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<quote by="Varkula, The Throne">No. Call it the Conscience of the Senate. If I have ever have need of a conscience... I'll find my own priest.</quote>
<quote by="Varkula, The Throne">No. Call it the Conscience of the Senate. If I ever have need of a conscience... I'll find my own priest.</quote>


==Overview==
==Overview==
The Conscience of the Senate is an [[Imperial Title|Imperial title]] appointed by the [[cardinal]] of the [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly of the Way]] in the [[Imperial Synod]]. It is considered a virtue title of the Assembly of the Way.  
The Conscience of the Senate is an [[Imperial Title|Imperial title]] appointed by the [[Appointment#Appointment_of_the_Cardinal| Cardinal]] of the [[The_Assemblies_of_the_Synod#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly of the Way]] in the [[Imperial Synod]]. It is considered a virtue title of the Assembly of the Way.  


The Conscience must be a lay-person; this means that if the appointee has a [[congregation]], they must give up their membership of their assembly and lose the ability to participate in the business of the [[Imperial Synod]] for as long as they serve.
During the reign of [[Empress Teleri]], all the cardinals of the Synod were granted the abilities now wielded by the Conscience. They used them in a variety of ways, and to the increasing chagrin of the [[Imperial Senate]]. When [[Empress Varkula]] came to the [[The Throne|Throne]], she orchestrated matters so that the Senate was able to successfully remove those powers from the cardinals. As a compromise, however, the post of the Conscience was created and its appointment left in the hands of the Cardinal of the Way. The intention is that rather than representing the interests of any one Virtue assembly it will instead represent all the virtuous citizens of the Empire.
 
The title was [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_Conscience_of_the_Senate|amended]] during the Autumn Equinox 385YE to add the power of [[#Precedence of Virtue|Precedence of Virtue]], perhaps drawing inspiration from a similar power enjoyed by the [[Imperial Magus]]. Though the original motion indicated that the Conscience was to be able use the power once each session, it was later amended to once per summit through an [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Conscience_of_the_Senate|administrative motion]] raised by the Speaker of the Senate.


==Responsibilities==
==Responsibilities==
The Conscience is intended to observe Senate affairs; to speak on behalf of the virtuous; to keep the [[Senator|senators]] focused on their duty to the citizens of the Empire rather than their own aggrandizement; and to represent the Synod in the Senate when needed.
The Conscience is intended to observe Senate affairs; to speak on behalf of the virtuous; to keep the [[Senator|senators]] focused on their duty to the citizens of the Empire rather than their own aggrandizement; and to represent the Synod in the Senate when needed. When the Synod passes a judgement of [[veto]], it is the responsibility of the Conscience to ensure that someone presents that decision in the next Senate meeting. Often the Conscience will do so themselves, but they may appoint someone else to do so.
 
==Limitations==
==Limitations==
===One Year Only===
===One Year Only===
The Conscience serves for up to one year, unless removed from office early. In addition, no person may hold the seat of the Conscience more than once in their lifetime. This restriction is [[#history|historical]] in nature, put in place when the post was first created to limit the power of the Conscience.
The Conscience serves for up to one year, unless removed from office early. In addition, no person may hold the seat of the Conscience more than once in their lifetime. This restriction is [[#history|historical]] in nature, put in place when the post was first created to limit the power of the Conscience.
===Lay Person===
The Conscience must be a lay-person; this means that if the appointee has a [[congregation]], they must give up their membership of their assembly and lose the ability to participate in the business of the [[Imperial Synod]] for as long as they serve.
===Proxy===
As with many Imperial titles, the Conscience of the Senate may appoint a [[proxy]] following the normal rules. The proxy must be legally eligible to hold the title so they may not preside over a [[congregation]], and must never have held the title of Conscience of the Senate previously. However being the proxy for the Conscience of the Senate does not then prevent someone from holding the full title at a later date.


==Powers==
==Powers==
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===Member of the Senate===
===Member of the Senate===
The Conscience is a [[Senate session#Member_of_the_Senate|member of the Senate]]. They are entitled to enter the Senate chamber at the start of a [[Senate session]] and participate in the debates.
The Conscience is a [[Senate session#Member_of_the_Senate|member of the Senate]]. They are entitled to enter the Senate chamber at the start of a [[Senate session]] and participate in the debates.
===Precedence of Virtue===
The Conscience may - once each summit - choose to bring one motion to the front of the agenda. Administrative motions and motions that have been curtailed are still debated first, but the chosen motion is debated before any others in that session.


===Representation===
===Representation===
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The Conscience may [[Senator#Abstention|abstain]] from any vote in the Senate. The conscience will often be called on to speak on matters relating to the Synod.
The Conscience may [[Senator#Abstention|abstain]] from any vote in the Senate. The conscience will often be called on to speak on matters relating to the Synod.


==Selection==
==Appointment==
The cardinal of the [[Imperial Synod|Assembly of The Way]] may appoint any citizen to be the Conscience, provided that that citizen has never held the position previously. It is frowned upon to name a conscience from the same nation as the cardinal.
The [[cardinal]] of the Way may appoint any citizen to be the Conscience, provided that that citizen has never held the position previously. It is frowned upon to name a conscience from the same nation as the cardinal. If the Conscience controls a congregation, they face [[#Lay person|additional restrictions]].


==Removal==
The conscience may hold the seat for no longer than a year, or until a new cardinal of the Way is appointed and chooses to name a replacement. For example, if a Conscience were appointed during the Winter Solstice, they would serve until the end of the Winter Solstice the following year, or until a new cardinal was appointed who wanted to replace them.
The conscience may hold the seat for no longer than a year, or until a new cardinal of the Way is appointed and chooses to name a replacement.


