The Throne
Overview
The Throne leads the Empire through times good and bad. When the Empire requires a single point of decision-making, or needs to reform its institutions, it is the Throne that provides that executive authority.
Role within the Empire
The Throne is the sovereign power of the Empire, and provides essential decision-making in emergencies. Whereas the Senate must vote to achieve anything, the capability of the Throne to make and deploy rapid responses in crises has proved vital on a number of occasions. On the other hand, the weakness of having so much power concentrated in a single individual has also been exposed at points in the Empire's history. Other Imperial institutions are empowered to select a candidate for the Throne where the succession is unclear.
Entry Requirements
It is a convention of every Senate session that the Speaker asks if there is to be a candidate for the throne. It is very rare that any Senator will meet the civil servants's eyes when the question is asked.
The Senate and Synod have long recognised that placing an inappropriate candidate on the throne puts the Empire in a dangerous position. For this reason appointment to the Throne is done by constitutional vote and the first act of a successfully elected candidate should be the ratification of their appointment.
Any Imperial citizen in good standing may be nominated for the Throne by a Senator, which begins the election process. Given the difficulty of the election and the arduous nature of the role any candidate needs to be head and shoulders above their peers, though sometimes a political compromise wins through.
History
The Throne has been filled by some of the greatest figures in the Empire's history and also some of the most controversial.
Structure and Dynamics
There is little structure attached to the role of the Throne. The manner in which it acts is its own decision. Traditionally, though, the Throne has gone to the front lines, to wherever the Empire has been under threat. There the Emperor or Empress has worked with a dedicated team of individuals, none of whom carry official title. This has ensured that the Senate need feel no pressure to install a candidate from those around the throne should it fall, which minimises the chances of nepotism.
Powers and Functions
Titular head of State - passes to the Senate if the throne is empty.
Appointment of the First Generals - passes to the Senate if the throne is empty.
Leadership - does not pass to the Senate if the throne is empty.
Constitutional Ratification - does not pass to the Senate if the throne is empty.
Submission of Legislation to the Senate - does not pass to the Senate if the throne is empty.
The Mercy of the Empress - does not pass to the Senate if the throne is empty.
Expect more details of powers and functions to be added in future.
Resources
The Throne has a set of Campaign Resources for the holder of the role, and a number to be granted at their behest.
Icons and Imagery
Horse, Throne, Eight or more crowns.
Children and the Throne
To sit on the Throne is the childhood ambition of many boys and girls. For some this goal lasts far into their adulthood, for others it is left behind with other playground games.
It is expected for the Throne to act as an inspiration for the children of the Empire and to act directly as a role model for them both day to day and across the arc of her career. It has been common in Imperial history for the Throne to in fact meet children in their schools or with their families and to be reminded of the future citizens whom they serve by serving the Empire. Where an individual Empress or an Emperor has shunned children or avoided them, they have been viewed with significant suspicion and such behaviour has often caused questions to be raised in the Synod about their attitude.
Note: The Titles of Empress and Emperor
The Imperial structure and office is known as the Throne. Individual holders of the office may call themselves Empress or Emperor: often they declare themselves Empress in honour of the first holder of the position.