Imperial Suzerain

The True Leaders of The Thirteen Kingdoms

Qualifications

Direct appointment by The Empress herself, the title of Suzerain is one of the greatest political honors within her power to bestow. Those that have been granted the honour so far have been Alvain that served Jaenesa prime Virtutem before she was The Alvain Empress, with a noted tendency towards the appointment of her military commanders (at least to The Eastern Human Kingdoms where the risk of uprising is greater.)

Appointment

The appointment of each Imperial Suzerain is made solely by the will and appointment of Jaenesa prime Virtutem, Empress of Alwaus. While a great deal of public debate and discussion takes place in Alvantes with each vacancy, whether or not The Empress takes the will of The Alvain Assembly into consideration for her appointment is unclear, as with a growing number of things in The Eternal Empire the ultimate decision (and the consequences befalling that decision) are held by The Empress.

Duties

As an Imperial Suzerain, one must represent the interests and influence of The Eternal Empire is the everyday dealing and developments in your assigned human kingdom. Beyond ensuring that taxes and tribute is paid to Alvantes, the Suzerain is responsible for the enforcement of Imperial Law and Culture, and most importantly: ensuring that sparks of civil war will never catch in the human kingdoms again.

Responsibilities

The day to day responsibilities of an Imperial Suzerain varies dramatically with each kingdom and suzerain serving over it. While some have chosen to remain more less behind the scenes from a public perception, other Suzerain have chosen to make their presence known in the kingdom's court at any given opportunity, especially in situations where the ruling monarch is resistant to imperial influence and needs to be reminded who is truly in power.
The position carries with it an unprecedented level of power, and with that a crushing responsibility. With the burden of an entire kingdom weighing them down it is hardly a surprise that a Suzerian rarely serves for longer than a few decades (an incredibly short period of time for Alvain standards), as humans are proven to be incredibly difficult to control and influence, especially over multiple generations. Regardless the opportunity and prestige the position offers is exceeded by only a seat on The Alvain Assembly, and the potential appointment as an Imperial Suzerain is the goal for any alvain aspiring for power and influence.

Benefits

Besides gaining significant political clout and favor with The Empress, the position also provides an alvain with a unique position to make strategic moves to further their own personal agenda. With the economic and military power of an entire human nation at their disposal, The Suzerains are some of the most powerful alvain in the entire world, and a suzerain would be a fool to not utilize this appointment to ensure they are in the best position to challenge their own political rivals in Alvantes.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Imperial Suzerains typically serve out their complete term in service to The Empire, however rumors circulate that some Suzerians were removed from their positions early as punishment for failing to meet The Empress' expectations. With the levels of subterfuge and political infighting in Alvantes only growing under The Eternal Empire, a newly appointed suzerain is sure to gain the attention of those who wish to see them embarrassed on the political stage of Alvantes, and ideally take their position themselves. If The Empress has concerns (or is even aware) of the competitive infighting the position has created she has not vocalized it - at least not outside of her inner circle.

Cultural Significance

The appointmetn of the Imperial Suzerains was a turning point for Human & Alvain relations. While the monarchs of the The Thirteen Kingdoms were permitted to remain in control of their demanse and permitted to keep their titles and lands (in most cases) they were no longer the highest form of law within their nation's borders. Alvain Influence, which had once been a gentle suggestion or a strong denouncement or embargo at worst was now being enforced within their own throne rooms - with the threat of military force and execution hovering above their crowns should they decide to reject the rule of The Eternal Empire.
Anger at the creation of the Imperial Suzerains was ironically most felt in the human kingdoms who had fought alongside the alvain as loyalists in The Inheritance War. The kings who had not forsaken their treaties with Alvantes were still penalized with the enforcement of Suzerains in their own kingdoms - albeit the alvain appointment to these roles were significantly less militant than their peers serving in The Kaldari Highlands.
Regardless of their initial reaction to the postponement of Suzerains, the century that followed birthed new generations of humans to replace the bitter veterans of The Inheritance War; ones who grew up in a world where the alvain rule over them was absolute and unquestionable - at least in theory. With few exceptions the Suzerains have been successful in their efforts to tame the human kingdoms, and economic and technological development has only strengthened in the years since the formation of The Eternal Empire.

Type

Civic, Political

Form of Address

My Lord/Lady

Equates to

A King's Advisor in its described capacity, in actuality they are the true rulers of The Thirteen Kingdoms.

Source of Authority

Imperial Proclamation by The Empress herself.

Length of Term

Terms are served at the will of The Empress and kept from public knowledge.

Reports directly to

Empress of Alwaus

Related Locations

• Alwaus, The Known World

Related Organizations

• The Thirteen Kingdoms (Large Scale)