Privy Council

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

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. Yonis Ardishapur was perhaps the most reluctant of the Royal Heirs to agree to the enthronement of Empress Jamyl I. Relations between House Ardishapur and the Imperial Throne remain somewhat tense but have eased since earlier political disagreements. The appointment of Lord Ardishapur as Holder of Derelik gives him supreme authority over the Ammatar Mandate, and he has lately put much energy into the development of the Mandate and consolidating his hold over the region.

Kador Family Seat Occupied by Royal Heir Uriam Kador. The noble heritage of the Kador weighs heavily on Uriam and his paternal attitude towards the Empire has sometimes led him into conflict with Empress Jamyl I. The Kador Incursion into Solitude and the subsequent sanctions laid against House Kador have considerably chilled relations between Heir and Empress.

Tash-Murkon Family Seat Occupied by Royal Heir Catiz Tash-Murkon. Under the astute leadership of Catiz, the Tash-Murkon have been playing the long game in Imperial politics, concentrating on steady development of political and economic ties within and without the Empire. The Tash-Murkon strategy appears to be bearing fruits and relations with the Imperial Throne are cordial with the power of the Tash-Murkon consequently being more than appearances would suggest.

Kor-Azor Family Seat Occupied by Royal Heir Aritcio Kor-Azor Since his judgement at the hands of the Speakers of Truth, Ariticio Kor-Azor is a much changed man. His tastes for conflict and excess are now firmly held in check and he has made every effort to gain favour with the Empress. Lord Kor-Azor's appointment as Imperial Chancellor gives him much power within the Empire but also ties his fortunes much more closely to those of the Imperial Throne.

Sarum Family Seat Occupied by Royal Heir Merimeth Sarum. Merimeth Sarum formally became Royal Heir upon the coronation of Jamyl Sarum as Empress and keenly remembers the humiliation he felt as his status remained in limbo during the Karsoth Interregnum. Nevertheless, Merimeth's loyalty to the Imperial Throne is not in doubt and he is fully aware that House Sarum has much to gain or lose depending on the successes or failures of Empress Jamyl I.

Khanid Family Seat Occupied by the Lord Councillor Khanid of the Khanid Kingdom. The establishment of a sixth familial seat on the council for King Khanid II, styled and addressed as 'Lord Councillor' within the Privy Council, did not go unopposed by some Royal Heirs, with Lord Ardishapur the most vocal in his opposition. Lord Khanid is content for the moment to consolidate his new status and advance the interests of the Khanid House and Kingdom within the Amarr Empire.

Full Council

The Civil Service Represented by Chief Archivist Batehran Kemdiya and affiliated with the Empress and House Kador. The Imperial Civil Service exercises a quiet but tremendous power throughout the Empire. The Civil Service has much sympathy with the Kador emphasis on tradition and is seeking to maintain a balance between this powerful house and a radical Empress.

The Theology Council Represented by High Deacon Mervan Moritok and affiliated with House Ardishapur. Recent events and the policies of the Empress have minimized the power of the Theology Council as much as is possible within the Amarr Empire. However, it still retains a goodly amount of influence due to its pivotal position in Imperial politics.

The Ministry of Internal Order Represented by Minister Sin Callor and affiliated with House Kador and House Tash-Murkon The Ministry of Internal Order is somewhat suspicious of the relatively radical policies of the Empress but the Tash-Murkon are working to ease tensions between the traditionalists of the Ministry and the Imperial Throne.

The Imperial Chancellery Represented by Chief Advisor Zach Dormondan and affiliated with the Empress With Ariticio Kor-Azor as new Chancellor, and highly supportive of the Empress, the power of the Chancellery is much increased at present.

The Ministry of War Represented by Internal Security Commander Orri Jalet and affiliated with House Kador and House Sarum Showed much favor by Empress Jamyl I and recast as an active military command structure to assist with the Reclaiming and also to reward old allegiances. More influence now than in times when the Ministry of War was a more political body.

