(Stavuk Vyloresh)
The Imperial Council are the Emperor's ministers. They advise the Emperor and carry out his wishes. Or at least, that's what the law says. In practice, some Imperial Councils have in the past held absolute power when the Imperial throne was occupied by a small child or a mentally incompetent emperor. The present Emperor Cledman VI has been reasonably assertive of his power and has relegated the Imperial Council to its usual role of advisors and servants. However, the Emperor is quite old and getting senile. He also has a tendency to go on drinking and partying binges that last for weeks at a time while the affairs of the Empire are increasingly left to the Imperial Council.
During the Emperor's recent illness, he was unable to rule and appeared near death. The Imperial Council split into two factions and the Empire was on the brink of civil war when the Emperor recovered his health.
To see news of the latest debates and actions of the Imperial Council and other news, look here.
To see detailed information and pictures of the current members of the Imperial Council, read on:
Cledman VI
Zekresh Emperor
The Emperor usually attends meetings of the Imperial Council, but he is not a member of it. He is superior to the council.
There are technically six members of the Imperial Council, but only four who regularly show up for meetings. They have made up derogatory nicknames for each other which are given in Zekresh and in English.
The council members are:
Rubanya Cledman
Lord Chancellor (similar to a prime minister)
nickname: "Pracha Ovunesh" ("Idle Chatter")
Rubanya is the Emperor's uncle. Considering that the Emperor is 74 years old, it is truly phenomenal that he still has a living uncle, but he does. Rubanya is 87 years old. Rubanya clearly has the strongest claim to the succession to the throne, but due to his advanced age, it is doubtful if he will outlive the Emperor. If he does, his reign is sure to be quite short and the succession would then become an open question again. Rubanya has heirs who could succeed him if he became Emperor, but they are all strident members of the Reformist Faction which Rubanya created. Most Imperial officials, provincial governors and all the senior officers of the Imperial Army strenuously oppose the Reformists.
Rubanya has advocated many reforms over the years. Above all he wants to root out corruption. Unfortunately, his youthful idealism and vigor are long gone and his dreams of implementing reforms have mostly faded away. He still talks about various reform ideas, but he has only rarely been able to convince the Emperor or his father before him to carry them out. His talk of reform ends up being mostly just talk. This is why the Loyalists nicknamed him "Idle Chatter".
During the recent "Crisis of the Regents" (in the first month of the 41st year of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI) the Emperor fell ill and appeared near death. The Reformist Faction and the Loyalist Faction each attempted to seize control of both the government and the Imperial Army. Fighting had already begun and the Empire was on the brink of civil war when the Emperor recovered his health. In that crisis, Rubanya set up an alternative Imperial capital at the city of Yishil and was beseiged there by an army of the Loyalist Faction led by Field Marshall Krulmuk. Rubanya retained the loyalty of part of the army and virtually all of the Imperial Navy. Though he was beseiged at Yishil, he could have evacuated by sea at any time. Though Rubanya is back in control of the Imperial government now, the Emperor has refused to punish the leaders of either faction and has ordered Rubanya to refrain from attempting to interfere with Field Marshall Krulmuk's control of the Imperial Army.
Asnalyva
Lord of the Exchequer
nickname: "Baylo" ("Dollars")
Asnalyva was a member of the Loyalist Faction, but switched to the Reformist Faction during the recent "Crisis of the Regents". As Lord of the Exchequer, he has control over the Imperial Treasury. Possibly the most corrupt and wealthiest government official in the entire Empire. He is said to have more money than the Emperor himself, though that is probably an exaggeration.
Levorek Cledman
Councilor (no specific portfolio)
nickname: "A Vimmel" ("The Weasel")
Levorek is the primary leader of the Loyalist Faction on the Imperial Council. He is the Emperor's favorite nephew, but is the son of the Emperor's sister and is banned from ascending to the throne by custom and Imperial decrees by previous Emperors that ban inheritance of the throne through a female family member. This problem can be solved if the Emperor will issue a decree naming Levorek as the heir to the throne. The Emperor has hinted that he might do this, but hasn't yet done it and could die unexpectedly any day without getting around to it. Levorek does everything he can to please the Emperor. He also endeavors to preserve absolute authority for the Imperial throne on which he hopes one day to sit. Levorek has a strong interest in military and political affairs, but no actual military experience. In politics, however, he is an expert.
During the recent "Crisis of the Regents" (in the first month of the 41st year of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI) the Emperor fell ill and appeared near death. The Reformist Faction and the Loyalist Faction each attempted to seize control of both the government and the Imperial Army. Fighting had already begun and the Empire was on the brink of civil war when the Emperor recovered his health. In that crisis, Levorek was in control of the Zekran, the Imperial capital city and had the loyalty of most of the Imperial Army. During his brief rule, he carried out horrific massacres of his political opponents.
Krulmuk
Field Marshall, Imperial Army
nickname: "Vastluchesh" ("Bloodlust")
Krulmuk is the commander of the Imperial Army. He rose rapidly through the ranks and distinguished himself in battle fighting barbarians in the overseas provinces. He firmly believes that a military commander must lead from the front. He is a member of the Loyalist Faction at the Imperial Court and he strongly advocates expanding the imperial frontier and crushing dissent by force. He seems to enjoy combat a little too much, which is how he got his nickname.
During the recent "Crisis of the Regents" Krulmuk personally led an army that besieged the city of Yishil, the headquarters of the Reformist Faction. When the Emperor ordered an end to the fighting, Rubanya was restored to control of the government and demanded that Krulmuk be removed from command of the army. The Emperor refused to do this and forbade Rubanya to interfere in the affairs of the army which he left to Krulmuk. However, Rubanya managed to arrange for Krulmuk to be sent away from the capital to lead an army to the Overseas Provinces to fight off a barbarian invasion. In the event of any future conflict between the Loyalists and the Reformists, Krulmuk would find it difficult to return from the Overseas Provinces because the only feasible way back is by sea and the Imperial Navy is loyal to the Reformist faction.
Valast
nickname: "A Tamlish" ("The Sailor")
Grand Admiral, Imperial Navy
Valast is the commander of the Imperial Navy and is surprisingly young to hold such responsibility. Though the rest of the fleet is often in disrepair, his flagship, "Goddess of the Sea" is maintained in perfect condition with a crew of the best sailors in the known world. He truly enjoys sailing and seamanship to the point where he spends as little time as possible on land. He is usually absent from meetings of the Imperial Council for this reason. He is a member of the Reformist Faction on the Imperial Council.
During the recent "Crisis of the Regents" Valast kept the navy steadfastly aligned with Rubanya and the Reformists while the Imperial Army was split into factions. The Imperial Navy's role in blocking the movement of Loyalist forces by sea to the North Peninsula while ferrying Reformist troops to there was critical to preventing a Loyalist victory.
Baland
Councilor (no specific portfolio)
nickname: "A Nerstuk" ("The Traitor")
Baland is the only member of the Imperial Council who openly supports the separatist faction. He has been imprisoned in the dungeon of the Imperial Castle for this, but the Emperor apparently forgot to officially remove him from the council so technically he is still a member though he is imprisoned for treason. Baland is the only member of the Imperial Council who is not of Zekresh ancestry. He is a member of one of the Kikali tribes.
During the recent "Crisis of the Regents" the Loyalists had a quorum of the Imperial Council until Asnalyva switched sides. To get one more councilor so they would have a quorum and could declare Levorek regent, Baland was dragged out of the dungeon by the Loyalists to attend one more Imperial Council meeting.
To see news of the latest debates and actions of the Imperial Council and other news, look here.
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