The Throne
Overview
The Throne is the most powerful political position in the Empire. It is the formal title for the position of the head of the Imperial state, be they emperor or empress. The occupant heads the Imperial Senate, the Imperial Synod and the Imperial Military Council and serves as a rallying figure for the entire Empire.
Role within the Empire
The Throne holds a unique power; as a head of state, an Emperor or Empress is the only person who can have simultaneous influence in the Senate, the Synod and the Military Council. This gives them a signature ability to help provide unity of vision to the entire Empire and to guide it towards its manifest destiny.
Entry Requirements
Any Imperial citizen may seek election to the Throne but appointment requires a constitutional vote by the Imperial Senate. If successful, the individual becomes emperor or empress once their coronation is complete.
History
There have been nineteen Emperors and Empresses since the Empire was created.
Powers and Functions
Ratification of constitutional changes
If a constitutional vote in the Senate is successful than the motion is passed but does not become law until it is ratified by signature by The Throne. This means that it is not possible to make any possible alterations to the constitution unless they are ratified by The Throne. The Throne may choose whether to ratify constitutional changes or not. Any constitutional changes which are not ratified remain in suspension and may be ratified by a future occupant of The Throne. One of the first jobs of a new Emperor or Empress is usually to ratify several outstanding constitutional changes.
Power of veto
The Throne may veto any motion that has been passed by the Imperial Senate. Unlike the power of veto exercised by the Synod, this power can be used any number of times without limitation. To veto legislation, The Throne must be present when the vote is taken and must exercise the veto immediately after, otherwise the motion cannot be vetoed by The Throne.
The mercy of the Empress
The Throne may present an appeal for clemency on behalf of any Imperial Citizen who is being sentenced. The citizen must have pleaded guilty during their trial and The Throne must present the appeal on Virtuous grounds. Any appeal for clemency by The Throne carries the greatest possible weight.
Defender of the Empire
The Throne may remove any general from their position on the Imperial Military Council. The occupant of The Throne automatically assumes responsibility for and control of all military resources controlled by that general, until a new general is appointed. While holding the responsibilities of the removed general, The Throne cannot remove any further generals from their position.
Exclusion from the Senate
The Throne may order a single senator removed from the Senate for the duration of a vote. They are not required to present a justification for this action. Unlike the Speaker, they may only remove a single senator during a session and only for the duration of a single motion. Traditionally the Speaker uses their power to exclude senators whose behaviour is disorderly while The Throne acts to remove senators whose behaviour is considered to go against the best interests of the Empire.
The gift of liao
The first portion of pure liao that is produced by the Synod in each season is given to The Throne. The Throne may dispense with this portion of liao as they choose.
Master of magic
The Throne may dissolve the Imperial Conclave once a season. If this occurs then all the positions of the Imperial Conclave become vacant and must be refilled as soon as possible. The Throne cannot remove individual citizens from their position in the Imperial Conclave, they can only dissolve the entire Conclave.
The hand of the chancellor
Up to one third of all taxes collected by the civil service for use by the Imperial Senate are accessible by The Throne. They may take these funds and dispose of them as they choose. Any funds not removed from the treasury by The Throne remain available to the Senate as normal.
Resources
The Throne has a set of Campaign Resources for the holder of the role, and a number to be granted at their behest.
Icons and Imagery
Horse, Throne, Eight or more crowns.
Children and the Throne
To sit on the Throne is the childhood ambition of many boys and girls. For some this goal lasts far into their adulthood, for others it is left behind with other playground games.
It is expected for the Throne to act as an inspiration for the children of the Empire and to act directly as a role model for them both day to day and across the arc of her career. It has been common in Imperial history for the Throne to in fact meet children in their schools or with their families and to be reminded of the future citizens whom they serve by serving the Empire. Where an individual Empress or an Emperor has shunned children or avoided them, they have been viewed with significant suspicion and such behaviour has often caused questions to be raised in the Synod about their attitude.