Grim Gardener

Overview

The Grim Gardener is an Imperial title commissioned by the Imperial Senate in Spring 381YE. The position of Grim Gardeneris a sinecure, requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income of valuable herbs.

The garden is in the region of Perumaki, Miekarova, in the shadow of the imposing Vor'azi fortification of Grimhold.

Responsibilities

The Grim Gardener has no particular responsibilities; they simply receive a bounty of herbs. If their garden were to be threatened in any way, however, it would be their responsibility to deal with those threats. Likewise, if any opportunity relating to the gardens presented itself, they would make any decisions needed to take advantage of it.

Powers

Grand Bounty of Herbs

The Grim Gardener has custodianship of a sinecure. They receive a significant amount of herbs each season: 7 doses of True Vervain, and 5 doses each of Imperial Roseweald, Cerulean Mazzarine, Marrowort, and Bladeroot.

Appointment

The Grim Gardener is appointed by unanimous decision of the Varushkan senators. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the title may be appointed by the Imperial Senate instead.

The title can be held by a Varushkan citizen. The Gardener has tenure, and serves until they die or step down.

The Grim Gardener can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Varushkan National Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.

The Gardens of the Grim

The Grim Garden is neat and orderly. Surrounded by a high fence, with low internal walls separating the herbs into different beds. The walls are covered with depictions of the Varushkan virtuous animals, and well maintained paths weave between the herb beds allowing easy access to the gardeners who protect them.

The Garden of the Grim also contains a large statue of a strongly lineaged armoured Draughir with a wolfhead helm and chains. A small plaque set into the indicates that this is the Varushkan hero Chernobog, an exemplar of Loyalty who died defending the Imperial Conclave from an assault by servants of the eternal Arhallogen Spring 379YE.