he Tribunal of Necropoli is the highest meeting body in the Hierarchy in any national boundary. When the Necropoli were initially being formed it was much easier for Stygia to directly rule over them by making inspections and checking policy. As times have changed the erratic nature of the Tempest and the constant threat of attacks from roving bands of Spectres, Renegades, or bandits has made constant travel between Stygia and the Shadowlands less than reliable. This combined with Stygia’s growing preoccupations with its own affairs, has caused the Necropoli to be left to their own devices. Since the disappearance of Charon, having the Tribunals based around national boundaries became accepted practice as Stygian officials became more preoccupied with other things. The Tribunal made the most sense and now allows the officials to be able to meet with all Necropoli in an area at once.

In terms of game play, a Tribunal has jurisdiction over the region(s) they are called in. In the UK, a Tribunal covers the entire nation and in the past covered Ireland as well. In the United States, a Tribunal in the Pacific Northwest would cover only the Northwest of the nation. The borders are the OOC regions of the US -- this rule was implemented due to OOC game size. Truly national Tribunals in the US are only ever convened at national events.

An interesting side effect of this is that if an Anacreon Council of a Necropoli from a different nation or region wishes to attend another nation's or region's Tribunal, they can. If they wish to take part then they agree to stand by the rulings of that Tribunal. For example, a Council from Germany taking part in a Tribunal in Ireland agrees to stand by the rules dictated there; for definition's sake, taking part is the process of voting on any issue. One may speak freely and not take part – because the act of casting a vote is all that matters. It is still possible to influence Tribunals elsewhere in the nation outside your region. It is at the Tribunal gatherings that differences are settled, old scores paid off, complaints heard, common policy agreed upon... in short, it is the way that the councils of Anacreons get to interact, back-stab and generally have fun at each other’s expense.

Given the size of nations and considering that within each region there will be at least one Tribunal a year, it is painfully obvious that not every Necropoli’s Anacreon Council can reach every Tribunal. This can present a problem if they are part of the region (or nation) and a Tribunal that they cannot attend is debating something they feel passionately about, or that will affect them adversely. The Council could send representatives or have a nearby Necropoli cast their vote for them... but there is an easier way. They can form a political alliance with other Necropoli and take part in a major Citadel vs. Citadel level of intrigue.

Tribunal of Necropoli Rules

• The Tribunal of Necropoli can only meet at large gatherings (Regional event or national events). At least two Necropoli are needed to summon a Tribunal.
• The Agenda must be made clear ahead of time, to allow those Necropoli who are just forming to try and get their voices heard within the context of their own Necropoli.
• If any Anacreon cannot attend, they may send a Representative.
• Within the Tribunal, all Necropoli are equal. Each Necropoli has one vote on issues.
• The Council decides all political issues affecting the Shadowlands of that region/nation. The Council may decide upon legal matters and the Unlidded Eye will usually back them up, provided the laws do not deviate from Charon’s original vision.
• There must be a minimum of five Necropoli present for it to be a legitimate Tribunal.
• If there are 10 or more Necropoli, the Tribunals decisions are considered in effect for the area. If less, the decisions can be changed at another Tribunal. If less than Seven Necropoli meet, the decisions made there must be ratified at another Tribunal where there are at least seven. The only exception to this is when a Region or Nation has less than Seven Necropoli, at which time; the results of the Tribunal are binding if, and only if, every Necropoli in the Region/Nation attends.
• A Necropolis may give their vote to another Necropolis. In this event, that Necropolis is under no obligation to vote the same way as the Necropolis who gave them their vote. Necropoli holding more than one vote must make sure it is known and cleared by presenting an IC letter, or by an OOC letter or phone call to the ST of the event.
• The power of Tribunals is that they allow Necropoli to dictate to other Necropoli how they want things run. One Necropoli cannot openly undermine another Necropoli; rather, they can express their displeasure at the actions of another Necropoli by bringing about a motion of Bad Standing.

