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| {{CaptionedImage|file=ArtOfTheDeal.jpg|align=left|width=450|title=Lorenzo La Volpe, Master of the Butchers Bank, Founder of the League Trading Company, and Bourseholder of the Fortress of Salt Mithril mines, concludes a deal with Richard Tunstall, Imperial Master of Works, to improve the fortifications of the Empire.|caption=Resources are available to those who can afford them.}} | | {{CaptionedImage|file=The Imperial Bourse.jpg|align=left|width=600|caption=The Bourse ensures the prosperity of the Empire.}} |
| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| The Imperial Bourse is the economic hub of the Empire. Its role is to ensure the prosperity of the Empire and to provide access to much needed resources to those who can afford them. | | The Imperial Bourse is the economic hub of the Empire. Its role is to ensure the prosperity of the Empire and to provide access to much needed resources to those who can afford them. |
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| ==Role within the Empire== | | ==Role within the Empire== |
| The Bourse is designed to ensure that [[ilium]], mithril, weirwood and white granite are directed to where they can provide the most economic benefit, rather than being assigned by political or military patronage. Merchants bid for a position on the Bourse and those that are successful gain control of one of the Bourse positions that control production. It is then left to them to sell the resources at whatever price they can. Although there are frequent accusations of profiteering, when the market functions as intended it ensures that significant sums of money are paid to the Bourse for use by the Empire. | | The Bourse is intended to raise money for the Imperial treasury and ensure that [[ilium]], [[mithril]], [[weirwood]] and [[white granite]] are directed to where they can provide the most economic benefit, rather than being assigned by political or military patronage. |
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| | Merchants bid for Imperial positions on the Bourse and those that are successful gain control of one of the Bourse positions and the production that comes with it. It is then left to them to sell these resources at whatever price they can. Although there are frequent accusations of profiteering, when the market functions as intended it ensures that significant sums of money are paid through the Bourse into the Imperial treasury for use by the Empire. |
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| Decisions within the Bourse are taken by auction, with members placing money in the Bourse coffers to register their support for or against a motion. Such auctions are rare however, most of the Bourse activity is economic in nature and takes place without central organisation. The money collected by the Bourse, as part of the process of selecting members and making decisions becomes the property of the Empire.
| | In addition to the auction of Imperial Bourse positions there are a number of national positions which are voted on by key members of each nation. The expectation is that the citizens that are elected to control these bourse positions will use the resources they generate for the benefit of their nation. |
| <!-- This is intended to be a private, internal, decision making process - it doesn't have legal power, and it won't generally let the Bourse change its processes. As Matt said to the person who asked about votes and giving money to the senate - Any member of the Bourse can ask the Civil Service to raise a decision to be voted on - but it is important to appreciate the Bourse is largely powerless to change itself - most of the operation of the public auctions and voting conducted through the Bourse is part of the legal framework of the Empire, which the Bourse categorically has zero power to influence.
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| Most important, the money used in such an auction goes to the Private Auction Fund (leaves the game) it does not go to the senate -->
| | The Bourse often attracts a great deal of opprobrium, some aimed at the alleged greed of title holders, some at the perceived dysfunction of the arrangements. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the Bourse is constitutionally protected from interference by the Imperial Synod. |
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| The Bourse has gained other roles over the years, such as operating the public <!--and private--> auctions. The public auction is open to anyone present; most goods sold are herbs, mana crystals, resources, building materials and occasionally even Ilium are sent to the Bourse by Imperial citizens who want a good price for their goods but have neither the inclination nor the time to attend the meetings at Anvil. <!--The private auction is for Bourse members only and sells rare and unique items that agents of the Bourse have sourced from across the Empire and the World.--> | | ==History== |
| | The Bourse was founded by [[Emperor Giovanni]] after the Empire was formed, as part of a sequence of crucial economic reforms that included the introduction of a single Imperial currency. |
| | Mithril, weirwood, white granite and ilium are essential to the prosperity of the Empire and its citizens, but significant deposits of these materials are rare and jealously guarded. Giovanni's reforms intention put control of these resources in the hands of merchants and traders, rather than politicians or generals. In this way he hoped to maximise the benefits for the Empire, by providing large sums of money for the Imperial treasury and ensuring that resources went to the highest bidder. |
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| ==Entry requirements==
| | Giovanni was emphatic that if the Bourse was to provide for the Empire then it would need cast-iron protection from "goodly-hearted priests and high-minded politicians". Thus it was explicitly designed to keep control of these precious materials out of the direct control of both the Throne and the Senate as well as ensuring that members of the Bourse could not be revoked by the Synod. |
| There are over a score of different Bourse positions, the majority of which are auctioned off once a year. Although a citizen may bid for as many positions as they choose, an individual can only hold one [[Imperial title]]. The auction itself uses an open bidding system and payments must be made immediately.
