New Imperial titles

Overview

The Senate has the power to create new titles - these are usually Imperial or National positions that grant power or wealth to those appointed to them - but they often come with a set of responsibilities that the Senate expects the recipient to undertake.

There are many different kinds of title - but it is a key part of the Constitution that a citizen may only ever hold one title at a time. A senator cannot be a general - nor can they be appointed to the Keeper of the Dark Groves of Boroz. Any citizen who is offered one title while in possession of another must choose which title they will continue to hold.

Responsibilities

Most titles come with a responsibility or duty that the holder is expected to perform. For instance a citizen granted the title of Defender of the Senate might be charged with ensuring the defence and security of the Senate during the meetings at Anvil.

There is no contractual obligation to uphold the responsibilities of an office - it is not possible to create a title that requires specific action or dictates how the responsibilities must be discharged. However the responsibilities of an office are important - it is not unknown for citizens to face the threat of revocation by the Synod for failing to adequately discharge the responsibilities of the title they have accepted.

Stipend

Any title may be granted a stipend - a regular income which is drawn directly from the Imperial treasury. Titles with responsibilities that are likely to incur significant costs are the most eligible for a stipend, but any post created with a motion can have one attached to it in theory.

A title may not be given a disbursement - they may be assigned a stipend but it is not legal to allocate a one-off payment from the treasury to the first holder of a title.

Appointment

When a title is created, the Senate must choose which arm of the Imperial government will appoint the holder of the title; the Senate, the Synod, the Conclave, the Military Council or the Bourse. Once this decisions is made, it cannot be changed - a title can be abrogated - dissolving it completely - but it cannot be altered to assign it to a different house.