Corazhas

The Corazhas of Witnesses ("Corazhas") is a council of seven Witnesses who advise the Emperor of the Ethuveraz: Witness for the Athmaz'are, Witness for Foreigners, Witness for the Judiciate, Witness for the Parliament, Witness for the Prelacy, Witness for the Universities, and the Witness for the Treasury.

Details
The Corazhas is one of the three main bodies of civil government in the Ethuveraz (the others being the Parliament and the Judiciate). The concordat is a "half cease-fire, half alliance" that is maintained between these three bodies.

The primary power of the Corazhas comes from its function as a filter for what matters may be brought before the emperor. Citizens or groups wishing to petition the emperor must first have their petition approved by the Corazhas. The emperor may also present issues before the Corazhas, whether concerning himself or the empire. In the case of selecting a Lord Chancellor, the emperor can propose a candidate to the Corazhas for their approval, and reject any they suggest.

The Corazhas reaches decisions by debate followed by a vote: members may vote in favor, opposition, or abstain from voting. In the event of a tie, the emperor's vote decides the outcome. The vote of the Corazhas is binding upon the emperor.

Each Witness of the Corazhas represents a different institution or administrative body. The Witnesses of the Corazhas may, but do not necessarily, hold significant rank or political power within their respective domains.

The Lord Chancellor at least sometimes participates in Corazhas' meetings, but it's unclear if he has a vote or not, or if he's simply present to help sway members to his position. He can shout down petitioners to the emperor's attention if he so chooses.

Meetings
The Corazhas meet in the Verven’theileian. They typically convene for several hours at a time, either in the morning or the afternoon.

Current

 * Lord Bromar (Witness for Foreigners)
 * Lord Deshehar (Witness for the Parliament)
 * Lord Isthanar (Witness for the Universities)
 * Lord Pashavar (Witness for the Judiciate)
 * Sonevet Athmaza (Witness for the Athmaz'are)

Former

 * Lord Eiru Berenar (Witness for the Treasury)
 * Archprelate Teru Tethimar (Witness for the Prelacy)

Trivia

 * The Witness for the Prelacy who served at the end of Varenechibel IV's reign and the beginning of Maia Drazhar's was not given a name. He was replaced temporarily by Teru. The Prelates' Council's chosen replacement was not named, but appeared to help debate on the topic of the Wisdom Bridge.
 * Eiru's replacement as Witness for the Treasury was not named, but appeared to help debate on the topic of the Wisdom Bridge.
 * Although not all Witnesses were named together, every Witness at some point in The Goblin Emperor had a named member at least once during Maia's reign.
 * The Witness for Parliament is unique among the Corazhas in that the person in the role must win election to Parliament.
 * The glossary in The Goblin Emperor and most of the novel states that there are seven Witnesses of the Corazhas,  but during Maia's coronation, he noted, “Nine Witnesses made up the Corazhas”. As the potential other two are never listed elsewhere, this is possibly a typo, and seven has been chosen as the actual number for this article.