The Theocracy of the Asharan Imperium, the Religious and Spiritual Authority of the Imperium. This being one of the oldest and most influential Institutions of the Imperium. All starting back in the early days of the Imperium, with the five most powerful Faiths at that time, the Church of Chronepsis, the Church of Bahamut, the Church of Belanus, the Church of Corellon Larethian and the Church of Moradin. It was decided by the Highest Priests of each Faith to establish, under the auspices of the Ruling class, a Moral Authority.
This Moral Authority would not only see to the Spiritual Guidence of the Peoples of Asharan, but also see to it that the Leaders of the Imperium did not lose their way. They would see to it, that the Imperium would not fall to the same Darkness as the old days of the Dragon Lords' rule.
So a Council was formed, each Faith would seat a speaker in this Council, the Holy Council. And that the Holy Council would have one speak for each Faith in the Imperial Ruling Council. As to have a voice in the Governance of the Imperium.
The Holy Council now consists of 14 recognized Faiths, the Gnomes and Halflings of the Imperium typically throw in with the Dwarves. The Small Folk care not for Politics, though they have their own Deities. So Gnomes and Halflings turn to their Dwarven friends in such matters.
As such the Holy Council has 14 speakers in its Body of members, as well as 14 Representatives in the Imperial Ruling Council. The Holy Council meets once each month to discuss Inner Faith Issues. Matters of allowing new Faiths into the Realm of Asharan, recognition of New Faiths, and seeing if some Faith is Evil and needs to be Outlawed. They also issue Holy Writs and Edicts, which must all be approved by the Holy Council, with at least eight votes in favor. Should this happen, these Issues, Writs and Edicts are sent to their Representatives in the Ruling Council. Here then the Item or Items in question are voted on. It is of course the final word of the High Warlord for these issues to pass or not.
Should any member of the Holy Council or Leader of one of the 14 Faiths of the Realm be found to going against the best interests of his or her Faith and/or the Imperium, they are brought before a Special Judgement Council. This Judgement Council consists of High Ranking Priests of the first five Faiths of Asharan. And are tried before this Judgement Council, with a Jury of 14 Priests, one Juror for each of the 14 Faiths of Asharan.