Imperial Senate, "A Call to Order"

[Kaelon]

The Senate Chambers had become crowded just as the sun had begun to set in late Autumn of the 6th Year After the Fracture of the Aethergem. The ancient practice of calling the Imperial Senate to order upon the materialization of the two moons of Telath spanned back to the traditions of the Ancient Allerians themselves, who convened their Conclave as the brightening would fade into darkness. A whisp of smoke curled up from each and every torch that spanned the vast columns of the immense semi-circular hall that was the Imperial Senate. Senators from just about every city in the Allerian Empire had made their way to Alleria Prime following the arduous task of calling together the constituent cities to live up to their imperial responsibilities.

Politicians wore tunics distinctive of the city colours represented, but the faded white toga of the Senator was the most prominent item of clothing visible throughout the rotund hall. As the sun and its two brothers descended, the hall became strangely illuminated through the stained-glass windows. When a single ray of light shone upon the tall chair of satin, the first signal that the call to order was close at hand became apparent. Senators quickly took their seats, and bore witness to other officials filling in the other positions. The Magocracy of the Rakrya, which had seized power in Alleria Prime, had altered seating arrangements somewhat, so that the new Floor Plan of the Imperial Senate featured its members prominently. Like the celebrities of fine drama, Masters and Archmages of spellcraft began to weave into the furthest rows of chairs and accompanying tables flanking both sides of the tall Chair. Originally reserved for the Imperial Court and the Emperor, the Rakrya seemed to take no hesitation in filling in the void left in the wake of Emperor Valerian Constantius' disappearance and the subsequent fracture of the Aethergem - the only link the Allerian People had to any organized system of divinely-ordained succession.

Imperial Legates, wearing a deep blue baldric across their togas, sat one tier below the platform elevating the Chair and the Imperial Court. There was much commotion when an elderly human female made her way into the Senate chambers to take a seat as the Imperial Legate of Prime Province. The woman was medium-height with a bit of a hunched back, no doubt gained through age. Her skin was wrinkled, clinging desperately to her bones and whatever thin fragments of meat constituted her muscles. As she turned, her sharp green eyes pierced the hearts of her critics while fanning the passions of her supporters. Maria Thonossa, once President of the Alleria Prime City Council, had dropped out of government after she lost an election to the Imperial Senate decades ago. Her re-emergence into government appeared to be an unexpected link to the past. The woman's conservative, often-reactionary, leanings proved an unsuspecting appointment for the Rakrya - a revolutionary government - to have made on behalf of Prime Province. Legate Maria clung the edges of her white wool shawl's hood around her silver hair, bound in a bun. She looked around curiously while the other Imperial Legates took their seats, eagerly seeing if she could find anyone she knew from her political career, and smiled at Duncan du Lae, the Imperial Senate Secretary, who sat at the Table, ready to shuttle quickly over to the Log to file paperwork for the Senate.

A second ray of sunlight hit the edge of the tall, spired podium that was the Rostrum, signalling the arrival of the Chair. In ages gone by, the Emperor himself would call the Imperial Senate to order. But now, the familiar visage of Julos, Master Elementalist and First Guardian of the Rakrya, befell the Senate chamber. Hundreds of citizens sat overlooking the great hall in the gallery that surrounded the chamber, and bore witness to a moment of History. Each had been provided with a copy of the official agenda:

IMPERIAL SENATE
AGENDA

298th Imperial Senate
1st Committee of the Whole
Kalendryas, 6 P.F.

1. CALL TO ORDER
First Guardian Julos shall call the Imperial Senate to Order.

2. ADDRESS FROM THE RAKRYA
First Guardian Julos shall mandate a directive from the Rakrya.

3. ARBITRATION
Arbiter Aramil H. Thamion shall preside over nominations for the position of Praesul. Any citizen of the Allerian Empire may be nominated to serve as Praesul, the highest executive position of the Imperial Senate; only Senators and Imperial Legates may formally nominate candidates, however. An election for Praesul - in which all citizens of the Empire may vote - shall be held within two weeks' time.

