Monarchy of Orioni

Empress of Orioni
Incumbent
Joni I of Orioni since 1 March 2003 - present
Details
Style	Her Imperial and Royal Highness
Heir apparent	Alesia, Grand Princess of Dion
First monarch	Anahita
Residence	Imperial Palace of O'polis Royal Castle of Ierakshini
Appointer	Hereditary
Website	www.monarchy.io

This overview of the Monarchs of Orioni presents the traditional order of succession. Records of the reigns of the Empresses and Queens of Orioni are compiled according to the traditional Orinese calendar. In the Hanzei system, which has been in use since the late-fourth century, years are numbered using the Orinese era name and the number of years which have taken place since that era started. The sequence, order, and dates of the first 28 Monarchs of Orioni, and especially the first 16, are based on the Orinese lunar calendar system.

Imperial family

As a hereditary constitutional monarchy system, the role, and operation of Orioni's monarchy is governed by the Constitution. The imperial office of Empress is designated solely for a female descendant of the first monarch of Orioni, Anahita. The oldest daughter is known as the Heiress Apparent and is educated in the art of politics, responsibilities, and intrigue. The oldest son is known as the ‘Champion Prince of the Golden Sword’ and is expected to command the royal ‘Golden Guard’ and advise his sister in military affairs. If there is no son of a suitable age, a Captain will be appointed as the commander of the royal guard.

Currently, the imperial household consists of the following members:

• HI&RH Joni I, Empress of Orioni (The monarch), Defender of the Four Shores, Queen of Dion, Queen of Meda, Prima of Oris, Guardian of Mount Silesto, Guiding Light of the Oriental San, Pearl of all People
• HRH Alesia, Grand Princess of Dion (The Empress' cousin), first in line to inherit the throne should The Empress remain daughterless
  • Unnamed daughter, second in line to inherit the throne
• TRH Duchess and Duke of Perseus (The Empress's cousin and cousin-in-law), third in line to inherit the throne
• TRH Duchess and Duke of Andro (The Empress's cousin and cousin-in-law), fourth in line to inherit the throne
• HRH Toren Nabérrie, Prince of Orioni (The Empress' brother), Champion Prince of the Golden Sword, commander in the Imperial Orinese Navy
• HGDH Graeme Nabérrie, former Prince consort, Archduke of Sirius (The Empress' father)

Succession

Succession to the Crown of Orioni follows the line of the House of Nabérrie,

• Jomi Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1912)
  • Oshita Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1926)
    • Owa Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1989)
      • Hensei Nabérrie (1958 – 2003)
        • HRH Toren Nabérrie (b. 1979), Prince of Orioni
        • HI&RH Joni I (b. 1982), Empress of Orioni
      • $personName (1960 – 2021)
        • (1) HRH Alesia (b. 1988), Grand Princess of Dion
          • (2) Unnamed daughter.
      • (3) TRH $personName, Duchess of Perseus
        • (4) TRH $personName, Duchess of Andro

Ancestors

Ancestors of Monarchy of Orioni
4. $omeguy Montrose 2. HGDH Graeme Nabérrie (Né Montrose) (b. 1945) 5. $omegal 1. HI&RH Joni Nabérrie (b. 1982) 6. $omeguy 3. Hensei Nabérrie (1958 – 2003) 14. $omeguy 7. Owa Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1989) 30. Giuseppe Korvini 15. Oshita Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1926) 31. Jomi Nabérrie ($birthyear – 1912)

Regnal name

A regnal name, or reign name, is the name used by monarchs during their reigns and used subsequently to refer to them. Since ancient times, monarchs have frequently, but not always, chosen to use a different name from their original name when they accede to the monarchy. The monarchs of Orioni have traditionally used the regnal name “of Orioni”, followed by a regnal number (ordinal), usually written as an Aroman numeral (for example: V rather than 5), to provide a unique identification for that monarch among other monarchs of that realm.

