Formed from 3 proto-states: The Protectorate of Donegal, The Tamar Pact, and the Federation of Skye (often called the Isle of Skye). The Protectorate is by far the largest in terms of size, but much of this territory is distant and sparsely populated. Skye is a distant second in importance, but has the advantage of a much more central location (but also more exposed, as it borders both the Combine and the Free Worlds). Tamar is the least important of the three, having lost many worlds and suffered much destruction over cneturies of warfare with the Combine.

ARCHONATE
The Archon is the ruler and leader of the Lyran Commonwealth. House Steiner holds a firm grasp upon the office, which currently resembles a constitutional monarchy. The heir-apparent, usually the eldest child or closest relative of the current Archon, is formally named Archon-Designate, but is usually referred to as "Kronprinz/Kronprinzessin Steiner".

Originally an elected position, but became effectively became hereditary when Katherine Steiner became the 3rd Archon of the Commonwealth in 2408 after the death of her husband, Archon Alistair Marsden, and later arranged for her son Alistair Steiner (Marsden) to succeed her. Since then every Archon has been a Steiner, although the line of succession has not always been direct.

COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL (REICHSRAT)
The Commonwealth Council, usually called the "Reichsrat", is an advisory body to the Archon made up of the highest ranking nobles of the realm, members of the Lyran High Command, some key ministers, and some "special counsels" appointed by the Archon. Under Alessandro the Council has had 20-odd members, but apart from the high nobles membership has been in constant flux.

While its power has waxed and waned over the centuries, the Council has served as an advisory body to the Archon and a "middleman" between it and the Estates General. Legislation passed by the Estates General must first go to the Council to be debated and critiqued and, if it survives, is passed on to the Archon for final approval. Likewise the Archon can (as a courtesy) submit proposals to the Council to receive their advice before bringing them before the Estates General. The Council can also propose its own legislation for approval by the Archon and Estates General, though normally it refrains from doing so out of political safety.

ESTATES GENERAL (GÜTERSTÄNDE ALLGEMEIN)
The Commonwealth equivalent of parliament. It has only one chamber. Originally around 300 elected representatives, it has grown considerably in size, sitting close to the 800-mark at present, and lost much of its power in the process. Each representative is elected from a single world/system or a group of systems. A few populous planets send more than one representative. Occupied worlds continue to be represented, and their representatives (around 50 at present) are housed on Tharkad at the Archon's expense (effectively giving him a degree of control over the votes). Each representative is elected for a 6 year term. No person with a rank higher than Baron is eligible. Same with criminals. Also, traveling to Tharkad and living there in style is expensive, so poorer people will need a patron, which is how the powers of commerce influence the estates.

NOBILITY
The Lyran Commonwealth is ruled by its nobility, which is organized along the lines of ancient European nobility. Unlike much the nobility of ages past, the Lyran commonwealth is concerned with the accumulation of wealth through commerce above all else. Military service and glory comes a distant second.

While many titles are hereditary, some of the lower ones are not. Entry into the nobility is possible: With sufficient means, any family can purchase titles and marry above their station. Within a few generations they will be accepted as true peers, rather than simple upstarts, provided they are capable of remaining prosperous - and showing off their wealth. Nothing is more frowned upon than rich commoners making their way into the ranks of the nobility, and then failing. This is seen as a clear sign they were not made of noble material.

ARCH DUKE (ERZHERZOG): There are three Archdukes, never more or less, one for each of the three old realms that make up the Commonwealth: Skye, Tamar, and Donegal.

GRAND DUKE (GROSSHERZOG): A Grand Duke is one step above a "common" Duke, typically ruling over a very important system, cluster of systems, or an entire province. At any given time there are only a handful of such titles in circulation, less than half a dozen.

One example is the Grand Duke of Arc-Royal. Technically this is the Archon himself, and the whole system his personal fief, but it's a position that has been held these past many years by a scion of the House of Kell on behalf of the Archon (they are unlikely to give it up voluntarily).

HERZOG (DUKE): Typically the ruler of an important planet (or in some cases a planet that used to be important). The most famous is probably Duke Brewster of Hesperus. This title is the cutoff from true high nobility. It's usually not for sale, and membership is fairly static. There are less than 50 Dukes (Arch and Grand included) in the Commonwealth at any given time.

MARGRAVE (MARKGRAF): Typically the ruler of a fairly important planet, or possibly a regional ruler of outlying systems. The title is also granted to high-ranking military officers, like theater commanders. In such cases the title is not hereditary, but is retained until death.

COUNT (GRAF): The least of the hereditary titles. Typically hereditary rules of planets of lesser importance. For example, the ruler of Waldorff is a Count. Also granted to high-ranking military personnel on a non-hereditary basis.

VISCOUNT (BURGGRAF): The viscount or vice-count, literally "ruler of a castle" in German, is a lesser noble title awarded to those with the means to purchase it or those with the ability to earn it. As with the other graf-titles some burggraf titles are hereditary, others are not. If a fief is granted, it will be sub-planetary, like a city or district.

BARON (FREIHERR): The baron is a lesser noble, not much different from the viscount, except ranked lower. This is by far the most common "social" title. Anyone with enough money can buy this title, but it's also awarded for diligent service. For example, the Archon himself will appoint "Barons of Thrakad" (usually with a symbolic piece of wilderness to go with it) to those who have served him well.

BARONETT (RITTER): This greater knight rank. Comes with a symbolic fief. It is not a hereditary title. It is a title not usually up for sale. Some form of military service and accomplishment is required.

KNIGHT (EDLER): The lesser knight rank. It comes with no fief and is not hereditary. All children of nobles have the right to call themselves Edler. It requires no military service, and is commonly bestowed (or claimed) by a great number of people.

GENTLEMAN/SQUIRE (JUNKER): Not really a noble title at all, but used as a form of address for those of "good birth", whatever that might mean.