Editing Holy Nation of Crescent (section)

==Council of Five==
As far the practice of high-level politics goes, that is mostly in the hands of the Church, as well. The ruling body of the nation is the Council of Five, which is, by tradition, composed of one member of each major civilized race - [[human]], [[elf]], [[dwarf]], [[gnome]], and [[halfling]].  By law, the Council must have one member from [[:Category:the Divine Orders|the Divine Orders]], one member from [[:Category:the Sacred Orders|the Sacred Orders]], and one each from [[the Sword of Malicean|the Sword]], [[the Shield of Revelation|the Shield]], and [[the Fist of Reverence|the Fist]]. Historically speaking, the leader of the Council, known as the Lord Marshal, is nearly always from the ranks of the Order of the Sword of Malicean.

Currently, the members of the Council are:
* [[Vigilant BlackAnvil]], a dwarf of the Order of the Sword of Malicean; also the Lord Marshal. 
* [[Sir Jericho Templar]], a half-elf of the Order of the Shield of Revelation (filling the human seat)
* [[Silas StormCloud]], an elf of the Order of the Fist of Reverence
* [[Veritas Bookworm IV]], a gnome of the Order of [[the Mind of the Prophet]]
* [[Wisp of Cloud of the Soaring Cloud Clan]], a halfling of the Order of [[the Celebrants of Glory]]

Each member serves a 20-year term, and is elected from within the ranks of his order (or Order group, in the case of the Divine Orders and the Sacred Orders). Although a member may not serve consecutive terms, reelection isn't unheard of - in fact, a couple centuries ago, council member [[Javid FlintKnapper]] was elected from the Shield, served his term, joined the Order of the [[Holy Compass]], and was subsequently elected to the Council to fill the Divine Order seat. To date, he is the only member who has been reelected to serve from two different Orders.

Elections are staggered every four years, barring death, illness, or resignation.