Imperial Senate

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Overview

The Senate, in the absence of an Emperor or Empress, is the most important and powerful institution within the Empire. A representative chamber, with Senators chosen by each nation according to their customs in line with the number of territories they hold, the Senate serves as the primary lawmaking body for the Empire. It also, when there is no Empress, holds most of her powers and is expected to act as an Executive at those times, ensuring a steady hand on the governing of the Empire.

Role within the Empire

The Senate serves as the legislature of the Empire, being responsible for the creation of all Imperial Law and for the amendment of the Imperial Constitution. The Senate also declares the state of External Nations, whether they are recognised Foreign Nations or Barbarians. Declaring an External Nation Barbarian automatically places the Empire at war with it.

When there is no Empress the Senate also takes many of the Empress’ powers upon itself, including the appointing of Generals.

Entry Requirements

Every Imperial Citizen is allowed to enter the Senate but they are expected to remain silent at all times, merely to observe from the sides.

Senators are appointed by each nation according to their own traditions and laws. It is normal for each territory to be represented by a Senator but there are exceptions.

History

The Senate was created at the start of the Empire to give all particpating nations a voice within the political structures of the Empire and to ensure their control over the laws that governed them, coming from a tradition of the Winterfolk. Some minor tweaks have been made constitutionally to increase the power of the Senate in the time of weak Empresses and Emperors and some traditions in procedure have grown over the ages but broadly it is the same as it was when established.

Structure and Dynamics

Functionaries from the Civil Service are responsible for maintaining civil debate and procedure within the chamber.

All Motions, of whatever type, to be placed before the Senate are to be passed to the Speaker of the Chamber, who is appointed for each session from the available Iron Voices, before the session begins.

Each motion is announced by the Speaker with the name of who has proposed it and that proposing Senator may then speak on the motion.

Debate.

Vote.

Powers and Functions

- Creation and amendment of Imperial Law, by majority vote

- Amendment of the Imperial Constitution, by majority vote of every nation’s senators (absent senators count as NO votes)

- Declaration of War by assignment of Foreign Nation and Barbarian status of External Nations

- (Empress’ powers as designated to the Senate in the absence of an Empress)

Resources

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Icons and Imagery

A pair of Pillars between which is the Imperial Horse.

Children and the Senate

Children are often used as messengers in the Senate.

It is also common for those who near their tests of citizenship, and can do so, to attend a session or two to see their government in action and decide if they have political ambition.