Fraternal Duarchy

Fraternal Duarchy, as described by Cossimo Maritello in his A Study of Vizzetian Law, is the system of succession used in the monarchy of the First and Second Kingdoms of Vizzetia. The System is based upon the power granted to siblings as well as the devolution of powers to a vicemonarch. The system has been in place since the creation of the First Kingdom of Vizzetia and was put in place as part of the construction of the kingdom. Several other systems were considered by the council  imncluding Agnatic Primogeniture, Absolute Primogeniture, Elective Monarchy and even Gavelkind however it was Fraternal Duarchy that succeeded as the system of choice and has been used in Vizzetia ever since its creation.

Normal Line of Succession
When the current monarch dies the eldest son and eldest daughter are left alone for 2 weeks in which they must decide which on of them will succeed the throne. This typically happens in one of the royal residences far from the capital where no officials may stay during the process. Once the decision is made, the siblings return to the capital where the result is announced, this is done by colouring the river flowing through Vizzetia either burgundy if the son is to be king or green if the daughter is to become queen. After this, the coronation will happen. The selected sibling will become monarch while the other will gain the position of vicemonarch. Until the monarch has a child of their own, the vicemonarch also acts as the heir apparent - even if there is an older sibling of a different gender.

Succession with 2 brothers or 2 sisters
It may occur that a recently deceased monarch has only sons or only daughters. In such a case the 2 eldest will make the decision on whichever will become monarch and vicemonarch. In this case the river would not be coloured or would be coloured burgundy or green respectively anyway depending on the future monarch's wish.

Succession with only 1 child
It may occur that a recently deceased monarch has only 1 child. In this situation that one child will be nominated as King and they will pick their own vicemonarch - this position can be filled by anybody, even lowborns.

Succession with young children
It may occur that a recently deceased monarch has either of the 3 above succession possiblities but the heirs in question are too young to be allowed to decide about whichever should be monarch. In this situation the previous vicemonarch will act as regent for the heir/heirs until they both are at least 15. Once this happens the selection is made as normal. If there is no vicemonarch, or the vicemonarch dies during their regency the council will elect a new vicemonarch to act as regent until the coronation.

Succession without a direct heir
It may occur that a recently deceased monarch has no legitimate children. In a situation like this the nearest able relative rule is instituted. This rule states that the closest blood relative (using the absolute primogeniture rule) is a monarch's heir if they do not have children who can inherit the throne.If the vicemonarch of the king is their sibling, then they succeed (even if they are not the oldest sibling) and their vicemonarch becomes their eldest sibling. If there are no more siblings left, the new monarch picks a vicemonarch of their own.

If the recently deceased monarch has no siblings left then in first line the throne will pass to nephews and nieces, then to parents, then uncles and aunts and finally cousins. This new monarch will have the ability to pick their own vicemonarch even if they do have eligable siblings in order to allow smoother transition.

Succession to an heir of a different religion
Before the coup executed by Contessina III any eligable blood relative could become king or queen, however as part of her new Rule of Law she barred any non-Fochiite relatives from inheritting the throne or any royal holdings.

Simplified steps
Note: All of the candidates above must be practising Fochiites and physically able to rule
 * 1) Crown passes to eldest son or daughter of the monarch
 * 2) If there are none eligible, the crown passes to the eldest niece or nephew of the monarch
 * 3) If there are none eligible, and the current vicemonarch is a sibling of the monarch, the crown passes to the current vicemonarch
 * 4) If the vicemonarch is not a sibling of the monarch, the crown passes to the monarch's oldest sibling
 * 5) If there are none eligible, the crown passes to the monarch's oldest parent
 * 6) If the oldest parent is not alive or unable to rule, the other parent is crowned
 * 7) If the other parent is not alive or unable to rule, the crown passes consecutively amongst the uncles and aunts from oldest to youngest
 * 8) If none of these can be crowned the crown passes to the closest, eldest blood relative of the monarch and the process continues from there as normal