The Council of Lunae

The Council of Lunae was a group of thirteen individuals which formed the upper layer of the plutocratic society of Lunaregnum. The council had special privileges in Lunar society. Them, their family and friends controlled much of the economy, military, and legislative government of the Lunaregnum Empire and the later Lunaregnum state. Although Lunaregnum had always been a de jure absolute monarchy, the members of the council had a tremendous amount of power and influence. Because of their special privileges and their families' grasp on the economy, the social dichotomy between the poor and rich in Lunaregnum was deeply entrenched and wide. It was nearly impossible for a lunar commoner to become even remotely rich without being associated in any way to the council.

Becoming a member
The initial members of the council were former warlords which had each controlled turfs of the half ruined city of Argerive, following the collapse of the Free Lunar State and the bombing of Argerive. These warlords had been subdued by William Silverheart, first emperor of Lunaregnum, and were given privileges to assure their loyalty.

The members stayed on the council until their death, or if ever they decided to retire. Them and their families had the responsibility of choosing a successor. Generally, the successor in question would be their eldest child. The head of state had no say in the succession of a member

Although the ruling Emperor or Empress could de jure remove a member from the council, that power was never employed, as the other members would have immediately turned on the head of state.

Roles and privileges
The council had an important role in the power structure of the Lunar government. For one, they were the ones in charge of deciding the next head of state. When the emperor or empress would die, the members of the council would vote on a successor. They would generally vote for someone within the late emperor/empress' family. The council also had the power to impeach the ruling head of state, permanently removing them from power, but for that to happen, they needed a unanimous vote.

As being close to the power of Lunaregnum, the members of the council, their family and their associates unofficially had a lot of privileges, power and influence. They all owned massive corporations as well as large bits of land not only in Argerive but also on offworld colonies. The children, nephews and grandchildren of council members were often employed in prominent roles of the military, which only reinforced their power over the ruling head of state. Apart from the military, the members of the council were often times appointed as viceroys of the many colony planets under lunar rule.