Monarchy of Ossoria

High Queen of Ossoria
Ard-Bhanríon na Osraí
Federal
Incumbent
Tara Ní Sionán since 13 August 2010
Details
Style	Her Royal Majesty
Heir presumptive	Crown Princess Nerys Ní Sionán
First monarch	Cerball
Formation	827 CE
Residence	Caisleán na Kenlis
Appointer	Hereditary

The Monarchy of Ossoria, commonly referred to as the Sceptre of Ossoria, is the executive monarchy of the High Kingdom of Ossoria. Originally a pseudo-elective monarchy, it transitioned to a hereditary monarchy in 1483 CE after High King Fergus put an end to the Wars of the Cousins. Every Monarch who has held the Sceptre has come from the Ó Sionán Dynasty. The current Monarch is High Queen Tara Ní Sionán, who assumed the throne in 2010.

Role in Government

Executive

The Monarch serves as the head of state, the chief executive of the Ossorian Realm, and the commander-in-cheif of the Ossorian Armed Forces. The Monarch is supported in this by the Royal Household, which is based in the Caisleán na Kenlis in the Old City of Kenlis. The head of the Household is the Principal Secretary to the Monarch, who oversees the daily operation of the Royal estates and support staff.

The Monarch rules the Realm with the aid of the Privy Council, which is composed of the ministers of governmental departments, senior military officers, and select members of the Court. Councilors are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Monarch with the advice of the Taoiseach, who serves as the prime minister of the Council and the head of government.

Legislative

The Monarch delegates much of their legislative powers to the Dáil Osraí, the tricameral legislature of Ossoria. The Monarch retains the power to grant or withhold Royal Assent to legislation passed by the Dáil, to convene and dissolve the Dáil, and to propose legislation.

Judicial

The Monarch delegates their judicial powers to the High Bench of Ossoria, the supreme court of Ossoria.

Titles, Styles and Honors

The traditional full title of the current Monarch is:

English: Her Royal Majesty Tara, High Queen of Ossoria, Queen of Kenlis and her other territories, Grand Duchess of Kenlis and Gabhrán, Lord of the Isles, Lord Protector of the Realm, Guardian of the Holy Temple, and Chief of Her Name

Ossorian Gaelic: A Soilse Ríoga Tara, Ard-Bhanríon na Osraí, Banríon na Cheanannas agus a críocha eile, Ard-Bandiúc na Ceanannas agus Gabhrán, Tiarna na nOileán, Tiarna Cosantóir na Ríochta, Caomhnóir an Teampaill Naofa, agus Ceannasaí a Ainm

Symbols of the Monarchy

Regalia

The primary symbol and regalia of the Monarch is the Ríshlat Osraí, a sceptre with a white wooden shaft inlaid with silver and amethyst. It symbolizes the legitimate authority of the Monarch, and thus 'The Sceptre' has come to be a common reference to the Monarchy as an institution in common parlance.

The three minor regalias of the Monarch are the sword Lasair an Iarthair, the coronation stone Cloch Cinniúint, and a gold circlet. The sword was forged for and used by Cerball, the first High King of Ossoria, and has been an heirloom of the Monarch since the establishment of the title. The stone was the site where the monarchs of the Ossorian kingdoms swore fealty to Cerball after his victory over the Vadran coalition in 827 CE. Originally a large standing stone sited on a hill outside of Kenlis, it was moved into the Castle and incorporated into the throne as its back. The circlet has gone through several iterations, with the current being a gift from the. These regalias represent the three guiding virtues of a monarch: the sword represents will, the stone represents humility, and the circlet represents wisdom.

Succession Laws

Succession to the Sceptre of Ossoria follows absolute primogeniture with additional conditions which have largely been in place since the Edict of Succession of 1483 CE. As such, the line of the firstborn child of the reigning Monarch takes precedence in the line succession, regardless of their sex. In the event that a High King has multiple wives, the children of the seniormost wife, determined by order and rank of their marriage, take precedence in order of their birth. This does not apply in the event that a High Queen has multiple husbands.

Prospective heirs begin their education in the skills necessary to govern on their eighth birthday in addition to their normal educations, at which time they are publicly announced to be a possible heir. At the age of eighteen, an aspiring heir is named to the rulership of the Principality of Inis, which they are to govern on their own merits for at least three years. If they are determined to be incompetent or otherwise unsuited to rule, they are removed from the succession and the next in line is next tested until an Heir is confirmed.

Rídhamhna

In addition to the Monarch, five senior members of the Ossorian Royal Family are appointed as Rídhamhna, literally translated as 'those of kingly material'. The Rídhamhna may, in the name and on behalf of the Monarch, discharge specifically delegated powers of the Monarch in accordance with the Monarch's directives.

In the event of the Monarch being incapacitated or otherwise unavailable, the Rídhamhna may, in accordance with specific letters patent, exercise some or all of the powers of the Monarch. These letters patent delineate what powers may be exercised, by whom, under what conditions, and for how long they may be exercised and may be amended or revoked at the pleasure of the Monarch.

However, any three Rídhamhna may summon and preside over a meeting of the Privy Council and a unanimous decision of the Council may entrust the Rídhamhna with powers not entrusted to them by the Monarch under the Council's emergency authority.