Alor

Alor (plural: alore) is the Khaghat'oa word for the leader of a clan in Khaghate culture and is roughly equivalent to the rank of chieftain. Literally translated as "head," alore form the base of the Khaghate nobility and are the highest ranking official within each clan. The title is mentioned multiple times in the Khaghate's foundational legal and philosophical text, the Ogadinui , and is considered integral to the Khaghate's social structure. They are an important part of both internal clan dynamics and inter-clan politics, with alore from the great houses being involved in the selection of the Khaghatan, the supreme ruler of the Khaghate people.

Appointment

Alore are selected by their clan on the basis of wisdom and experience, with informal elections held after the death of a clan's present alor. Though the position is not inherently hereditary, alore typically hail from a clan's main ancestral lineage. A group of clans may unite around a particularly powerful or wealthy clan to form a house. Alor who lead houses are sometimes called ruus'alor¹ and often act as the elites of Khaghate society. Many young or ambitious warriors seek out these powerful alore to serve in their aranate, or household guard. This includes the warriors of less prestigious clans, who are often sent by their own alor to gain experience and form social connections with more elite members of Khaghate society.

Duties

As the highest ranking member of a clan, the alor is responsible for the defense of the clan and for resolving disputes both within the clan and with external parties. Alore oversee the appointment and promotion of the clan's warriors and has final say over assignments and missions. This can cause some friction when an alor promotes a warrior in spite of their experience, however, such disregard for merit is uncommon in Khaghate society. Alore often lead their warriors into battle, though this is not explicitly prescribed in the Ogadinui as it is for the Khaghatan.

Responsibilities

In addition to their defensive duties, alore also serve a number of religious and civic responsibilities. When two Khaghate wish to get married, they must meet with their alore. The chieftains will then discuss which of their two clans will host the pair's winter courtship. After this period, the alore will meet with the couple once more to discuss moving forward with a marriage ceremony. If such an arrangement is reached, the alor of the betrothed officiates the wedding.
Should a married couple wish to separate, their alor steps in to arbitrate the division of the dowry and any jointly held assets. If the couple has any offspring, the alor must decide if the child is to stay with one of the parents or if they should be offered as an heir to a childless married couple in the clan. Rarely these children will be declared legal orphans and inducted into the clan's aliit be'ade.²
An alor is also present for a young warrior's verd'goten, overseeing both the completion of the candidate's trials and the final donning ceremony. Later, if a warrior, particularly a former ward, has shown particular bravery in the defense of the clan or the alor's family, the alor may offer to formally adopt the warrior as one of their heirs.

Footnotes

¹    ruus'alor literally translates as "reliable leader." The term is less often used in everyday speech, largely only appearing in the presence of ruus'alore themselves. The word can also be applied to the military rank of sergeant.
²   aliit be'ade or "children of the clan" are orphaned or parentless children who are adopted by the alor and their advisors to be collectively raised by the clan. The practice is prescribed in the Ogadinui and is considered a point of pride by the Khaghate people.

The role of alor is a critical part of the Khaghate people's social hierarchy and culture

Type

Nobility, Non-hereditary

Equates to

Chieftain

Source of Authority

The Ogadinui

Length of Term

Until death

Related Locations

• Khaghat Steppe