Appointment by the Senate

Imperial Titles appointed by the Senate

Most Imperial titles are appointed by majority vote of the entire Imperial Senate. Imperial titles usually have responsibility for issues that span the whole Empire or several nations.

Imperial Titles appointed by the Senate are permanent. They cannot be removed from office unless revoked by the General Assembly of the Imperial Synod. This situation is deliberately designed to give individuals appointed by the Senate the ability to pursue their responsibilities without being subordinate to the Senate that appointed them.

The Throne

The Senate may elect any Imperial citizen of the Empire to the Throne. It is not uncommon for senators, generals and cardinals to be raised to the Throne, but there is no requirement for the citizen to hold an existing office - any citizen can be chosen. Election from the Imperial Conclave is rarer but not unknown, but no successful candidate has ever moved directly from the Imperial Bourse to become Empress.

Because of the constitutional implications, election to the Throne require a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate; any other Imperial title only requires a simple majority.

Appointment of National Titles

National titles are appointed by unanimous vote of all the senators of a nation. National titles have responsibility for issues that focus on a single nation. It is rare for a national title's responsibilities to span two or more nations - a position that spans several nations would normally be an Imperial title - but if it does then the position requires unanimous vote of all the senators of all involved nations.

If the senators cannot agree on a single selection, then then any citizen of that nation may present themselves before the Senate for consideration for that role. The result is determined by a majority vote of the senate.

National Titles appointed by the Senate are permanent, with the exception of generals, which must be reappointed on an annual basis. They cannot be removed from office unless revoked by Council of Nine, the General Assembly or the appropriate National Assembly of the Synod.

Imperial General

The most important national titles appointed by the Senate are the Imperial generals - one for each army maintained by that nation. The generals sit on the Military Council, responsible for the defence of the Empire and prosecuting wars against the Empire's enemies. When a new army is created, the senators of that nation select a general to command it, but the position ceases to exist if the army is wiped out.

Spider's Tollkeep

The Spider's Tollkeep is a sinecure associated with the Spider's Dream that links Madruga and Sarvos. The Tollkeep is responsible for making sure the bridge remains in good repair - through it actually needs very little attention. In return, the title grants a regular income in the form of a portion of the tolls collected from merchants using the bridge across the furious river Vassa. When the position becomes vacant, a new Tollkeep is selected by unanimous decision of the senators of The Brass Coast and The League - although the difficulty of achieving consensus between the Senators of two such politically minded nations means it is more often appointed by a vote of the Senate.