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| There are a handful of Bourse positions which are not auctioned off. These positions reflect the relative economic wealth and priorities of nations like Varushka. As a result, these resources are controlled by vote of members of that nation based on what resources they control. These positions are identified separately below.
| | Over time the role of the Bourse has grown, its members instituted a private auction to give them access to some of the most valuable items in the Empire. This was so successful it was eventually copied and a second public auction was introduced to allow citizens of the Empire to sell basic goods at the Bourse. The private auction has suffered in recent years for [[Death of a salesman|various reasons]] and lapsed towards the end of 380YE. |
| | | {{CaptionedImage|file=ArtOfTheDeal.jpg|align=left|width=450|title=Lorenzo La Volpe, Master of the Butchers Bank, Founder of the League Trading Company, and Bourseholder of the Fortress of Salt Mithril mines, concludes a deal with Richard Tunstall, Imperial Master of Works, to improve the fortifications of the Empire.|caption=Resources are available to those who can afford them.}} |
| You can find details of who holds which seat [[Recent_history|here]].
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| ==Elections and Appointments==
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| During each season, all the Bourse Seats (both Imperial and National) that produce a single material are re-elected or re-appointed. During the event that a seat is due to be re-elected, the current holder does not receive any materials. Once the seat has been re-elected, the new holder receives that season's production, and secures the production until the next time the seat is due to be re-elected.
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| * Weirwood seats are re-elected at the Winter Solstice.
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| * [[Ilium]] seats and the [[Master of the Imperial Mint]] are re-elected at the Spring Equinox.
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| * White Granite seats are re-elected at the Summer Solstice.
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| * Mithril seats are re-elected at the Autumn Equinox.
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| ===Losing the title=== | |
| When a Bourse seat holder dies or loses their title for any other reason, then they receive back any money they paid for the seat - in proportion to the number of seasons of production remaining. If there are two seasons production left, they get half their money back.
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| The seat is auctioned off again - and the refund is paid to the seat holder or their estate ''after'' the auction is concluded. Any shortfall is taken from the Imperial treasury, any excess is added to it. There is no refund payable if a title is resigned.
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| ===Proxies===
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| <!--The only powers a Bourse title holder has at a summit is attendance at the Private Auction, however they may appoint a [[proxy]] to attend.-->
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| The wains (or rings of Ilium) are distributed directly to title holders each season and once received function as personal property which must be transferred between individuals like any other item. If a title holder will not be present at a summit, they may not appoint a proxy to collect Bourse resources at Anvil.
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| ==History== | | ==Sessions== |
| Mithril, weirwood and white granite are essential to the prosperity of the Empire and its citizens. Deposits of these materials tend to be large but few in number so they are carefully protected. Ilium is also rare and almost priceless due to its arcane powers. When the Empire was formed control of key supplies of these materials was placed in the control of the Bourse; it was explicitly designed to keep control of these precious materials out of the direct control of the Empress and the Senate.
| | Of the five houses of Imperial government, the Bourse is unique in that it has no means to vote on matters. Because of this there are no formal sessions where members meet to discuss business. According to the historical records, this is absolutely by design - Emperor Giovanni was adamant that it was not in the interests of the Empire that members of the Bourse should meet and settle arrangements between them. The Bourse is intended to pit members against each other for the benefit of the Empire, not to encourage cooperation. |
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| Over time the role of the Bourse has grown, its members instituted a private auction to give them access to some of the most valuable items in the Empire. This was so successful it was eventually copied and a second public auction was introduced to allow citizens of the Empire to sell basic goods at the Bourse. The private auction has suffered in recent years for [[Death of a salesman|various reasons]] and lapsed towards the end of 380YE.
