Many letters which arrived in the Imperial Forum were circulated throughout every Ministery, Consulate, and Court Office to be found, as well as the Senatorial Circle. Unless marked for private correspondance, all were copied by Offices jointly administered by Honets Greysinger and the Imperial Chronicler, Duerain Whurfick. The first copies were sent to the Imperial Archives for storage, and then subsequent copies were sent to all Officials of notes within the Imperial Government, while the originals would go to the person who would most likely have to deal with them.
If a person offended Chronicler Whurfick, it was very easy for him to see that certain officials did not receive such information immediately. The clerks in the Imperial Post House had proven to be very open to bribery. A small fee to to the right person would mean that some copies could arrive days late to some offices, or that one could receive information a day early. A lot of post went through the Imperial Post House, and very few couriers were allowed to deliver their burdens in person.
((OOC: Please follow this procedure when posting a letter. To ensure another Office does not receive this note until 1 day after the time stamp, state the names of those excluded from the news clearly before the letter, and remove between 1000 crowns per name per day from either your government budget/expenses, or your personal funds. If your bribe has been successful, Caerydd will post to confirm.))
The following Court Dispatch was sent to the Imperial Chronicler for dispersal through the corridors of the Imperial Government in the usual manner, so that it might reach all Ministries, Consulates, Advisories, Senators and Governors.
Quote:
Let it be known that the Senate is called to session on the first Solaria of Imperos, Summer of Era XIII, to meet in the Main Hall of the Tenth Senate Building to consider and ratify the proposed amendments to the current Imperial Government Structure, as introduced by the Empress Arabella de Lylles at the start of her reign. Governors are reminded that without representation by Senator, they will lose the opportunity for their Province to voice their vote, and are urged to ensure that their Senator is present in Alleria Prime on this date.
The proposed amendments are hereby published for perusal by Governors and Senators prior to the vote.
Secrets :
Proposed Amendments to the Imperial Government Structure – as proposed by His Most Imperial Excellency, Regent L’Evienne, in consultation with the Lady Imperial Vicegerent Nell du’Galle. Presented by Lady Vicegerent du’Galle under the mandate of her office.
1) Regarding the political control of the capital city of Alleria Prime:
a) That the Governor of Prime Province is given the Power of Civitate over the city of Alleria Prime, with the exception of the Imperial City.
b) That the Emperor remains the only official with authority over the Imperial City.
c) Consequently that the city of Alleria Prime, with the exception of the Imperial City, now comes into the remit of the Imperial Consul of the Southern Coasts.
2) Regarding the Powers of Maiestas:
a) That the clarification is inserted that the mandate of each official will be given when office is taken and that this mandate is subject to change during their time of office at the Emperor’s discretion. A copy of the Minister’s current mandate is to be distributed through the Imperial Dispatches at the time of appointment and a record afterwards kept by the Imperial Archivist.
b) That the clarification is inserted that where a matter of Imperial concern may appear to fall into the purview of two or more Imperial Ministers or Imperial Consuls, that recourse to the Emperor is to be taken in the first instance to decide in whose purview the matter actually falls.
3) Regarding the powers of the Imperial Consulate:
That the powers and mandate of the Imperial Consulate should revert to that as described in the Articles of Imperium, Articles 39 and 40, with the additional clarification that .
“Each organized territory of the Realm shall be assigned an Imperial Consul, or may be grouped under the purview of one Imperial Consul, in such fashion so that no established region that is populated shall be without the presence of said official.”
4) Regarding the Court of the Crown:
a) That the clarification is inserted that the Emperor may create or dissolve Minister positions according to need.
b) That the following amendments are made to the list of the Ministers of the Court of the Crown to reflect the current Court of the Crown:
i) That the title of Lord Imperial Marshall is changed to Lord Imperial Minister of War
ii) That the position of Lord Imperial Vicegerent is added to the list, with the Mandate of:
“the Regent’s Lieutenant, with authority second only to his, to speak for the Regent and hold the power of countersignature when the Regent is absent from the Court of the Crown and to hold authority over specific matters mandated by the Regent as and when they arise.”
