A KING SITS ON A CARVEN THRONE IN MANY PILLARED HALLS OF STONE WITH SHINING LAMPS OF CRYSTAL HEWN; IN MORIA, IN KHAZAD-DUM Khazad-dûm Welcome, traveler, to the House of the Silver Deeps!      From atop the highest perch of Middle-earth, Khazad-dûm, the Tower of Durin overlooks the lands of dwarves. Built in the Golden Age of Khazad-dûm, it still stands as a reminder of the strength of Durin's House, and has come to symbolize the order of the House of the Silver Deeps. The Order of the House of the Silver Deeps      The Order of the House of the Silver Deeps is given among many ranks, ranging from the King of the House of Durin, to whom all of the House of the Silver Deeps are loyal subjects and vassals, to the common folk of the fiefdom of the House of the Silver Deeps. Below are listed the ranks of the Order of the House of the Silver Deeps and how they are to be appointed: King of the House of Durin           All dwarves of the House of the Silver Deeps are, above all, loyal subjects and vassals of the King of the House of Durin, and serve all the House of Durin in all endeavors. Lord of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Lord of the House of the Silver Deeps is a direct vassal of the King of the House of Durin, and all his lands, his fiefdom, granted by charter from the King. The Lord is elected by the Nobles of the Silver Deeps. Consul of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Consul of the House of the Silver Deeps is appointed by the Lord, and is the chief ambassador and emissary of the House of the Silver Deeps. Justices of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Justices of the House of the Silver Deeps are appointed by the Lord from the nobility, and, upon becoming Justices, are not members of the Council. The Council of the Silver Deeps           The Council of the Silver Deeps is comprised of Councilmen, elected by Nobles from the pool of Lesser Nobles. Greater Nobles, being of executive office, may not serve as Councilmen. Lesser Nobles           All members, except those being the Lord, Consul, Councilmen, Justices, or Greater Nobles, are Lesser Nobles, serving to aid the Greater Nobles in their appointed tasks. Greater Nobles           From the pool of Lesser Nobles, Greater Nobles are appointed by the Lord of the House of the Silver Deeps, or Consul [for ambassadors and messengers only], to carry out a certain task. The Army of the Silver Deeps           All members of the House of the Silver Deeps are warriors in the Army, which is headed by the Lord and selected Greater Nobles. All dwarven commoners deemed loyal are allowed to join the Army. The Common Folk of the Silver Deeps           The commoners of the Silver Deeps are all dwarves taking residence within the fiefdom granted to the House of the Silver Deeps by the King of the House of Durin, and therefore subject to rule by the House of the Silver Deeps. The Duties of the House of the Silver Deeps      The ranks to which the Order of the House of the Silver Deeps is given contain duties in themselves for the preservation of the House. Each rank must carry out the given duty to uphold the Order. Lord of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Lord is the chief executive officer of the House of the Silver Deeps, and vassal of the House of Durin. It is within the power of the Lord to appoint the Consul, appoint Justices, and appoint Greater Nobles. The Lord has the duty of upholding all laws passes by the Council of the Silver Deeps and serving the King of the House of Durin. The Lord is also commander in chief of the Army. Consul of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Consul of the Silver Deeps is the chief ambassador and emissary of the Lord and Council of the Silver Deeps. The Consul may appoint ambassadors and messengers, establish embassies, and negotiate provisions of treaties. It is the duty of the Consul to represent the Lord in all matters and take his place in times of absence, and to head the Council of the Silver Deeps to keep order. Justices of the House of the Silver Deeps           The Justices of the House of the Silver Deeps are the sole Judiciary officers of the Silver Deeps. It is the duty of all Justices to make sure that all laws passed by the Council are fair and just and to make sure that all laws are executed in a fair and just manner. The Justices have the power to revoke any unfair or unjust laws, appoint nobles to aid themselves under the circumstances of criminal investigation, and to veto any punishment approved by the Council. The Council of the Silver Deeps           The Council of the Silver Deeps, headed by the Consul, is the legislature of the House of the Silver Deeps, having the power to elect a Lord, propose bills, and pass laws. It is the duty of the Council to counsel the Lord and Consul when counsel is needed. The Council is elected from the Lesser Nobles by all Nobles of the Silver Deeps. Lesser Nobles           The Lesser Nobles of the House of the Silver Deeps have the duty of working under the Greater Nobles and aiding them in carrying out the tasks appointed to the Greater Nobles by the Lord or Consul. The Lesser Nobles may, in conjunction with Greater Nobles, elect Councilmen to represent themselves in the Council of the Silver Deeps; Lesser Nobles may run for Councilmen. Greater Nobles           The Greater Nobles of the House of the Silver Deeps have the duty of serving the Lord in the duty to which they are appointed by either carrying out the task themselves, recruiting Lesser Nobles to aid them, or a combination of both. The Greater Nobles may, in conjunction with Lesser Nobles, elect Councilmen to represent themselves in the Council of the Silver Deeps. The Army of the Silver Deeps           It is the duty of all warriors of the Army to obey all orders given by commanders, to eliminate all threats to the House of Durin, and to protect all dwarves of the House of Durin and allies within their sphere of protection. It is within the power of the Army to use force if necessary in carrying out these duties. The Common Folk of the Silver Deeps           The Common Folk of the Silver Deeps, being all dwarves living within the fiefdom of the Silver Deeps, have the duty of obeying all laws provided by the Council of the Silver Deeps. The Common Folk have the power to join the Army and to petition all nobles. For carrying out these duties, it is the duty of all members of the House of the Silver Deeps to protect the Common Folk. Official Documents of the House of the Silver Deeps      All such documents, being of the absolute law of the House of the Silver Deeps, are located in the Hall of Records, to be honored by all.