Lore Day 3 - The Empire of the Eternal Sun
For today’s lore day I wanted to give you an inside look into how the Empire of the Eternal Sun runs and the cast of characters responsible for its numerous worlds and countless citizens. As with all governments, there are many exceptions to the rules listed here, and the full scope of each members role is better seen in the book.
I made this outline around the same time I made the history of the Empire as it helped me figure out what the politics would look like in a place like this. I hope you enjoy this deep dive! I just figured out how to enable comments on posts, so if you have anything to say or questions, feel free to ask away!
Inside the Empire of the Eternal Sun
Imperial Institutions
The Yeli Sai'ait and the Empress have an agreement separate from the rest of the government. They have a say in who she places in positions of power, and they have advanced access to surveillance and information throughout the Empire. In exchange, the Yeli Sai'ait run counterespionage and intelligence gathering wherever the Empress sees fit.
The Empress and the Corporations
The Empress can revoke a corporation's right to rule a planet without authorization from the Senate, which makes currying favor with her very important to their bottom line.
The Empress and the Senate
The Empress is technically the head of the Imperial Senate. She validates laws that are passed in it and can call emergency sessions to pass her own legislation.
The Senate and the Empress
The Imperial Senate can vote by a supermajority (75%) to compel the Empress to end a war or overturn a veto, but it has little else to check her authority.
The nobility rule over the planets in the Empire and send representatives to the Imperial Senate to vote. How the nobility choose representatives differs on many planets: some have the nobles choose on their own, some have their own government system to pick, and others allow citizens to vote.
The Federated States are a semi-independent nation within the Empire. They have representation in the Imperial Senate but are only loosely bound to the laws that are passed. They have their own separate agreement with the Sovereign.
The Corporations have the same authority as nobles over some planets and space stations. They have representation on the council and are given deference on negotiating trade and commerce laws.
The Corporations, the Nobility and the Federated States
The Corporations can trade independently with nobles and the Federated States, but will often negotiate Empire-wide trade routes in the Senate.
Money
Imperial Šatu (pronounced Shatu)
Authority Structure
[PLACEHOLDER: Short intro. Higher on the line means greater power.]
The Kwadir leads the Yeli Sai’ait with absolute authority. He has the final say on what operations are conducted, where Songbirds are deployed, and who is too dangerous to keep breathing. His power is equal to that of the Empress due only to the vast reach of the Yeli Sai’ait network.
The Empress is the Supreme Commander of the empire’s military, the holy icon of the Church of Sol and the leader of the Imperial Senate. She oversees all facets of government and has no equal (officially).
The Yeli Sai’ait are made up of six Watchers, known as the Council of Six, and countless Songbirds, agents who have entrenched themselves in all levels of the empire and military. The Council of Six operates as an advisory board for the Kwadir and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Songbirds.
The Sword of Sol is responsible for ensuring that the Imperial Armed Forces are upholding the sovereign’s will. This power is bestowed directly by the Empress and handles the logistical operations of the military.
Ensi rule over planets and star systems governed under imperial commercial charters. The charters are granted to the largest of the empire’s interstellar corporations. The Ensi have immense power, equal to the noble titles and are given wide latitude to operate their lands as they see fit.
The empire’s zainins owe their power to their noble blood, with many tracing their lineages to the Revario dynasty. The zainin and their families operate their feudal holdings with a considerable amount of independence from the throne. The zainin are also responsible for appointing montkhezirs to the Imperial Senate.
A sar is a lesser noble, often directly related to the land-owning zainin. Their power ranges vastly from royal house to royal house, with many ruling over a single world or an expanse of land on a planet.
The Geta Orineti are a collection of powerful admirals and generals who operate the empire’s vast, yet scattered fleets. The group consists of twelve members, plus the Sword of Sol acting as the head of the organization. Each of the twelve imperial royal families send a representative, with the Empress having final say on who is a member. [Note: The Yeli Sai’ait also played a role in selection after Lania I’s ascension.]
The Voice of Sol leads the Imperial Senate in its regular operations. The Voice is elected by the Senate’s members and speaks directly with the Empress. They control what votes are taken and who sits on committees.
One of twelve hundred members of the Imperial Senate who pass laws and argue about politics. Not noble, but appointed by nobility. Sometimes going on to become rich members of the aristocracy after long careers.
Geta Orineti
Each colored flag represents one of the holy Imperial fleets with the Sword of Sol overseeing the last four remaining flagships.
