"...a broad collective of national experts and regional representatives advises a ruling arm of four Magistrati: two of them Fraternal Gefendur, and two of them the heathens. This body, called VITS, once was studied as the most successful example of a Republic that Kasslyne has known. But the canny Crescian sees the farce of this Aldish system. These Magistrati always are two of the long-lived Copper and two of the long-lived Jets; it is considered ludicrous by the Alds that any other caste be given the opportunity to lead. And yet this is what the Northerners tout as preferable to our divinely appointed Monarchy? They are either hypocrites or delusional."

_{From "A Brief Course on the Aldish Mind" by TA Orsa}