Eshai-va

Qualifications

Pre-1677 P.A. Rules: The firstborn son of the previous holder. If no heir is available, the title is forfeited until a council can convene to decide it's heir. This process was known to lead to civil wars as well as, most notably, the Warring Clans period of the First Empire. Post-1677 P.A. Rules: The firstborn son of the previous holder. If the firstborn is deceased, then the next child in line is given the throne, UNLESS the firstborn had a child, in which case, the previous holder's grandchild is given the title. Post-Murai-Civil War Rules: The firstborn child of the previous holder is, by default, the heir of the title, HOWEVER, the current Eshai-va may chose a different successor if they see fit, provided there is good reason to do so (i.e. Mental or physical disability, poor training in leadership, etc etc...).

Requirements

In order to be officially crowned as Eshai-va, the heir must be at least sixteen years old, be of the Murai culture (from birth or by adopting it), be a follower of the Ishitic faith, and be, in some way, related to the former leader.

Appointment

The Eshai-va ascends to the throne via three rituals and ceremonies. These are as follows: Presentation of the Artifacts - In this ceremony, the soon-to-be Eshai-va is presented with four artifacts that allegedly have divine origins. These artifacts are the "Three-states amulet", the "Blade of the Spirits", and the "Book of the Arasi". This ceremony represents birth in the Ishitic faith's "Eternal Cycle". The Enthronement Ceremony - In this ceremony, the Eshai-va is officially enthroned as the ruler of the First or Second Empire (depending on the time period). During this ceremony, the Eshai-va effectively leaves their old life behind in the period between it and the third and final one. Thus, this ceremony is seen to represent death within the Eternal Cycle. The Imperial Bloodletting - The Eshai-va will cut their hand open, allowing their semi-divine blood (as the legends say) flow onto an altar to the Murai god of death, Vren, in order to ward off early death as well as to seek his approval as well as that of his ancestors. Afterwards, the Eshai-va will spend the next day in prayer for continued prosperity of the realm, after which they will emerge from the temple of the Ishitai, a new man. Due to this, the ritual is seen to represent, in a strange manner, rebirth on the Eternal Cycle.

Duties

The Eshai-va is expected to be an example for the nation to follow, and as such, he will frequently make speeches to the people, at least in recent years. The Eshai-va will often be a key leader in the Order of the Ishitai, and thus, they are expected to be an extremely pious individual.

Responsibilities

The Eshai-va will often make visits to the various corners of the Empire when possible as well as conduct diplomacy with the ambassadors of foreign powers, among other things relating to politics and the inner-workings of the Second Empire.

Benefits

The Eshai-va, in early times, was effectively an absolute monarch, and as such had nigh-unlimited authority over every aspect of the nation. As a result, the Imperial family of the Second Empire is one of the wealthiest families in the world, with it's members also exerting considerable influence within the Empire's borders, even with the recently-adopted constitution in place.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The Eshai-va will often wear a dark-orange robe with a black coat with gold-inlay as well as a black hat or headdress. They will also, after the completion of their three ceremonies/rituals in ascending to the throne, wear the Three-states amulet or a replica of it.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

The Eshai-va can be removed from office by death or abdication alone as of the modern day, at least in a legal sense.

Alternative Naming

Emperor (closest translation in most languages)

Equates to

Emperor

Source of Authority

The Eshai-va's source of authority officially comes from the "Kani", or the gods of the Ishitic faith.

Length of Term

Limited only by the life of the holder.

Related Organizations

• The Second Empire of Ishan