5) Regarding the Powers of the Senate:
a) With regard to the clause under the Power of Maiestas that “In the case of any decision of policy that involves changing the AoI or other fundamental laws Senate approval is required with the Empress maintaining veto authority”: that there is a clarification of this process, termed a Conclave of Ratification, whereby the Minister proposing the change to the AoI or other fundamental laws seeks the approval of the senate through a process of simple majority vote, with the Senate session constituting a quorum if five or more senators are present.
b) That the Conclave system whereby the senate is voting to decide a disagreement of policy between Ministers or Consuls is termed a Conclave of Arbitration.
c) That at the first session of the Senate at the start of Senate Sitting Time a Speaker is elected by simple majority vote, to represent and lead the Senate, and organize any debates of the Senate. The Speaker of the Senate has the right to a second vote in any Conclave if a simple majority cannot be met.
d) That the paragraph “Senators cannot propose policy but are directly responsible for ratifying it under the Conclave system, however they can always suggest a proposal to a Consul or member of the Imperial Court who then suggests it to the appropriate member of the government” is amended to allow for the following:
That during the third month of Senate Sitting Time, there is a single session of Senate termed the Free Senate Session whereby time is given over to proposals for Government policy made by the Senators through the Speaker of the Senate directly to the relevant Minister or Consul. If a proposal is accepted by the Minister or Consul, the policy may be passed. If the Minister rejects the proposal, then a Conclave of Arbitration is scheduled for a future session. During this Conclave of Arbitration, the Senator from whom the proposal originated takes the Seat of Proposer, with the Minister or Consul taking the seat of Defender. The proposing Senator may not, however, take part in the vote. If the Senator wishes to maintain his power of vote, however, he may seek a Minister or Consul to take his place as the Proposer.
e) That the term of office for a Senator is clarified as three eras from the date of their assignment to Senate Office.
6) Regarding the powers of the Hall of Representation:
That the Hall of Representatives are given leave to read and examine the decisions of the Senate – and delay any ratified bills, laws, etc for one cycle before the Emperor chooses to affix his signature to said bill, law, etc and declare it to be in accordance with his power of Imperium. The Hall of Represenation is permitted during this cycle to present their objections through the Speaker of the Hall of Representation by written document to the Emperor for his consideration.
7) Regarding the Governors of the Provinces:
a) That Governors are selected by the Emperor, in consultation with the Imperial Consul for the relevant Province, unless this duty falls under the specific mandate of the Imperial Consul.
b) That the clarification is inserted that Governors should directly communicate with the Emperor or the relevant Imperial Minister of the Court of the Crown on new matters of Imperial concern in the first instance, but should also, where appropriate, circulate copies of said correspondence to the Imperial Consul of their province for their information.
Lady Nell du'Galle
Imperial Vicegerent
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Thanks to Nikki for the banner! | "Stalking through the brush, Hazudar shot a bunny with his wristbow!"
The following memo was addressed and delivered by hand to the offices of the lady Imperial Vicegerent, the Ministry of War and Defense, the offices of the Chancellery, Sir Dimitri of the offices of the Archprelate and to the Ministry of Justice.
Quote:
In light of the recent article released to the Herald regarding Arium’s adopted stance in regards to the orcish race, it is requested that in advance of formulating an official Imperial response, assessments by your offices and Ministries be prepared and presented to the offices of the Imperial Regent. For ease of reference, a scribed copy of the article in question has been provided for your convenience. Should any wish to personally meet with myself to discuss the topic in depth, please contact my personal assistant who will happily arrange a meeting in the shortest order.
Thank you,
Milo L’Evienne / Imperial Regent
Secrets :
43rd Brightening of Imperos, Summer of Era XIII Post Fractum
Nexus Prime, Arium Province: Following a series of secret trials wherein a series of experts on orcan behaviour, soldiers who took part in the Paxian campaigns and other individuals were asked to bring evidence the court of Arium and the Justicar has released the following statement to Herald:
Let it be known, that in the thirteenth Era since the Aetherfracture, the 40th Brightening of Imperos, in this era of our divine lord Ioannes the court of Arium has given judgement. Henceforth, let no orc find safe haven in Arium, their family has wronged us and now we retaliate. Any orc in the general area of Arium has been deemed a criminal to be brought before the courts of justice, dead or alive. Any citizen delivering orcs to the courts of Arium may deposit them with their local constabulary or with the West Wardens in return for the sum of 200 crowns per head.
