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Politics

Emperor and his Imperial house form the centre of the Empire. The hereditary position however does not guarantee absolute power, even if the Emperor is the protector of all faithfuls of Hololive and the self elected leader of his subjects. The day to day running of his Empire is handled by the various Imperial Councils. And the provinces under him, the provincial Senates. Though the Emperor holds the power to establish new Councils and suspend the running of Senates, he must carefully balance the power of factions within his domain. Thus, the Emperor although holding supreme power are sometimes described as merely a figurehead of the Empire today. And on the headlines of newspapers and contents of letters people talk more about the speeches of Provincial Governors and Imperial Councilors more so than the Supreme protector himself.

Imperial Councils work closely together with ministries of the Empire. Originally existing on their own, they became the conductor for the multitude of public workers under them. Councils handle everything from diplomacy to laws of ports. The position of Councilors is also appointed by the Emperor, however most are passed down hereditarily in practice. They are mostly descendants of the first councilors of the Council, or are recommended by the Lord of the Council, the elected leader of the decision making group. Lords are not only the adjudicator but also the recognized head of the Ministries as well. These powerful people keep themselves close to the Emperor, giving him advice and acting as the conduit through which he can listen to what his subjects have to say. In the contemporary government, companies also rival aristocratic houses in terms of influence, although their collusion is another complicated matter.

In the aftermath of the World-Split, provincial senates, have their powers enlarged at the expense of the gentry leaders that many provinces had. Though these aristocrats gradually saw a revival in their influence by attaching themselves to the politics within the Capital. They married with or established relations with powerful houses in the Capital, this is influenced, for the most part, the influence of particular cults as well. After centuries, many of the Senate consuls are now, like the Imperial Councilors, hereditary. The consuls have free reign over most matters in their provinces, albeit their conduct is limited by Imperial law codes and the Capital's agents.

The Great Houses are the lynchpins of Imperial courtly politics. Over a thousand years of consolidation and separation, they have become the main political force of the Empire. Representing the Chuuba Cults, the Great Houses are both their own entities and an umbrella for other aristocratic houses. Many of the current, most powerful Lords are from these families, and even more councilors and their own family are under their beneficiary. As such they can be thought of as political parties, who incidentally fund (and in effect control) many of the religious institutions in the Empires. Under the Great Houses, the weaker aristocrats can afford protection and support in court politics. And the control these institutions have over the many aspects of Imperial daily life also attracts common born citizens to work under their service.

The overall political scene of the Empire can be characterized by conflict along religious lines, between or within Councils. Political factions are often decided simply by the main deity or Oshi of the officials. The seats of the Lords are often under heavy competition. Some have smooth transitions but it all depends on the control of a particular Cult. For example, the intense contest for the Council of Accountants coinciding with a particularly bad bout of Teamate-Chumbud conflict over divinations. The conflict saw the two factions buy or curry favor for councilors not under their Great Houses so they can elect a puppet Lord who would leave offensive remarks to the rival in official documents. While it seems petty, competition for the position of Lords is how the Great Houses gain power. This inter-house (or Cult) conflict seems to have gradually became the main stabilizer in the Empire. While the lull for Unity still makes the Empire's subjects look to the Emperor, many worry about its loss of luster.

Religion

Most of the citizens of the Empire are either polytheists, henotheists or practice monolatry. The Pantheon itself is the state religion of the Empire, and the Emperor traditionally claims himself as a proponent of "Unity", where the Pantheon itself is the Supreme, instead of a single Chuuba. However the state can also be described as having some elements of Kathenotheism, in which individuals or groups of chuuba see widespread worship for a period of time to invoke their protection or favor. Especially after a particularly impactful divination or crisis. Most followers of the Religion have chosen an Oshi, their main patron god. Though most of the cults, societies and temples devoted to a single Chuuba, do not forbid the worship of other Chuubas, there is sometimes friction between monolatrous and more polytheistic elements.

The Emperor is also anointed as the High Priest of the Empire when he ascends the throne. By no one else but the entire pantheon of the faith. Though most of the rites are actually handled by the Court Pontiff, who is appointed by the Emperor, usually someone close to the Emperor. In order to balance the different cults of the Empire, rites are handled by the follower of the Chuuba most suited to the context at hand. The blessing of newly commissioned ships will always be accompanied by the imagery of a priest of Marine rubbing holy liquor onto the deck with their bodies, and harvest festivals with the drum beats of Matsuri's faithful or you would find the priests of Sora in the middle of most state ceremonies. After centuries, many of the rites have set rite-holders, and through the occasional blessings or interventions from the High Priest himself, is how inter-cult conflicts are minimized.

The Emperor is the icon and symbol of unity, and thus he cannot show bias to any of the cults. At least normatively. Same as the political situation, the most powerful houses' religious patronage also translate to the reach of the cults. The EN chuubas' believers outnumber JPs. As a result, the Court Pontiff are usually either of the Myth Chuubas. The Court Pontiff, as the defacto and nominal ruler of the religious world of the Empire, holds great power, though again like the Emperor, he must maintain that balance carefully lest he be disposed of or found dead in his bed chambers. The Court Pontiff handles the appointment of the many religious schools in the Empire. Which gives him power on the theological debate and studies in the Empire. Although he does not have the power to intervene in the investiture of the Cultic priests, he is invited to every ceremony of the thema level or higher priests. Thus if he turns down any invitations it is equated to the rejection of that candidate.