Crown jewels

The Crown Jewels of Orioni are 15 royal ceremonial objects kept in the Sun Tower of O'polis, which include the regalia and vestments worn by Orinese empresses at their coronations. Objects used to invest and crown the monarch variously denote her role as head of state. The regalia also include the water lily sceptre.

The Marin set includes a diamond tiara and matching necklace, whose design was based on Tamurin roses. The tiara has three floral brooches which can be detached and used separately. The necklace was made consisting of 38 diamonds with a diamond-encrusted snap. A detachable double-drop pendant, made of 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop, makes up the pave-set centre of the necklace.

• 

  Necklace of the Orinese Crown jewels.

• 

  Reproduction of the sahaswāra ("thousand-petaled") crown of Lady Anahita. Scene from the film Nin āna ātīta t’ebībani (1979).

• 

  Crown and jewellery box from the late First Empire, c. 10th Century CE.

Matrilineality

Matrilineality is the tracing of descent through the female line. It is the societal system of Orioni in which each person is identified with their matriline – their mother's lineage – and which involves the inheritance of property, succession, and titles. In a matrilineal descent system, an individual is considered to belong to the same descent group as her or his mother. This matrilineal descent pattern contrasts with the more common pattern of patrilineal descent from which a family name is usually derived. The matriline of historical nobility was also called her or his enatic or uterine ancestry, corresponding to the patrilineal or “agnatic” ancestry.

Orinese women enjoy high status within their society, compared with their Europan counterparts and with other oriental nations: Orinese social status is transmitted through women, with residence often matrilocal. Most women could read and write, while most men were illiterate, concerning themselves mainly with herding livestock and other male activities. The livestock and other movable property were owned by the women, whereas personal property is owned and inherited regardless of gender. In contrast to most other oriental cultural groups, men wear veils, but women do not.

Succession

In the realm of Orioni, the order of succession is dictated by a distinctive practice known as female-preference uterine primogeniture. According to this tradition, inheritance rights are granted exclusively to legitimate descendants who hail from the female line. Among siblings of the same gender, the elder child is given preference over the younger ones, ensuring that males are excluded entirely from the inheritance process. Such a system unequivocally rules out the inheritance rights for an illegitimate child of royalty, often termed a “Royal bastard” in other countries, some of which are regarded as less civilised in this context. Following her ascent to the throne, a queen reigns until her demise.

In cases where a monarch does not have a daughter, the realm of Orioni might witness what is termed an Irregular Succession. Under this scenario, the crown is bequeathed to the eldest female cousin of the preceding monarch. While such transitions of power are laden with tension and uncertainty, they infrequently escalate to violence. Notably, Orioni, especially in contrast with several neighbouring countries in Europa, consistently portrays an image of unity and resilience. Any internal discord or division is minimised, at least in the perception presented to the external world.

Funeral

Entrance of the Imperial Graveyard.

The death of a monarch is a significant event marked by traditional rites and observances. One such revered practice is the singing of a sacred hymn, believed to bid farewell to the departed monarch and guide her spirit towards the ethereal realm. This hymn is deeply rooted in Orioni's cultural heritage and is believed to reflect the collective aspirations of the people for their monarch's peaceful journey into the afterlife. The recitation of this hymn not only serves as a farewell gesture but is also an embodiment of Orioni's cultural, spiritual, and historical ties to its monarchy. It accentuates the hope that the departed monarch, while no longer present in the physical realm, will continue to watch over Orioni from the heavens. The verses emphasise the transition from the tangible world (i.e. Eurth) to the intangible, and the overarching theme of cyclical continuity underscores the transient nature of life and the enduring spirit of leadership. The hymn goes as follows:

Open are the double doors of the horizon
Unlocked are its bolts
Men fall
Their name is not
Seize thou this queen by her arm
Take this queen to the sky
That she not die on Eurth
Among men

Accession and coronation

19th century painting on the throne room.

