Steel Fist
Overview
The Steel Fist is something of an anomaly in that it does not precisely exist within the Empire at all. The offices of the Steel First are located at Crown's Quay in Necropolis, but consist of little more than a neat white-granite building with a discrete sign outside the front door. Regardless, custodianship of the Steel Fist grants an Imperial title; a seat on the Imperial Bourse; and a seasonal bounty of valuable ilium to the Imperial orc who controls it.
The Resource
In recent years Imperial Orc forces have swelled the ranks of the Imperial armies, tipping the scales against the barbarian threat. Empress Britta enjoyed particularly strong support from the Orcs (both in the first months of her reign and in the military campaigns that preceded it). To recognise that support she helped create the position of the Steel Fist.
The opportunity to create the Steel Fist came in Summer 374YE when representatives of the Sarcophan Delves approached the Empire to discuss certain trading privileges at the Imperial docks. The Imperial Senate at the time was uninterested, but Empress Britta saw the potential and hosted a private negotiation with the ambassadors. The upshot was that the Bedelaar Huisbass of Sarcophan would pay a regular tribute of ilium to the Empire each season, in return for exemption from several trade tariffs and some minor freedoms when operating in the Bay of Catazaar. Chief among these was the ability to store small amounts of weirwood, white granite, and mithril in Imperial warehouses. In return the Sarcophan also continued to endorse the Civil Service Bourse Certificates. Being the Empire's closest neighbours, it is convenient for Sarcophan merchants to meet some of their trading partners on Imperial soil and, as long as they scrupulously observe Imperial law, they are able to do so free from Imperial interference.
The deal concluded, Empress Britta presented it as a fait accompli to the Senate. To reward the Imperial Orcs for the work undertaken in supporting the Imperial armies, the illium would be allocated to them and connected to a new seat on the Imperial Bourse. There was some grumbling about the agreement, but little open opposition due to a widespread acceptance that the orcs were unstinting in their support for the Empire. The announcement that the Seat would be national, and allocated to whichever legion provided the most assistance to Imperial armies on campaign, did much to quiet dissenting voices in the face of growing aggression from the Jotun, Druj, and Thule.
The Steel Fist Accord (the Verdrag van de Stalen Vuist) is due to be renewed in 399YE. Should the Empire ever declare war on the Sarcophan, the Steel Fist is likely to be the first casualty of the ensuing conflict.
Every time an Imperial Orc allocates a military unit to support an Imperial army they receive votes. A typical military unit provides 10 votes, plus an extra 2 votes for each time it has been upgraded. Any enchantment that directly increases the effectiveness of a military unit when fighting alongside a campaign army will also grant additional votes. When the seat is allocated (usually during the Spring Equinox), the number of votes they have accrued over the previous year is tallied. The owner of the military unit records which Imperial orc they wish to support, and the one who receives the most votes takes the Seat. Votes are recorded in private in conjunction with the civil servants who support the Bourse.
during the Spring Equinox 379YE.
The Bourse Seat
Responsibilities
The Seat has no particular responsibilities; they simply receive a bounty of ilium which is theirs to do with as they will. If the Steel Fist were to be threatened in any way, it would be the responsibility of the Seat to deal with those threats. Likewise, if any particular opportunity were to arise related to the Steel Fist, the Seat would expect to be consulted as to how that opportunity might be resolved.
Powers
Seat on the Bourse
Custodianship of the Steel Fist comes with a seat on the Imperial Bourse. For the most part, this Seat comes with no additional responsibilities. it is an Imperial title that allows access to the private auction, and grants the right to participate on the rare occasion when the Imperial Bourse as a body is required to make a decision.
Bounty of ilium
The Seat has control of a source of ilium, and receives ingots of the rare material certificates to represent that control. They can dispense this resource as they choose. Production is 8 rings of ilium every season.
Selection
As with all ilium Bourse seats, the holder of the title is determined during the Spring Equinox. The Seat is allocated to whichever Imperial orc legion provides the most assistance to Imperial armies on campaign. Small legions combine their efforts so that they can be counted together to compete for this great prize.
Removal
Custodianship of the Steel Fist is retained for a year, or until the citizen holding the seat dies, steps down, or is excommunicated. An Imperial Bourse seat cannot be revoked by the Imperial Synod.