Imperial Council of Succession

The Council of Succession is a rare event that only occurs when an Imperial Dynasty has ended. Should an Emperor die without an heir, and despite the traditional weeks of mourning, a council of the most powerful men and women in the Empire will meet in secret at the Imperial College and begin the process of selecting a new Emperor.
The Master of the College, the Legate Primus of the Military, the Representative of Heirarch of the Church, the Speaker of the Senate and the three heads of the Great Houses will meet in a specially prepared, carefully maintained set of chambers in the College. The members are then locked inside and guarded by a full Legion as they deliberate on who the next Emperor will be. For the first week, food is provided by the College- should the selection take longer, however, the meals decline drastically in quality on the second week down to bread and water- and by the start of the third, are completely discontinued.
Should the Council elect a new Emperor, they announce their decision by raising a gold Imperial Eagle on a flagpole in the courtyard at the center of the building.

Execution

During the official period of mourning after the death of the Emperor, the Council members are assembled and placed under the personal guard of the First Legion. The Legion then escorts the members into the council chambers and ritually (as well as literally) seals the doors and form a perimeter around the building. No one but the appointed servants who will provide meals or requested documents to the members are allowed through that perimeter- and all meals or items are placed in a double-doored lockbox, which cannot be opened from the inside if the exterior door is open and vice-versa.
Every morning is supposed to begin with prayers lead by the Heirarch or his appointed representative, but whatever occurs within is kept a state secret. No one who is not on the council knows what is said inside, and all seven members are placed under an Imperial Vow of Silence after- all documents created during the Council are burned at the announcement of the decision.

Components and tools

Golden Imperial Standard- reputed to be the personal iconic eagle carried by the standardbearers of Emperor Tratica himself.

Participants

The Master of the Imperial College
The Legate Primus of the Military
The Heirarch of the Imperial Church (Or his appointed representative)
The Speaker of the Senate
Heads of the Three Great Houses

Observance

The Council is only convened when an Emperor dies without leaving a male heir to the throne.

Primary Related Location

Val Calvus, Imperial Capital

Related Ethnicities

• Traticean