4. OPEN FLOOR
Imperial Legates and Senators may have the opportunity to make opening speeches before the gathering. Senators and Imperial Legates have the option to defer their turn to speak to someone else, whether or not a member of the Imperial Senate.

5. NEXT SESSION AGENDA
Arbiter Aramil H. Thamion will accept proposals for items to be debated and/or voted upon at the next session of the Committee of the Whole; only Senators and Imperial Legates may formally move (and second) for items to be placed for consideration at the next agenda.

6. IN REVIEW
Custos Senatus - the Senate Custodians - may optionally issue remarks about procedure and policy, to assist any of the senate officials in fulfilling their tasks.

7. ADJOURNMENT
Arbiter Aramil H. Thamion shall then disperse the Imperial Senate.

Julos took a seat at the Chair, resting his arms on the comfortable throne once reserved for monarchs. He raised a fist of pure Aetherium, a reddish-white crystalline substance, and slammed the orb onto its positioning base. The act emitted a loud thundrous crack accompanied by a spark of light that ringed out in a concentric wave. Everyone was silenced, and Julos' voice rang out loud and true from his bearded, owlish face.

"In the name of the Sacred Three," he said, "the Imperial Senate shall be in order!"

Breaking with tradition, Julos addressed those gathered from the Chair itself, but stood rather than go down to the Rostrum platform. "The Rakrya hereby mandates that the Imperial Senate nominate candidates for Praesul; that the Praesul be elected by universal suffrage of all citizens of the Allerian Empire; and, finally, that the Praesul be installed within two cycles, or twenty brightenings, as the leader of the Imperial Senate." He sat down, and gestured to Baron Aramil H. Thamion, newly appointed Arbiter of the Imperial Senate, to take a spot at the Rostrum and begin presiding over the nominations. The squeaky voice of the elderly gnome, the famous Duncan du Lae, could be heard announcing the next speaker.

"His Imperial Excellency the Arbiter of the Imperial Senate, Baron Aramil H. Thamion."

[Aramil H. Thamion]

Aramil was almost impossible to miss. The senators and legates each wearing a white toga, which Aramil would have ignorantly called a robe. Aramil had no prior notice of the garb of which was traditional of past Arbiters, and temporary Praesuls too fancy. Aramil had, like all of his other outfits, made this one specially for his rank of office. His left arm was tucked away within the folds of his deep black robe. The symbol of the Allerian Empire was on the front of the robe, emroiderd with gold. The hems of the cape we're highlighted by Ancient Allerian writing, all emroiderd with gold, as well. Aramil's hair was braided into one long braid. A leather tie kept the braid together.

Aramil had been standing to the side of the 'chair' speaking to Julos prior to the call to order. Aramil moved away from Julos and stood near the Rostrum. At the moment of which he was asked to take the floor, Aramil bowed regally to the senators and legates. Aramil cleared his throat as he moved to the Rostrum.

"Your Imperial Excellencies, we are gathered today in the most unique circumstances that the Empire has seen. Today marks a new era of politics. This is such a momentous occasion. I am both humbeld and honored to speak before you all."

Aramil let a moment pass before he continued.

"As First Gurdian Julos has announced, we will be formally nominating appointments for the Senate Praesul."

"To keep order, I will call upon those who raise there hands. Otherwise, no one will be heard. Do not worry, everyone will have there turn to speak. Now, does anyone have any nominees?" Aramil stepped back, and kept his eye open for the first to raise their repspective hand.

[Charles Smith]

Cardinal Eliana Simosus, Imperial Legate of Carmelyn Province, entered the chamber with a formal, stately pace. The elven woman wore her blue baldric with pride over the gold-lined red tunic that symbolized her Province.

Taking her seat beneath the Rakrya's platform, she looked up to regard the leaders of the Empire, her green gaze speculative and sharp. She especially regarded Julos. He didn't seem like a leader, yet he obviously was.

Turning her attention outwards, she listened to the nomination for Praesul. She still didn't see the point of the people having a mouthpiece, but she would play along with it.

