Lord Magistrate of the Gratic Empire

Qualifications

Magistrates are chosen based on their high education (especially in law or politics), a respectable upbringing, and their political influence. They also all had to have done the required military service if male or have been in the military for at least a year if female.

Appointment

The Head Magistrate for the Province chooses the various Magistrates whenever the post comes up, and he selects the candidates and brings them to a meeting of all the Province's Magistrates for a vote. At that point, there is a short ceremony held in the capital (no matter where the post is), during which, the keys to the Magistrate's house in that town are given.

Duties

Magistrates are expected to fulfill some moral duties:

Providing guidance to the various townspeople;

Co-ordinate the contingents of guards in their town so that they blend in with the populace; and

Encourage the local temples of their communities, showing respect to the Four in whatever they do.

Responsibilities

A Magistrate is commonly busy, spending a large amount of time every day dealing with his responsibilities:

Calculating taxes using the population of his town and the class and status of the people living there;

Sending out messengers to tell the families of eighteen year old men that they are being called up for military service;

Dealing with conscientious observers and others who can be exempted from that service;

Dealing with local disputes, although criminal disputes are handled by the local Captain; and

Corresponding regularly with the imperial government to keep them abreast of happenings in their regions.

Benefits

The Magistrates of the Empire are very wealthy, collecting a significant portion of the town's taxes and tariffs. Of course, most are nobility anyways, so there is very little change. They also receive the keys to the Magistrate's House in their town, which is commonly a manor house set apart from the rest of the town. Magistrates also wield considerable political power, with a select few Magistrates going on to be Head Magistrate for the province in which they reside.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Magistrates are often seen in the blue robes of their status, with these robes commonly carrying the seal of the Empire. Each Magistrate also has a seal, which is different from that of other Magistrates.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Magistrates that mistreat their people or purposefully damage their towns are usually dismissed from their role and replaced. The Head Magistrate might also remove Magistrates for any number of reasons besides this one, as they have all the power to do so in times of crisis.

History

The creation of the title is tied to the reforms enacted by Artus II in the early days of the Empire. The specifics of the job and its duties have changed little with the times.

Type

Civic, Political

Status

Still in use.

Alternative Naming

Magistrate (in general)

Equates to

The Lord Mayor of the Gratic Empire for city fulfills the same function, as do Mayors of towns outside of the the Empire. The Lord Mayor of Gratic City is an obvious exception, as he is appointed by the Emperor/Empress of the Gratic Empire themselves.

Length of Term

A Magistrate rules until he or she is replaced, dies, or decides to step down.

Current Holders

• Darth Mesgan
• Ignelsio Fardaker

Reports directly to

Head Magistrate of the Gratic Empire

Related Organizations

• The Gratic Empire

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)