| | Despite this there have been informal meetings of Bourse seat holders have been arranged at different periods during the Empire's history. Some of these meetings have been one-off affairs to address specific issues, at other times members have arranged regular meetings to hold votes or issue announcements. However these periods of cooperation have rarely lasted long, usually only as long as the interests members have aligned. |
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| ==Powers and functions== | | ==Participation== |
| | Although there are no formal sessions of the Imperial Bourse - the Auction of the Seats is run by the Bourse at each summit. During the auction, all vacant Imperial Bourse titles are sold to the highest bidder by an [[Agent of the Bourse]], usually the Imperial Auctioneer. The Auction is [[event schedule|scheduled]] for Saturday afternoon, and usually begins at 2pm in the Senate building. Titles are settled using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auction#Price_development_by_bidders_only|an open ascending price auction]. Any Imperial citizen with the money to invest is able to participate in the auction, but the winner must pay the winning bid immediately when the auction concludes, otherwise the title is offered to the next highest bidder. The winning bidder does not need to take the title themselves, it is acceptable for a citizen to employ a proxy to bid on their behalf. |
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| ===Control of Ilium and Building Materials===
| | In addition to the Auction of the Seats, citizens who own appropriate resources are entitled to vote for any national Bourse positions that are vacant at that summit. Voting opens on Saturday morning of the summit and concludes shortly after the public auction is complete. |
| Mithril, weirwood and white granite are essential to upgrade a personal resource to make it more productive. They are also needed for the large projects authorized by the Senate such as the creation of new armies or the building of bridges and fortifications. Ilium is used by artisans and magicians to make rituals and enchantments permanent. Each Bourse member has control of a single resource, for a single year (unless they are replacing an existing position which has become vacant). They can dispense this resource as they choose.
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| <!--
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| ===Access to the Private Auction===
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| The Bourse holds a single private auction, only Bourse members can attend and bid on the items auctioned. Bourse agents scour the Empire and the world looking for rare and potentially valuable items to bring them to the Bourse where they are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Details of the handful of lots are usually posted in the Bourse several hours before the auction begins.
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| <!-- | | <!-- |
| ===Operation of the Public Auction===
| | Although not formally one of the powers of the Bourse, the [[public auction]] is operated by an [[Agent of the Bourse]]. The auction is open to all and supplies of herbs, mana crystals, resources, minor magical items and small lots of weirwood, mithril and white granite are auctioned to the highest bidder. It is relatively rare, but not unknown for more valuable items like Ilium, true liao or powerful items to appear in the public auction. Details of the lots are posted in the Bourse one hour before the auction begins. --> |
| Although not formally one of the powers of the Bourse, the public auction takes place in the Bourse and is operated by the civil servants who run the Bourse. The auction is open to all and supplies of herbs, mana crystals, resources, minor magical items and small lots of weirwood, mithril and white granite are auctioned to the highest bidder. It is relatively rare, but not unknown for more valuable items like Ilium, true liao or powerful items to appear in the public auction. Details of the lots are posted in the Bourse one hour before the auction begins. | |
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| ===Auction of Appointments===
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| Over the years the Bourse has helped to create various minor Imperial positions and officers to help the Empire function. Individuals are appointed to these positions by auction - Bourse members commit funds in support of their preferred candidate. The candidate that receives the most support is appointed - and all bids by their supporters become the property of the state.
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| ==Imperial and National Bourse Positions==
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| Imperial Seats on the Bourse are assigned to the highest bidder. These positions are available to any citizen of the Empire who does not already control an Imperial title or position. This means that members of the Synod, military or senate can bid for one of these Imperial Bourse position, but must resign their position if they are successful.
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| National Seats on the Bourse, by contrast, can only be filled by a citizen of the appropriate nation. In addition they are not auctioned off, as Imperial Bourse positions are, but voted upon by [[New_Imperial_titles#The_Imperial_Bourse|resource owners]] from that nation. The larger the personal holding an individual has, the more votes they can allocate in support to a candidate. The voting for national Bourse positions is handled by the civil servants in the Bourse. National Bourse positions are otherwise identical to Imperial Bourse positions.
