Curia

Pumpossa, like most larger cities in the empire, is governed by a council, called the Curia, of several dozen prominent individuals.

Most represent the various guilds, often in the person of the Guildmaster. Some Decurions are elected by vote of the Masters of the Guild, some are appointed by the Guildmaster, some require their Decurions to be a member in good standing, some recruit outsiders with a particular expertise in politics.

In addition, there are two seats that belong to hereditary nobles, both Counts. One, Severgilius Nasellia, only appears if there is an issue before the Curia that affects him personally, mostly issues involving taxes he's expected to pay, or that affect his business interests (he owns and operates the largest winery in the province that is not part of a Monastery). The other, Aquintius Catinia, sends his eldest son CaecimusCatinial as his proxy, who mostly observes.

The Guard is entitled to one seat, who is chosen by the Ward captains.

Bishop Euthymius is entitled to one seat, with two votes instead of one. His official representative is Archdeacon Peter of Pavia, who usually sends a proxy with special knowledge of the expected issues to be discussed.

Five seats are reserved for non-guildsmen, elected via popular vote by freemen of the town. They have little influence, and are generally regarded by other Decurions as something of a joke.

There is also a Lord Mayor, appointed by the Governor, who has little direct authority, but has the right to observe the activities of the Curia without restriction (and has the Governor’s ear). Some Lord Mayors play a major role in city politics through force of personality and leadership, others merely observe and report. The current Lord Mayor is Vinius Flaviena, who is popular with the people of Pumpossa, but rarely acts to intervene in Curia business.

Governor Calinius has his palace in the center of Pumpossa, but has no direct role in governing the city, though the Curia, as a body, is answerable to him.