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Praetor Policy

Introduction

A Dark Council position is unique in its long-term stability and relevance to the administration and provision of the Dark Brotherhood’s needs. Ideally, each Dark Council position should carry an equal degree of relevance for a sizable portion of the past, present, and future of the Dark Brotherhood.

In the recent past, a number of Dark Council positions have been created to accommodate the decaying identity of Praetors and their central role to the Dark Council. Loyal members of great talent have ascended beyond their prior usefulness as Praetors or Magistrates and achieved these somewhat fleeting positions on the Dark Council. We aim to eliminate the present and future creation of such Dark Council positions by redefining one of the most critical and central assistant roles within the Dark Brotherhood’s highest leadership – the Praetor.

Goals of this proposal

The Goal of this proposal is threefold:

Eliminate the desire and need to create Dark Council positions for giving elevated status to individuals who are truly assistants to current Dark Councilors.
Elevate the status and prestige associated with the Praetor position. These positions should be coveted and important in all aspects of the DB.
Create a good system for training replacement Dark Council members.

Praetor Characterization

The position of Praetor is a full-time assistantship to a Dark Council member. A Praetor is often responsible for a sizable portion of the duties associated with his office and is often able to carry the authority and speak with the voice of his Councilor.

The workload of a Praetor is assumed to be sufficiently intense. Most often, it is so intense that the Praetor chooses to forgo other positions of significant responsibility elsewhere within the Dark Brotherhood.

Praetors represent not only the Dark Council but also the Brotherhood as a whole. As such, they are expected to act impartially toward all Brotherhood members regardless of clan alignment. Some Praetors have been known to remove themselves from their clans to achieve these goals.

While such limitations are placed on Praetors, it is without surprise that these full-time assistants are eligible for promotions, awards, and other benefits appropriate to the level of productivity and global influence of their work. Such exceptional Praetors may often carry the influence and status of their associated Councilors and act as equals in many global Dark Brotherhood affairs.

To show their importance, Praetors will be recognized on the main page of the DB Website and are now designated members of the Dark Summit.

Praetor Selection

A Dark Councilor will enlist the service of only one Praetor at a time. Exceptions may be granted only with the approval of the Grand Master.
Prior to choosing a Praetor, the Dark Council member must draft a proposal for the Grand Master that outlines the duties of the Praetor and expresses why there is a need.
Praetor appointments must be confirmed by the Grand Master.
Traditionally, a Praetor is selected from a group of Magistrates who have served the Councilor with distinction and have performed an admirable degree of work. Such evidence is brought to the Grand Master during the selection process.
The appointment of a Praetor should not be taken lightly. Not all Councilors will require Praetors.
Praetors are trained in the functions of their Councilor’s office and are expected to achieve equal competence in their assigned duties. Praetors are often drafted as future replacements to their current Councilmen; however, notable exceptions include Praetors to the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master.
Praetors are strongly encouraged not to hold a position of significant responsibility elsewhere within the Brotherhood. Those who also hold a position higher than Aedile must demonstrate to the Dark Councilor and Grand Master that they can handle both responsibilities. A Praetor carrying two jobs will be forced to choose between them when their activity dwindles.
Praetors are most often experienced leaders.
Praetors will be responsible for reporting to the Grand Master via Internal Reports either through their Dark Councilor or on their own.

Immediate Implementation

Effective as of this document’s release, all Praetors are to be dismissed and subject to a process of review by their respective Dark Councilor to decide if their former Praetors meet the new requirements and responsibilities. Appointments will be reviewed by the Grand Master.

Effects on Magistrates

The position of magistrate will still be available on an unlimited basis for the use of Dark Council members. Dark Council members are encouraged to treat the magistrate position as their administrative unit that helps in day-to-day tasks that are too small for a single person to consider a full-time job. Should the Dark Council appoint a Praetor, they must also make sure that their magistrates still have sufficient work.

Conclusion

We serve to make a distinction within the loosely defined Dark Councilor Staff. Praetors will no longer be appointed whimsically nor will fleetingly useful Dark Council positions be created. We have not only set out to consolidate and remove unnecessary positions but also made an effort to emphasize the importance of full-time assistants who will now carry responsibility and authority on par with the Dark Councilor they serve (who they may eventually replace). It is therefore no surprise that the Grand Master should have to confirm these appointments who represent the Dark Council and carry some of its power. Those assistants who serve only in a part-time advisory role or perform tasks which are not overly demanding or short in their term will be part of an unlimited pool of Magistrates, miscellaneous and sometimes fleeting assistants of their Dark Councilor.