The Conscience can be revoked by the Assembly of the Way, the Assembly of Nine or the General Assembly.
They can be [[revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]], the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly of the Way]], and the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].


==History==
{{RecentElections|Conscience_of_the_Senate}}
During the reign of [[Empress Teleri]], all the cardinals of the Synod were granted the abilities now wielded by the Conscience. They used them in a variety of ways, and to the increasing chagrin of the [[Imperial Senate]]. When [[Empress Varkula]] came to the [[The Throne|throne]], she orchestrated matters so that the Senate was able to successfully remove those powers from the cardinals. As a compromise, however, the post of the Conscience was created and its appointment left in the hands of the Cardinal of the Way. The intention is that rather than representing the interests of any one Virtue assembly it will instead represent all the virtuous citizens of the Empire.


{{Senate Further Reading}}
{{Senate Further Reading}}


[[Category:Senate]]
[[Category:Senate]]
[[Category:Imperial Titles]]
[[Category:Title]]
[[Category:Synod]]
[[Category:Synod]]

Latest revision as of 09:15, 14 May 2024

No. Call it the Conscience of the Senate. If I ever have need of a conscience... I'll find my own priest.

Varkula, The Throne

Overview

The Conscience of the Senate is an Imperial title appointed by the Cardinal of the Assembly of the Way in the Imperial Synod. It is considered a virtue title of the Assembly of the Way.

During the reign of Empress Teleri, all the cardinals of the Synod were granted the abilities now wielded by the Conscience. They used them in a variety of ways, and to the increasing chagrin of the Imperial Senate. When Empress Varkula came to the Throne, she orchestrated matters so that the Senate was able to successfully remove those powers from the cardinals. As a compromise, however, the post of the Conscience was created and its appointment left in the hands of the Cardinal of the Way. The intention is that rather than representing the interests of any one Virtue assembly it will instead represent all the virtuous citizens of the Empire.

The title was amended during the Autumn Equinox 385YE to add the power of Precedence of Virtue, perhaps drawing inspiration from a similar power enjoyed by the Imperial Magus. Though the original motion indicated that the Conscience was to be able use the power once each session, it was later amended to once per summit through an administrative motion raised by the Speaker of the Senate.

Responsibilities

The Conscience is intended to observe Senate affairs; to speak on behalf of the virtuous; to keep the senators focused on their duty to the citizens of the Empire rather than their own aggrandizement; and to represent the Synod in the Senate when needed. When the Synod passes a judgement of veto, it is the responsibility of the Conscience to ensure that someone presents that decision in the next Senate meeting. Often the Conscience will do so themselves, but they may appoint someone else to do so.

Limitations

One Year Only

The Conscience serves for up to one year, unless removed from office early. In addition, no person may hold the seat of the Conscience more than once in their lifetime. This restriction is historical in nature, put in place when the post was first created to limit the power of the Conscience.

Lay Person

The Conscience must be a lay-person; this means that if the appointee has a congregation, they must give up their membership of their assembly and lose the ability to participate in the business of the Imperial Synod for as long as they serve.

Proxy

As with many Imperial titles, the Conscience of the Senate may appoint a proxy following the normal rules. The proxy must be legally eligible to hold the title so they may not preside over a congregation, and must never have held the title of Conscience of the Senate previously. However being the proxy for the Conscience of the Senate does not then prevent someone from holding the full title at a later date.

Powers

The Conscience enjoys many of the same powers as a senator with the advantage that they do not need to worry about re-election. Some Consciences decline to use these powers, seeing their role as more ceremonial; others take full part in the business of the Senate, engaging in spirited debates with their fellow senators.

Member of the Senate

The Conscience is a member of the Senate. They are entitled to enter the Senate chamber at the start of a Senate session and participate in the debates.

Precedence of Virtue

The Conscience may - once each summit - choose to bring one motion to the front of the agenda. Administrative motions and motions that have been curtailed are still debated first, but the chosen motion is debated before any others in that session.

Representation

The Conscience may cast vote on any majority motion that is brought before the Senate. They may not vote on a motion that requires a constitutional vote.

Proposal

The Conscience may propose a single motion for consideration by the Senate each summit.

Voice of Virtue

The Conscience may abstain from any vote in the Senate. The conscience will often be called on to speak on matters relating to the Synod.

Appointment

The cardinal of the Way may appoint any citizen to be the Conscience, provided that that citizen has never held the position previously. It is frowned upon to name a conscience from the same nation as the cardinal. If the Conscience controls a congregation, they face additional restrictions.

The conscience may hold the seat for no longer than a year, or until a new cardinal of the Way is appointed and chooses to name a replacement. For example, if a Conscience were appointed during the Winter Solstice, they would serve until the end of the Winter Solstice the following year, or until a new cardinal was appointed who wanted to replace them.

They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Assembly of the Way, and the Assembly of the Nine.

SummitNationElected
Winter Solstice 385YEThe MarchesRichard (she/her)
Winter Solstice 384YEThe LeagueAurelio Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato
Autumn Equinox 384YEVarushkaYulia Kasimirova Voronov
Autumn Equinox 383YEDawnBridget Talbot
Winter Solstice 382YENavarrElyan
Autumn Equinox 382YENavarrElyan
Winter Solstice 381YEThe MarchesMel Greenhill of the Mourn
Winter Solstice 380YEWintermarkIngrid Sigeing
Summer Solstice 380YEUrizenMaximillian Ankarien
Winter Solstice 379YEImperial OrcsRawk
Winter Solstice 378YEThe LeagueLisabetta Giacomi von Holberg
Winter Solstice 377YEHighguardGideon of the Suns of Couros
Winter Solstice 376YEImperial OrcsGralka

Recent Elections

This title is currently held by Richard; it will be reelected at the next summit. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information