Councilors

In Aurelian politics, a Councilor is a person who oversees the administration of a smaller settlement within the domain of a metropolis such as Aurum or Rennfreid. Depending on the needs of the community, a settlement can have a single Councilor or, in theory, as many as are needed. Often no more than two or three are necessary.

Councilors may occasionally be summoned to the metropolis they owe their primary allegiance to, either by another Councilor, a Regional Magistrate, or the Baron themselves. In some places this is done annually - in some, it's done very rarely, except in times of emergency.

While the Baron has ultimate final authority, the opinions and information of the Councilors can prove invaluable. They're usually left to rule for themselves, only rubbing into the larger government in economic matters, during times of crisis, or if they show serious incompetence. Councilors are drawn from the local population a number of ways, not unlike a baron; they may be especially popular, wealthy, or otherwise important to the community. They are often commoners - being a Councilor is a job with few outright benefits, except in unusually wealthy towns. They may be installed directly by a Magistrate or Baron, but are often elected by popular vote.