King

Rulership, a double-edged sword: wielded wisely, it forges prosperity; mishandled, it sparks ruin.

A King serves as a historical and cultural archetype symbolizing the paramount authority and ruler of a sovereign state or territory, typically within a monarchy. Kingship has manifested itself all around Mellanvärlden in various forms throughout history, ranging from absolute monarchies where the ruler holds supreme and unchecked authority (Snadov †), to constitutional monarchies where their powers are limited by a constitution or close council(Thortyr). The role of a king extends beyond mere governance, encompassing ceremonial, religious, and symbolic duties that contribute to the unity and identity of the kingdom. 

Across the diverse cultures and traditions of Mellanvärlden, rulers have adopted a range of different titles that, despite sometimes sounding exotic and having odd requirements, ultimately come down to the same idea - a king. Some of them are: 

Treria - Krateros - The ruler is elected amongst the most formidable warrior of the clans. In theory, it means any civilian or soldier may step up to challenge the supreme ruler, but in practice, his position is highly respected and it is a rare occasion for them to actually participate in duels for the throne. 

Sarusa - Basileus/Basilea - The ruler is elected amongst the richest and most renowned merchants, the winner usually being the wealthiest. Once elected, the throne is theirs for life. 
Umera - Dauphin/Dauphiné - The ruler belongs to a royal bloodline, the throne being passed to their descendants, with the current King choosing the heir amongst their children. The same structure of power exists in Vevia, Velden and Legacya, but the title of Dauphin is exclusive to Umera.  

Arialor-  Arch-Priest - The ruler is chosen by a council of bishops and holds supreme power once elected. 

Thortyr - Grand-Knight - The ruler is elected by a council of Knights and holds supreme power over the kingdom. The Inner Circle represents the highest-ranked officials of the Order, a legendary organization known for holding immense power and influence over the continent. Despite their power, the Grand-Knight is expected to rule according to the Order's ideals, given they can easily be deposed upon failure. This happens because the throne of Thortyr is in the very same place as the headquarters of the organization.