[Stephan Woulofen]

Stephan Woulofen, Senator of Port Alyxandrya, entered the chamber in a proud walk as the others senators around him were. He wore his blue tunic with red-tipped cuffs and red-trim running along the bottom of his tunic. A brown belt ran around his waist and back in front a gold loop held it together. On his upper chest a gold elaborate clip held together both ends of a white cape that covered half his neck as it ran to his back; his cape then ran down covering his back and ending about at knee height. In the middle of his cape was the coat of arms of the enamoria province, however, the Enamoria title was in smaller font as the Port Alyxandrya font above it was larger.

Taking a seat somewhere in the set place for all senators, Stephan made sure his cape was pulled back so that he would not sit upon it. Sitting there he took a look around of other fellow senators seeing if he knew anyone present while also listening to the speaking going on. Still looking around Stephan noted all the citizens who were also present, sitting in gallery that surrounded the entire chamber.

Staying as alert as someone could, Stephan made sure he heard every word spoke and knew just exactly what they were talking about.

[Zechial Uberallis]

It had been the most lavish bed he'd ever slept in. Zechial's back was sore and aching from the down feathers his back sank brutally into during the night. Every score of steps or so he straightens his back with his hands wrapped around behind him, pushing his stomach forward in hope for a stretch. The toga was another new experience, and he blesses himself upon his entrance that the Lady Thane of Tirisfal was competent enough to send a servant with him that knew what the senate was about.

'Ah, the hardships of living a life of luxury.'

The issue of Praesul never came up during the evening, he realized. The young man never considered himself worthy for the position, and knew enough about politics that this conclave of wizened archmagi would never allow such a young individual to hold any office so honourable. His female dwarven aide, wearing the colours of Carmelya and of Tirisfal, follows Zechial closely into the room, standing behind the seating and far out of the way, even travelling upstairs if the guards to so insist.

Zechial takes a seat adjacent to the senator from Port Alexandrya, Stephan Woulofen. Zechial knew not his name, nor had he recalled taking note of him during the role on the previous day, but decided that no better course of action could be taken. The proceedings were about to begin.

"Serale," he greets Stephan politely before pulling his toga awkwardly to allow him to sit in the row comfortably. He went over in his mind his propositions for economic growth, as well as the oration he had planned. The questions he had asked himself last night at his desk echoed back to him: 'What is the Rakrya? What were its goals?' The questions were those he needed answers to. The people of Alleria have been living in political desolation since the fracturing of the Aethergem, and light needed to be shed on the free citizens of the Empire.

[Karo Sa'Nepenthes]

Karo enters the room along with all the other Senators, lucky enough to have been informed of the dress he was required by tradition to wear. He looks for an open seat, sitting down and interestedly studying his copy of the agenda. He reviews the conversation he had with Kaleb the night before, shaking his head at the suddenness with which he had been given this responsibility and the willingness he had demonstrated to take it. Oh well, he thinks, I'll just have to see what comes of it...

Karo shakes his head at the cumbersome decorum and formality of the Senate, even while recognizing its necessity. He sighs, and looks around to wait and see if anyone else names his favored nominee for Praesul, the one Kaleb told him he must support by order of the Thane of Frigid River. He plans to wait a little while, and if nobody else names the proper person, he'll do it himself after one or two other candidates are named.

OOC: If anyone wants to know why I'm here instead of Kaleb, they need only look here.

[Catherine Assani]

Catherine looked over the agenda while she sat in her seat and awaited Julos' speach. A frown crossed her face as she read of universal suffrage and the fact that anyone could be praesul bit she kept quite eager to keep the meeting more organized then it's convention.

While Julo's spoke the young senator from Paxia couldn't help but grow peeved with the seating arangement around the chair. Here the Rakrya were boasting of universal change and revolution while their very leader sat in a throne once shared by the monarchs they went against with such strength. There were many people who angered Catherine and hypocrites compromised a rather large portion of them.

She was brought back to Julos' speech by the squeaky voice of Duncan du Lae. She strained her sight to see Aramil as he took the podium. After he spoke she remained silent, waiting for someone to speak first.