The Herald consulted Malik Khodataev, the head of the Advocate's Guild for Nexus Prime and asked him his opinion on the matter, his comment was thus:
Certainly, it is an unprecedented use of articles 137 and 156. However, I am sure the Justicar knows what he is doing and this judgement has my full support. It could not have happened to a more deserving people.
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If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.
- St. John of the Cross -
Last edited by Milo L'Evienne; June 4, 2007 at 11:49 AM.
A reply was had in short order from the Ministry of Justice, also circulated to those who had received the initial missive from the Regent.
Quote:
Unto His Most Imperial Excellency, Milo L'Evienne, Imperial Regent
Does His Exalted Excellency, Ogabe K'tinga, Imperial Judicator and Minister of Justice send greeting
Excellency,
I am in receipt of your letter dated the second of Junctior, along with the attached material, and have deliberated the matter thoroughly. I must concur that the assessment of Advocate Khodataev in that the decision handed down by the Arium court is indeed a creative application of articles 137 and 156. I fully understand the situation, and believe that the Justicar is attempting to hold to account those he can, as well as provide an effective deterrent to future attacks such as befell Paxia.
I find, however, that I must dissent with the Justicar on procedural as well as moral grounds. Given the rather chaotic nature in which the orcs occupying Paxia were dealt with, I fail to see how anyone could determine the familial ties of any orc found dead at battle's end. Any of the orcs captured alive, of which there is no mention, would certainly merit trial, and at such trial, any and all family of the accused would be allowed to exercise their article 154 right of familial disassociation. In the case of the article 156 sacrifice provision, the United Arium Directorate has not, in my considered opinion, publicly demonstrated a preponderance of guilt strong enough to indict every orc in Arium. The trials regarding Paxia were, by the Justicar's own admission, held in secret, again perverting the spirit of Justice, and drawing serious questions as to the integrity of the proceedings. I cannot help but wonder whether the desire for vengeance and peace has induced a predetermined outcome in this matter. To extend the precepts of article 156 to include any and all members of the same race as the deceased criminal is a perversion of the Justice system.
If this argument held true, Excellency, there wouldn't be an elf living outside of prison within the bounds of the
Empire. The Silrosian uprising, under Moonstone, consisted almost exclusively of elves. The Articles of Imperium were correctly not applied to every elf in the Empire simply because elves had led and participated in the treasonous acts. I advise Your Excellency to overturn this shoddy and ill-tempered decision with all due haste and return the matter to the Justicar of Arium with the imperative that the trials of any and all persons accused of involvement in the sacking of Paxia be held in accordance with established judicial procedure, and that said trials be held in full public view.
Yours in Justice,
Ogabe K'tinga
Imperial Judicator
Minister of Justice
Alleria Prime
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His Exalted Excellency, the Imperial Judicator of the Aelyrian Empire
Many hugs and smooches to my darling wife for the banner!
Profuse apologies for posting delays, everyone. Trying to catch up.
Last edited by Ogabe K'tinga; June 5, 2007 at 11:53 PM.
The following dispatch was hand delivered to the Prime offices of all currently acting senators.
Quote:
Hand delivered by courier on the 15th brightening of Kalendryas, Winter of Era XIV
Quote:
The Gala of Empress Michelle
~*~
You and a guest are cordially invited…
On the forty-ninth evening of Kalendryas, Winter of Era XIV, his Most Imperial Excellency Milo L’Evienne will be honoring a number of individuals within the Allerian Empire with public recognition and awards in celebration of Empress Michelle Day – a holiday that traditionally celebrates cultural advances of the Era – and Imperial Day. A banquet for the purposes of celebration and formal presentation is to be generously hosted on behalf of the Imperial Regent by Her Imperial Excellency, Liselle Vampyler-Sapientia and the lord Imperial Admiral, Alexis Sapientia at Palais de Lumiere, the Governor’s Palace in Alleria Prime. In commemoration of Empress Michelle Day and Imperial Day, we invite you to join us for an evening of celebration, for the purposes of honoring those individuals to be so deservedly recognized.
~*~
__________________
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If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.
The following has been sent to the Herald in regards to the reorganization of the Arcane bureau.
