MEANING AND ORIGIN
A colony house refers to any world colonized by Humans ruled by a noble or royal family, essentially a neo-monarchal society controlling anything from a continent to an entire planet.
Colony houses came about from cultivation ships. After raising the colonist offspring from artificial wombs, the AI in charge wanted to ensure stability, self-sufficiency, and safety as interstellar communications and ships were rare or non-existent but did not want to micro-manage nor control every aspect of society. The AI concluded that a proto-feudalistic system was perfect for the situation.
Another reason for this arrangement is the colonists themselves. The colonists imprinted on the government system and its autocratic-like function as an efficient and powerful one, with its AI controller a noble and just ruler to aspire towards, so they desired to emulate its intricacies.
GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE
When an AI steps down from power and acts in a governmental administrative role, a male born within the colony with the highest attributes, virtues, and upstanding character will take their place as ruler, using a donator's surname from genetic records. After three generations of rule from the new ruler's bloodline, a house becomes established with their surname attached (ex-house Airey), while the old AI is the all-father or seed founder.
Such rulers are kings or lords, though depending on the colony's cultural and ethnic background, they refer to terms like kaiser (if Germanic), tsar (if Slavic), and shogun (if Japanese).
The government of a colony house follows traditional monarchies or autocratic governance found in ancient Earth, where a single man or his family controls an area, enforcing laws and aspects of the nation. Some of the earlier colony houses started as absolute monarchies. Still, foresight and research led to constitutional ones set in place by establishing a constitution for the king to adhere to, though this applied more to the AI and assuring that the future colonists had rights and not subjected to abuse. Beyond this, a colony house can do whatever they desire or see fit, so long as they follow their respective constitution and don't risk the survival or prosperity of the colony.
Originally (and in some colony houses to this day), the ruler of a house was elected by a small electoral college like an elective monarchy but saw the potential in having someone raised from birth as a ruler, combined with lords wanting lasting power led to structures similar to the Ctho's. A hybrid system where the current king's descendants could rule after him if they pass the requirements and act as good rulers; if not, their house is removed from power and replaced with a newly elected monarch.
This position was once a lifetime obligation, but with the age of life extension allowing those to live for centuries, term limits, or the option for resignation put in place after several decades of rule, followed by tests to judge their memories and skills after their long lifespans. In this instance, a house and its standing power is measured not in generations but in the length a person rules over a nation.
Next is the chamber of chancellors. An institution composed of twenty to over a hundred members assigned by the king to enforce laws and handle national operations that one man can't do alone. Occasionally, a chancellor would propose their laws and actions or object to the king's decree; both require a discussion or summit with the king, while the latter needs a judge to decide who's right.
Next are the vassals. Officials elected on a local level to represent citizens at higher authorities and handle issues only present in their community. The king and chancellors allow a substantial amount of power and desition making to vassals, but they must file reports on their ruling to show their capability or an issue they can't solve by themselves.
Next are the civil servants. Civil servants are civilians or groups with skills or abilities in advisory roles to governing bodies or tasked with writing laws, building infrastructure, stabilizing finances, and military advisement. Civil servants are appointed or commissioned by the government to perform these duties.
Next are the royal council, composed of twenty members, made of veteran rulers in a colony house's past elected by the AI that give advice or criticism to current power holders, followed by being part of the electoral board.
The ability for a person to get such positions comes from a nobility ranking system. Through their deeds, hard work, or a reward from a king can climb up the nobility, leading to gaining any right from voting to becoming a colony house ruler. To increase numbers in this ranking system, an academic institution is in place to test their skills and advance their abilities. These ranks are knight, baron, count, margrave, prince, and duke.
Finally lies the seed founder itself. The AI protects citizens from any dangerous actions from all other institutions, followed with investigating for corruption or threats from any leader. Additionally, the seed founder AI holds knowledge on technology and industry and espouses the cultural doctrine held dearly, holding the title of inquisitor, monk, and priest.
Every few months or in emergencies, the powers and institutions of a colony house will have a parliament-like summit to discuss goals, accomplishments, and plans or laws requiring an active debate. They will have live chat rooms for people to comment and ask questions in real-time.
