Imperial Constitution
Overview
The Constitution was produced at the dawn of the Empire, by the First Empress and her supporters. It is a set of axioms which dictate how the Empire can be governed and the rights of the nations of the Empire and their citizens. Although it is possible to change the Constitution, it is intentionally difficult to do so and impossible until The Throne is occupied. Even then, the NPC Magistrates of the Constitutional Court must ratify any changes to the constitution or to the way it is interpreted.
Purpose
The point of the Constitution is to ensure that Empire remains an enjoyable game to play. Senators have wide ranging powers to change the laws of the Empire, but the Constitution exists to reduce the chance that they use these powers to make the game less enjoyable. It inhibits players from reducing the complexity of the political system and tries to prevent them using undue power in the Senate to punitively victimize disenfranchised groups. Ultimately the Constitution limits the powers of players in the interest of keeping the game fun. Any attempt to change the constitution which we believe will adversely affect the enjoyment of the game will not be ratified by our NPC magistrates.
Changes to Imperial Law
The Senate has the power to introduce new laws or to change existing laws. Any suggested changes are assessed by the Imperial Civil Service to see how they accord with the Imperial Constitution. A proposal may be consistent with the Constitution or inconsistent with the Constitution (in the latter case the motion is described as having constitutional implications).
- A motion that is consistent with the constitution can be passed by majority vote of the senators present.
- A vote that has constitutional implications requires the approval of two-thirds of all current senators in the Empire and must be authorized by The Throne and approved by three senior Magistrates.
Any character may discuss a proposed motion with the functionaries of the Senate to try to find a way to make it consistent, or stop it being inconsistent with the Constitution. They will offer advice as best they can. There is no right of appeal however, as the functionaries are NPCs. Their decisions are made in the interests of keeping the game enjoyable, they are not made so as to create plot when players disagree with them.
Where a motion with constitutional implications is passed and ratified the civil service will amend the constitution as necessary and add any relevant notes for interpretation to their commentary of it.
The Imperial Constitution
In concord with the representatives of the great nations of humanity, we declare the founding of our Empire. Let us be joined together by common destiny; to build a great Empire; to serve and protect its people; to let them prosper and achieve greatness and spread across the face of Creation together in unity.
Let this constitution set out the strong principles upon which our Empire will be founded; to serve as the solid base upon which we will build our glorious undertaking; and to mandate the responsibilities and duties of our people, our nations and our Imperial future.
By signing these accords of Empire we(1) agree to be joined in a single union to be governed in accordance with the principles of this constitution.
We shall be united in law and policy, but free to maintain the traditions that have made each of us strong. The nations of our Empire will be embodied by the spirit of an egregore, created to preserve its essential character. Our Empire will recognize as citizens those whose oath to accept the culture of a nation; to honour the virtues of the Way, and to support the laws of the Empire (2), is accepted by those egregore.
To these citizens we will guarantee dignity (3), freedom (4), and prosperity (5). Each citizen that owns land or property will tithe wealth equal to a single crown (6) to be used in service of the Empire that protects them. Citizens shall not hold more than one high office at a time and must exercise their powers in person (7); those whose virtue causes them to be offered numerous Imperial titles must choose between them. In this way no citizen shall accumulate so much responsibility that they consider themselves better than their fellows.
The Throne shall lead the Empire and represent her in all things. It shall be a beacon to her people and a terror to her enemies. Whenever the Throne sits in the great councils laid out in this constitution, then their voice shall carry the greatest weight (8).
The Civil Service shall serve The Throne and the people, and be bound in oaths of loyalty to the Empire (9). They will be civil in their dealings and treat each citizen by their virtues, without prejudice or favour regardless of wealth, nationality or title. The best of them will serve as magistrates, to ensure the law is a friend to no-one but instead the servant and the master of all.
The Senate shall ensure the good governance of the Empire. The Senate will assume responsibility for relations with other nations, for the creation of just laws and for the allocation of Imperial taxes as the Senate sees fit, by majority vote. The confirmation of the Empress's (10) right to occupy the Throne requires the approval of the greater majority of senators (11). Matters of similar weight (12) require similar consideration and the approval of the Throne. In addition should changes to this constitution prove necessary they must be ratified by the Magistrates of the Constitutional Court to ensure that its founding principles are protected (13).
Each territory of the Empire (14) will elect a single senator to participate in the Senate, according to the traditions of the nation that claims it. Territorial nationality shall be decided by vote of the existing Senate, where it is legitimately disputed (15).
The Military Council shall ensure the rigorous defence of the Empire. Each nation in the Empire will raise armies as directed by the Senate. The Senate will appoint a general for each army, but only where the will of the nation in this matter is not clear (16). The Military Council will execute the strategy of war without interference from the Senate. If the Throne finds complaint with the worst of their number then she may carry their office until such a suitable replacement can be found.
The Civil Service will ensure that those who soldier to defend our Empire will be equipped and provisioned to meet this challenge. Citizens who render two year's service to the Military Council will receive 50 acres of land or equivalent wealth if land is not to be had.
The Synod shall ensure the virtuous behaviour of the Empire. The Synod will remove from Imperial Office those whose behaviour is deemed unvirtuous whether they sit upon the Throne; serve the people in the Senate or on the Military Council or in the Civil Service; or serve within the councils of the Synod itself (17) The Synod will ensure the behaviour of individual citizens does not debase the Empire.
Those who stand in the Synod shall express the views of their congregation. The Synod will establish assemblies that each may know their virtue and select the most virtuous amongst them to lead. Voting in the Synod will be performed by such assemblies as are rightfully able to weigh the virtue of an action or individual, in accord with their nationality and authority. The civil service will render to these priests such liao as is needed to minister to their congregation. The Throne and those amongst them with the greatest virtue will be given True Liao to distribute as they see fit, excepting one dose which shall be rendered to whichever citizen has demonstrated the greatest prosperity, in service of the Synod.
The Conclave (18) shall ensure the fit and proper use of magic in the service of the Empire. They will identify those arcane practitioners whose arts work against the Empire, so that they may be condemned. The Conclave will accord a voice to those citizens who demonstrate command of magic and demonstrate the necessary commitment to the authority of the Conclave. The Conclave will appoint leaders who will assist in the allocation of such resources as are needed to further its aims; it shall be guided by fraternities of magicians under the general aegis of the Senate, and without interference from the Synod (19).
The Bourse (20) shall control access to those resources that are essential to the prosperity of any nation. Appointment to the Bourse shall be established by auction and shall be free of all interference of the Senate, or from the Synod. Some of the resources of the Empire will remain in the careful custody of those Nations who can best use them; the remainder shall be overseen by those who demonstrate great prosperity, and freely offer a portion therof for the good of the Senate (21).
No coin may be accepted that has not been produced in the Mint (22) and which does not bear the rightful stamp of The Throne.
By these principles, councils, and virtues we agree to be governed in perpetuity; let them not be chains to bind us in unchanging servitude, but an inspiration to exalt us and drive our great endeavour.
Commentary on the constitution
1. One copy of the Imperial Constitution was created for each of the eight nations present at the creation of the Empire. Further copies were created when Urizen and later the Imperial Orcs joined the Empire. All original copies of the constitution are stored in the capital in Highguard.