1st brightening of Kalendryas, Winter of Era XIV
Serale Citizens of the Allerian Empire.
With my recent appointment as Imperial Magus, I have seen a lack of information in the Arcane Bureau regarding the state of the arcane within the empire. To long has the Arcane Ministry had little involvement with the schooling of the Arcane powers in the Empire. For this purpose and with a wish towards bringing order to the control of Arcane the Bureau of Arcane is announcing that as Imperial Magus I will be visiting the arcane schools in the Empire to observe what the teaching and methods employed by each school, and in each province. The Arcane Bureau will be notifying each school as to the schedules visit and another information as appropriate to the school.
The secondary of purpose of this article is to announce the appointment of Provincial Magus. The Provincial Magus will be responsible for the maintaining the standards that are established by the Arcane Bureau in there perspective provinces, and to represent the arcane schools and provinces to the Bureau here in Alleria Prime. Each Provincial Magus will appoint City Magus for the same purposes except at a province level. Over the next couple months as I visit with the arcane academies around the Empires. At that time I will also meet with the Governors of each province to work together for the appointment of a Provincial Mage.
Lastly I am issuing a call for mages to come to Alleria Prime to join the Mages Council that will serve directly under me in an effort to maintain the highest standards in the Arcane fields. One mage from each of the legal arcane fields shall be appointed to this council. The requirements for said council: are that the magus must be of Journeyman level or higher, willing to live in Alleria Prime for a number of months out of each era. Interviews for the Council shall start the 15 brightening of Kalendryas and go for ten brightening. If candidates are unable to make it during that time please send a message to the bureau offices.
I hope that soon we can all be receiving the benefits of the arcane spheres.
Yours by the Grace of the Gods,
And For glory to the Empire
Atl Myrsa
Lord Imperial Magus.
The following Court Dispatch was sent to the Imperial Chronicler for dispersal through the corridors of the Imperial Government in the usual manner, so that it might reach all Ministries, Consulates, Advisories, Senators and Governors.
Quote:
Let it be known that the amended structure of the Imperial Government has been approved and signed by His Most Imperial Excellency, Regent Milo L’Evienne, on the thirty sixth brightening of Immanis, Era XIV. A copy of the amended structure is attached for the perusal and edification of all Ministers, Consuls, Advisories, Senators and Governors.
Also, let it be known that under the requirements for Senators to present their credentials at each new Senate Sitting Time, all Senators currently present in the Imperial Forum, and those yet to arrive but appointed to represent their province, should do so through the Office of the Imperial Vicegerent. When the minimum required of five senators have presented their credentials, Senate will be opened for ordinary business. Before then, Senators present in the capital may continue to hold informal debate and lobby the Imperial Government on behalf of their Province.
Governors who currently have no appointed Senator to represent their Province’s interests are urged to rectify this situation as quickly as possible. Your Senator is the representative of the Provincial Government and the citizens of the Province and is an integral part of the Imperial Government.
Secrets :
The Imperial Government System
The Emperor
As sovereign monarch imbued by the gods, the Emperor wields the power of Imperium, maintaining unchallengeable authority throughout the empire. He rules from the Imperial city and is also the only official with authority over the Imperial City within Aelyria Prime.
The Imperial Government
This power of Maiestas is bestowed upon Consuls and Ministers allowing the assigned Minister or Consul to speak and act in the name of the Emperor within their particular mandate. For Consuls this is limited to the particular assignment that they have been given by the Emperor. For Ministers this refers specifically to the mandates of their departments.
The mandate of each Consul and Minister is given when office is taken and is subject to change during their time of office at the Emperor’s discretion. Copies of the Minister’s or Consul’s current mandate are circulated through the Imperial Dispatches to officials of the realm just after the time of appointment and a record is kept thereafter in the Imperial Archives.
When a matter of Imperial concern may appear to fall into the purview of two or more Ministers or Consuls, recourse to the Emperor is taken in the first instance to clarify in whose purview the matter falls.
In the case of any decision of policy that involves changing the Articles of Imperium or other fundamental laws, Senate approval is required through a Conclave of Ratification, with the Emperor maintaining veto authority.
