Prior to the Exodus, the Rohans did not have a true Council. The Immortals had previously set in Counsel to the Golden Lion and discussed the fate of Del Roh, and some of their servants and aides were vaguely familiar with how things went on in these Counsuls. After the Immortals perished and the Circle assumed control of the City, those servants and aides were put in charge of the city and largely ran things as the Immortals had or made way for the Exalted to do the various things that they intended to do.
The City was ruled, over all, by the whim of a number of Exalted who weren't entirely familiar with the city itself and a number of Nobles who were not really intended to ever serve the positions that they were now filling. In some ways, the Noble families took advantage of the Exalted, using their new-found authority to claim more power than they had previously ever held. Were it not for the Exodus this trend might have continued, resulted in a far different form of government than what eventually emerged.
The Founders were a mixed bunch. Most of them were lettered, and fairly well-learned. They were familiar with much of the ancient history of Del Roh, and in particular the one thing they all shared in common was the knowledge of the Old Realm's system of local government. These Twelve set it upon their shoulders to create something similar for Nei Roh, and set about doing such, all the while avoiding the attention of the power-bloated Noble families.
Most of the Founders essentially believed that the Circle was benevolent, but were being decieved by the Noble relatives of the Immortals. However, they were familiar enough with the history of the Realm to know how the Old Realm had ultimately failed due to the corruption of the Exalted. Thus they were adamant in their belief that the Council should ultimately be separate from the Circle. Other than this, however, the Founders were divided.
Disagreement was rife on everything from rather or not to include the Nobility in the Council, exactly what role the Circle should play in the Council, to how much Power the Council itself should have over the fabric of Rohani life. Many of the Founders had specific issues that they believed the Council should champion, such as war with Harbourhead or the establishment of defenses against the Realm. In the end, the Founders reached a small compromise and issued their proclamation before anyone could stop them or even knew they existed.
That initial proclamation was not particularly attractive. It included the bare bones of an outline for a Council, but was riddled with demands and ultimatums. Baras Tor, the de facto "leader" of the Founders, later told Balthasar in an audience that he'd rushed the document out of the door in it's disorganized state because he suspected the Circle would see it and "do the right thing."
The idea was clearly one whose idea had come, however, for after the proclamation was issued the reaction to it was inherently positive. All Rohani cheered the thought of freedom and hope that the Council seemed to suggest, even if they disagreed with the way this sentence was worded or the this other small idea. Thus, attention turned to the Circle.
The Council that emerged was not the same as the Council that was outlined in the Proclamation, for numerous reasons, not the least of which because what twelve amateur politicians can agree upon and what a new found nation needs are often two different things. Regardless, despite perhaps a bit of hurt feelings, the Circle offered the idea of the Great Council their full support.
This, naturally, opened the flood gates.
Tiran, one of the Founders and a particularly bright young man who had earned a small fortune in the chaotic days after the Exodus, spent every dime he'd earned on the original Council Tent and various other matters of organization and expense. The other Founders reacted almost as enthusiastically, and their spirit rubbed on of the rest of the Rohani and indeed even on the Nobility that had developed some bit of interest in these matters.
Of the Circle, the most important members in establishing the Council were both Johann Illhousen and the traitor Merkan. Johann ran rough herd over the first Council meeting, setting a number of traditions and elevating a number of people into positions of importance largely through accident of interaction. Even through the battles and war with Harbourhead, the Lungzao's touch remained on the Council, helping them to iron out this or that issue or matter of form. Once they got on a roll, however, the Council quickly started to develop organically and in ways few would have completely imagined. Merkan's contribution was more material, as he took a great interest in the plans for the actual Council building once the Orile took up the project. Much to the ill ease of the Lungzao, the treacherous Dynast more or less designed the Council building himself. Nor, already under way with construction, can the Orile really change their plans.
Though it's early nights were rife with chaos and disorder, the Council has developed well and today serves as the beginning of what will be a stable and effective method of governance over the lands of Nei Roh and it's Territories. Indeed, the Tent has been abandoned, and the Council now meets in the first two nearly-completed levels of what will one day be one of the most impressive buildings in the South.
In the aftermath of the battle in the Kingdom of Varang, the Council is in a position to achieve truly great things and accomplish more and more without the direct intervention of the Circle.
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