Dan laku (dan 'la.ku)

Technically independent

''Soksalos! Soksalos! Soksalos!''

Ruling the 9 cities of Ir Nor, the dan lakuwal are independent monarchs and very close allies of Irhoibi. Or at least that is how it is in theory, as in reality these men are essentially provincial governors for that polity, even being (de facto) appointed by it.

History

---

Origins

''It was the year 9-07 of Itsarau's reign over creation when Iter Laku Sairau II vassalized the 9 cities of Ir Nor. The lords of Arshai, Dahankaibi, Dilmai, Harhal, Lan Anku, Lan Ipan, Lan Itsar, Lan Raici and Luwon bowed their heads, accepting to become dan lakuwal to him''.

-document from Irhoibi's Archive

Although the term 'dan laku' has been used in inscriptions for over a millenia for a variety of purposes, its current usage is much more recent, dating back 250 years. The dan lakuwal of Ir Nor appeared as a consequence of the chaos that engulfed Ikaharin after the death of its only emperor, as Irhoibi conquered the region and forced the defeated polities to elect puppets loyal to them.
This newly established hegemony, however, was challenged after the first dan laku of Luwon (Hirer Laku Hallau) died. This caused a general uprising all throughout the subjugated cities, as the local elites saw it as a great opportunity to restore their independence.
Despite some initial success, Irhoibi managed to put down the rebellion and solidify its control over the territory. That was the last time a large scale revolt took place in Ir Nor...

Evolution

''It is only natural for our state to seek the pacification of Ir Nor, as is to me the king the upholding of the traditions of kingship which are from time immemorial ''.

-I.L Eirannau IV

Even if legally not a thing has changed in 250 years, in practice the dan lakuwal of today are very different from the original ones. Firstly, they are now chosen not because of their claims to the local throne but because of their lack thereof, no dan laku having been born in the city he rules for a very long time.
Another good example of this evolution is the imposition of the karur. For the past century, they have been forced to wear this brass bracelet in any public act where the onan laku of Irhoibi wass present. This serving to show their submission friendship.
However, it should be noted that their autonomy has never been curtailed. The dan lakuwal can still preside over their cities' local affairs without much outside interference, as the government is not interested in the petty affairs of the Ir Nor.

To become one

---

Prerequisites

Like lock and key

''-With the recent death of Hirer Laku Dohannau VI, may he find peace in Akaina, his position in Arshai has been left empty. Thus we should, fine men, discuss and find his replacement, lest we leave that great city leaderless.
-Indeed, and thus I propose my nephew, the finest scion of the Emmain, becomes dan laku.
-He is indeed a fine scion, naturally blessed and destined for great achievements. However, it would be wise to remember the status quo of our great state. It is true that he is a Dolphin, thus a perfect fit, but I, and hopefully many more, fear he pays too much attention to his fifth wife, who is not.
-Tragic how En and his kin cloud the judgement of men...''

-debate at the council

In order to keep the balance of power between Irhoibi's various political factions, it is paramount that any aspiring dan laku belongs to the proper clique. Each city of the Ir Nor has been essentially 'allotted' to a party, its ruler having to belong to it in order to hold office.

Disconnected

''(Kuwar Laku, stern and angry): You may beat me! You may torture my relatives and exile me to Belikaus' Mines! You may even end my days, men! But it won't stop me. I don't care! I don't care about that city, about its prestige or the might of its warriors.
Thus I will not allow that foreigner to sit upon the throne of our once proud city, now sullied by the blood of those like me''.

-excerpt from a theatre play

Any aspiring dan laku should have no strong ties to the land he wants to control, even if the way these territories are assigned to different factions makes it difficult to enforce.
In order to achieve this as best as possible, all dan lakuwal should fulfil the 'ei kywal ha ei lial':

• Ky dahan kualle: Literally 'of another lineage', candidates cannot be from the same lineage as that city's three previous governors.
• Ky Irhoibi: Literally 'of Irhoibi', candidates have to have been born and raised in Irhoibi.
• Li an ir nor hilatsau: Literally 'no tutor from Ir Nor', candidates cannot have had a hilatsane relationship with anyone from that city (preferably from Ir Nor as a whole).
• Li en ir nor aba: Literally 'no wife from Ir Nor', candidates cannot have a wife from that city (preferably from Ir Nor as a whole).

