Speaker of the Highborn Assembly
Overview
The Speaker of the Highborn Assembly is an old title that fell into disuse some time ago. Historically, the Speaker for the Highborn Assembly served in a manner very similar to a cardinal of virtue, guiding the assembly and ensuring its traditions were upheld. With the formation of the Synod in the early years of the Empire, however, the title fell out of fashion and was eventually abrogated during the reign of Empress Varkula, allegedly at the request of the Assembly of the Nine (over the bitter protests of the Highborn Assembly). The actual role never really went away, however, although it rose and fell in prominence as the politics of the Highborn ebbed and flowed.
The title was reinstated shortly before the Summer Solstice 383YE following the refurbishment of the Basilica of Seven Doors by the Imperial Senate.
Responsibilities
Historically, the Speaker for the Highborn Assembly served in a manner very similar to a cardinal of virtue, guiding the assembly and ensuring its traditions were upheld. With the formation of the Synod in the early years of the Empire, however, the title fell out of fashion and was eventually abrogated during the reign of Empress Varkula, allegedly at the request of the Assembly of the Nine (over the bitter protests of the Highborn Assembly). The actual role never really went away, however, although it rose and fell in prominence as the politics of the Highborn ebbed and flowed.
Details of the old title Speaker of the Highborn Assembly still exist. The Speaker had responsibility for chairing the meetings of the National Assembly, encouraging the priests of Highguard to vote on judgements of the Synod and express the will of their congregations, organising the Day of the Dead memorial, and serving as custodian of the Basilica. The pilgrims and priests visiting the Basilica served as an additional congregation, meaning that the Speaker also receives 10 liao and 20 votes in the Imperial synod.
The Speaker was appointed by judgement of the Highborn Assembly, during the Winter solstice each year, and the Custodes Clavium suggest that the motion request the Constitutional Court keep this provision, so as to preserve continuity with the earlier incarnation. Traditionally, the appointment took place the morning after the Day of the Dead celebration, at the start of the Highborn new year, and the Custodes Clavium would be keen to see that custom recognised and maintained if possible.
Powers
Bounty of Liao
The sinecure provides TBC measures of liao to the Speaker each season, to be used as they see fit.
Voice in the Synod
The Speeaker receives TBC votes in the Imperial Synod. They may use these votes in any appropriate assembly, following the normal rules for votes provided by a Sinecure.
Appointment
The Speakeris a national position which is appointed by judgement of the Highbon assembly.
The Speaker serves for a year, or until they die or step down. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Highborn Assembly, and the Assembly of the Nine.
Basilica of Seven Doors
The Basilica of the Seven Doors in Bastion was built for the use of the original Highborn Assembly, long before the foundation of the Empire, and long before the Way spread to other nations. At one point, it was perhaps the most significant building in Highguard - the centre of both spiritual and secular power, guiding the chapters and building a new nation on foundations of virtue and faith. The duty of overseeing the citadel and its grounds belongs to the Custodes Clavium - a Highborn chapter named for the ring of keys they notionally hold, each one used to secure one of the gates to the citadel.
Towards the end of last year, Lev of the Unbound contacted the Custodes Clavium to discuss the future of the Basilica, with particular regard to its traditional role in the Highborn assembly. It has taken nearly a year during which the members of the chapter have traveled far and wide across Highguard speaking to respected scholars and priests, but they have finally reached a conclusion.
They agree that the time has come to reopen the Halls, and in doing so reinstitute the formal title of Speaker for the Highborn Assembly.
The Basilica is old, and while it is well maintained, it was built at an earlier time when there were fewer priests. If it is to serve as the new heart of the Highborn assembly, it will need some refurbishment. The Custodes Clavium are more than willing to oversee these refurbishments themselves - and they are more than capable of doing so without placing additional demands on the civil service. All they require is the permission of the Senate, and the support of the Highborn assembly.
As envisioned by the Custodes Clavium, the project would require 15 wains of white granite for the structure itself, and 5 wains of weirwood to enlarge and redesign the gardens that surround the Basilica itself. In theory the project would cost 30 crowns, but as long as the chapter was permitted to oversee the refurbishments, they would be more than happy to pay workers out of their own pocket. It would take three months to complete, and at the end of that time the newly revitalised Basilica of Seven Doors would create a new title.
This is not a limited opportunity; the Custodes Clavium remain committed to restoring the Speaker of the Highborn Assembly, and refurbishing the Basilica of Seven Doors. The refurbishment could be done without the aid of the Custodes Clavium, but doing so would mean that the restructuring work would count against the limited number of commissions the Senate can begin each season, the cost for the refurbishment would rise to 20 wains of white granite and 10 wains of weirwood, and the full labour costs of 60 crowns would need to be paid.
More than one archivist and ecclesiastic scholar has opined that, were the Speaker for the Highborn Assembly restored to prominence it might encourage other national assemblies to consider improving their own organisation - a Speaker for the League Assembly based in Capodomus Cathedral perhaps, or even a Speaker for the Freeborn Assembly with offices at Atalya. These same scholars imagine that a little more organisation in the more fractious assemblies could be only for the good of the Synod as a whole - but such concerns are for the National Assemblies not for the people of Highguard.