Catbalus of Calpi
The Catbalus of Calpi, often simply referred to as the Catbalus, is the legislature of the Calpian Empire.
This legislative body assists the Emperor with certain appointments, managing the bureaucracy of the government, direct governance of the capital, and most importantly, they promulgate laws as directed by the Imperial Throne, which are designed to reinforce Imperial Edicts.
From Republican Roots to a Servile Role
Since the transition from Republic to Empire, they are no longer an independent body and operate solely at the pleasure of the Emperor. This was not always the case, however. They were founded by Cuncedam Calpiaux in 996 LE when he abdicated the throne of Calpi to retire, after over a millennium of rule. He chose four leaders from each denoba of the Calpii and made them Eiccatbalum, set the basic rules and structure in place for the body, and declared the Catbalus of Calpi the Sovereign of the City. From that time until 1244 LE, the Catbalus operated as such.
Upon selecting Capibus Qulus Orquisus as Biovbua, they sealed their fate. During his tenure in that office, using the extraordinary power bestowed upon him by the Catbalus, he gradually eroded their power until they were powerless to depose him. When he was crowned R̂oldavus of the Calpian Empire in 1251 LE, they became an arm of the throne.
The Interregnum Crisis of 1355
Leaders of the Catbalus made a final attempt to reclaim their lost authority upon the death of R̂oldavus Avavius in 1355 LE. Avavius had no heir of direct descent by blood; both of his children had died in the Palace Fire of 1323. Recognizing the threat to the Empire, he had adopted his deceased brother-in-law's son, Utus Qulus Ativius and named him Tolus. Some members of the Catbalus, believing this presented an opportunity to abolish the hated throne, declared that Utus could not serve as R̂oldavus because mere adoption was not sufficient qualification for naming an heir. Utus gathered his supporters, which included most of the Catbalus and all of the city legion. He systematically hunted down all the prominent sympathizers of this insurgency, and he had them publicly executed by crucifixion. When this was complete, twenty days after the crisis began, he encircled the wooden hall in which the Catbalus met, where the insurgents were barricaded in, and burned the structure to the ground, encircling it to prevent any of the insurgents from escaping.
In the wake of this crisis, the Catbalus became completely subservient to the R̂oldavum, save in the matter of administering the day-to-day government of the city of Calpi, itself. The first law promulgated by the chastised Catbalus was the Law of Adoptive Sanguinity, in which it was affirmed in law that anyone legally adopted was assumed to be "of the blood" of their adoptive parents.
This was the last attempt by the Catbalus to act as an independent body. Since the Interregnum Crisis, the Eisabinus Catbalus has functioned as a legislative mouthpiece for the R̂oldavum, ensuring that no legislation harmful to the throne is considered and that all necessary legislation for the enforcement of Imperial policy is duly enacted.
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