Witness of Conclave

Overview

The Witness of Conclave is an Imperial title created by the Imperial Senate in Winter 384YE following calls in the Conclave and Imperial Synod in Autumn 384YE.

During scrutiny, the Constitutional Court expressed some caution around the use of the word "inquisit" in the Senate motion that created the title. They determined however that the word is simply a description of what the title should do as part of its responsibilities, rather than an attempt to give a title appointed by the Imperial Conclave power in the Imperial Synod.

Responsibilities

The Witness is responsible for identifying sorcerers, and those who should no longer be sorcerers, in the Empire, and is expected to investigate and/or inquisit those with an Imperial Conclave title, to ensure they are not becoming corrupt with power.

Although the Witness has a responsibility to investigate and/or inquisit, unless they maintain a congregation and are thus a Member of the Synod, they are unable to raise their own Judgements of Inquisition.

Powers

Sorcery

The Witness of Conclave is empowered to raise a single Declaration of Sorcery each summit to the agenda for debate during a Conclave session. The Civil Service will provide the Witness of Conclave with a single writ - to submit their declaration to the Conclave agenda they should complete the writ and hand it to the office of the Prefect of the Conclave at least one hour before the Conclave session begins.

Unlike a grandmaster, the Witness of Conclave is personally responsible for any presentation. While a proxy may be appointed to deliver the presentation, their declaration is recorded as having come from the Witness of Conclave.

Regalia

Each year at the Spring Equinox, the Witness receives a Thornpath Sash created by the vates of the Lost Lore Steading in Miaren, in respect of the title's responsibility to actively investigate anyone with an Imperial title appointed by the Conclave, and ensure that they are not becoming corrupted by their power. This rare magical item is a focus that grants an additional rank of Autumn Lore when performing Ties that Bind or Hand of the Maker, and an additional rank of Day lore when performing Bright Lantern of Ophis or Eye of the High Places. The sash is intended to help the title-holder gather all the evidence they need to secure a successful declaration of Sorcery. If the Witness loses their position, then the item must be given to the new Witness with all appropriate haste. The Witness is encouraged to take all appropriate precautions to keep this item safe.

Appointment

The appointment, replacement, or removal of the Witness of Conclave is made by the Declaration of Candidacy as part of a Conclave session. The Witness serves until they are replaced by another magician using the Declaration of Candidacy. As a title in the Conclave, they cannot be revoked.

Summit	Nation	Elected
Summer Solstice 388YE	Varushka	Zlata Ruznikova Perenel, The Dread Auntie
Winter Solstice 385YE	The Marches	Duncan of Ashill
Spring Equinox 385YE	Urizen	Bryn Netherwatch

Recent Elections

This title is currently held by Zlata Ruznikova Perenel, The Dread Auntie; it can be reelected at any summit by a declaration of candidacy. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.