Omrazir: Government

The chief authority in Omrazir is the bey himself, the provincial governor of all Raziya. He rules from his palace in the heights of the West City, aided by a circle of councillors and a host of government functionaries. The Raziyan court is a mirror of the caliphal court back in Sirdab, headed similarly by a grand vizier and hajib, or chamberlain, along with the lesser viziers who lead the three divans of government: the divan of the chancery, the divan of the treasury, and the divan of military records. The bey is advised by a council composed of these viziers, along with the amir, or high military commander of Raziya, and the qadi of the Elucidarium.

The bey of Raziya has traditionally been drawn from the caliphal family itself, though the exact reason for this tradition is uncertain. Most likely it was influenced by the spiritual and political importance of Omrazir itself, with its key geographic position and its vital role as champion of the Azadi faith in its early years.

Despite the presence of a direct relative of the caliph acting as the bey of Omrazir, day-to-day governance of the city is largely decentralized, being apportioned out -- or simply appropriated by -- various entities throughout the city. These neighborhood-based entities are generally responsible for mediating disputes within and among quarters, enforcing building codes and curfews, policing minor matters, coordinating market days, observing holy days and public celebrations, and maintaining public infrastructure and buildings (streets, bath houses, local mosques and temples, etc.). Depending on the neighborhood in question, such positions of informal authority may be invested in either an individual or a family, and may be appointed, voted on by certain community members, or inherited along family lines.