The Council of Scribes may amend this constitution by two-thirds vote. Such amendment will be subject to the approval of the Council of Guardians before being presented to the Pharaoh for assent.

VI. Chief Scribe

(1) The Chief Scribe will be appointed by the Pharaoh to serve as the presiding officer of the Council of Scribes, and will preside over the Council of Scribes according to its procedural rules. The Pharaoh may remove the Chief Scribe from office.

(2) In the absence of procedural rules for the Council of Scribes, or under circumstances not adequately covered by such rules, the Chief Scribe may determine provisional procedure with the assent of the Pharaoh.

(3) The Chief Scribe may make alterations to legislation prior to bringing it to vote for compliance with basic spelling and grammatical standards of American English, and any legislative formatting standards that may be established by law.

(4) The Chief Scribe may, with the assent of the Pharaoh, appoint deputies to assist in presiding over the Council of Scribes. The Chief Scribe or the Pharaoh may remove such deputies from office.

VII. Council of Priests

(1) The Council of Priests is the judiciary of Osiris, comprised of three Priests appointed by the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh may remove Priests from office.

(2) The Council of Priests is responsible, subject to further regulation by law, for hearing criminal charges, determining guilt or lack of guilt, and imposing penalties upon guilty parties.

(3) A single Priest may be selected by the Council of Priests to preside over a criminal hearing. All criminal verdicts and sentencing will be decided by two-thirds vote.

(4) The Council of Priests may further provide for its procedural rules. Additional procedure for the Council of Priests may also be established by law. Procedural rules established by the Council of Priests will be subordinate to law.

VIII. Citizenship Administration

(1) Any resident of Osiris is eligible to apply for citizenship via the regional forum according to procedure and requirements established by the Pharaoh.

(2) The Pharaoh or designated executive or security official(s) will be responsible for approving or rejecting citizenship applications within seven days of filing. The Council of Guardians will approve or reject citizenship applications neglected for longer than seven days.

(3) Citizens admitted to citizenship during or within seven days prior to a vote in the Council of Scribes may not participate in that vote. Citizens admitted to citizenship during or within seven days prior to a constitutional convention may not vote in that convention.

(4) The Pharaoh or designated executive or security official(s) will revoke the citizenship of any citizen whose nation in Osiris voluntarily relocates or ceases to exist, or who does not post on the regional forum at least once per calendar month, according to procedure established by the Pharaoh.

IX. Requirements for Government Office

(1) Any government office may only be filled by citizens. Government office will be defined as any office established by this constitution or by law, including deputies and advisors.

(2) To be eligible to serve as Pharaoh, Heir Apparent, or Guardian, a citizen must have held citizenship for a cumulative total of six months or longer.

X. Regional Forum

(1) The official regional forum of Osiris is located at the following URL: https://osiris.valthost.com/index.php

(2) Should the forum cease to exist or otherwise become permanently unavailable, forum administration is authorized to immediately establish a replacement forum. In the absence of forum administration, the Pharaoh may establish a replacement forum.

(3) Except as authorized by the above provision, the forum may not be replaced without amendment to this constitution.

XI. Off-site Property Administration

(1) Off-site property administration will facilitate the technical needs of the off-site community of Osiris. Only citizens may serve as off-site property administrators or moderators.

(2) No provision of this constitution nor any law or policy will be construed to limit or interfere with the responsibility and authority of off-site property administration to safeguard the out-of-character security or safety of off-site property or its users.

(3) Off-site property administration will have final authority on off-site property permissions, and may deny or revoke permissions based on risk to the security or safety of off-site property or its users, or violation of terms of service.

XII. Constitutional Conventions

(1) The Council of Scribes may, with the approval of the Council of Guardians and the assent of the Pharaoh, call a constitutional convention, comprised of all citizens, for the purpose of rewriting the regional constitution. The Heir Apparent and Guardians will have no vote on the calling of a constitutional convention, and the Pharaoh, Heir Apparent, and Guardians will have no vote in a constitutional convention.

(2) A motion for a constitutional convention may be made according to the same procedure for moving legislation to vote. The calling of a constitutional convention will require a two-thirds vote of the Council of Scribes.

(3) A constitutional convention will be administered according to rules adopted at the beginning of the convention. In order to pass a constitutional convention, a new constitution must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the convention, be further approved by the Council of Guardians, and receive the assent of the Pharaoh.

(4) During a constitutional convention, this constitution and all laws in effect under this constitution will remain in force unless amended or repealed according to standard procedure. A new constitution passed by a constitutional convention will automatically repeal and replace this constitution.

