Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies
Overview
This title was created at the Autumn Equinox summit of 377YE, and Janusz Dalibor von Temeschwar of the Bloody Butchers of Temeschwar appointed to the position by the Senate.
During the Spring Equinox 378YE, the Quartermaster's powers were significantly amended. The stipend (originally set at 25 thrones each season) was suspended, and their right to speak in the Senate was removed and replaced with the right of address.
In Summer 380YE, the Imperial Senate voted to further amend the powers amend the powers of the Quartermaster General to allow them to apportion the Imperial Guerdon. This new power underwent significant scrutiny by the constitutional court, and they identified that it represented a significant shift in power from individual nations and their generals to the Imperial Military Council. AS such, it required both a constitutional vote and ratification by The Throne.
The motion passed, and was ratified by Empress Lisabetta, granting the Quartermaster General sweeping powers to influence how the independent captains of the Empire would support Imperial military forces in future. The constitutional court also recommended that the method of appointment be changed to reflect the fact that the Quartermaster General was an officer of the Military Council, and not the Senate. This duly passed and the old method of appointment - using a shortlist drawn up by the generals and then voted on by the Senate - was abandoned in favour of majority decision by the military council.
Responsibilities
The Quartermaster General is expected to take responsibility for the logistics of the Empire's armies. They may be called upon to advise the Senate on the needs of the armies, so that they may best pass motions for the resupply, development or building of armies and fortifications. They are expected to acquire resources swiftly and efficiently, and to liaise between the Senate and Military Council on logistical matters.
Following a recent decision of the Imperial Senate, the responsibilities of the Quartermaster include calling for a moment of silence to honour the dead after any address for emergency resupply is announced.
Powers
Address the Senate
The Quartermaster General has the right to make an address to the Senate once per summit. This is intended to allow them to present important information for the Senators consideration. It is extremely impolite not to inform the Speaker's seat of your intention to make this Address in advance of a session.
Address the Council
The Quartermaster General has the right to make a address to the Imperial Military Council once per summit. This is intended to allow them to discuss matters of resupply with the Council. To use this power, the Quartermaster General informs the Herald of the Council that they wish to make an address, which will then be added to the agenda for the next Council session.
Resupply Imperial armies
The Quartermaster General has the power to resupply Imperial armies.
To use this power, the Quartermaster General provides an announcement to the Civil Service, who present the decision to the Imperial Senate. No voting is possible by the Senate at this point, as the power has been delegated to the Quartermaster General. The Imperial Synod may, however, choose to exercise their veto over the Quartermaster's decision.
Apportioning the Guerdon
The Quatermaster General has the power to determine how the Imperial Guerdon is allocated. Specifically, they can exclude any or all Imperial armies and navies, fortifications, or special projects (such as spy networks) from the calculations. This means that a military unit (or fleet) will receive a share of the guerdon only for supporting an army (or navy), defending a fortification, or assisting a special project that has been approved by the Imperial Quartermaster. Once the Imperial Quartermaster apportions the Guerdon, their decision remains in effect until it is changed again.
If an army, fortification, or special project is excluded from the Guerdon then military units that support it receive no shares of the Guerdon and are not counted in the calculations to determine how it will be allocated. In essence, those military units receive nothing. Regardless, the Imperial Quartermaster has no power to add things that would not normally be eligible for the Guerdon to the list - a foreign army for example, or a fortification that is not controlled by the Empire.
As with the ability to power of resupply, the Quatermaster General provides an announcemnt to the Civil Service which is presented to the Senate, and may be vetoed by the Imperial Synod.
Appoiintment
The Quartermaster General is appointed by the Military Council. It is elected by simple majority of any members of the Military Council who are eligible to vote who are present when the election takes place. Appointments by the Military Council are traditionally carried out with a show of hands at a Council session.
The title is appointed during the Autumn Equinox. Any Imperial citizen may hold the post.
The Quartermaster General is appointed annually. They may be revoked by the General Assembly and by the Assembly of the Nine.