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| ==Mithril Seats==
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| All mithril seats are re-elected during the Autumn Equinox.
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| ===Imperial Mithril Seats===
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| There are four Imperial Bourse Seats that produce mithril.
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| * The [[Fortress of Salt]] in [[Temeschwar]] produces 25 Imperial wains of mithril every season.
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| * The [[Brilliant Star]] in [[Redoubt]] produces 24 Imperial wains of mithril every season
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| * The [[Great Mine of Briante]] in [[Kahraman]] produces 22 Imperial wains of mithril every season.
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| * The [[Great Pits of Ennerlund]] in [[Holberg]] produce 27 Imperial wains of mithril every season.
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| ===National Mithril Seats===
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| There are two National Bourse Seats that produce mithril in Imperial hands.
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| * The [[Eternal Shafts of Time]] in [[Karov]] produce 27 Imperial wains of mithril each season. Control of the Shafts is assigned to whichever Varushkan candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[mine]] resources.
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| * The [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] in [[Sermersuaq]] produces 15 Imperial wains of mithril each season. Control of the Pride of Ikka's Tears is assigned to whichever Wintermark candidate receives the most support from Wintermark owners of [[military unit]] resources.
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| ===Unallocated Mithril Seats===
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| * * The [[Singing Caves]] in [[Mournwold]] produces 28 [[Imperial wain|Imperial wains]] of mithril every season. It has not been allocated either Imperial or National.
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| ===Not in Imperial Hands===
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| One formally Imperial-controlled Bourse seat that produces mithril has been captured by the barbarian orcs.
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| * * The [[Legacy]] in [[Spiral]] produced 22 Imperial wains of mithril each season. The Legacy was assigned to whichever [[Urizen]] candidate receives the most support from Urizen owners of [[mana site|mana sites]]. As of Spring 381YE, it is in the hands of the Grendel orcs.
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| ==Weirwood Seats==
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| All weirwood seats are re-elected during the Winter Solstice.
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| ===Imperial Weirwood Seats===
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| There are six Imperial seats that produce weirwood.
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| * The [[Golden Trees of Seren]] in [[Miaren]] produce 28 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| * The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] in [[Volodmartz]] produces 26 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| * The [[Heartwood of the Great Vale]] in [[Hercynia]] produces 25 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| * The [[Weirwater Vales]] in [[Weirwater]] produce 23 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| * The [[Canterspire Circle]] in [[Morrow]] produces 22 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| * The [[Great Forest at Reikos]] in [[Reikos]] produced 25 Imperial wains of weirwood each season.
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| ===National Weirwood Seats===
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| There is one National weirwood Bourse Seat.
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| * The [[Thimble]] in [[Therunin]] produces 24 Imperial wains of weirwood each season. Control of the Thimble is assigned to whichever Navarr candidate receives the most support from Navarr owners of [[herb garden]] resources. As of Autumn 381YE, and the decision of the Senate to [[Permit Great Forest Orcs to work the Thimble]], the production has effectively fallen to 20 wains each season but the resource requires no upkeep from the Imperial Treasury.
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| ==White Granite Seats==
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| All White Granite Seats are auctioned or appointed during the Summer Solstice.
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| ===Imperial White Granite Seats===
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| There are four Imperial Seats that produce white granite:
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| * The [[Damation Cliffs]] in [[Kahraman]] produce 27 Imperial wains of white granite every season.
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| * The [[Night Quarry]] in [[Miekarova]] produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season.
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| * The [[Arratan Gamble]] in [[Tassato]] produces 25 Imperial wains of white granite every season.
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| * The [[Sutton Stone Quarries]] in [[Upwold]] produce 23 Imperial wains of white granite every season.
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| ===National White Granite Seats===
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| There are three National Seats that produce white granite.
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| * The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]] in [[Volodmartz]] produce 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Control of Veltsgorsk is assigned to whichever [[Varushka|Varushkan]] candidate receives the most support from Varushkan owners of [[forest]] resources.
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| * The [[Brilliant Shore]] in [[Skarsind]] produces 26 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Control of the Brilliant Shore is assigned to whichever [[Imperial Orcs|Imperial Orc]] candidate receives the most support from Imperial Orc commanders of [[military unit]] resources.
