High Council of Imperium

The High Council of the Empire (Magonian: Concilium Altum) is a legislative body that represents the magical (Theurgarum), religious (Hierophantarum) and state governments (Principum) from the 89 constituent states of the Empire. The High Council was established in 452, at the beginning of the First Electivate, as the consolidation of religious, magical and human powers for the governance of the Empire. Its power was gradually reduced during the Second Electivate and, after the rise of constitutional monarchy in 1720, the High Council was demoted to a supportive legislative body.

The members of the High Council are appointed by the Concilium Principum, Theurgarum and Hierophantarum to act as the representatives of their constituent state by their council. Therefore, each of the three councils appoints 1 representative per constituent state, establishing a total of 267 members of the High Council. The titles of the members of the High Council vary according to the council from which they come: High Commissioners (Principum), Deans of the Theurgs (Theurgarum) and Hierophant Counselors (Hierophantarum). The term of the members of the High Council is defined by their councils through state committees (Theurgarum and Hierophantarum) or the length of term of the state governments (Principum).

The High Council doesn't have defined sessions and meets regularly when the Senate of the Empire is discussing constitutional changes or laws that affect state powers. The High Council must supervise the discussion in the Senate and, once the measure or law is approved, proceed to analyze, propose amendments to the Senate for consideration and ratify it with 2/3 of the votes. In addition to this special legislative role, the High Council has only ceremonial functions in the election of new governments and holidays of the Empire. Since 1720, the High Council meets in the Palatium Concilii in Orei (Egeia); it also meets at the Domus Concilii of Magium (near the Domus Imperialis, residence of the emperor) during its ceremonial roles and oversight of the election of the emperor and new governments.

Non-affiliated members
Since the formation of the High Council in 452, the 178 members from Concilium Theurgarum and Concilium Hierophantarum (89 members each) are officially non-affiliated within the High Council, regardless of their personal political leanings. Therefore, the members of these councils are included as a whole and non-affiliated, but the difference between the members from both councils is established within the structure.

High Commissioners
The High Commissioners are the 89 members of the High Council appointed by the Concilium Principum through nominations by the 89 state governments. The state government selects an individual from the governing party, usually a long-time member of the state legislature or a retired government official (former head of government or cabinet member), and after a selection process specific to each constituent state, it is formally nominated to the Concilium Principum and then sent to the High Council. The nomination process before the Concilium Principum is only a formality, to guarantee the transparency and legitimacy of the process.

Deans of the Theurgs
The Deans of the Theurgs are the 89 members of the High Council appointed by the Concilium Theurgarum. Each state's Conference of Theurgs (all the conferences as a whole constitute the Concilium Theurgarum) nominate a theurg, usually a retired religious leader or an experienced religious aspirant, to represent them before the High Council. Since the Conferences of Theurgs are functional units of the Concilium Theurgarum, the nomination is direct to the High Council.

Hierophant Counselors
The Hierophant Counselors are the 89 members of the High Council appointed by the Concilium Hierophantarum. Each state's Conference of Hierophants (all the conferences as a whole constitute the Concilium Hierophantarum) nominate a hierophant, usually a retired hierophant leader or an experienced hierophant aspirant, to represent them before the High Council. Since the Conference of Hierophants are functional units of the Concilium Hierophantarum, the nomination is direct to the High Council.