Council of Twelve

From FrathWiki

The Council of Twelve was the ruling body of the Nrastaist church until the Wars of the Collapse.

The Council was established by Chinrasta late in her life, and was, by her decree, named her collective successor following her death. The Council initially elected a Supreme Matriarch from amongst themselves, but later the Empress took over the nomination of a Supreme Matriarch, subject to the Council's approval.

Vacancies in the Council were filled from among the Matriarchs of the Church, by the Empress, subject to the approval of the Supreme Matriarch.

During Chinikan's reign, vacancies went unfilled, and Chinikan claimed for herself the position of Supreme Matriarch. The Wars of the Collapse which followed Chinikan's deposing worsened matters, as different claimants to the Imperial Throne named different Supreme Matriarchs. In addition, the chaos of the wars themselves made it impossible for the Council to meet. Some of the Council-Members established Provisional Appointments, creating several different bodies that each claimed to be the legitimate Provisional Council of Twelve, several of which named, or had named, a Supreme Matriarch.

Never again would a single Council of Twelve be established. This fragmented the church beyond repair.