The Amarr Navy Represented by Executive Admiral Goum Mimian and affiliated with House Sarum The Imperial Navy's strong ties to House Sarum and unswerving loyalty to the Imperial Throne, together with the enforcement of the Heideran VII edict against personal fleets, have seen its power increase tremendously.

The Amarr Trade Registry Represented by Chief Registrar Evian Talmash and affiliated with House Tash-Murkon. The Trade Registry has become an important power in the realm of foreign affairs with its support for the Tash-Murkon efforts to build ties with the Caldari State particularly critical in this regard.

Ministry of Assessment Represented by Surveyor General Uadelah Hadizes and attempts to maintain its neutral affiliation as much as possible. The Ministry of Assessment maintains a studied detachment and an accountant's neutrality when it comes to Imperial politics. For this reason its influence is limited but it does go about its business with little hindrance from others and more efficiency than most Imperial institutions.

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

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 House Ardishapur were Karsoth's most natural ally, although by no means a staunch supporter.

Kador Family Seat Occupied by Uriam's Chief Advisor, Pevalir Kereka House Kador managed to acquire considerable influence in the Karsoth Interregnum. Pevalir proved to be a very smooth operator.

Tash-Murkon Family Seat Occupied by Catiz's daughter, Meyima The Tash-Murkon are cunning players of the political game and likely gained influence by pretending to support Karsoth. Meyima is just as sharp as her mother.

Kor-Azor Family Seat Occupied by the family Chief of Staff, Ahan Hemirin With Articio's insanity and unavailability due to the judgement of the Speakers of Truth, Kor-Azor's standing slipped during the Karsoth Interregnum, and they achieved very little politically.

Sarum Family Seat Occupied by the Heir apparent, Merimeth House Sarum were opposed by Karsoth at every turn during the Interregnum. Merimeth Sarum, although the clear Heir apparent, was kept in uncomfortable suspension by Karsoth's policy of delaying any attempts to resolve the question of the Imperial Throne.

Full Council

The Civil Service Represented by Chief Archivist Batehran Kemdiya and affiliated with the Chamberlain Chief Archivist of the Civil Service is an incredibly powerful position, as the incumbent basically knows everything, and tends to ally with whoever is in power in order to preserve the status quo.

The Theology Council Represented by High Deacon Mervan Moritok and affiliated with the Chamberlain and House Ardishapur The Theology Council were a very powerful force during this period, and Karsoth used his ties with them to reinforce his position. Their inclination is always against having a combative Emperor on the Imperial Throne.

The Ministry of Internal Order Represented by Minister Sin Callor and affiliated with House Kador and House Tash-Murkon "The Ministry" are internal witch-hunters, tied to Kador because of their long relationship with Kador emperors, and with the Tash-Murkon family as their methods are very closely aligned.

The Imperial Chancellery Represented by Chief Advisor Zach Dormondan and affiliated with the deceased emperor The position was maintained during the Karsoth Interregnum because nobody can replace the Chancellor but the Emperor himself. Even though the position remained on the Privy Council, Karsoth arrogated almost all powers of the Chancellery to his own power base until his downfall.

The Ministry of War Represented by Internal Security Commander Orri Jalet and affiliated with House Kador and House Sarum Ties to the powerful Kador were the only thing preventing the Ministry of War's long-standing Sarum affiliation from depriving them of all effective power during this period.

The Amarr Navy Represented by Executive Admiral Goum Mimian and affiliated with House Sarum Strong ties to the Sarum and the danger they posed to Karsoth meant the Navy had almost no voice on the Karsoth period Council.

The Amarr Trade Registry Represented by Chief Registrar Evian Talmash and affiliated with House Tash-Murkon. The Trade Registry worked closely with the Tash-Murkon pursuing an agenda of engagement with the Khanid Kingdom and Caldari State during this period.

Ministry of Assessment Represented by Surveyor General Uadelah Hadizes and attempts to maintain its neutral affiliation as much as possible. As always, the Ministry of Assessment maintained an almost silent neutrality during the Karsoth Interregnum.

See Also

• The Amarr Empire
• Amarr Emperor
• Amarr Heirs