[Moranor Andares]

The white toga, prescribed by ancient tradition, did not sit well with Moranor, nor did it suit his lean frame, but he wore it with dignity. His own was trimmed in the red and blue of Enamoria, and he wore over it the blue baldric of a Legate as was required by protocol, something of which he was always careful. His long black hair was bound back in a high traditional tail, and his violet eyes were alive and moving in his all-too-perfect angular face, which itself bore no expression at all.

Taking a seat alongside the other Legates, Moranor listened with keen interest to the pomp and ceremony, and the course which the preceedings would take, referring to the agenda he had been given. It was interesting indeed that the position of Praesul was being thrown open to any who were deemed suitable to be nominated, but as someone base-born who had risen to his current position - not that that was common knowledge - he personally approved of the move.

As the Arbiter, Lord Aramil Thamion, called for nominees for the position, Moranor's violet gaze swept the array of faces before them. All so quiet, all seemingly waiting for someone else to make the move. Then, he raised a long-fingered hand, silver signet ring shining on one finger, and directed that gaze to the Arbiter. If the man deemed thus, he would be heard.

[Aramil H. Thamion]

Aramil took a sigh of relief, at the first sign of life from the senate. Aramil pointed his boney finger towards Moranor. Aramil stepped back, and took a drink of water awaiting to hear Moranor's nomination.

[Illeana Felinius]

After having settled into her new office, within the Imperial Forum, Illeana Felinius prepared herself for her first duty as a member of the Rakrya. Donning a gown of elegant, pale green silk, the ArchDruidess made her way to the Senate chambers. The soft folds of her gown whispered about her slender frame as she made her way through the long corridors and then into the meeting hall itself. Brushing aside one of the grey and white osprey feathers that hung from the leather headband she wore, the former Governor took a seat to the left of the Chair, behind the Council of Ministers.

Still not completely sure of what her duties entailed, she was more than content to just sit and listen to the proceedings. Stroking the yellow, elongated beads that made up the tight choker at her neck, Illeana's amber feline pupils scanned the room for any familiar faces. She then awaited for the elf called Moranor to speak.

Through the proceedings, Illeana could not help but bring her gaze back to Julos every now and then, trying to judge his reactions to what was transpiring in the first meeting of the new government.

[Kaelon]

(OOC: Fluid Time.)

Shortly after Moranor had spoken and the commotion settled down, Maria Thonossa raised a gnarled arm clothed in fine golden silk.

[Aramil H. Thamion]

OOC: Fluid time, as well

Aramil nodded his head as Maria Thonossa raised her hand. Aramil stepped back from the Rostrum, much as he had before.

[Selonious Crushhawk]

Selonious Crushhawk clutched at his neckline as he entered the assembly, looking down at his body as passed through the entryway. This definitely isn't my style! he thought to himself as he straightened and smiled to the gathering assembly before him. The toga, bearing the dark blue, black and silver of Primus Gaudeo as well as the baldric across his shoulders, was definitely not his style---it was a far flung change from his normal casuality. He'd live with it, he supposed, for traditions sake---grumbling or not inside his head.

Still, he felt out of place. From the looks of things it appeared that most of the senators were old-time politicians, returned to rise again through the ranks---or perhaps hobknoblers, well known to all and with many a voice behind them. He was a new face, young at just twenty, but he had a few tricks of his own should the need arise---not to mention the support of Governor Jaq'len and the entire province of Centripax. For now he would observe and keep his poker face until he decided the time was right to act---and who was on what side. Nevertheless, he would represent the people of Primus Gaudeo and Centripax to the best of his abilities. His youthful and ignorant look could and would be played to his advantage.

He took a look at the schedule as he paused for a moment just inside the doorway. Noting the mention of Praesul election from the general suffrage vote would be a costly and time consuming endeavour to say the least. The Legates were the ones who would be nominating the contenders, though, and whom nominated whom would play a major factor into the coming alliances within the room he would bet. Thinking long and hard would have to be his best course of action in the coming events.

Still stopped as the senators filed in, he quickly observed the new floor plan, soon finding the seats for the Imperial Legates and one beside what appeared to be the Legate of Enamoria. "Greetings, Your Excellency," he wished to the representative as he took his own seat. Holding out his hand for a hearty shake as the room was settled, "Selonious Crushhawk, Imperial Legate from the fine province of Centripax. A pleasure, Senator. . . ?"