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| * The [[Vigilant Swan]] in [[Reikos]] produces 25 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Control of the Vigilant Swan is assigned to whichever [[Highguard|Highborn]] candidate receives the most support from Highborn owners of [[congregation|congregations]].
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| ==Ilium Seats==
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| All [[ilium]] seats are re-elected during the Spring Equinox.
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| ===Imperial Ilium Seats===
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| There are two Imperial Seats that produce [[ilium]].
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| * [[Syrene's Wisdom]] in [[Casinea]] produces 7 rings of ilium each season.
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| * The [[Scorrero Nets]] in [[Feroz]] produce 5 rings of ilium each season.
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| ===National Ilium Seats===
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| While in theory there are four National ilium Bourse seats, the Stonefield Ice Caves has been ceded to the [[Thule]] and is not in Imperial hands. All ilium seats are re-appointed during the Spring Equinox. Bourse seats that are allocated on the basis of raids conducted by [[military unit|military units]], privateering by [[fleet|fleets]], or similar are based on the total effective size of all the contributing resources over the last four seasons.
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| * The [[Steel Fist]] provides 8 rings of ilium each season. it is appointed by the [[Imperial Orcs|Imperial orc]] legions who provide assistance to [[Imperial army|Imperial armies]] on campaign.
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| * The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] provides 7 rings of ilium each season. It is appointed by the [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[fleet]] captains who engage in [[Fleet#Privateering|privateering]] in the Bay of Catazar.
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| * The [[Regario Dossier]] provides 4 rings of ilium each season, along with an annual report relating to the activities of foreign powers. It is reserved for [[the League]] citizen who presents the largest bid.
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| * The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] provides 4 rings of ilium each season. It is appointed by [[Varushka|Varushkan]] owners of [[mine|mines]] and [[forest|forests]].
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| ==Not In Imperial Hands==
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| This formerly national Ilium seat is not in imperial hands.
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| * The [[Stonefield Ice Caves]] provided 5 rings of ilium each season. It was allocated to whichever [[Wintermark]] [[military unit]] performed the biggest raid against the barbarian orcs. The Stonefield Ice Caves are not currently in Imperial Hands, having been ceded to the [[Thule]].
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| ==Other Bourse Seats==
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| These appointments come with a Seat on the Bourse, but are not tied directly to the production of mithril, weirwood, white granite, or ilium.
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| ===The Master of The Imperial Mint===
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| The [[Master of the Imperial Mint]] is a Bourse Seat reserved for the citizen of the League who presents the largest bid. The Master does not receive an income of Bourse resources, but is privy to privileged information about the Imperial economy and has powers to speak and address the [[Imperial Senate]].
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| ===Castellan of Spiral Castle===
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| Until 368YE, the [[Castellan of Spiral Castle]] is a Bourse Seat held by a [[Dawn|Dawnish]] citizen, appointed with the support of Dawnish [[military unit|military units]]. The Castellan has powers to order the resupply of [[Imperial armies]] stationed in [[Weirwater]]. The Seat spent many years vacant, but a new Castellan has recently been appointed following the return of Castle Spiral to the mortal world.
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| ==Other Titles==
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| A number of other [[Imperial title|titles]] are also [[New_Imperial_titles#The_Imperial_Bourse|appointed]] through the Bourse. Any title that has economic power or responsibilities is likely to be bound to the Bourse. Unless the position includes administration of a supply of mithril, weirwood, white granite, ilium, or says otherwise, it does not bring with it a seat on the Bourse<!-- or access to the [[#Access to the Private Auction|private auction]]-->. The appointment of all these titles is organised and processed by the civil servants attached to the Bourse.
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| The Bourse also auctions the unique title [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave]]. These three titles each allow an Imperial citizen to [[commission]] certain types of structure without going through the Imperial Senate, but retain their title for only a single season.
