The Outer Circle of Government
While the Outer Circle of Government has no set parameters defining membership, all of the national Departments and Offices headed by members of the Royal Court are considered to be default branches of the Outer Circle when the head is not a formal member of the Inner Circle of Government.
The Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is headed by the Royal Exchequer. Initially formed to maintain the duke's finances, it has since grown in scope to include the collection of various taxes, rents, tariffs, and other monies due to the nation, regulating the banking industry, and maintaining the treasury. To this end it operates the Royal Bank which holds the grand duke's wealth and enforcing banking policies on lesser banks. It also encompasses the Office of Land Management, which is the functions as the collection branch for the various monies owed by citizens and businesses.
The Department of War
The Department of War is currently headed by the Captain of the Navy. The department is responsible for national defense. While nation maintains a position of neutrality in regards to international conflicts, it maintains a military force in the event of attack or invasion. Because of its limited scope, the department is traditional headed by either the General of the Army or the Captain of the Navy, the senior ranking officials of their respective branches. While the army and navy have always maintained their fighting prowess, the army is predominantly a ceremonial unit except for units stationed along the borders. The navy functions as a port authority, maintaining laws on the seas and performing search and rescue missions. During the Ice Cold War the army and navy became an offensive forced and bolstered their ranks through a national draft, but they have since returned to their traditional roles.
The Department of Justice
The Department of Justice is headed by the Royal Reeve. The Department is responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice. Originally, the investigating officer would go before the court to present the evidence before a judge. As the Duchy grew it became necessary to separate the duties into the more traditional roles of police and attorneys. Thus the Royal Reeve is responsible for the oversight of the both the offices of the Royal Police Force and the Royal Attorneys. The position of Royal Reeve is primarily a bureaucratic role, with high ranking attorneys, or even justices, called upon to provide legal advice. The Department also maintains a list of qualified candidates for the judiciary.
The Department of Health
The Department of Medicine is headed by the Royal Barber-Surgeon.
The Department of Education
The Department of Education is headed by the Royal Tutor.
The Department of the Wilderness
The Department of the Wilderness is currently headed by the Royal Game Warden. The Department is responsible for handling all aspects of wildlife within the Grand Duchy. It's primary responsibility is to operate and maintain the national parks and forests. In this manner it oversees the Forestry Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, promotes conservation and environmental issues, and regulates hunting.
The Department is also tasked with maintaining the royal forests and ensuring a healthy and diversified population of wild game. The royal forests fall under the purview of both the Royal Seneschal and the Royal Game Warden, as the forests are part of the Grand Duke's private lands. To reduce conflict, the Royal Venerer heads the Royal Forest Service and reports to both. The Royal Forest Service is staffed by the Department of the Wilderness, and includes the Royal Falconer, Royal Luparii, and the Royal Equerry.
The Department also administers the Annex of Moosylvania, which is mostly woodlands, swamp and lake. The Moosylvanian arm of the Department of the Wilderness uses Mucho Loma as its base of operation as most of the infrastructure was already in place. The forestry service operates out of the Old Governor's Mansion so that it can better accommodate the few tourists who vacation on Veronica Lake. The few citizens who maintain residence in Moosylvania are all employed by the department, since most other citizens are unwilling to live in the Annex.
The Department is also tasked with maintaining the royal forests and ensuring a healthy and diversified population of wild game. The royal forests fall under the purview of both the Royal Seneschal and the Royal Game Warden, as the forests are part of the Grand Duke's private lands. To reduce conflict, the Royal Venerer heads the Royal Forest Service and reports to both. The Royal Forest Service is staffed by the Department of the Wilderness, and includes the Royal Falconer, Royal Luparii, and the Royal Equerry.
The Department also administers the Annex of Moosylvania, which is mostly woodlands, swamp and lake. The Moosylvanian arm of the Department of the Wilderness uses Mucho Loma as its base of operation as most of the infrastructure was already in place. The forestry service operates out of the Old Governor's Mansion so that it can better accommodate the few tourists who vacation on Veronica Lake. The few citizens who maintain residence in Moosylvania are all employed by the department, since most other citizens are unwilling to live in the Annex.
The Royal Seneschal
The Royal Seneschal is responsible for maintaining all of the royal residences and private lands.
The Office of the Royal Herald
The Office of the Royal Herald is an independent office headed by the Royal Herald. The Office acts as a press agent and spokesman for the Grand Duke. It is responsible for issuing press releases, addressing questions of national policy, and publishing all Royal and Sovereign Ordinances. The Office prints the Frostbite Falls Far-Flung Flyer, which it uses to publish actions of the government, news, information and all new ordinance enacted by the Grand Duke. The Office maintains a cadre of heralds who may be employed by members of the Royal Family when performing in an official capacity and at all formal events. The Office also employs a town crier whose job is to read Sovereign Ordinances in the town square of the City of Frostbite Falls once they have been enacted.
The Office of the Royal Jester
The Office of the Royal Jester is an independent office headed by a chairman, though the Royal Jester is seen as the figurehead. Each year the Office holds a comedy/variety festival with the winner being appointed the Royal Jester. While this was initially the extent of the Office, its scope has increased to include a wide array cultural activity. The Office holds annual award ceremonies recognizing excellence in film, television, music and radio, theater, literature, and comedy, as well as organizing various festivals, parades, and events celebrating national holidays and promoting the history of Frostbite Falls.
The College of Arms
The College of Arms is an independent office headed by the Royal Duke of Arms. It is responsible for regulating and granting armorial bearings. The College maintains the arms and genealogical records of all members of nobility in the Grand Duchy, including those of knights and dames. After letters patent are issued by the Grand Duke authorizing one to bear arms, requests are submitted to the College. The College must determine if the arms meet the standards of acceptance and differentiation. They are then submitted to the Royal Duke of Arms who must give his consent before they are granted to the petitioner.
Prominent Members of the Outer Circle
Duchess Ecaterina Elena - Lord Mayor of the City of Frostbite Falls
Lord ? - Lord Mayor of the City of Submerbia
Sir Thomas Lippen-Boris - Magistrate of the Province of Pottsylvania
Lady Constance - Farming Magnate
Lady Isabel - Chancellor of the Moose Institute of Toe-dancing
Lord ? - Lord Mayor of the City of Submerbia
Sir Thomas Lippen-Boris - Magistrate of the Province of Pottsylvania
Lady Constance - Farming Magnate
Lady Isabel - Chancellor of the Moose Institute of Toe-dancing