Representatives for the Anacreons

An Anacreon’s Representative can be anyone from their home Necropoli, but they must also uphold the following:

• The Representative must be authorized by the Anacreon who is sending them. Proof is required in either an IC letter or an OOC letter/phone call to the ST of the event.
• The STs involved must know about the authorized representative.

Necropoli of Bad Standing

A Necropoli is judged by its fellow Necropoli. The worst thing that can happen is to be called a "Necropoli of Bad Standing."

Motion of Bad Standing

Acts, which automatically qualify for a Motion of Bad Standing to be put against a Necropoli (it still has to be voted upon by the fellow Necropoli)...

• Harboring a criminal hunted by The Unlidded Eye or the Hierarchy
• Exposed to be aiding the enemies of the Hierarchy
• Bring a false accusation against a fellow Necropoli
• Bringing a Motion of Bad Standing that fails - this is a double-edged sword: Bring a Motion and it succeeds and you can make a Necropoli bow to your will. Bring it and it fails and you suffer.
• Not paying a Citadel Level Sanction
• Ignoring Status
• Any of your Anacreon Council is discovered to be not of the Hierarchy (spectre, renegade, heretic)

Other than this, anything can be used to bring a Motion of Bad Standing against a fellow Necropolis; it is just role-played out. Remember that if you bring a Motion and it FAILS, you automatically suffer one against you. You have dared to accuse another Necropolis of a transgression and possibly undermine the stability of the Hierarchy in the Shadowlands, and the majority of Necropoli will not support you. You are obviously unsuitable for the standards of the Hierarchy.

Effects

• All wraiths from that Necropoli are distrusted (down two ranks in Status Comparisons against those not of that Necropolis).
• No other Necropolis or its legions is under any obligation to help the offending Necropolis - better that the Renegades should destroy a city than the poison harbored there should spread!
• All alliances, deals and bargains done with the offending Necropolis are now null and void until the Bad Standing is revoked.
• All Sanctions made with Wraiths from that Necropolis are now null and void until the Bad Standing is revoked.
• Residents are made unwelcome in other Necropoli.
• The Chancellors or Overlords may topple their Council, if a simple majority votes them out.

As you can see, being a Necropoli of Bad Standing means increased political instability and the wraiths from there are treated terribly. This is how it is meant to be. Remember, to gain Bad Standing means the Anacreon Council has not acted in a manner expected by its peers. Hopefully, this will create a situation of instability and upset and the Anacreon Council will be forced to make it up to the other Necropoli before the underlings decide to topple the Council, which is now MUCH easier to do (rank vs. rank intrigue).

Motions of Bad Standing and the Tribunals where they are discussed are the main IC way the Campaign is policed. It places the moderation of the society in the hands of the PCs. Henceforth, if a Citadel is faced with a nearby Necropolis which harbors (or seems to harbor) rogue Hierarchy members, renegades, heretics or any minions of Oblivion and is unhappy with this, they no longer bother the ST’s about it. The Necropoli simply react IC- they call a Tribunal and place a Motion of Bad Standing against their fellow Necropoli. If enough Necropoli’s agree then the Wraiths of that Necropolis shall suffer until either the Anacreon Council or someone else within that Necropolis sorts out the problem once and for all. All interaction is now regulated IC.

What is acceptable IC behavior? That is for the Councils of Anacreons throughout the Necropoli to decide. These Protocols do give a hint as to how it goes.

In short, a good Citadel is one who upholds the Status quo -- does not rock the boat, maintains a strong Necropolis and works with fellow Necropoli to enforce stability and security throughout the Shadowlands. To do anything else is leaving you open to a Motion of Bad Standing.

The main problem with Motions of Bad Standing is that if you call one and it fails you automatically have one brought against you.

OOC note: At this level of event it is not uncommon for high level NPC’s to be present such as The Unlidded Eye and any number of the Deathlords of the Legions, so being on your best behavior is advisable. Once again, all these characters are NPCs and are not eligible to be played by any PC.