The Throne

Overview

The Throne is the most powerful political position in the Empire. It is the formal title for the position of the head of the Imperial state, be they emperor or empress. The occupant heads the Imperial Senate, the Imperial Synod and the Imperial Military Council and serves as a rallying figure for the entire Empire.

Role within the Empire

The Throne holds a unique power; as a head of state, an Emperor or Empress is the only person who can have simultaneous influence in the Senate, the Synod and the Military Council. This gives them a signature ability to help provide unity of vision to the entire Empire and to guide it towards its manifest destiny.

History

There have been nineteen Emperors and Empresses since the Empire was created. A list of previous Emperors and Empresses can be found here.

Powers and functions

Ratification of constitutional changes

If a constitutional vote in the Senate is successful then the motion is passed but does not become law until it is ratified by signature by The Throne. This means that it is not possible to make any possible alterations to the constitution unless they are ratified by The Throne. The Throne may choose whether to ratify constitutional changes or not. Any constitutional changes which are not ratified remain in suspension and may be ratified by a future occupant of The Throne. One of the first jobs of a new Emperor or Empress is usually to ratify several outstanding constitutional changes.

Power of veto

The Throne may veto any motion that has been passed by the Imperial Senate. Unlike the power of veto exercised by the Synod, this power can be used any number of times without limitation. To veto legislation, The Throne must be present when the vote is taken and must exercise the veto immediately after, otherwise the motion cannot be vetoed by The Throne.

The mercy of the Empress

The Throne may present an appeal for clemency on behalf of any Imperial Citizen who is being sentenced. The citizen must have pleaded guilty during their trial and The Throne must present the appeal on Virtuous grounds. Any appeal for clemency by The Throne carries the greatest possible weight.

Defender of the Empire

The Throne may remove any general from their position on the Imperial Military Council. The occupant of The Throne automatically assumes responsibility for and control of all military resources controlled by that general, until a new general is appointed. While holding the responsibilities of the removed general, The Throne cannot remove any further generals from their position.

Exclusion from the Senate

The Throne may order a single senator removed from the Senate for the duration of a vote. They are not required to present a justification for this action. Unlike the Speaker, they may only remove a single senator during a session and only for the duration of a single motion. Traditionally the Speaker uses their power to exclude senators whose behaviour is disorderly while The Throne acts to remove senators whose behaviour is considered to go against the best interests of the Empire.

The gift of liao

The first portion of pure liao that is produced by the Synod in each season is given to The Throne. The Throne may dispense with this portion of liao as they choose.

Master of magic

The Throne may dissolve the Imperial Conclave once a season. If this occurs then all the positions of the Imperial Conclave become vacant and must be refilled as soon as possible. The Throne cannot remove individual citizens from their position in the Imperial Conclave, they can only dissolve the entire Conclave.

Declaration of war

The Throne can declare war on any foreign power at any time. Unlike the Senate, they are not able to end a state of war with another nation.

The hand of the chancellor

Up to one third of all taxes collected by the civil service for use by the Imperial Senate are accessible by The Throne. They may take these funds and dispose of them as they choose. Any funds not removed from the treasury by The Throne remain available to the Senate as normal.

Creation of an Imperial Favour

The Throne has the right to award a chosen citizen with an Imperial Favour. A Favour can be presented at any time, and allows the bearer to perform a single act with the full power of The Throne. E.g. A citizen may claim the first portion of pure liao that is produced that season or they may issue a declaration of war. The Favour must be physically presented to the relevant body to be used. It is possible for The Throne to create an Imperial Favour whose remit is more limited.

An individual occupant of The Throne may only have one favour in existence at any one time. They may not award an additional favour until their current favour has been presented and fulfilled. Any favour not presented by the time of the death of a Empress or Emperor remains valid until it is used. An Imperial favour is transferable and may be passed to another if the current owner desires.

Selection of The Throne

Any Imperial citizen may seek election to the Throne but appointment requires a constitutional vote by the Imperial Senate. If successful, the individual becomes emperor or empress once their coronation is complete.

Although many occupants of the Throne have been senators before their accession, there is no requirement to be so. The Senate may choose any Imperial citizen.

Removing The Throne

The Throne serves until they die, step down or are revoked.

The Throne can only be revoked by the General Assembly of the Synod. The Throne can only be removed through revoked by vote of the