Royal Emissary

In the Golden Empire, a Royal Emissary was a personal representative of the Sovereign.

History
Queen Rin Sakaros made use of the term early in the Golden Empire and created a gold-on-green version of the Royal Standard for an Emissary's use, but no being was given the title as an actual office; Rin occasionally attached the title to a Centurion traveling under her personal orders for some diplomatic or governmental function, but grew dissatisfied with this usage, as she felt such duties were within Centurions' purview and should not require any special designation. The title fell out of use in the Empire's early decades.

In 158 ABY, when Jinyx Windrunner was completing her apprenticeship with Breek Zagrev and Rin was pondering how best to employ Jinyx's talents, she elected to revive the designation and created Jinyx the first permanent Royal Emissary. Jinyx's early assignments involved observing conditions on the ground in various locations and reporting back to Rin, although she had some authority to impose changes she felt necessary.

Duties and Authority
Unlike a Royal Executor, a Royal Emissary lacked a share in the Sovereign's power and had no role in any regency (unless separately a member of the Sovereign's Council). Instead, a Royal Emissary served as the Sovereign's “eyes and ears”, assessing conditions on member worlds of the Empire and recommending appropriate conduct to the Sovereign. On occasion a Royal Emissary functioned as the Sovereign's “mouth” as well; Rin Sakaros occasionally gave Jinyx Windrunner authority to enact certain changes or reforms if necessary, and left it to Jinyx to determine whether it was, in fact, necessary. A Royal Emissary could also function as a sort of “super diplomat”, adjudicating conflicts between parties or even systems if the relevant Procurator was not disposed to intervene or the Sovereign wanted a personal hand in the outcome.

A Royal Emissary enjoyed high diplomatic rank within the Empire, and Royal Emissaries were often privileged to use Massassi Guard units when necessary. Like a Tribune, a Royal Emissary's person was considered sacrosanct, and assaulting an Emissary was punishable by death.

Although the rank of Royal Emissary, by itself, carried no military authority, the Sovereign could (and Rin Sakaros did) empower an Emissary as a Legate when needed.