Each historical nation in Rulers of the Sea is a constitutional monarchy. This form of government is not always historically accurate but it ensures that each nation in the game has an identical system of government. The Monarch is the head of state, while elected officials, led by the Prime-Minister, run the daily affairs of state.
Where-ever possible, historical Monarchs are based on real historical people and their successions will take place according to real historic dates. If a nation had no monarch, as might be the case when the nation wasn’t organized in such a way, one is invented.
Monarchs are real characters in the game and they are operated by game masters whenever they are needed. Monarchs can act in person and by mail and have the power to intervene with government whenever they see fit. As a head of state their power is supreme.
Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses have their seat in a royal palace in their capital. There they can be seen at certain times a day, going about their daily routines, but they remain unapproachable for anyone that comes to see them. In this state, the Monarch is operated by AI.
Monarchs decide when people can join the Knightly Order of the nation or when they are granted Noble Titles. In part this happens automatically after certain events, but the Monarch can also decide independently to reward someone, or strip someone of their titles. On occasion the Monarch will also promote exceptional Commoners (free to play gamers) to Nobility.
The Monarch can decide to sack a Cabinet. This means that all ministers are instantly dismissed and new elections are immediately issued. This is an extreme measure that a Monarch will only take when a government is corrupt, offensive or incompetent in the extreme. To prevent this from happening a Monarch can schedule meetings with the Prime-Minister in the royal palace to consult the government on his or her opinions.
The Monarch can overturn court rulings from the Lord Chief Justice. This should rarely happen and will only occur when a ruling is found to be extremely unjust, for instance out of reasons of corruption and personal enrichment.
In most cases a Monarch will rarely involve him- or herself in matters of state. It is good custom to let the Cabinet rule the nation independently. Citizens can petition the Monarch when they feel grave injustice has been done but there is no guarantee they will ever get a reply. However, governments should not be surprised if their Monarch employs others in secrecy to subtly influence state affairs.