In the case of disagreement over government policy, a Minister or Consul may call the Senate to convene for a Conclave of Arbitration.
The Imperial Consulate
The Consulate is an official body selected by the Emperor, consisting of any number of individuals who serve at the whim of the Emperor. They are assigned to one or more province where they act as the representative of the Emperor, their power of Maiestas being limited to their particular mandate. Consuls may be removed under a Forced Resignation Vote by the Senate.
The provinces are currently assigned as follows:
Lord Consul of the Western Realms: Lauryl, Arakmat, Arium Lord Consul of the Northern Reaches: Centripax, Carmelyn, Eunesia Lord Consul of the Southern Coasts: Sherian Enamoria, and Prime
Manner of address:
His Imperial Excellency, Kevin Dobinus, Lord Consul of the Western Realms
Informal address: Lord Consul Dobinus
The Court of the Crown
The Court of the Crown is an official body selected by the Emperor, consisting of both Ministers Maiestas and Ministers Emeritus, who serve at the whim of the Emperor. The Emperor may create or dissolve specific Minister positions as he sees fit. Ministers Emeritus do not hold the power of Maiestas but act in an advisory role to the Emperor and hold the title Court Imperial rather than Lord Imperial. Ministers may be removed by the Senate by a Forced Resignation Vote. The Archprelate holds an advisory position with the Court of the Crown.
The Court of the Crown Consists of the following positions and their Ministries:
The Lord Imperial Minister of War: War Magistratory
Administers and commands the armed forces to protect against internal and external threads
The Lord Imperial Chancellor: The Chancellery
Oversees internal and external diplomatic concerns; oversees the land and resources of the Empire
The Lord Imperial Vicegerent:
Holds authority over specific matters mandated by the Regent as and when they arise
The Lord Imperial Exchequer: The Treasury
Oversees the Imperial mint; administers the dispersal of funds throughout the Empire; responsible for economic policy and the collection of taxes.
The Lord Imperial Judicator: The Prefecturor
Oversees the operation of the Imperial Justice system and ensures the safety of the Empire from vagrants and malcontents
The Lord Imperial Magus: The Arcane Bureau
Promotes and regulates the teaching and knowledge of magic throughout the Empire
The Lord Imperial Bard and Master of Post: Bureau Libritus
Promotes and preserves knowledge throughout the Empire; maintains Aelyrian culture; administers the Aelyrian postal service; monitors official printing presses and publications
The Court Imperial Physician:
Personal physician of the Emperor and the Royal family; advises the Crown on health services; administers publicly run hospitals, clinics and medical schools within the Province of Prime
The Court Imperial High Sage:
Tutor to the Royal Family; Coordinates and conducts scholarly research as the Crown requires; advises on Imperial educational and cultural matters; administers primary and secondary institutes of learning within the Province of Prime
The Court Imperial Chronicler: The Imperial Archives
Preserves and maintains all Imperial records
The Archprelate: The Church of Faith
The Emperor’s direct representative as head of the Church of Faith; advises the Emperor on all church matters
Manner of address:
His Imperial Excellency, Minister Maiestas Aaron Jones, Lord Imperial Marshall His Imperial Excellency, Minister Emeritus Kevin Leris, Court Imperial High Sage
Informal address: Lord Minister Jones
The Senate
Senators represent the interests of their Provincial Governors in the Imperial Government. With one Senator from each province, selected by the Governor, the group of nine forms the Aelyrian Senate. Senators are answerable directly to the Governor, who assigns them and controls their pay. They exist for a term of three eras from the date of their assignment to Senate office and cannot be removed except by the Emperor, by their Governor or by a Forced Resignation Vote. They are also immune from prosecution by anyone less than the Lord Imperial Judicator.
Senators are to be available within the Imperial City during Senate Sitting Time which lasts from Kalendryas to Aperitus. However if Senate attention is required outside of these months, they are expected to return to the Imperial City to continue their duties. During Senate Sitting time, Senate may be called with one cycle’s notice. Outside of Senate Sitting time, a notice period of at least three cycles is desirable. For emergency Senate sessions, Senators may be collected by Mages in the employ of the Imperial Government.
