The Imperial Council

The Imperial Council

Nation	The Hadrian Empire
Founded	Restored in 1539 by Diederick I
Kaiser	Diederick-Göbel von Lichtenfelts
ErzBannerbearer	Karl Severin von Lichtenfelts
ErzSteward	Damien von Aval
Reichsmarshall	Richard Vianden
ErzTreasurer	Friederich von Bergwald-Holstein
ErzCupbearer	Veredra von Lichtenfelts
ErzMagier	Kurt von Drachenfels
Language(s):	Common, Attian dialect

Summary

The Imperial Council, being a gathering of the most prominent advisors of the Kaiser, is the highest-ranking ruling body within the Hadrian Empire. Rebirthed in its current form during the reign of Diederick I, the councilors are personally chosen by the sitting Kaiser or his regent, in case of a regency. The council consists of six advisors, all with their own duties, sharing their expertise with the sitting Kaiser. These six handle the day-to-day of ruling the Empire and meet privately within the Imperial Palace.

The Positions of the Council

The Office of the ErzBannerbearer

This position is filled by the right hand of the Kaiser and is responsible for the functioning of the Imperial Council and household. When the Kaiser is absent, the ErzBannerbearer may sit in his stead and the position’s name derives from the honour bestowed upon the councillor, as they are the one to be allowed to carry the Imperial standard into battle alongside the Kaiser. Upon the Kaiser’s death, the ErzBannerbearer is to head the transition of power and lead the election process for a new Kaiser. Among their other duties is the tutoring of the young Prinzes and Prinzesses at court and keeping the council’s archives in order.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Ser Markvart von Herdorf 1541 - 1555 AFS (14 years)		Third of Redfall, 1503 AFS	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I
Karl Severin, Crown Prinz of the Hadrian Empire 1555 AFS - Present (8 years)		Thunderday 12, Newdawn, 1534 Adelsburg, Hadrian Empire	Alive

The Office of the ErzSteward

The position of the ErzSteward is one that is mostly of a civil nature, and they oversee mainly the housing within the Empire, most prominently that of the Imperial Capital, Adelsburg. They approve the trade and business within the city and are tasked with creating a bustling and safe environment within Adelsburg’s walls. Their responsibilities do not end there, as they are responsible for the upkeep of facilities and amenities across the Empire, as well as international trade agreements and the Empire’s infrastructure.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Friederich von Bergwald-Holstein, Graf of Dörne Im Westerwald 1539 - 1549 AFS (10 years)		Sunday 7, Edensrest, 1490 AFS	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I
Azrael van der Draeck 1549 - 1551 AFS (2 years)		Fireday 21, Newdawn, 1510	1553 aged 45
Wilhelm Sigismund, Crown Prinz of the Hadrian Empire 1551 - 1555 AFS (4 years)		Thunderday 12, Godsnight, 1534 Adelsburg, Hadrian Empire	1559 Adelsburg, Hadrian Empire aged 25
Ser Damien von Aval 1555 - 1559 AFS (4 years)		Wineday 11, Edensrest, 1534 Avalheim, Hadrian Empire	1559 Luminion, Enlightened Kingdom of Luminion aged 25

The Office of the Reichsmarshall

The supreme commander of the Imperial armed forces. This councillor is tasked with overseeing the upkeep and organisation of the Kriegsmacht as well as the Kriegsmarine. They maintain a standing army for the Empire in preparation for wartime and guides the Hochmeisters of the various Ritter-orders within the Empire. During wartime, the Reichsmarshall acts as a general alongside the Kaiser, deciding upon battle tactics and larger strategies of wartime.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Janczyk-Mariusz Tzyrnowski, Herzog of the Westerlands 1539 - 1545 AFS (6 years)		Moonday 1, Highbloom, 1503 AFS	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I
Zladimir de Tiri, 1st Markgraf of Flüssland 1545 - 1549 AFS (4 years)		1516	Harvestday 26, Starfall, 1549 Lunburg, Hadrian Empire aged 33
Konrad von Drachenfels, Markgraf of Flüssland 1549 - 1553 AFS (4 years)		1522	Alive
Richard Vianden, 1st Markgraf of Veronia 1555 AFS - Present (11 years)		Thunderday 28, Highbloom, 1529 Adelsburg, Hadrian Empire	Alive

The Office of the ErzTreasurer The ultimate person responsible for every copper that runs within the Empire. They are tasked with handling inflation, collecting taxes and ensuring that all provinces pay their owed tribute to the Kaiser. They create a yearly balance for the other councillors, such as the ErzSteward and Reichsmarshall, and budgets for their needs accordingly. The ErzTreasurer decides where and to whom the coin flows, and with such holds a large sway within the Imperial Council and outside of it.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Friederich von Bergwald-Holstein, Graf of Dörne Im Westerwald 1549 - 1556 AFS (7 years)		Sunday 7, Edensrest, 1490 AFS	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I
Ser Joseph Vianden 1556 AFS - Present (2 years)		Marketday 6, Highsun, 1531 Adelsburg, Hadrian Empire	Alive

The Office of the ErzCupbearer

The spinner of webs within the Imperial Court, the ErzCupbearer acts as a type of spymaster for the Kaiser. They are to keep their ear to the ground in the case of subtle threats to the Empire’s safety. To uncover plots and schemes that are deemed possible to uproot Imperial authority is their speciality. Those granted the role are also expected to pour and taste the drinks of the sitting Kaiser to prevent poisoning and is one of the Kaiser’s closest confidants.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Veredra Kerstin von Lichtenfelts, Kaiserin of the Hadrian Empire 1540 AFS - Present (23 years)		Fireday 21, Edensrest, 1514	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I

The Office of the ErzMagier

The most recent addition, having been introduced in 1551 AFS, to the Imperial Council’s positions is that of the ErzMagier, or Archmage. This position was created to regulate the growing amount of mages and magical influences within the Empire. They are expected to head all magical affairs and are in charge of maintaining and handing out permits for the usage of magic and lead the Imperial Magier’s Guild in which Imperial magi are trained to use magic safely and in accordance with the Hadrian Imperial Law.

Name Tenure	Portrait	Birth	Death	Coat of Arms	Kaiser(s)
Kurt von Drachenfelts 1551 AFS - Present (12 years)		Moonday 1, Goldscorch, 1519	Alive		Diederick-Göbel I