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The Privy Council of the Valdrean Empire

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 5 XIV 2504 the Privy Council is comprised as follows:

Nature of Appointment Office / status Current Holder
Ex-officio - Duellable The Emperor Arril II of Tarm (age 12)
Ex-officio - by birth and coming of age The Crown Prince vacant (Crown Prince is Leo of Tarm age 9)
Ex-officio - Duellable The Champions of the Noble Houses Hugran of Tarm, Lord Marshal and Regent of Valdrea
Aldor of Aven
Dakro of Normeikl, Lord High Executioner
Lissir of Bavenne, Director of the I.D.S.
Francesco of Carrilon, Lord Warden of the Western Military District
Tarsus of Satril, Co-ordinator of Provincial Government
Olvyr of Jalaskir, Lord Admiral of Valdrea
Tindral of Gytrasan, Lord High Treasurer of Valdrea
Kyarlin of Heaven, Lord High Chancellor 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 Valdrea Castor of Tarm (husband of Alicia of Normeikl)
Ex-officio - Duellable The Lord High Chancellor of Valdrea (held by Kyarlin of Heaven)
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
Ex-officio - Duellable Director of Diplomacy Emirron, 2nd Champion of Tarm (Deputy Chairman of Council)
Personal - by Imperial appointment The Lord Governor of Valdran Province Mario, 6th Champion of Tarm
Personal - by Imperial appointment The Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard Rufis, 7th Champion of Tarm
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 Gaston of Jalaskir, XV Earl of Carnad
Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment Head of Noble House Glarin of Gytrasan
Ex officio - by Imperial appointment The Lord Steward of the Imperial Palace Barnabus, 8th Champion of Tarm
Ex-officio - Duellable Attorney-General of Valdrea Relvon, 4th Champion of Heaven
Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment Imperial Weaponmaster Nestor, 4th Champion of Tarm
Personal - by Imperial appointment High Priest of KOROS in Valdrea Lucius, 3rd Champion of Bavenne
Ex-officio - Duellable Imperial Guildmaster of Librarians, Chairman of the Council of Guildmasters of Valdrea Metullus, 3rd 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 Varrius, 5th Champion of Tarm
Ex-officio - by Imperial appointment Secretary to the Emperor (and Director of the Imperial Secret Service - known only to Privy Council) Marius of Tarm (not a Champion)

Total number of Privy Councillors: 30 (excluding 2 duplicates and including Emperor & Crown Prince)

Comprised of:


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