Conscience of the Senate
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.
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.
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 Senate. When Empress Varkula came to the throne, she orchestrated matters so that the Senate was able to succesfully remove those powers from the Cardinals. As a compromise, however, the post of the Conscience was created and it's 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 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.
Powers of the Conscience
The Conscience serves in the Imperial Senate.
Guiding the Senate
The Conscience may speak, vote and raise or second motions just as a Senator does. 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.
Voice of Virtue
The Conscience may may abstain from any vote in the Senate. They are also responsible for announcing the veto of the Imperial Synod. The conscience will often be called on to speak on matters relating to the Synod.
Appointment of the Conscience
The cardinal of the Assembly of The Way may appoint a layperson of virtue to be the Conscience. The cardinal may not appoint themselves to the post, and it is frowned upon to name a conscience from the same nation as the cardinal.
No person may hold the seat of the conscience more than once in a single lifetime.
Removing the Conscience
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.