Speaker of the Highborn Assembly

Overview

The Speeaker of the Highborn Assembly.

Responsibilities

Historically, the Speaker for the Highborn Assembly served in a manner very similar to a cardinal of virtue, guiding the assembly and ensuring its traditions were upheld. With the formation of the Synod in the early years of the Empire, however, the title fell out of fashion and was eventually abrogated during the reign of Empress Varkula, allegedly at the request of the Assembly of the Nine (over the bitter protests of the Highborn Assembly). The actual role never really went away, however, although it rose and fell in prominence as the politics of the Highborn ebbed and flowed.

Powers

Bounty of Liao

The sinecure provides TBC measures of liao to the Speaker each season, to be used as they see fit.

Voice in the Synod

The Speeaker receives TBC votes in the Imperial Synod. They may use these votes in any appropriate assembly, following the normal rules for votes provided by a Sinecure.

Appointment

The Speakeris a national position which is appointed by judgement of the Highbon assembly.

The Speaker serves for a year, or until they die or step down. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Highborn Assembly, and the Assembly of the Nine.

Basilica of Seven Doors

The Basilica of the Seven Doors in Bastion was built for the use of the original Highborn Assembly, long before the foundation of the Empire, and long before the Way spread to other nations. At one point, it was perhaps the most significant building in Highguard - the centre of both spiritual and secular power, guiding the chapters and building a new nation on foundations of virtue and faith. The duty of overseeing the citadel and its grounds belongs to the Custodes Clavium - a Highborn chapter named for the ring of keys they notionally hold, each one used to secure one of the gates to the citadel.

Towards the end of last year, Lev of the Unbound contacted the Custodes Clavium to discuss the future of the Basilica, with particular regard to its traditional role in the Highborn assembly. It has taken nearly a year during which the members of the chapter have traveled far and wide across Highguard speaking to respected scholars and priests, but they have finally reached a conclusion.

They agree that the time has come to reopen the Halls, and in doing so reinstitute the formal title of Speaker for the Highborn Assembly.