At the start of each Senate Sitting Time, or thereafter if appointed during the season, Senators are to present their credentials to the Court of the Crown. If a quorum of five or more Senators cannot be gathered, the Senate is suspended until such a time as sufficient Senators present their credentials to reconvene the Senate.
To facilitate their duty of representing the interest of their Provincial Governor, Senators may: lobby any official of the Imperial Government; suggest policy proposals to a Consul or Minister who will then propose the policy to the relevant Minister; and may gather within the Senate to debate matters of policy. Whilst Senators cannot directly propose policy, except at the Free Senate Session, they are responsible for ratifying it under the Conclave system (Conclave of Ratification). Senators are also charged with mitigating concerns between Government Officials under the Conclave system when such concerns arise (Conclave of Arbitration). Furthermore, Senators may hold a vote of no confidence in a Minister, Consul or fellow Senator through a Forced Resignation Vote (Conclave of Resignation).
The Speaker of the Senate is elected at the first session of the Senate in a new of Senate Sitting Time by simple majority vote. The Speaker represents and leads the Senate and organizes any debates therein. The Speaker of the Senate has the right to a deciding vote in any Conclave if a simple majority cannot be met. He holds his office to the start of the following Senate Sitting Time or for a period of one era, whichever is shortest.
When the Senate is suspended, any changes to the law are passed immediately to the Emperor for his approval. Likewise the Emperor will mitigate concerns between his Officials during such a time. Individual Senators may continue to lobby officials and hold informal debates during Senate Suspension. Senate Offices which remain unoccupied will have any assigned administration staff redirected to other duties within the Imperial Government, and their operating budget withheld.
The Hall of Representation
The Hall of Representation is a non-voting body consisting of House, Faction and Guild representatives. Any of these three organizations can attain a seat in the Hall of Opinion to advise and press their views on Senators by requesting a writ of Representation from a Consul, Minister or the Speaker of the Hall of Representation. The Speaker is an official elected in the Chamber by majority vote. He organizes debates and holds significant power by being able to grant or revoke access to the Imperial Forum residences for representatives.
The Chamber has little official power and is a body from which the Senate and government can acquire ideas and views and use as a sounding board for how policies may be viewed by the Imperial populace. However the Hall of Representatives are allowed to read and examine the decisions of the Senate and delay any passed motion from a Conclave for one cycle before it is sent to the Emperor for his approval. During this cycle, the Speaker is permitted to present the Hall’s objections to the ratified law by written document to the Emperor for his consideration.
Processes of the Senate
Conclave of Ratification
A Conclave of Ratification is called when any decision of government policy involves changing the Articles of Imperium of other fundamental laws. The Minister proposing the change of policy seeks approval of the Senate through a process of simple majority vote, with the Senate session constituting a quorum of a minimum of five senators present.
Conclave of Arbitration
A Conclave of Arbitration is called when there is disagreement amongst the Court of the Crown and the Consulate regarding government policy. Ministers and Consuls may request the Senate to hear a matter of disagreement by calling a Conclave of Arbitration in which a proposal to the Senate is made for their consideration and voted thereon, thus implementing the Will of the People and ensuring that a final decision is always reached which is impartial.
For a Conclave to sit, one simple criterion must be satisfied. A Proposal has been made to a Minister or Consul and been rejected without compromise being reached, at which point any Minister may call for a Conclave of Arbitration.
Proposal to Minister or Consul
1. Draft proposal is sent to the appropriate Minister or Consul
2. Minister or Consul responds, if they agree then the motion passes, if they disagree, then a counter offer may be made
3. If no agreement is reached, one Minister or the other will call Conclave to mediate a final verdict.
Note that this system operates by virtue of any proposal being made follows these rules. Therefore if a proposal is made to a Minister and accepted, but another Minister disagrees with it, they may make their own opposing proposal which follows the same procedure as above.
(OOC: A thread is created with the first post representing a proposal paper sent to all members of the government (but primarily to its target, its seconded to all members of the government for comment and to ensure proposals are visible. The target of the proposal may agree or disagree (single word agreement, disagreement or disagreement with explanation/counter proposal). If the motion passes it becomes law. If more than an IC month (three weeks OOC) passes without a response from the respective Minister or Consul, or if there is disagreement, Conclave is called.)