In the realm of Orioni, the death of a reigning monarch signals an essential transition period. The designated heir, as determined by the order of succession, steps into the role of the monarch without delay, ensuring that the continuity of leadership remains uninterrupted. This seamless transition is further emphasised by a formal public proclamation, which heralds the commencement of a new monarch's reign, symbolising both continuity and the dawn of a fresh chapter for the nation. In line with the longstanding traditions and legal stipulations of Orioni, each incoming sovereign, at the onset of their reign, is bound to make and formally affirm specific oaths that have been handed down through generations. These oaths embody the responsibilities, expectations, and the sacred bond between the monarch and the Orinese people. The pinnacle of these accession rituals is the coronation ceremony, a grand affair that unfolds in the opulent surroundings of the imperial palace's throne room. The task of presiding over this auspicious event is traditionally bestowed upon the most venerable member of the imperial household, proof of the gravitas and solemnity of the occasion. Notwithstanding its significance, it is imperative to note that the act of coronation is symbolic; a monarch's authority to govern is not contingent upon this ceremony. Practical considerations, such as the need for thorough planning and an official mourning period, typically dictate that the coronation be held a few months after the new monarch's accession. A highlight of the coronation ceremony is the rendition of a time-honoured hymn, which is believed to evoke blessings and divine guidance for the newly crowned monarch:

Open are the double doors of the horizon
Unlocked are its bolts
Clouds darken the sky
The stars rain down
The constellations stagger
The bones of hellhounds tremble
The porters are silent
When they see this queen
Dawning as a soul

List of dynastic periods

For a full overview of each monarch, please see the official list of Monarchs of Orioni. For brevity, we have listed the historical periods of the monarchy in Orioni. This can be compared to dynasties with specific characteristics.

Order	Period	Duration	Note
1	Erwanin period	980-581 BCE	Queendom established
2	Nintoku period	581 BCE-313 CE	First Orioni Empire established
3	Hanzei period	313-758	-
4	Mikito period	758-884	Expansion into Magna Europa
5	Yasu period	884-930	-
6	Ira period	930-1087	Imperial grandeur leads to unrest; Black Death plagues the empire; failed assassination; imperial law review; civil war
7	Ino period	1087-1318	End of civil war; Second Orioni Empire established; Hierapolis re-founded as Zuidhaven
8	Taneino period	1318-1500	Colonial empire
9	Oino period	1500-1663	-
10	Owara period	1663-1709	-
11	Ogimachi period	1709-1771	Elevation (pseudo-Enlightenment)
12	Omei period	1771-1867	Industrialisation
13	Nabérrie period	1867-present	Decolonisation

Erwanin

Nintoku

Hanzei

Mikito

Yasu

Ira

Ino

Taneino

Oino

Owara

Ogimachi

Omei

Nabérrie

↓Queendom

↓Unification (Empire)

↓Pearl Road

↓Civil war

↓Colonisation

↓Decolonisation

│

−1000

│

−800

│

−600

│

−400

│

−200

│

0

│

200

│

400

│

600

│

800

│

1000

│

1200

│

1400

│

1600

│

1800

│

2000

Dynastic periods of Orioni.

Pretenders to the throne

Carla Estada (right), Duchess of Meda.

In the eleventh century, two lines of the Imperial clan, Western Court and Eastern Court, claimed the throne. Their rivalry led to a brutal Civil War (1023-1174). The Eastern Court, also known as the “Medanese Pretenders” or “Akrep Pretenders”, conquered all of southern Orioni, taking the capital in 1063 and installing Empress Osirsep as the 1st of the Pretenders. The Reconquista managed to restore the Orioni line, but this rival claim was never resolved. After the restoration, rival claimants to the throne of the empire of Orioni continue from the Medanese line, from 1056 until today. A prophecy from the 16th Century claims that: “The Crown of Crowns shall be destroyed when blades of light pierce the sky. On that day, the twinkling stars will show the way, and the dragon will fly once more.” The current rival claimant is Carla Estada (°1947), Duchess of Meda. However, the Orinese government has formally declared the eastern claimants as unlawful pretenders.

External links

• www.monarchy.io (official website)