As the proceedings began, though, he quickly became quiet and tuned into the happenings that were beginning. Yes, he thought silently, let's see what you all have to say. . . .

[Ogabe K'tinga]

Ogabe strode into the chambers shifting his shoulders and hips fitfully, the traditional garb not sitting well on his furred frame. The baldric hung slightly limp over his shoulder, the purple and black of Arium contrasting heavily with the stark white of the loose robe. Ogabe waited his turn to speak until after the others had their peace. He was not there to advance any specific agenda, not yet anyway, and therefore had little of his own to say.

Surprised a bit by the friendly nature of Selonious, Ogabe nevertheless took the human's hand in friendship, sensing a kindred spirit there. "Serale Master Crushhawk, I am Ogabe Ktinga, Legate and Justicar for the United Arium Directorate." he saidly warmly, memories of his brief stay in Centripax mixed at best, and worst. Disappointment with the Veldar was more than tempered by a certain small-town Aedile he had chance to meet.

Ogabe unknowingly smiled at that thought, leaving the Legate to wonder exactly the dappled katta was thinking.

[Zechial Uberallis]

‘So, someone will make a submission for Praesul. I do wonder who it will be.’ Zechial’s muses are interrupted by Amaril’s movements, and he looks towards the aged woman on the dais. ‘How many nominations will the Rakrya accept?’ he wonders. There has to be some competition, and a good orator travelling quickly could win supporters across the Empire quickly. Zechial’s precocious train of thought began to sneak about his neck once again, as it did half a decade ago when he moved to Tirisfal. He seems to have three choices concerning the election. He could nominate himself, as he is quite sure no one else would, and attempt to use his well-practiced oratory abilities to sway the public to his side, travelling quickly with an escort. He certainly has enough capital to fund a campaign, the salary he receives for being a senator is more than he ever could have dreamed of as a child—the son of an innkeeper. This option had its benefits, especially if he won, including political allies, and even if he didn’t, he may be recognized as a rising political star, one that other senators, young and old alike, may wish to ally themselves to; this option also has its pitfalls: Zechial, though not the youngest in age, is likely the least mature member of the senate, using race-equivalent years, he may be laughed off the floor simply due to the preposterousness of an elf his age being the Praesul of the Senate. His other disadvantage is his lack of political allies in the Senate; he may be looked at as a disgrace for nominating himself, and wishes above all else for this to refrain from occurring, he would have to be careful. His second choice would be to ally himself to another person suggested for the position of Praesul. This would be the safest trip, and grant him an ally in the Senate, even if the senator he supports doesn’t win the election. Then again, he might place himself on a rivaling side in the Senate, causing him to traverse the rocky ledges on one of the opposite sides of a canyon, when he would be better off walking the cleared path in the valley created by the schism. His third option would be to remain passive; this would not be unwise as it is his very first Senatorial meeting, but then he guesses that it is the same situation for many of the young senators here. It may be the most politically prudent decision, to remain immobile until Zechial can feel his way about the law a bit. But the young elf is far too restless for this option.

He will wait, as the senators make their nominations. If he hears the name of someone he knows of and is willing to support, he will make no move concerning the Praesul election until after the meeting of the Senate is adjourned. If he will support no one, then he will nominate himself, a most humbling and embarrassing action, but perhaps with successful precedents (of this Zechial is unsure). He may succeed in attaining political power after all. The village of Tirisfal would certainly be grateful to have their senatorial representative the Praesul of the Senate.

His rashness oversteps his cautious thought, and, before even listening for nominations, begins to formulate orations promoting his election to the position. His muscles tensed with excitement, he’d never dreamed that politics could be so very interesting. Only his enthrallment with the situation prevents his hand from raising forthward and outward. He must be patient to take the prudent course. ‘By all the Gods, I wish Zevial were here now. He’d know what to do, as always,’ he thinks, the muscles in his thigh flexing and loosening sporadically.