Declaration
Overview
The Conclave has a number of powers to enable them to fulfil their constitutional role to support the proper use of magic by the Empire. These powers are grouped together as the Declarations of the Conclave. Declarations are used by the Conclave to determine policy and to appoint citizens to the Imperial titles appointed by the Conclave. They always require a vote by the assembled Imperial magicians to pass.
A declaration can generally be thought of as a short sentence beginning "The Imperial conclave declares ..." and then a single specific thing such as "...that I am Archmage of Winter" or "...that Sadogua should be considered an ally of the Empire."
Raising a declaration
A declaration is placed on the agenda for the next Conclave session. Placing a declaration costs a mana crystal, which must be paid when the declaration is raised. The civil servant records the name of the person raising the declaration and the specifics of what that declaration is about. For example "Xavier i Guerra raises a Declaration of Sorcery against Pieter Vanderhooven" or "Lebannon of Haros Water raises a Declaration of Candidacy for the title of Archmage of Winter".
The grandmaster of each order has a power called the veil of night which allows them to raise a declaration to the agenda without revealing any specifics of that declaration, in which case it is recorded as either "The Grandmaster of (Order) raises a declaration" or ""The Grandmastr of (Order) raises a declaration of candidacy" as appropriate.
Presentation
The format follows the approach used for an address. Each declaration in turn is announced by the civil service, in the order in which they were placed on the agenda. The individual who raised the declaration to the agenda then has one minute to present their position, they must spend crystal mana if they wish to speak for longer.
Debate
After the declaration has been presented, those present may pay mana for the right to discuss the subject, in order determined by the Principle of Precedence.
Resolution
After the discussion is complete, every Imperial magician present may vote in favour or against, or may choose to abstain. If more magicians vote in favour than vote against, the declaration is carried. In the case of a tie, the declaration is considered to have failed.
The civil servants supporting the meeting may choose to count votes on a general aye or nay where the outcome is very clear. If voting is required, magicians normally vote by raising their hands and are counted out by order with civil servant counting independents and verifying any counts.
When a declaration is carried, the effects of that declaration come into effect at the end of the Conclave session. For example, if an Archmage loses their title due to a Declaration of Candidacy they legally lose their powers and must surrender their regalia at the end of the session rather than in the middle.
List of Declarations
| Declaration | Effect |
| Amity | Propose that an eternal is an ally of the Empire. |
| Candidacy | Propose someone to hold an Imperial title |
| Concord | Propose statement of belief, intent, or support by the Conclave |
| Dissemination | Propose that knowledge of a ritual be shared with someone |
| Endowment | Propose that someone receive something owned by the Conclave |
| Enmity | Propose that an eternal is an enemy of the Empire |
| Imperial lore | Propose that a ritual text be added to the body of Imperial lore |
| Interdiction | Propose that a magical practice be proscribed within the Empire |
| Neutrality | Propose that a declaration of amity or enmity be overturned |
| Reconciliation | Propose that a declaration of interdiction or sorcery be overturned |
| Sorcery | Propose that someone is a sorcerer |
Further Reading
Core Brief
Additional Information
- Conclave vault
- Key Appointments to the Imperial Conclave