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| ==Table of Bourse Seats==
| | {{Bourse Further Reading}} |
| {| class="wikitable sortable"
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| ! Name of Resource !! Method of Appointment !! Location !! Output !! Election
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| | The [[Arratan Gamble]] || Imperial || Tassato, Enterio || White Granite (25) || Summer
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| | The [[Brilliant Shore]] || National, Imperial Orcs, Military Units || Skarsind, Gildermark || White Granite (26) || Summer
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| | The [[Brilliant Star]] || Imperial || Redoubt, Tomari || Mithril (24) || Autumn
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| | The [[Broken Shore Bounty]] || National, Brass Coast, Fleets, Privateering || Feroz, Cazar || Ilium (7) || Spring
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| | The [[Canterspire Circle]] || Imperial || Morrow, Operus || Weirwood (22) || Winter
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| | The [[Custodian of the Concordium Dock]] || Imperial || Redoubt, Cargo || White Granite ([[Custodian_of_the_Concordium_Dock#Ministry|Ministry]]) || Summer
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| | The [[Damation Cliffs]] || Imperial || Kahraman, Damata || White Granite (27) || Summer
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| | The [[Eternal Shafts of Time]] || National, Varushka, Mines || Karov, Vorota || Mithril (27) || Autumn
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| | The [[Fortress of Salt]] || Imperial || Temeschwar, Metri || Mithril (25) || Autumn
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| | The [[Gift of the Dwindling Star]] || National, Varushka, Forests and Mines || Volodmartz, Brez || Ilium (4) || Spring
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| | The [[Golden Trees of Seren]] || Imperial || Miaren, Serenael || Weirwood (28) || Winter
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| | The [[Granites of Veltsgorsk]] || National, Varushka, Forests || Volodmartz, Brez || White Granite (26) || Summer
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| | The [[Great Forest at Reikos]] || Imperial || Reikos, Broken Ride || Weirwood (25) || Winter
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| | The [[Great Mine of Briante]] || Imperial || Kahraman, Briante || Mithril (22) || Autumn
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| | The [[Great Pits of Ennerlund]] || Imperial || Holberg, Ennerlund || Mithril (27) || Autumn
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| | The [[Heartwood of the Great Vale]] || Imperial || Hercynia, Summersend || Weirwood (25) || Winter
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| | The [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair]] || Imperial || Volodmartz, Brez || Weirwood (26) || Winter
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| | The [[Master of the Imperial Mint]] || National, The League, Bid || Tassato, ??? || Senate || Spring
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| | The [[Night Quarry]] || Imperial || Miekarova, Mieriada || White Granite (27) || Summer
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| | The [[Overseer of the Cavabianca Dock]] || National, The League, Businesses || Sarvos, Cigno || White Granite ([[Overseer_of_the_Cavabianca_Dock#Ministry|Ministry]]) || Summer
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| | The [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] || National, Wintermark, Military Unit || Sermersuaq, Suaq Fount || Mithril (15) || Autumn
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| | The [[Regario Dossier]] || National, The League, Bid || Tassato, Tassato Regario || Ilium (4) || Spring
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| | The [[Scorrero Nets]] || Imperial || Feroz, Oranseri || Ilium (5) || Spring
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| | The [[Singing Caves]] || Unallocated || Mournwold, Greensward || Mithril (28) || Autumn
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| | The [[Steel Fist]] || National, Imperial Orcs, Supporting Armies || Necropolis, Hedrossan || Ilium (8) || Spring
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| | The [[Sutton Stone Quarries]] || Imperial || Upwold, the Heath || White Granite (23) || Summer
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| | [[Syrene's Wisdom]] || Imperial || Casinea, Syrwatch || Ilium (7) || Spring
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| | The [[Thimble]] || National, Navarr, Herb Gardens || Therunin, Eastring || Weirwood (20) || Winter
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| | The [[Vigilant Swan]] || National, Highguard, Congregations || Reikos, Riverwatch || White Granite (25) || Summer
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| | The [[Weirwater Vales]] || Imperial || Weirwater, Wickmoor || Weirwood (23) || Winter
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| | The [[Prime_Factor_of_the_Pallas_Docks|Pallas Docks]] || Imperial || Redoubt, Cargo || Weirwood ([[Prime_Factor_of_the_Pallas_Docks#Ministry|Ministry]]) || Winter
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| | The [[Foreman_of_the_Mines_of_Gulhule|Mines of Gulhule]] || National, Imperial Orcs, Military Unit || Skarsind, Gulhule || Mithril & Ilium ([[Foreman_of_the_Mines_of_Gulhule#Bounteous_Skarsind|Ministry]]) || Spring
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| | The [[Gloaming_Road|Gloaming Road]] || National, Brass Coast, Ambassador to Faraden || Faraden || Mithril ([[Gloaming_Road#Ministry|Ministry]]) || Any season
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| [[Category:Bourse]]
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| [[Category:The Empire]]
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The Bourse ensures the prosperity of the Empire.
