GOVERNMENT OF THE SOLARIAN IMPERIUM

I. SUPREME AUTHORITY

The Solar Throne

Held by: Empress Caeloria Solis
Nature: Absolute divine sovereignty

The Solar Throne represents the union of temporal rule and celestial mandate. Authority flows downward from the Empress, justified by her communion with the Sun-Dais, which is widely believed to be a physical manifestation of Firstbound will.

• All imperial law derives legitimacy from the Throne

• No decision can formally override an imperial decree

• Succession is divinely affirmed, but politically managed

The Imperium does not recognize separation between church and state.

II. THE RADIANT CURIA (IMPERIAL COUNCIL)

Function: Legislative, doctrinal, and administrative oversight
Nature: Advisory in theory, directive in practice

The Radiant Curia is the highest governing body beneath the Empress. It coordinates doctrine, law, military policy, and imperial unity.

Core Members:

1. Empress Caeloria Solis

   • Presides over all sessions

   • May override any decision unilaterally

2. Archpriestess Selira Dawnlight

   • Interprets celestial law and prophecy

   • Oversees doctrine, temples, and religious legitimacy

3. High Commander Lucien Vaelor

   • Represents military capacity and readiness

   • Advises on war, defense, and deployment

4. Magistrate Caelrin Thorne

   • Oversees diplomacy, intelligence, and internal surveillance

   • Manages covert operations and foreign influence

5. High Justicar Aurex Halvaren

   • Enforces Solar Law

   • Oversees inquisitions, trials, and legal precedent

The Curia is not a democracy. Debate is permitted, dissent is not.

III. IMPERIAL ADMINISTRATION

Imperial Prefectures

Role: Civil governance of provinces

Each province is ruled by an Imperial Prefect, appointed directly by the Throne.

• Responsible for taxation, census, infrastructure, and local order

• Answerable to the Curia, not local nobility

• May be removed without explanation

Prefects often clash with local elites, especially in border regions.

The Solar Law

Enforced by: The Justicariate

• Unified legal code blending civil law and religious doctrine

• Heresy, sedition, and shadow corruption are capital crimes

• Trials prioritize spiritual truth over material evidence

The Justicar Aurex Halvaren oversees all interpretations of Solar Law.

IV. MILITARY GOVERNANCE

The Imperial Legions

Commanded by: High Commander Lucien Vaelor

• Standing professional army

• Organized into standardized legions

• Centralized logistics and command doctrine

Legion commanders answer directly to the High Commander, not regional rulers.

Dawn Templar Orders

Authority: Directly sworn to the Throne

• Elite holy warriors

• Act independently of legion command when necessary

• Used against supernatural threats, major heresy, or symbolic targets

Their autonomy causes tension with conventional generals.

Frontier Commands

Led by: Legate Caelia Sunspire

• Semi-autonomous military zones along unstable borders

• Granted expanded authority due to distance and threat

• Often serve as testing grounds for new doctrine or strategy

V. INTELLIGENCE & INTERNAL CONTROL

The Veiled Sun

Operated by: Magistrate Caelrin Thorne

A centralized intelligence apparatus responsible for:

• Counter-espionage

• Shadow infiltration detection

• Monitoring dissent within the Imperium

• Foreign intelligence, especially against:

  • Umbra Dominion

  • Ashkara Covenant

  • Lunarch Ascendancy (covert concern)

Operatives often operate without insignia or public recognition.

VI. RELIGIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE

The Temple Network

Oversight: Archpriestess Selira Dawnlight

• Temples function as places of worship, education, and social control

• Clergy report unusual omens, unrest, or corruption upward

• Healing services reinforce loyalty among common citizens

Faith is both genuine and politically essential.

VII. HOW POWER ACTUALLY FUNCTIONS (GM TRUTH)

• Caeloria rules by belief; if the Sun-Dais ever falters, everything fractures

• Selira tempers extremism, but lacks military force

• Lucien could stabilize the Imperium in a crisis—but only through force

• Caelrin knows secrets that could unmake alliances

• Aurex enforces law even when it contradicts compassion

• Caelia represents the future: expansion, unity, or endless war

VIII. PLAYER ENTRY POINTS

PCs can engage the Imperium through:

• Legion service

• Temple assignments

• Intelligence operations

• Frontier deployments

• Legal investigations

• Diplomatic missions

Each path exposes different truths about the Imperium.