* Restricted Information: Valdrean Nobility only
The Privy Council are the Emperor's Advisors, and are comprised partly of those Nobles holding high office by Duel (who are included in formal recognition of their power) and partly of those Nobles appointed personally by the Emperor (whether out of trust, political favour or recognition of their skills or experience). Because the Privy Council is summoned under the Imperial Prerogative to advise the Emperor, its exact composition is at the discretion of the Emperor, who could even dissolve it and rule alone by Decree. However, the practice has grown up over the years that certain Offices have a seat on the Privy Council, and an Emperor who ignored such practices would risk discontent and challenge for the Lion Throne. Despite the rule of personal selection by the Emperor, most Privy Councillors are appointed ex-officio (i.e. the Office holder is appointed) rather than in their personal capacity.
Although the Privy Council legally only has an advisory role, advising the Emperor as to which Laws he should make, in practice the Emperor delegates a large number of Imperial prerogatives to his Council, including control of Central Government, Imperial Legislation and the final hearing of appeals from Imperial Courts (other than where the Rainbow Court has jurisdiction), and the Privy Council itself appoints Committees to deal with much of this day-to-day work.
The Emperor is himself a member of the Privy Council and is its Chairman (his 2nd Champion, or Crown Prince if of age, is normally Deputy Chairman). Because it is a personal advisory body to the Emperor, each member of the Council has one vote, regardless of how many Offices he holds which entitle him to a place on the Council. The Emperor has an overriding vote, and can therefore veto any resolution. If he were to outvote his Council and pass a resolution which they opposed by a majority, he would effectively be ruling by Decree.
An ancient law dating back to the First Empire allows the Emperor or the Lord High Chancellor to convene Parliament. This is a full session of the Champions of all the Noble Houses, with power to pass laws subject to an Imperial veto. There are a number of precedents of its use over the years (the most recent being by Kyarlin of Heaven in Weven 2503) but they have been few and far between, as the Emperor has ruled in Privy Council and there has been little appetite amongst the Noble Champions for sitting and debating in Parliament.
As at 13 I 2505 the Privy Council is comprised as follows:
| Nature of Appointment | Office / status | Current Holder |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | The Emperor | Kyarlin I of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - by birth and coming of age | The Crown Prince | vacant (Crown Prince is Kalan of Heaven, age 12) |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | The Champions of the Noble Houses | Aldor of Aven, Commander of Fort Venture |
| Dakro of Normeikl, Lord High Executioner | ||
| Emirron of Tarm, Director of Diplomacy | ||
| Lissir of Bavenne, Director of the I.D.S. | ||
| Francesco of Carrilon, Lord Marshal of Valdrea | ||
| Tarsus of Satril, Lord High Chancellor of Valdrea | ||
| Olvyr of Jalaskir, Lord Admiral of Valdrea | ||
| Tindral of Gytrasan, Lord High Treasurer of Valdrea | ||
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | The Lady High Priestess of SARAN in Valdrea | Alicia of Normeikl |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | The Lord High Priest of SARAN in Valdran | Benedict, 16th Champion of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | The Lord High Chancellor of Valdrea | (held by Tarsus of Satril) |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | The President of the Panel of Judges | Harpax of Normeikl |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | The Lord High Treasurer of Valdrea | (held by Tindral of Gytrasan) |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | Director of the Imperial Food Supply | Jafat, 2nd Champion of Heaven(Deputy Chairman of Council) |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | Director of Diplomacy | (held by Emirron of Tarm) |
| Personal - by Imperial appointment | The Lord Governor of Valdran Province | Birrac, 9th Champion of Heaven |
| Personal - by Imperial appointment | The Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard | Nicro, 12th Champion of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Head of Noble House (and retired Emperor) | Stirros I of Satril |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Head of Noble House (and retired Emperor) | Kostof I of Normeikl |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Head of Noble House | Gloria of Heaven |
| Ex officio - by Imperial appointment | The Lord Steward of the Imperial Palace | Mandor, 7th Champion of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | Attorney-General of Valdrea | Varrius, 4th Champion of Tarm |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Imperial Weaponmaster | Relvon, 4th Champion of Heaven |
| Personal - by Imperial appointment | Empress of Valdrea | Duele of Heaven |
| Personal - by Imperial Appointment | Imperial Guildmaster of Bowyers & Fletchers | Gitus, 10th Champion of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | Imperial Guildmaster of Librarians, Chairman of the Council of Guildmasters of Valdrea | Metullus, 2nd Champion of Tarm |
| Ex-officio - Duellable (Council of Guildmasters chooses one of their number as their second representative on Privy Council) | Imperial Guildmaster of Armourers | Rildor, 3rd Champion of Aven |
| Ex-officio - Duellable | The Lord Censor of Valdrea | Glaryv, 2nd Champion of Gytrasan |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Director of the Palace Information Service (and Director of the Imperial Secret Service - known only to Privy Council) | Karsoe, 14th Champion of Heaven |
| Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment | Secretary to the Emperor | Presar of Heaven |
Total number of Privy Councillors: 28 (excluding 3 duplicates and Crown Prince)
Comprised of:
Go to Privy Council as at:
Back to Valdrean Empire index