Overview
The Imperial Bourse is the economic hub of the Empire. Its role is to ensure the prosperity of the Empire and to provide access to much needed resources to those who can afford them.
Role within the Empire
The Bourse is intended to raise money for the Imperial treasury and ensure that ilium, mithril, weirwood and white granite are directed to where they can provide the most economic benefit, rather than being assigned by political or military patronage.
Merchants bid for Imperial positions on the Bourse and those that are successful gain control of one of the Bourse positions and the production that comes with it. It is then left to them to sell these resources at whatever price they can. Although there are frequent accusations of profiteering, when the market functions as intended it ensures that significant sums of money are paid through the Bourse into the Imperial treasury for use by the Empire.
In addition to the auction of Imperial Bourse positions there are a number of national positions which are voted on by key members of each nation. The expectation is that the citizens that are elected to control these bourse positions will use the resources they generate for the benefit of their nation.
The Bourse often attracts a great deal of opprobrium, some aimed at the alleged greed of title holders, some at the perceived dysfunction of the arrangements. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the Bourse is constitutionally protected from interference by the Imperial Synod.
History
The Bourse was founded by Emperor Giovanni after the Empire was formed, as part of a sequence of crucial economic reforms that included the introduction of a single Imperial currency.
Mithril, weirwood, white granite and ilium are essential to the prosperity of the Empire and its citizens, but significant deposits of these materials are rare and jealously guarded. Giovanni's reforms intention put control of these resources in the hands of merchants and traders, rather than politicians or generals. In this way he hoped to maximise the benefits for the Empire, by providing large sums of money for the Imperial treasury and ensuring that resources went to the highest bidder.
Giovanni was emphatic that if the Bourse was to provide for the Empire then it would need cast-iron protection from "goodly-hearted priests and high-minded politicians". Thus it was explicitly designed to keep control of these precious materials out of the direct control of both the Throne and the Senate as well as ensuring that members of the Bourse could not be revoked by the Synod.
Over time the role of the Bourse has grown, its members instituted a private auction to give them access to some of the most valuable items in the Empire. This was so successful it was eventually copied and a second public auction was introduced to allow citizens of the Empire to sell basic goods at the Bourse. The private auction has suffered in recent years for various reasons and lapsed towards the end of 380YE.
Resources are available to those who can afford them.
Sessions
Of the five houses of Imperial government, the Bourse is unique in that it has no means to vote on matters. Because of this there are no formal sessions where members meet to discuss business. According to the historical records, this is absolutely by design - Emperor Giovanni was adamant that it was not in the interests of the Empire that members of the Bourse should meet and settle arrangements between them. The Bourse is intended to pit members against each other for the benefit of the Empire, not to encourage cooperation.
Despite this there have been informal meetings of Bourse seat holders have been arranged at different periods during the Empire's history. Some of these meetings have been one-off affairs to address specific issues, at other times members have arranged regular meetings to hold votes or issue announcements. However these periods of cooperation have rarely lasted long, usually only as long as the interests members have aligned.
Participation
Although there are no formal sessions of the Imperial Bourse - the Auction of the Seats is run by the Bourse at each summit. During the auction, all vacant Imperial Bourse titles are sold to the highest bidder by an Agent of the Bourse, usually the Imperial Auctioneer. The Auction is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and usually begins at 2pm in the Senate building. Titles are settled using open ascending price auction. Any Imperial citizen with the money to invest is able to participate in the auction, but the winner must pay the winning bid immediately when the auction concludes, otherwise the title is offered to the next highest bidder. The winning bidder does not need to take the title themselves, it is acceptable for a citizen to employ a proxy to bid on their behalf.
In addition to the Auction of the Seats, citizens who own appropriate resources are entitled to vote for any national Bourse positions that are vacant at that summit. Voting opens on Saturday morning of the summit and concludes shortly after the public auction is complete.
Core Brief
Further Reading
