The Leaders and Overseers

Different Types of Settlement Leaders

Mayors, Governors, Dukes and Lords; these are but a handful of titles the leader of a settlement might go by. In terms of power, responsibilities and rights they are all rather similar the difference is only in how that title was achieved.
Mayors are generally appointed to their role by the regional overseer from among the people of that settlement, usually as a result of some accomplishment or if an individual is what you might call a natural born leader. What matters most is that the individual has sway with the people, is respected and listened to, and thus able to keep the denizens of the settlement 'in check'.
Governors are like Mayors in many ways, but instead of having been appointed by an outsider, these individuals are generally selected via a vote within the settlement itself. Who may be eligible to vote may differ from settlement to settlement, as direct democracy may not always be on the table, but regardless this way of selecting a leader is typically seen as the most legitimate in the eyes of the people.
Dukes on the other hand receive their right to rule as members of a royal bloodline, usually being the eldest of said bloodline and thus entitled to their position. In some cases they needn't even be directly related to a royal bloodline, rather they are aristocrats of some other branch. The right to rule, regardless, comes from them having been born to the right family. This, whilst not initially the most legitimate of positions in the eyes of the people, is often enforced and secured by long traditions and the benevolent acts of the rulers themselves.
And finally, lords needn't be appointed by anyone, rather they simply take on the proverbial mantle of a leader naturally as a result of some events or the progressively as the settlement starts to form itself. This too can easily start a chain of hereditary leadership positions, but such a position is the most loose of the four as it's typically not enforced by anything but the consent of the governed. Powerful mages, sages and wisemen, charismatic natural born leaders, anyone with the correct traits can effectively become a lord.

Responsibilities

All the leaders, no matter how they came to power, share a list of responsibilities.

1. Acting as or appointing a judicial body for internal disputes
   

The leaders often do this themselves, but may also appoint a body of individuals to deal with any disputes that fall under the jurisdiction of the settlement, its laws and authority.

2. Reporting to the regional overseer

No matter how one came to possess their position of leadership, all settlements are expected to report to the region's ruler periodically so as to keep them apprised of any developments within the settlement, such as civic unrest or notable people that may have come to the settlements

3. Appointing the sheriff and other law enforcement officers, and establishing the force

Despite the generally lawful nature of the people's of Achareon it should still be noted that without security personnel people easily revert to more baser instincts and the focus easily boils down to what's best for the individual. For this reason every settlement needs a city guard to police its citizens and ensure laws are followed and peaceful co-existence is upheld. Of course, the city guard is also responsible for upholding the safety of the settlement from external threats, and as such many find themselves manning the city gate(s) or the many towers that surround its perimeters.

4. Acting as the supervisor and 'final say' on other internal matters

Finally, especially when it comes to larger projects or changes proposed within the settlements, these local leaders have the final say on whether these projects, attempts, changes or other such ever see the light of day. After all, if something were to go wrong in their settlement it ultimately falls onto their leader to take the blame for it.

Benefits

As one might expect, such a high esteemed position does come with its perks, even if not all leaders wish to utilize them to their fullest. Typically they have their own upper class or aristocratic house in which they reside, with a personal guard and servants too. Rarely would you find a leader cooking their own meals or mopping their own floors. And thanks to their position, the initial attitude of the peoples of the settlement towards a leader is one of reverence and respect(, unless of course the leader happens be someone who might qualify for the title of an 'asshole', in which case the more approriate words might be feared and loathed). In addition to these they also receive a steady flow of funds via taxes, some of which they'll relay forwards to the regional overseer, some of which they'll reallocate to help run the settlement itself, and some of which they'll keep for themselves.

Length of Terms and Removal/Dismissal

Typically the leaders are appointed for or acquire their position for life or at least until they choose to step down and allow a successor to take over. Often such successors are their actual descendants, but there's no rule that this must be the case. As for removing them, some positions take a great deal more effort than others. In terms of Governors which are appointed by the people from among the people, and Mayors who, too, are appointed from among the people, it's a simple matter of collecting enough signatures and sending this letter of disapproval to the regional overseer, and they will be forced to step down. To force the dismissal of a governor requires only 60% of the people of the settlement to sign the letter, whereas in order to dismiss a Mayor a total of 75% needs be gathered. In the case of lords, if the settlement is a beneficiary of the regional capital, the same 75% applies, but in the case it's not there's far fewer options; basically boiling down to either leaving the settlement or staging a coup. And finally, in terms of Dukes the dismissal may happen if there's another viable family member, or a member of another aristocratic family, that gains the people's approval, and they manage to orchestrate a transfer of power either peacefully or by force. Of course loss of life is never ideal, and as such coups are never the most desired recourse, and if they happen in settlements under the rule of a regional ruler, one would do well to expect the arrival of forces from the capital posthaste.

Type

Civic, Political

Form of Address

His honor, honorable