#elder council

[thelostmetallurgist]

[the-tharns-speak]

What does the Elder Council do in summer?

In addition to normal Elder Council work, that is drafting new legislature, revising the old one and coming up with new decrees and directives to see the Empire through the difficult times? Well, most of the Elder Council tries to stay indoors because the White-Gold Tower keeps a fairly stable temperature. Not to mention the regular political squabbling when someone tries to get in a better position at someone else's expenses. But a true altruist never stays in politics for long. One has to be a mean selfish bastard to survive in the game. (The trick of forming a good Elder Council is to pick intelligent selfish bastards, one that prefer long-term benefit.)

I know for a fact that Ilman likes to go fishing early in the morning, and Anthony spends the little time he permits himself to be off work with the dog.

And I do try to sneak out into the garden back home and avoid people. People in summer are intolerable.

[neonross]

ELDER COUNCIL

[elderscrollsconceptart]

"Elder Council Amulet"

Concept art for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Art by Ray Lederer

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Martin: Sorry it took me so long to get you out of jail.

Avarenya: No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have used my one phone call to play a prank on Chancellor Ocato.

Baurus: But man was it funny.

[uesp]

Did You Know: Chief Councilor Lovidicus refused to allow the Elder Council to adjourn their current session to investigate a series of earthquakes and guard reports indicating an incipient Daedric Invasion of the Imperial City? The Chief Councilor insisted on holding a vote over a request to add perfume to the water supply before allowing the meeting to end.

[libertineangel]

Here's some headcanons on the Councils of the Empire, Elder or otherwise

Because we really don't seem to know much beyond mentions and scraps of information.

The only people with an automatic right to attend all Councils are the Emperor and the Imperial Battlemage, though the former also has the power to grant anyone they choose right of attendance; nevertheless they may not necessarily be officially recognised as a member and the Council in question holds a vote of approval (this power is not often exercised; one notable example is the Eternal Champion).

It is uncommon for all entitled Council members to sit at any one time, though they are always invited generally a member only attends when the subjects at hand are likely to be relevant to their interests, or when their invitation makes specific request of their presence. If a member is unable to attend but does not wish to be left out of proceedings, they are entitled to send a representative; Legion personnel in particular often send an aide-de-camp in their stead.

The Elder Council meets every six months with the others meeting annually; any member can however call a meeting between these, subject to a vote. The Emperor can unilaterally call a meeting of any Council at any time, as can some others in other Councils detailed below.

The Legionary Council

This Council is exclusively concerned with the orders and logistics of the Imperial military. The Grand Marshall and Grand Admiral can call a meeting unilaterally, though this is usually only done at the outbreak of war. Members include:

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The Grand Admiral of the Navy

The Marshalls in command of the Imperial forces in each province

The head of the Imperial Knights, whatever rank they may hold at the time (I have more headcanons related to them here)

The Armsmen's Council

This Council meets to discuss general matters pertaining to war, conflict and material threats across Tamriel. Members include:

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The Grand Admiral of the Navy

The head of the Imperial Knights

The Master of the Fighters Guild

A representative of the knightly orders of Hammerfell, which follow their own codes and determine who represents them with their own system

The Harbinger of the Companions

The Grandmaster of House Redoran (they are invited but almost never take their seat, opposing Imperial integration)

The Mages' Council

This Council meets to discuss happenings beyond the mundane world, the movements and threats of other planes. Members include:

The Arch-Mage of the Mages' Guild

The Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold

The Archmagister of the Crystal Tower

The Arch-Mage of the Magical Academies of High Rock

The Grandmaster of House Telvanni (again, their disdain for the Empire leaves this seat forever vacant)

The Master of the Psijic Order (depending on the Emperor's disposition toward them, and they rarely take their seat regardless)

The Elder Council

This Council is the largest, responsible for much of the day-to-day running of the Empire and the passing of new laws. Members include:

The High Chancellor, its leader

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The head of the Imperial Knights

The rulers of each Province

The Master Of Law, head of the Imperial legal & justice system

The Master of the Treasury, whose domain includes not only managing the Empire's finances but keeping its census records

The Master of Works, responsible for maintaining the Empire's infrastructure and public works (planning of roads & shipping channels, establishment of markets, arenas etc.)

The Arch-Primate of the Imperial Cult

Council Members Without Purview, seats initially created for scholars, sages and other such figures whose wisdom would benefit the Council but who held no formal office; it did not take long, however, for them to be taken by whoever could convince the rest of the Council to vote for them, through bribery and promises of favours or through blackmail & intimidation

[inked-in-art]