Rockport is a monarchy. Owing to the influence of the Triple Goddess, the ruler of Rockport will always be male. The first ruler of Rockport is the current ruler, Grand Duke Rocco Deparle. He is supported in his rulership by several Departments who provide him with advise on key aspects of the realm's management, and by a group of Lords and Ladies.
The Lords & Ladies of the Realm of Rockport rule parts of the realm on the behalf of their liege-lord the ruler of Rockport - currently Grand Duke Deparle. The Lords & Ladies provide justice for, and guard the freedom of, the citizens of Rockport. They also administer the local area on behalf of the ruler of Rockport.
Grand Duke Deparle, together with his Lords & Ladies of the Realm of Rockport, own most of the land on Rochesse. Citizens are leased allotments of land at the suffereance of the ruler for which they pay a rent. This rent is the major tax of Rockport and is rigidly enforced and gathered by the Watch Cohort. The tax is higher for non-citizens.
Citizens of Rockport gain the following benefits:
- cheaper rent and taxes;
- free medical and healing services, provided by the churches of the Triple Goddess;
- favoured status under the law (cases are heard first, leniency is normally given, and so on);
- the right of appeal at law in serious crime cases to the ruler to have him judge the case;
- the right to appeal for aid from the ruler - this right is able to be claimed at any time, and includes appeals for aid against poverty and hardship.
Citizens' Oath. New citizens to Rockport are required to take the following oath when they qualify for the citizenship.
From this time forward, under the Triple Goddess, I pledge my loyalty to Rockport and its people, whose beliefs of Freedom and Justice I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
What Rockport looks for in its citizens:
* We ask that they understand what becoming a citizen means.
* We expect them to have a basic knowledge of Eastron (Eastern Common) and Makai (the trade tongue of the Dread Sea). They should be able to understand and talk to other Rockport citizens. (Language training is available for new citizens.)
* We expect them to understand the responsibilities and privileges of Rockport citizenship.
* We want them to be of good character.
* We expect them to either live permanently in Rockport, or have a close association with Rockport.
Currently Rockport citizenship is restrictive in that someone owning citizenship in another realm cannot hold Rockport citizenship.