Grim Gardener

Overview

The Grim Gardener is an Imperial title commissioned by the Imperial Senate in Spring 381YE. The position of Grim Gardeneris a sinecure, requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income of valuable herbs.

The garden is in the region of Perumaki, Miekarova, in the shadow of the imposing Vor'azi fortification of Grimhold.

Responsibilities

The Grim Gardener has no particular responsibilities; they simply receive a bounty of herbs. If their garden were to be threatened in any way, however, it would be their responsibility to deal with those threats. Likewise, if any opportunity relating to the gardens presented itself, they would make any decisions needed to take advantage of it.

Powers

The Grim Gardener is an Imperial title that grants custodianship of a sinecure.

Grand Bounty of Herbs

The holder of the sinecure receives a significant amount of herbs each season: 7 doses of True Vervain, and 5 doses each of Imperial Roseweald, Cerulean Mazzarine, Marrowort, and Bladeroot.

Selection

The Grim Gardener is an Varushkan national position appointed by the Senate. Under normal circumstances it will be appointed by unanimous vote of the Varushkan senators.

Because this is a national position, the title can only be held by a Varushkan citizen.

Removal

The Grim Gardener serves their tenure and serves until they die, step down or are revoked.

The Grim Gardener can be revoked by the Varushkan national assembly, the General assembly or the Assembly of the Nine.

History

The first Grim Gardener is due to be selected at the Summer Solstice 381YE.

The Gardens of the Grim

The Grim Garden is neat and orderly. Surrounded by a high fence, with low internal walls separating the herbs into different beds. The walls are covered with depictions of the Varushkan virtuous animals, and well maintained paths weave between the herb beds allowing easy access to the gardeners who protect them.

The Garden of the Grim also contains a large statue of a strongly lineaged armoured Draughir with a wolfhead helm and chains. A small plaque set into the indicates that this is the Varushkan hero Chernobog, an exemplar of Loyalty who died defending the Imperial Conclave from an assault by servants of the eternal Arhallogen Spring 379YE.