#the ruby throne

The Imperial Treasury, of course, handles all financial matters. Census & Excise handles all affairs relating to the people and independent organisations of the Empire (with the Mercenaries Office co-managed with the Imperial Legion), while Trade & Funding manages the large-scale matters - Civic Investment pertains to the money allocated to Cyrodiil while Provincial of course determines what money is spent on the other provinces; the Office of Trade manages the actual movement of goods in, out and around Cyrodiil.

The Department of Works plans and maintains public services, with the responsibilities of the Infrastructure Bureau being fairly self-explanatory. The purviews of the Offices of the Services Bureau expanded somewhat following their inception - the Office of Games was initially established to regulate arenas and suchlike, but grew to oversee all spaces of public entertainment, such as taverns and theatres, and likewise the Office of Markets encompasses not just marketplaces but all shops and other commercial establishments; the Office of Worship is co-managed with the Imperial Cult, and promotes places of worship for the Divines in all major settlements.

The only people with an automatic right to attend all Councils are the Emperor and the Imperial Battlemage, though the former also has the power to grant anyone they choose right of attendance; nevertheless they may not necessarily be officially recognised as a member and the Council in question holds a vote of approval (this power is not often exercised; one notable example is the Eternal Champion).

It is uncommon for all entitled Council members to sit at any one time, though they are always invited generally a member only attends when the subjects at hand are likely to be relevant to their interests, or when their invitation makes specific request of their presence. If a member is unable to attend but does not wish to be left out of proceedings, they are entitled to send a representative; Legion personnel in particular often send an aide-de-camp in their stead.

The Elder Council meets every six months with the others meeting annually; any member can however call a meeting between these, subject to a vote. The Emperor can unilaterally call a meeting of any Council at any time, as can some others in other Councils detailed below.

The Legionary Council

This Council is exclusively concerned with the orders and logistics of the Imperial military. The Grand Marshall and Grand Admiral can call a meeting unilaterally, though this is usually only done at the outbreak of war. Members include:

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The Grand Admiral of the Navy

The Marshalls in command of the Imperial forces in each province

The head of the Imperial Knights, whatever rank they may hold at the time (I have more headcanons related to them here)

The Armsmen's Council

This Council meets to discuss general matters pertaining to war, conflict and material threats across Tamriel. Members include:

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The Grand Admiral of the Navy

The head of the Imperial Knights

The Master of the Fighters Guild

A representative of the knightly orders of Hammerfell, which follow their own codes and determine who represents them with their own system

The Harbinger of the Companions

The Grandmaster of House Redoran (they are invited but almost never take their seat, opposing Imperial integration)

The Mages' Council

This Council meets to discuss happenings beyond the mundane world, the movements and threats of other planes. Members include:

The Arch-Mage of the Mages' Guild

The Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold

The Archmagister of the Crystal Tower

The Arch-Mage of the Magical Academies of High Rock

The Grandmaster of House Telvanni (again, their disdain for the Empire leaves this seat forever vacant)

The Master of the Psijic Order (depending on the Emperor's disposition toward them, and they rarely take their seat regardless)

The Elder Council

This Council is the largest, responsible for much of the day-to-day running of the Empire and the passing of new laws. Members include:

The High Chancellor, its leader

The Grand Marshall of the Legion

The head of the Imperial Knights

The rulers of each Province

The Master Of Law, head of the Imperial legal & justice system

The Master of the Treasury, whose domain includes not only managing the Empire's finances but keeping its census records

The Master of Works, responsible for maintaining the Empire's infrastructure and public works (planning of roads & shipping channels, establishment of markets, arenas etc.)

The Arch-Primate of the Imperial Cult

There are four distinct Orders, escalating in prestige, with different duties and privileges.

The Knights of the Empire, your standard knights, are honours given to members of the Legion who've distinguished themselves in service. For a standard knighthood any officer can write a letter of recommendation, as well as anyone honoured as a Knight-Sergeant or above. The upper echelons of this order are often found as officers and will have a more comfortable pension upon retirement, but lower ranks are expected to continue their service as usual.

The Order of the Tower, named such partly because it's the first Order whose recipients are honoured in a ceremony at White Gold Tower conducted by the Grand Master of the Order, or by a mid- to high-ranking member of the higher Orders. High-ranking Knights of any Order may recommend a candidate, but lower knights and officers without honours cannot. Members of this Order are rarely found as active fighting soldiers, but hold positions as senior officers. Upon retirement, members will be granted a small parcel of land in addition to their knightly pension, as well as whatever their Legion rank entitles them to.

The Order of the Red Diamond, the most prestigious Order that one might hope to enter. High-ranking Blades are often given low ranks, the Grand Marshall of the Legion and the Grandmaster of the Blades are automatically given high positions, and candidates must already have some form of honour to be considered; they may only be nominated by notable members of the Tower or the highest echelons of the Knights, and only a member of the Order of the Dragon may approve and induct members. The Grandmaster of the Red Diamond is considered the de facto head of all knightly affairs. Membership seldom exceeds a hundred, and are only found at the highest ranks of service.