(5) Should a constitutional convention fail to pass a new constitution following a one month period, the constitutional convention may, with the approval of the Council of Guardians and the assent of the Pharaoh, be adjourned by absolute majority vote of the convention. Upon passing a new constitution, the constitutional convention will automatically be adjourned.

XIII. Legal Supremacy and Continuity

(1) The Scroll of Horus is the official constitution and supreme law of Osiris. No law, policy, or action by officials of Osiris may contradict this constitution.

(2) This constitution retains legal continuity with the Scroll of Ma'at, for the purpose of recognizing and honoring all treaties in force pursuant to the Scroll of Ma'at at the time of this constitution's ratification.

(3) Laws enacted under the Scroll of Ma'at, with the exception of treaties, will be repealed upon enactment of this constitution. All offices established under the Scroll of Ma'at, with the exception of the office of Pharaoh, will be vacated upon enactment of this constitution.

(4) Citizens recognized as such under the Scroll of Ma'at at the time of this constitution's enactment are automatically enrolled as citizens under this constitution.

[Cormac]

Plain English Summary Article I: Pharaoh

• The Pharaoh is monarch, head of state, head of government, and lawful WA Delegate.
• The Pharaoh serves until abdication and can't be removed from office except for automatic reasons.
• The Pharaoh is succeeded by the Heir Apparent, if the office is filled, or by the first available Guardian in the line of succession.
• The Pharaoh may appoint the Heir Apparent or a Guardian as Acting Pharaoh during a scheduled absence.
• During an unscheduled absence exceeding seven days, the Acting Pharaoh is determined by the line of succession.
• The Pharaoh is responsible for constitutional enforcement and interpretation.
• The Pharaoh may legislate by decree, with the approval of the Council of Guardians.
• The Pharaoh's power to legislate by decree includes the sole power to enact, amend, and repeal treaties and declarations of war.
• Legislation passed by the Council of Scribes may only become law with the assent of the Pharaoh. No override.
• The Pharaoh may revoke citizenship or take other security measures, with the approval of the Council of Guardians.
• Any power not explicitly granted to another institution or office may be exercised by the Pharaoh.
• The Pharaoh can delegate the powers of his office to other officials.

Article II: Heir Apparent

• The Heir Apparent may be appointed and dismissed by the Pharaoh. No legislative approval.
• The Heir Apparent is Vice Delegate, holding the second most endorsements in the region.
• The Heir Apparent's endo cap, determined by the Pharaoh, must be no less than ten endos over the Guardian limit.
• The Heir Apparent serves until resignation, and can't be removed from office except by the Pharaoh or for automatic reasons.
• The Heir Apparent is the chairperson of the Council of Guardians.
• First available Guardian in the line of succession chairs the Council of Guardians if the office of Heir Apparent is vacant.

Article III: Council of Guardians

• The Council of Guardians is comprised of the Heir Apparent and at least three Guardians.
• Former Pharaohs, beginning under the Scroll of Ma'at, are automatically appointed to the Council of Guardians.
• Former Pharaohs can only be removed from the Council of Guardians with legislative approval.
• The Pharaoh may appoint and dismiss additional Guardians, beyond former Pharaohs.
• The number of additional Guardians is capped to avoid the Pharaoh stacking the Council of Guardians.
• Guardians will maintain high endos, up to a cap determined by the Pharaoh, no less than 50% of the Pharaoh's count.
• Guardians can determine their own procedural rules, etc., etc.

Article IV: Council of Viziers

• The Pharaoh will appoint and may dismiss Viziers. Minimum of three.
• The Pharaoh may include other officials in the Council of Viziers.

Article V: Council of Scribes

• The Council of Scribes remains an all-citizen legislature.
• Only the Pharaoh (or Acting Pharaoh) is completely barred from voting in the Council of Scribes.
• The Heir Apparent and Guardians are barred from voting under certain limited circumstances to prevent conflicts of interest.
• The Council of Scribes can make its procedural rules by law, etc., etc.
• The Council of Scribes can pass laws, as well as binding or non-binding resolutions. NBRs don't require the assent of the Pharaoh.
• The power of the Council of Scribes to pass laws does not include treaties or declarations of war.
• The Council of Scribes may amend the constitution. 2/3 vote with approval by Guardians and the Pharaoh.

Article VI: Chief Scribe

• The Chief Scribe is appointed and may be dismissed by the Pharaoh.
• The Chief Scribe presides over the Council of Scribes, etc., etc. Same as before, just not elected.

