Fiction:Herbisoar Imperial Government

The Government of the Second Herbisoar Empire is complex and is often difficult for Xenos to understand. However, it is divided amongst two key players: The Emperor and the Captain.

The Emperor serves as the official "Head of State", and is the initial force that appoints a Captain and establishes the system of military and government to a point at which the Emperor sees fit. Meanwhile, the Captain is recognized as the official administrator of the Colonies, leader of the forces of the Herbisoars, and representative to all galactic empires. The Captain has the authority to do nearly anything, including declaring war or ordaining a trade route or friendship, according to the Herbisoar Articles of Governance, so long as it "adds benefit towards the expansion and prosperity of the Empire" and "is in the name of the Emperor". The Captain, as being appointed by the Emperor, is stated as acting on his behalf.

Thus, the Emperor traditionally takes a more of a "maintainer" approach, administrating the various movements and systems of defense while the Captain is representing or expanding the Empire. It is argued, however, that the Herbisoar system is a grey area of a balance between a system of co and often conflicting rule of two parties, and an imperial system with an emperor and an official acting with the Emperor's authorities. However, most that say the Herbisoars exhibit a co-monarchial rule will often say the extent of the powers of the Captain act as that of an equal head of state, particularly in that the power to, for example, declare war, extends solely independent of any consent of the Emperor.

Criticism of the System
Some scholars amongst the Herbisoar Empire state that the system could one day be prone to a civil war, particularly if the intersts of the Emperor and Captain became differentiated or they ended up competing for control.

However, defendants of the system state that any feud would likely be solved by an honour duel between the two parties rather than developing into a full

Popularity vs. Establishment
The Captain indeed seems to be more popularly accountable for his actions to the Herbisoar race, as his actions more directly affect the lives of Herbisoars, particularly in the Near Colonies and (even more so) the Far Colonies, while the Emperor is often little heard from except to make speeches, ordain the actions of the Captain, systematically manage her forces, and generally be in full control only of Alovana (this tradition apparently seems to extend from the time when Alovana was the only Herbisoar posession, sort of as a "plan of last resort" action).

Succession
If the Emperor were to die or resign, the Herbisoar Articles of Governance mandate a series of meritocratic trials be held by the remaining authority to determine a new Emperor. No such test has ever been continued, but likely it would be a combat or stealth test, with logical overtones, coalescing with the ideal of Herbisoar arete.

If a Captain were to die, he would merely be replaced by the sitting Emperor, or if they were both killed, an Emperor would be found to appoint the Captain.

"Keeping The Balance"
"Keeping The Balance" is a term to describe the poltitical balance between the Emperor and Captain, which if upset could easily trigger a political Civil war. Rumours exist both the Emperor maintains a form of secret police to keep the balance of the Herbisoar Empire utilizing mind control methods and other covert techniques, but no evidence has been found, and the Captain and Emperor vehemently deny any suspicions.