Yaruqo wrote:Ooooh I'm interested. Out of curiosity, who makes up the Imperial Senate? Is it the peerage, elected/appointed delegates from the constituent worlds or systems, a mix? And are there limitations, such as like in ancient Rome where only the patrician class could sit in the Senate?
its bicameral with two sections. The Upper House composed of the Great Houses (most powerful peerage) and the lower house made up of the SAS, Orders Ecumenic, and a representative of each Imperial Sector. As such the Imperial Senate is made up of tens of thousands of members. The limitations which will be also put into the OP sections are:
-One member from each Great House (pre-req. is the control of at least an entire planet) may cast a vote or attend sessions. Typically this is the head of the house, their spouse, or other family member. Alternatively a representative may be selected to stand in and vote in the family's stead. Anything less than a planetary fiefdom disqualifies a House from sitting on the Imperial Senate.
-Each SAS is allowed a single vote and representative. This is the same for each Imperial Sector. Protectorates may send delegations to the Senate but have no voting power, which is the same for the major mega-corporations and guilds.
-The Orders Ecumenic officially are allocated two representatives and thus two votes. However one appointee is done by the leaders of the respective faiths and one by the Emperor. Both need not be confirmed by the Imperial Senate.