The Council was created as a check on the Sea Lord's power as absolute ruler of Freeport. Specifically, the Sea Lord must consult the Council before declaring war, entering into treaties with foreign powers, allocating city funds and levying taxes. The last two are the big ones.
Councillors are nominated and appointed by the rest of the Council when an opening comes up, but currently all 13 seats are full. When the Council votes on an issue, the Sea Lord's vote counts twice and breaks ties. So she only needs 5 councillors on her side to push something through.
They're appointed for life (except for the Privateer seat, which is a three year term and you need to be an active ship captain to hold it), and it's very hard to get kicked out. They're corrupt and everyone knows it. It's a respected institution among the elites, but since it doesn't give much of a damn about the rabble they don't have a lot of respect for them. The Succession Riots did make them aware of the need for at least a modicum of popular support, so there are a couple of special interest groups represented.
Lots of powerful people would like to be Councillors so their murder rate is higher than might be expected for their status. Council sessions aren't open to the public.
Current Members
Marilise Maeorgan - Sea Lord
Dirwin Arnig - Gemcutters' and Jewellers' Guild
Liam Blackhammer - Champion of the poor
Xavier Gordon - Former privateer
Nathan Grymes - Rich merchant with shady connections
Sister Gwendolyn - Religious representative
Enoch Holliver - Freeport Watch Commissioner, Former mercenary
Jacob Lydon - Drunken pirate rogue, Man of the people
Marcus Roberts - Charming ambassador, the Face of Freeport
Hector Torian - Fun-loving generous man who's searching for a Drac heir
Tarmon - Wizards' Guild advisor
Garth Varellion - Ambitious self absorbed fool
Tench Prescott - Privateer's Seat, disinterested politician
