Culture/Political
Chesh Tarkha is run by the Senate, which is comprised of rich and powerful members who have worked their way through the empire’s aggressive political, military, or business organizations. Membership in the Senate is by invitation of the Senate only and is often initiated by the invited members themselves. Senators are instated for life, whether that ends by natural or not-so-natural causes. The Senate oversees and manipulates the most significant goings on in the empire. Banal governmental activities are carried out by the Peoples’ Choice. The Peoples’ Choice consists of 4 wings of government lead by elected Councilors and includes the Council of Law, which creates and enforces local law, the Guild Council, which deals with matters of business, money, manufacturing and construction, the Administrative Council which deals with record keeping, registration, organization, and statistical analysis, and the Command Council that runs the military. Every four years, the Senate is legally required to call elections but may do so at any time it pleases them. Elections consist of the Senate nominating 3 candidates for each council. From popular vote, the Lead Councilor for each Council is chosen.  

The Tarkhs maintain a diversity of small and large businesses in manufacturing, resource gathering and processing, service, and other industries in a free market economy. Competition and excellence is encouraged by the Senate, who are often quick to use the private sector as a recruiting ground for bright and aggressive individuals for their own social and business interests. Powerful individuals from the private sector may lobby the Senate for membership, though successful accession is relatively rare.