Council of the Crescent Moon
The five major the houses of the Flietch-ta Empire, along with the Emperor's own house, make up a council that rules the Empire. Assembling in Mora's Arc in the capital of Pash-ti, the Council manages all aspects of the Empire from the laws of the land to the price of potatoes. Indeed, the Council itself is as much a commodities exchange as it is a governing body. Many compromises reached within its walls include the exchanges of goods - metals, slaves, and food - as concessions for land, tariffs, and even the legal code itself.
The Council governs the houses, which in turn govern their respective members. Each Major household historically holds 10 seats on the council: One for the Head of the House, one for the Heir to the House, and 8 seats to be distributed as the Head sees fit. These seats are often used as bargaining chips, and are good ways for Houses to form alliances. Most major Houses hold as many as five Minor Houses under their sway in this way; after three generations a Seat becomes hereditary, and can only be taken away by vote; so in all actuality, many Major houses do not really "hold" all of their seats. The Imperial House holds 10 seats as well, though traditionally the Emperor himself does not claim one of his own.
While the Emperor has final approval over all matters and can, in theory, rule simply by decree, only the strongest of sovereigns can thwart the will of the Council. Some have tried and found themselves a head shorter as a result.
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