Empress
The first empress was Kaziah Wilfriad. Her parents were founders of Styro, and she gained the title through a battle of wits and strength called Fixenda. She defeated 10 other candidates, all female. Her first act as Empress was holding a voting session for 15 people who would join her in court as the council, representing different areas of Ptyo and the people residing in it. However, none of the 10 people she competed against were eligible, nor were their families.
As Empress, one had complete control over the public. It was an all powerful monarchy based on the Fixenda that occurred every time the old Empress had passed on. Before Styrgo fell to Rus, 98 Empresses had come into power between the years 200B.C.E. - 1250C.E..
As Empress, one had complete control over the public. It was an all powerful monarchy based on the Fixenda that occurred every time the old Empress had passed on. Before Styrgo fell to Rus, 98 Empresses had come into power between the years 200B.C.E. - 1250C.E..
Royal Family
The Royal Family was the entire family of the Empress. When an Empress took power, she had the choice to invite her family to the court with her or not. Joining court also meant living in the palace with the Empress and, if she decides to take one, Emperor. However, due to families often signing all of their daughters up for a chance to compete for the title of Empress, this caused many problems inside the palace. The most severe happened in 645 C.E. to Empress Cajsa.
Shortly after Cajsa had given birth to her daughter, the baby died, with some evidence suggesting deliberate strangulation, including allegations accusing her elder sister, Akkulia Wilfriad of murder. Cajsa's rival Akkulia was accused of having been seen near the child's room, with corroborating testimony by alleged eyewitnesses. The Royal Family was led to believe that Akkulia had the means to kill the child, and likely done so, motivated by jealousy. Akkulia lacked an alibi, and was unable to clear herself. Angry, Empress Cajsa visited the house of her uncle Nikolas Jukka, the head chancellor. During the meeting, Cajsa several times brought up the topic of Akkulias loss for the title of empress, a topic easily leading to an excuse sufficient to depose her; however, Nikolas repeatedly found ways to divert the conversation. Scientifically credible forensic pathology information about the death of the child does not exist, and scholars lack real, concrete evidence about her death. However, speculation seems to continue.
As traditional folklore tends to portray Cajsa as a power hungry woman with no care for who she hurt or what she did, the most popular theory on the subject is that Cajsa killed her own child in order to become the new empress. Other schools of thought argue that Akkulia indeed killed the child out of jealously and hatred toward Cajsa since Akkulia had lost the title of empress and if Cajsa killed her baby, the information could only come out of pure speculation, in direct contradiction to eyewitness' account and that there were other viable methods to discredit the empress beside infanticide. The third argument is that the child died of asphyxiation or crib death. This is a likely scenario considering that the ventilation systems of the time were non-existent or of poor quality. Lack of ventilation combined with using coal as a heating method could lead to a build-up of fumes that would lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. No matter what caused the death of the child, Cajsa blamed Akkulia for it and Akkulia was removed from the family.
Shortly after Cajsa had given birth to her daughter, the baby died, with some evidence suggesting deliberate strangulation, including allegations accusing her elder sister, Akkulia Wilfriad of murder. Cajsa's rival Akkulia was accused of having been seen near the child's room, with corroborating testimony by alleged eyewitnesses. The Royal Family was led to believe that Akkulia had the means to kill the child, and likely done so, motivated by jealousy. Akkulia lacked an alibi, and was unable to clear herself. Angry, Empress Cajsa visited the house of her uncle Nikolas Jukka, the head chancellor. During the meeting, Cajsa several times brought up the topic of Akkulias loss for the title of empress, a topic easily leading to an excuse sufficient to depose her; however, Nikolas repeatedly found ways to divert the conversation. Scientifically credible forensic pathology information about the death of the child does not exist, and scholars lack real, concrete evidence about her death. However, speculation seems to continue.
As traditional folklore tends to portray Cajsa as a power hungry woman with no care for who she hurt or what she did, the most popular theory on the subject is that Cajsa killed her own child in order to become the new empress. Other schools of thought argue that Akkulia indeed killed the child out of jealously and hatred toward Cajsa since Akkulia had lost the title of empress and if Cajsa killed her baby, the information could only come out of pure speculation, in direct contradiction to eyewitness' account and that there were other viable methods to discredit the empress beside infanticide. The third argument is that the child died of asphyxiation or crib death. This is a likely scenario considering that the ventilation systems of the time were non-existent or of poor quality. Lack of ventilation combined with using coal as a heating method could lead to a build-up of fumes that would lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. No matter what caused the death of the child, Cajsa blamed Akkulia for it and Akkulia was removed from the family.
Council
The council was made up of 15 average citizens of Styrgo. The first council was elected by Empress Kaziah, and arranged so that every year there would be another election and the public could vote for a new council. The council was there to bring public opinions on anything from festivals to death sentences. Council members and their families lived in homes provided by the Empress with food provided.
Voting
The process of voting was based in the throne room of the palace. Citizens would be lined up in the middle of the room and given two options on the west and east walls. The more people who had walked to one wall than the other would win.
Fixenda
Fixenda was the deciding battle of wits and strengths that decided each of Styrgos Empresses. Every Fixenda was different, but usually had the same base. There were three tasks set out to be completed by 10 female candidates from the previous Empress in her will, and they were monitored by the council.