Cardinal
Overview
Each of the eight virtue assemblies is lead by a cardinal. They are generally referred to as "Cardinal of (Virtue)" or "Cardinal of The Way". Together with the Throne, they form the Assembly of Nine. Each cardinal is an Imperial title in the Synod.
Responsibilities
The cardinals.
Powers
Member of the Assembly of Nine
Each cardinal is a member of the Assembly of Nine.
Virtuous Appointments
Each of the seven cardinals of virtue are responsible for appointing the Gatekeeper of their assembly. The Cardinal of The Way does not appoint a Gatekeeper. Instead, they are responsible for appointing the Conscience of the Senate.
Some cardinals are also responsible for appointing other titles, such as the Virtue Inquisitor of their assembly, or the Curator of the Printer's Guild Museum, a sinecure apointed by the cardinal of Prosperity.
Where a cardinal is responsible for appointing a title, that title can be reappointed whenever a new cardinal is chosen.
Selection
Each cardinal is appointed by the appropriate virtue assembly. Only a member of the virtue assembly can serve as its cardinal.
The Civil Service automatically raises a judgment of appointment at the start of the summit when the cardinal is due for annual reappointment. A judgment of appointment will also be automatically raised when the Civil Service become aware that the position of cardinal has become vacant.
To appoint a cardinal, all candidates must make themselves known to an appropriate civil servant by a specified deadline on the judgment sheet, usually by 2pm on the Saturday of the summit. Once all candidates are known, then the members of the virtue assembly pass judgment in favour of the candidate they wish to be cardinal. They may, if they wish, elect to vote against one of the candidates, in which case the congregation strength is counted against the candidate's total.
There is a deadline by which members of the Assembly have to render their judgment. The voting will typically close at 6pm on the Saturday of the summit. These times may differ if an unscheduled appointment is required but will require a minimum of four hours for nominations and four hours for voting. After that time, the candidate with the most support is declared cardinal.
| Reappointment Schedule | |
| Winter Solstice | The Way & Prosperity |
| Spring Equinox | Ambition & Vigilance |
| Summer Solstice | Courage & Wisdom |
| Autumn Equinox | Loyalty & Pride |
Removal
A cardinal serves until the next election for the title.
A cardinal can be revoked by the General Assembly, and by the appropriate Virtue Assembly of the Imperial Synod.