Article VII: Council of Priests

• The Council of Priests is the judiciary. Responsible only for criminal trials.
• Priests are appointed and may be dismissed by the Pharaoh.
• The Council of Priests can make its own procedural rules, subordinate to regional law, etc., etc.

Article VIII: Citizenship Administration

• Citizenship process is pretty much the same as before.

Article IX: Requirements for Government Office

• Only citizens may hold any government office.
• Pharaoh, Heir Apparent, and Guardians subject to 6 month cumulative citizenship requirement.

Article X: Regional Forum

• Regional forum is the same as before (this forum).
• Regional forum can be replaced by forum administration or the Pharaoh if this forum becomes unavailable.

Article XI: Off-site Property Administration

• Provisions that previously applied only to forum administration now apply to all off-site property administration.
• All off-site property administrators and moderators must be citizens of Osiris. This is a new requirement.

Article XII: Constitutional Conventions

• The procedure for calling constitutional conventions is pretty much the same as the procedure that called this one.
• One difference is that the Council of Guardians is added as an extra layer of approval.

Article XIII: Legal Supremacy and Continuity

• The Scroll of Horus is the supreme law of Osiris, etc., etc.
• Treaties are retained. All other laws are repealed.
• Citizens under the Scroll of Ma'at remain citizens under the new constitution.

[Halo]

Thank you for starting us off and heading this convention, Cormac. I am still thinking about this proposal, but one thought I have initially is that if this were to be the constitution, the Guardians shouldn't be allowed to vote in the CoS either, like the Pharaoh. One wouldn't want them voting if the pharaoh were trying to remove one of them.

[Sygian]

Of all the proposals I have seen, this one most closely relates to my thoughts of what an ideal government would be in Osiris. I have good feelings about this.

[Cormac]

Thank you for starting us off and heading this convention, Cormac. I am still thinking about this proposal, but one thought I have initially is that if this were to be the constitution, the Guardians shouldn't be allowed to vote in the CoS either, like the Pharaoh. One wouldn't want them voting if the pharaoh were trying to remove one of them.

I think preventing them from voting at all is excessive, but I agree with you that we should limit their voting. They shouldn't be able to vote on their own removal, and they shouldn't be able to vote on constitutional amendments (since the CoG also has to approve constitutional amendments). I'll think over language for that and add it in. Thanks for the suggestion!

Of all the proposals I have seen, this one most closely relates to my thoughts of what an ideal government would be in Osiris. I have good feelings about this.

Glad to hear it.

[Adytus]

Former Pharaohs, beginning under the Scroll of Ma'at, are automatically appointed to the Council of Guardians.
Former Pharaohs can only be removed from the Council of Guardians with legislative approval.

I thought someone said this was removed on discord?

[Halo]

It was added back by Cormac, but the part where the Pharaoh could be removed by the Guardians was taken out.

[Cormac]

Former Pharaohs, beginning under the Scroll of Ma'at, are automatically appointed to the Council of Guardians.
Former Pharaohs can only be removed from the Council of Guardians with legislative approval.

I thought someone said this was removed on discord?

I put it back in after several people encouraged me to do so.

It was added back by Cormac, but the part where the Pharaoh could be removed by the Guardians was taken out.

For the record, there was never a provision that allowed the Pharaoh's removal, by anyone. You must have misread.

[Cormac]

In response to Halo's suggestion, I've added the following language.

Article V, Section 2 now reads:

(2) The Pharaoh will have no vote in the Council of Scribes, and the Acting Pharaoh will have no vote in the Council of Scribes for the duration of their service as Acting Pharaoh. A Guardian will have no vote on their own removal from office, and the Heir Apparent and Guardians will have no vote on amendments to this constitution.

And Article XII, Section 1 now reads:

(1) The Council of Scribes may, with the approval of the Council of Guardians and the assent of the Pharaoh, call a constitutional convention, comprised of all citizens, for the purpose of rewriting the regional constitution. The Heir Apparent and Guardians will have no vote on the calling of a constitutional convention, and the Pharaoh, Heir Apparent, and Guardians will have no vote in a constitutional convention.

This is obviously to prevent Guardians from voting on their own removal from office, as well as preventing them from effectively having two votes on constitutional amendments and conventions, since the Council of Guardians has to separately approve those after they're passed by the Council of Scribes.

[Antiochus]

What is the role of the Viziers in this draft? I don't think that's clear.