Ruler of Tsumoenia
Tsumoenia was ruled by a monarch who held loose control over the various local leaders of the nation.
Qualifications
While one of the ruler's children almost always inherited the title, in order to actually obtain rulership, a successor had to themselves in battle. What exactly this entailed was not specific: dueling a rival noble, journeying to slay a beast, or leading troops in an actual battle were all seen as worthy. The only requirement was that the battle was real: the successor and their allies' lives had to be at risk. Among potential successors who meet this requirement, the ruler was usually then chosen through primogeniture.
Appointment
A new ruler was appointed during a relatively small coronation ceremony. All of the warlords under the ruler, as well as the ruler's family, and any other important guests, gathered in the capital to observe the proceedings.
Duties
A Tsumoenian ruler didn't directly control the entire nation, but rather watched over the various warlords who swore fealty to them. They collected tribute from these warlords, as well as directing their strategies during wars. The ruler was, themselves, a warlord of the region of Fleca, and therefore had a much greater degree of control over that region.
Benefits
Tsumoenian rulers, unsurprisingly, tended to be wealthy. Additionally, most of the warlords subservient to them were eager to curry favor. The most elite warriors in each warlord's forces were sent to serve the ruler as bodyguards, and they often had multiple spouses from varying noble houses.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The Tsumoenian ruler wore a crown fashioned from silver to denote their station.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
In theory, a Tsumoenian ruler could be overthrown by another leader, as commonly happened to the nation's warlords, though no such insurgency ever succeeded.
History
The first king of Tsumoenia was Torfin of Fleca. As his title suggests, he was originally a local warlord in the region of Fleca, before he began conquering his neighboring Tsumoenians. Unlike other would-be conquerors, Torfin afforded some autonomy to the warlords he defeated, rather than deposing or killing them. This, combined with the assurance of his army, made those defeated warlords highly loyal. In the more than four hundred years that followed, his successors mostly continued this wise policy.
Notable Holders
Torfin of Fleca.
Type
Royalty, Hereditary
Status
Defunct
Alternative Naming
King or Queen
Source of Authority
Military might
Length of Term
Life
Related Organizations
Comments