Imperial Military Council
Overview
The Military Council is the gathering of Imperial generals who determine the strategic plans for the Empire’s armies. Comprised of each Imperial general and their staff, it meets during each festival to review the current state of the Empire’s wars and to plan future campaigns.
During these meetings, the Empire uses the opportunities for gate travel to send their heroes to fight pitched battles against the barbarians. The generals decide which of the opportunities divined by the Civil Service they will attempt, who will go and who will be in command.
Role within the Empire
The Military Council prosecutes the Empire's wars against the barbarians and defending her borders. Declarations and cessations of war can only be made by the Senate, but only the Military Council can issue orders to the Imperial armies. They also play a minor role in the judicial system; the council has the power to release individuals who have been sentenced to fight to the death in battle, if service has been exemplary.
History
The structure of the Military Council and the Imperial armies was laid down at the creation of the Empire. The Marcher Steward, Tom Drake, argued passionately that the command of Marchers yeoman must be with a yeoman. He point blank refused to compromise, for Drake it was about the principle of representation and the right for Marchers to choose who they raised up. But his vision of armies raised within nations and led by generals of those nations appointed by their senators quickly gained ground easing concerns that the Empress might wield the might of the armies as a tyrant.
Sessions
The Military Council does not have formal sessions like the Senate or Conclave, but the council meets every evening during a summit to agree strategy. The civil service prepare military briefings for the Imperial generals detailing everything that is known about the state of the armies, the forces arrayed against them and the opportunities available.
Each general is solely responsible for choosing what orders to issue to their army, but common sense dictates that most generals cooperate where possible. The orders are collected by the civil servants and issued to the armies as soon as the summit is complete, so that the army commanders in the field can follow the general's plan until the next summit.
When the council needs to make a decision on an issue the warmage and each general is entitled to a single vote. Generals are expected to communicate the decisions they have made back to everyone from their nation present at Anvil (secrecy is not usually a concern), but the civil service also ensure that the egregores are informed to try to ensure everyone has a chance to find out when they might be called upon to fight.
Participation
The generals are appointed by the senators of that nation by unanimous vote. In the event the senators are unable to collectively agree on their choice of generals, then the Senate as a whole votes on the matter, with candidates from the nation presenting themselves to the Senate.
Each general is permitted to bring an adjutant to the council with them, but only those with a vote on the council can speak unless invited to do so. In practice the rule is rarely enforced unless the tent is crowded or those present are being disruptive. Synod members have the right of witness, but cannot speak unless invited to do so.
However the constitution explicitly forbids senators from entering the Military Council under any circumstances. Some historical scholars claim this reflects the importance the First Empress and her advisers placed on the separating the business of war from the busines of politics. Less flattering interpretations point out that since the Empress (or Emperor) is a member of both chambers, this ruling also enhances the prestiege and power of The Throne.
The Warmage also holds a seat on the military council. Rather than being selected by the Senate, the post is appointed through the Imperial Conclave. The warmage does not control a campaign army, but is otherwise a full member of the military council.
Further Reading
Core Brief
- Military Council Overview
- Muster
- Council Session
- Powers of the Imperial Military Council
- General
- Imperial army
- Imperial navy
Additional Information
- War
- Council Address
- Appointments to the Military Council
- Imperial Roll of Honour
- Appointments by the Military Council
- OOC Design