Colonial Magisteria
Legislative Advising Council
Serving alongside the Colonial Senate and advising the Consulate is the Officium Magesteria, or more commonly called the Magesteria. The Magesteria serves as an upper legislative council to the First Consul, offering advice and wisdom to the Consulate on matters where they may have expertise.
The Magesteria is made up of one Magestrar from each of the administrative sectors centered around each of the 10 colonies. These Magestrars have an office building between the Colonial Senate building and Colonial Consulate on Aerelium, symbolizing that they bridge the gap between the common people who the senate represent and the highest office of the Colonial Consulate. Each Magestrar acts as a direct representative of their respective colony to the First Consul providing them with insight into the politics, problems and individual needs of each colony to allow the Consulate to better govern. Each Magestrar is selected directly by the people of their colony and serve at the pleasure of the people until they are recalled and re-selected. This has advantages as they do not need to be knee-deep in colonial politics ninety percent of the time just to be re-selected. Because of the apolitical nature of their position they can truly work for the people of their colony to ensure each colony is equally represented and cared for by the Consulate.
Although the Magesteria has the ear of the First Consul and therefore wields immense influence at high levels of government, they have no real legislative power. They do not vote, or directly put forth legislation. They can recommend a course of action to the Consulate, or even give legislation to a senator to put forth, but they themselves have no power to advance the legislative process at all.
However this does not mean that the Magesteria can be trampled and neglected by the Senate or Consulate. Because the Magestrars are the direct representation of their whole colony and not just a certain constituency on the planet they are usually highly respected individuals, and their position even more so. To disrespect a Magestrar would be to disrespect and slight an entire colony which could badly damage relations between two colonies, or even ostracize the colonies from the government.
Although the Officium Magesteria cannot vote on or make laws, they wield immense power and respect on and off their respective colonies. The members of the Senate, and those who work for the Colonial Consulate would do well to listen to their advice, and even better to heed their warnings.
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