Shìzú Mǔqīn
A relic from a bygone era in Fuírén culture, the title of Shìzú Müqīn is an old title from the culture of the Fuírén peoples before invasion and diaspora broke up their state, and enforced servitude of the people living there. The title of Shìzú Müqīn lives on among the warrior clans, turned mercenary bands of the Liúwáng Zhě, who have, in their exile maintained many of the old ways of life, and who have become the last bastion of that old custom, even as they, at least in theory plot to retake their homeland, and reassert those customs.
Qualifications
Those who are selected for the position of Shìzú Müqīn are most often the seniormost officer available to the local clan. In rare circumstances a younger clan member might be selected should they have led a particularly noteworthy and honored career. Ideally, the officer in question will have served as part of the advisory council before ascending to leadership of their clan, though there have been frequent instances of junior officers having led long, but relatively mundane careers who have become Shìzú Müqīn, particularly in the larger of the Liúwáng Zhě where oftentimes people are passed over on important duties and surviving for decades.
Requirements
In order to ascend to the rank of Shìzú Müqīn, one must be a hobgoblin, usually of pure Fuírén hobgoblin stock, and must be a woman. Men are strictly barred from the rank of Shìzú Müqīn, and are often even barred from the advisory council, and a place among the Jiātíng Müqīn, and it is exceptionally rare for other goblinoids, and especially, humans, orcs, and other races to even make it into leadership positions at all, nevermind the upper echelons of society.
Duties
The Shìzú Müqīn is the leader of their clan, and aside from rare circumstances must therefore lead their clan with absolute certainty. They are responsible for managing contracts for mercenary work, primarily the negotiation of terms, the assignment of responsibility, and ultimately the enforcement of terms. They are also responsible for the assignment of orders and the highest order, the strategic direction, and enforcement of discipline in their clan, as well as maintaining household cohesion, effectively making them part military leader, and part quasi-tribal chieftain.
Responsibilities
On a day to day basis, the Shìzú Müqīn does not rule alone, they are often required to meet with an advisory council of other senior members, as well as making sure the pay that they company gets is distributed to the individual households, and soldiers. The Shìzú Müqīn is also often responsible for managing disciplinary issues, particularly the handing out of punishments for those who transgress major offences, or naming disciplinary officers for minor offences.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The Shìzú Müqīn is allowed access to the clan's relics and best equipment to protect themselves. Most clans have their leaders equipped in masterfully crafted splint, or plate armor, which often is enchanted, as well as rare weapons, often kept safe since their diaspora with old and powerful magics enchanting them. Most also possess fine clothing which is often worn during formal visits and during contract negotiations. Paired with these fine clothes are often pre-diaspora tea sets, or other accouterments for the purposes of hosting for esteemed guests.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
A Shìzú Müqīn generally serves for life however, they can be removed for a number of reasons. The first and foremost among these is inability to discharge the duties of Shìzú Müqīn, keeping an incapable leader in charge is ultimately a death knell for the clan. Under rare circumstances a member of the clan may challenge the Shìzú Müqīn for leadership of the clan, with the question coming down to a trial by combat with the victor becoming leader of the clan. Lastly, the council can remove a clan leader should they be found engaging in dishonorable practices, with the term dishonorable known to be flexible at times, so as to give certain sly councils the ability to install a pliable leader.
History
An ancient title dating all the way back to traditional Fuírén society, the Shìzú Müqīn was traditionally associated with clan leadership dating back to the golden age of Fuíguo. When in their homeland, each clan maintained a Shìzú Müqīn. When the Fuíguo lands were steadily conquered, the clan based governance collapsed. The maintenance of the tradition then fell to the Fuírén exiles, who eventually transformed into the Liúwáng Zhě, who fiercely held onto the tradition in spite of their exile.
Cultural Significance
The position of Shìzú Müqīn is the most important symbol of the of system of pre-diaspora Fuíguo clan orientated culture. For the Liúwáng Zhě who primarily are concerned with maintenance of their old ways of living, this makes keeping up the tradition of the clans, and particularly, propping up the Shìzú Müqīn a moral imperative.
Type
Nobility, Military
Equates to
Countess
Source of Authority
Seniority
Related Organizations