Conclave of Arbitration Procedure
A Conclave of Arbitration is called by virtue of an open announcement to Senators that this Conclave will occur one cycle from the date of announcement. All available Senators and the two parties who are in disagreement attend. A quorum of five Senators is required.
1. The proposing member of the government makes his presentation to the conclave, along with evidence and a list of those in government who support him
2. The defender makes his defense against accepting the proposal and provides evidence and a list of supporters
3. An open vote is taken via a show of hands from senators who are present and a decision is made. This vote may however be delayed by a cycle by any party present.
Using Committees in Proposals
In order to fast track or add credence to a proposal a Minister or Consul may create a committee consisting of other Senators, Ministers or members of the Chamber of Representatives. Such a committee must consist of at least 4 members, one of which must be a Minister or Senator who chairs said committee. A committee offers little practical bonus to a Senate proposal but given the power of the Chamber to influence Ministers and Senators. Unanimous approval of a proposal from a Committee must be taken as a strong recommendation not to block it too severely in the Senate.
Free Senate Session
During the third month of Senate Sitting Time, a single session of Senate termed the Free Senate Session is held whereby Senators may make proposals for Government policy through the Speaker of the Senate directly to the relevant Minister or Consul. All Ministers and Consuls are to attend this session of Senate.
1) If a proposal is accepted by the Minister or Consul, the policy may be passed.
2) If another Minister or consul disagrees with the accepted proposal, they may make their own opposing proposal in the usual manner.
3) If the Minister rejects the proposal, then a Conclave of Arbitration is scheduled for a future session.
During this Conclave of Arbitration, the Senator proposing the policy takes the Seat of Proposer, with the Minister or Consul taking the seat of Defender. The proposing Senator may not, however, take part in the vote. If the Senator wishes to maintain his power of vote, however, he may seek a Minister or Consul to take his place as the Proposer.
Conclave of Resignation
A Conclave of Resignation may be called by a Senator, a Minister, or a Consul to hold a Forced Resignation Vote to remove a Minister, Consul or Senator from office. A quorum of five senators is required. A simple majority vote by the Senate to hold ‘no confidence’ in an official passes the motion, and the official must resign upon the consent of the Emperor. Until that consent is given, the official is free to continue his activities.
By a vote of 8/1 of Senators, any official can be removed outright and immediately, although the Emperor may overrule the Senate and re-instate the official. In extreme cases of Senate absence whereby nine Senators cannot attend the Conclave, after a period of 1 month the Senate may re-convenes with the same members present and a unanimous vote may suffice in the place of an 8/1 vote.
The Governors of the Provinces
Governors are selected by the Emperor, in consultation with the Imperial Consul Provincial for the relevant Province, unless this duty falls under the specific mandate of the Imperial Consul. The Governor of the Province is charged with running their Province, with the support of a Provincial Cabinet as written in the Articles of Imperium. They are responsible for ensuring that each major locale within their province is assigned a Thane. They also select the Senator for their province who will represent the Governor’s views to the Imperial Government in Senate and lobby on behalf of the Province’s best interests. They may also dismiss their Senator and are responsible for the Senator’s pay.
Although the Senator largely represents the Governor in the Imperial City, Governors should maintain a close relationship with the Emperor and the Imperial Officials. On new matters of Imperial concern, Governors should directly communicate by letter with the Emperor or the relevant Imperial Minister of the Court of the Crown in the first instance, but should also where appropriate circulate copies of said correspondence to the Imperial Consul of their province for their information.
__________________
Thanks to Nikki for the banner! | "Stalking through the brush, Hazudar shot a bunny with his wristbow!"
To the attention of all Ministers and Advisors of the Court of the Crown
Your Excellencies,
Be advised that in order to clarify recent events as indicated by the arrival of the Ancients; and in an effort to provide our officials with the opportunity to best chart a course forward during this time of transition, His Royal Highness has called for a closed session of Court to convene on the fifteenth brightening of Kalendryas, mid-morning. All Ministers and Advisors to the Court of the Crown are asked to attend.
Gods Bless,
Mrs. Ada Stromb
Senior Adjutant to His Royal Highness
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If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.
![[Forum] Royal Court Dispatches](http://www.playbypost.com/forums/iconimages/forum/forum-royal-court-dispatches_ltr.gif)
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