Coronation

In Irhoibi

''Thus we, fine men of the council, have gathered and voted on the issue to us presented. And he, Iter Laku Soksau VIII, has of our decision been informed and of it has approved.
Therefore, we give our support to Nintauol Dauehir, and his intentions to become the ruler of Arshai''.

-the council's resolution

Before anything official can happen, the aristocratic council that runs most of Irhoibi's affairs has to meet and vote on the matter. Of course, this debate is not to appoint the king of a sovereign state, don't be silly, it is merely to:

''Talk about the affairs of our neighbors and express our opinions and desires on their outcome''.

In any case, once they establish who would be the ideal candidate in their eyes, the state will give the aspiring lord a property in the city he wants to rule. This 'Pretender's House', as it's known, is a very important part of the process.
Without that 'gift', the Capital's claimant wouldn't be able to run for office, for the traditions of Ir Nor dictate that one can only be king if he owns property within the settlement.

In Ir Nor

''Thus we, free men of the council, have solved the matter of the succession of the State of Arshai. And we have voted that, based on his extraordinary merit and virtue, Nintauol Dauehir should be elevated.
May all praise Hirer Laku Dohannau VII, now and every day until he departs This Our World''.

-Arshai's council resolution

Once the pretender has arrived, the local council will hold a vote on succession. And, luckily for the newly arrived noble, they will be so impressed by him and his deeds that they will enthrone him with an overwhelming majority.
After that's done, a great coronation ceremony will take place at the city's central square. This ceremony has been carried out the same way for centuries and serves to make the king look independent, because that's what he is.

Role

---

Internal

''Oh, true, I have a dinner party at sun-down! Page! Give me my cape, there is no time to lose''.

-a dan laku's daily life

Like in most of Ikaharin's cities, day to day affairs of administration and such are handled by either an aristocratic council or an alamme, the king seldom getting involved.
Thus, for most of the time, a dan laku's role is largely ceremonial. They can be seen attending social events with the local elites, presiding over rituals and parades and:

''After much meditation on the topic, I have decided to approve of the council's decision''.

External

''Onan Laku, Iter Laku! I can personally guarantee you that whatever you may need from me you will have, you only need to ask for it''.

-bootlicking

Most of the times the dan lakuwal do anything noteworthy it is to make sure Irhoibi's requests and commands are obeyed. From sending raw materials for their industry to manpower for their sprawling projects, their primary concern is supplying the Capital.

Besides this, they and their fleets often join those of Irhoibi in their many naval ventures. It is in large measure thanks to them that their overlords are capable of both mustering and replacing large navies regularly.

Status

Relatively powerful

Creation

457

Form of Address

Hirer Laku

Alternative Naming

Karur

Source of Authority

Election by the nobility (de iure)
Royal decree (de facto)

Length of Term

Lifelong/Until abdication

Trivia:

• Even if most cities in Ikaharin are underlings of another, no relationship is as 'strong' as that between Irhoibi and the cities of the Ir Nor.
• In the Neinnarin (Ikaharin's calendar), the orbital period of the comet they worship is used as the basis for the years. However, as that takes 18000 days to take place, what basically everyone refers to when they say 'year' is a period of 360 days (a fiftieth of the orbital period).
• Ikaharin's population is somewhere around 1.8 million.
• Due to a variety of factors, from environmental to political, the Ikaharinese live in many cities of similar size instead of agglutinating into massive metropoles.
• Back in the days of hereditary monarchy, 'dan laku' was the name given to the heir of the throne.
• Some Luwonese have a rivalry with those of Arshai, because they used to be the largest city of the Ir Nor.
• Even if no large scale revolt has happened since then, smaller uprisings have taken place.
• Your average Ikaharinese noble is fairly Reactionary.
• All of Irhoibi's political factions are named after animals, which range from orcas to ducks.
• Belikaus was a king of the Aineci, who invaded a large portion of Eastern Ikaharin (and its vast flint mines).
• Most people in Ir Nor have come to accept, and often benefit, from Irhoibi's rule.
• Even if all legislation in Ikaharin has to be approved by the king, his approval is essentially guaranteed.
• Irhoibi is renowned all across the world for extravagant monuments and massive infrastructure projects, all of them inherited from the times of Iter Laku Soksau and his empire.