Difference between revisions of "Privy Council"
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Latest revision as of 08:54, 28 February 2016
The Privy Council is the highest administrative body in the Amarr Empire’s civil hierarchy. The Council was formed during the Moral Reforms roughly 1500 years ago as a collection of staunch supporters of the Amarr Emperor, where it assumed much of the powers of the Council of Apostles. It is a fifteen-member council composed of representatives from the Empire's various non-royal power blocs and institutions, collectively forming the Amarr Emperor's personal advisory council.
Organization
In theory, it is composed of neutral aristocrats and civil servants who owe loyalty only to the Empire. In practice, each member has ties to some political group, their influence curtailed only by their own charisma and that of opposing members of the Council. It's an intensely politicized private stage where the Empire's various internal factions struggle for dominance and where every seat is bitterly fought over by competing interests, and still represents, at its core, the five Royal families vying for the throne. As such, the major power blocs are the five Imperial Houses, who all have seats on the Council and whose power has increased in recent years to the point where it's almost impossible to gain a seat on the Privy Council without the backing of at least one House. Several major institutions do have near-permanent positions, and smaller interest groups who've secured patronage from a House occasionally manage to get a seat, but they're made constantly aware of exactly who got them there.
Emperor's Oversight
The empress of course has the final say in all matters, and there's no question of the council forcing a decision on her. However, it's understood by everyone that every choice made has a political cost, and that a House which is overruled on a key decision will find other ways to make its displeasure felt. The result is an uneasy balance of power, with the emperor still dominant but nevertheless restrained by his political adversaries in the day-to-day running of the Empire. Controversial decisions are still made, but they must be weighed carefully if the sitting emperor wishes to avoid having other initiatives quietly blocked at every turn by an offended Heir.
Sessions and Seats
The Privy Council traditionally has fifteen seats, the first two of which are reserved for the emperor and his Court Chamberlain. Five more seats have been unofficially but permanently reserved for the five Houses, who have been consistent members of the Council since its formation during the Moral Reforms. For much of this period those seats have been occupied by representatives rather than the Heirs themselves, to allow the Heirs to get on with their other business without requiring them to be at the emperor's beck and call. This concentration of power has led to a distinction being drawn between "Full Sessions" where the entire Council is present, and "Closed Sessions" comprising just the emperor, the chamberlain and the Heirs or their representatives; the latter are, bureaucratically speaking, merely informal gatherings and not Council sessions, but as most major political decisions are made in Closed Session the distinction is a somewhat meaningless one.
Meeting Conduct
The Council typically spends at least the first hour of meetings discussing fiscal details. When the Emperor was particularly weak or withdrawn, as was the case in the years leading up to YC105 with Emperor Heideran VII, the Council was the de-facto leadership of the Empire and made all decisions by committee. However, the Emperor had the right to reassert his power at any moment, as Heideran did. Most members of the Council dreaded having the Emperor involved and having their own power curtailed.
Current Privy Council
With the ascension of Empress Jamyl I, things have changed significantly with the major power players back in the closed council and the new power blocs still being contested:
Closed Council
Privy Council
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The Emperor's Seat
Occupied by Empress Jamyl I. |
The Chamberlain's Seat
Occupied by Pomik Haromi |
Ardishapur Family Seat
Occupied by Royal Heir Yonis Ardishapur.
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Kador Family Seat
Occupied by Royal Heir Uriam Kador.
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Tash-Murkon Family Seat
Occupied by Royal Heir Catiz Tash-Murkon.
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Kor-Azor Family Seat
Occupied by Royal Heir Aritcio Kor-Azor
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Sarum Family Seat
Occupied by Royal Heir Merimeth Sarum.
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Khanid Family Seat
Occupied by the Lord Councillor Khanid of the Khanid Kingdom.
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Full Council
The Civil Service
Represented by Chief Archivist Batehran Kemdiya and affiliated with the Empress and House Kador.
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The Theology Council
Represented by High Deacon Mervan Moritok and affiliated with House Ardishapur.
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The Ministry of Internal Order
Represented by Minister Sin Callor and affiliated with House Kador and House Tash-Murkon
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The Imperial Chancellery
Represented by Chief Advisor Zach Dormondan and affiliated with the Empress
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The Ministry of War
Represented by Internal Security Commander Orri Jalet and affiliated with House Kador and House Sarum
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The Amarr Navy
Represented by Executive Admiral Goum Mimian and affiliated with House Sarum
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The Amarr Trade Registry
Represented by Chief Registrar Evian Talmash and affiliated with House Tash-Murkon.
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Ministry of Assessment
Represented by Surveyor General Uadelah Hadizes and attempts to maintain its neutral affiliation as much as possible.
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Karsoth Era Privy Council
For the majority of the Karsoth Interregnum, with no Emperor on the Imperial Throne for over three years, the Privy Council was made up as follows in approximate order of power:
Closed Council
Privy Council
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The Emperor's Seat
Occupied in absentia by Chamberlain Dochuta Karsoth |
The Chamberlain's Seat
Occupied by Karsoth's Chief Advisor, Camoul Hinda, little more than a Karsoth proxy |
Ardishapur Family Seat
Occupied by Yonis's nephew and heir, Arim
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Kador Family Seat
Occupied by Uriam's Chief Advisor, Pevalir Kereka
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Tash-Murkon Family Seat
Occupied by Catiz's daughter, Meyima
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Kor-Azor Family Seat
Occupied by the family Chief of Staff, Ahan Hemirin
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Sarum Family Seat
Occupied by the Heir apparent, Merimeth
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Full Council
The Civil Service
Represented by Chief Archivist Batehran Kemdiya and affiliated with the Chamberlain
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The Theology Council
Represented by High Deacon Mervan Moritok and affiliated with the Chamberlain and House Ardishapur
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The Ministry of Internal Order
Represented by Minister Sin Callor and affiliated with House Kador and House Tash-Murkon
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The Imperial Chancellery
Represented by Chief Advisor Zach Dormondan and affiliated with the deceased emperor
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The Ministry of War
Represented by Internal Security Commander Orri Jalet and affiliated with House Kador and House Sarum
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The Amarr Navy
Represented by Executive Admiral Goum Mimian and affiliated with House Sarum
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The Amarr Trade Registry
Represented by Chief Registrar Evian Talmash and affiliated with House Tash-Murkon.
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Ministry of Assessment
Represented by Surveyor General Uadelah Hadizes and attempts to maintain its neutral affiliation as much as possible.
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