Questus
The Questus is the first step in a young politicians career, the first office available to anyone hoping to make a name for themselves. However, the office of Questus is not the glamorous one some romanticize it to be. The more senior Senators treat the Questus as personal assistants and secretaries. The accepted applicants are often handed over to provincial governors to act as pages, or any job the governor demands. The position of Questus is, in fact, a test. A test of leadership, intellect, loyalty, ambition, and fortitude. It is also a tool for the older, wiser Senators to use in order to crush the ambitious before they become political rivals. But, no matter what hardships or opportunities the office brings, it is the first step for anyone seeking a political career. Finishing a single term as Questus grants the candidate lifelong membership into the Senate.
Qualifications
In order to even apply to become a Questus, one must complete ten years of military service, often more. Reaching the rank of Vexillum, while not a requirement, helps give the candidate the needed financial holdings, and contacts to place their application in higher regard. While it is not unheard of for a common soldier to become Questus it is very rare, and usually requires a good deal of political dealing to make one stand out among the hundreds of applicants.
Requirements
Ten years of military service, minimum.
30 years of age.
Appointment
At the end of each year the Rex Maxum reviews all submitted applications for the position of Questus, and checks for eligibility. He then picks the 40 most capable and presents these to a special congregation of the Senate. This congregation includes only the sitting Princepts, current and former Arbiters, and the sitting Legalos. These members vote in half of the applicants. A comity formed by one of the Princepts and the Arbiters then assigns the duties these twenty Questus will have for their year.
Duties
Fourteen of the new Questus are assigned to provincial governors. In this capacity they function as deputies, and perform whatever task the governor assigns. Many common duties include tax collection, military recruitment, overseeing harvests, commanding an army, or judicial responsibilities. Whatever the Governor feels their new assistant is capable of under taking.
Two Questus are hand picked to be attendants to the Princepts. Each Princept chooses their favorite. These Questus most often act as bureaucratic aids and secretaries, but almost no errand is beyond the power of the Princept to assign their chosen Questus.
The remaining four Questus are given to the Rex Maxum, Regina Matar, and Herald Imperial to be administrative assistance to the royal line, treasury, and religious embassy.
Responsibilities
In all stations the Questus is expected to act with dignity and respect, and to fulfill all needs set to them by their given task master. In the end the responsibilities of a Questus are determined by the role they are given.
Benefits
Becoming Questus grants life time membership into the Senate, but few perks beyond that. Primarily it gets one into the Senate, and working for a Governor can help a young politician make friends int he right places.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Being a member of the Senate allows one to adorn their clothing with the red Senatorial sash. Until a Questus completes their first year, or when actively serving as a Questus later, their sash is light blue.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Removal of a Questus is rare, but not impossible. If their behavior is deemed inappropriate, or themselves incompetent, their task master is within their rights to dismiss the Questus. They need only log the inciting incident or incidents with the Senate, and it is done. Being dismissed from your first year as Questus results in being barred from admission into the Senate for life, unless a Princept supports a vote to recend the ban. While dismissal from later terms does not include this penalty, being dismissed from Questus tends to leave one with a reputation for being unreliable.
Type
Civic, Political
Alternative Naming
Questar, Senate Page
Source of Authority
The Senate of Ahntier.
Length of Term
A Questus serves for one year, at the end of which they become a Senator. They may apply again as often as they wish, but become ineligible upon obtaining a higher office in the Senate.
Related Locations
Related Organizations
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