A picture of his Serenity the Doge of Venoa (37 IA) in his ceremonial garb. In the Serene Republic all adult citizens have the vote though some can earn additional votes through various means (military service, being a master artisan, owning property, paying extra taxes) and only the wealthy Patrician class can run for office. Every five years an election is held in which the people of Venoa vote on which sixteen candidates should serve on the Council of Fifteen. There is no regional representation, simply a list of active candidates that one can vote for and the first through sixteenth runners in the race get onto the council. The top four elected candidates can be voted into the office of doge by their fellow council members, as can a previous incumbent provided that he gets enough votes to remain in in the council after elections. The elected individual is at removed from the council and presides over it. At various points in history the Doge has been either a near absolute ruler and others a puppet of the council. In 37 IA the office has more influence than actual power, but is still an active player in policy making.





