Laka
The Laka are the masters of Larani society and government, shaping fates and changing destinies with a simple flick of the wrist. Embodiments of death and destruction, a Laka on the battlefield is a sight to see, while a Laka in a political setting typically pulls all the strings. The wrath of a Laka is a price few are willing to incur, for good reason.
Qualifications
The manners of appointing a new Laka are fairly inconsistent. If a challenger defeated the current Laka in a ritual challenge, they get the Laka's title and ingrained powerbase. Whether the rest of their resources follows depends on whether or not the new Laka can shore them up fast enough. If a Laka is killed by a non-Lati, then their seat either goes to the first person to claim and hold the title, the hold is very important, or the Council can take control of the succession process and grant the title to their own appointee. Of course, most of the Laka are usually in opposition to one another, and so can't gain the 80% vote required to grant a contender their blessing. Even if they do agree to appoint someone, they are often killed and succeeded immediately after. Another common way for Lati to come into control of the title is to inherit it from their dead masters. A common tale is for a Councilmember to find themselves dead at the hands of an assassin, their apprentice taking the title, only to find themselves dead in turn, and on and on the cycle goes until someone eradicates the powerbase or is powerful enough to fend off the attacks.
Requirements
Officially, the only requirements be that any applicant is a Lati. Unofficially, rarely, if ever, does a Laka get appointed who did not previously hold the title of Erati. As previoously stated, the prospecting Lati must alsop be able to reinforce thier claim to power, or find themsleves the target of near every other Erati in that branch of the bloodveins.
Appointment
The only appointment ritual is for the Laka in question to put on a customized necklace that denotes their position. There is only one of a kind made for each seat on the council, with unknown materials, nearly impossible to replicate. Any Lati wishing to take their place must take the necklace, even if it means fighting through the dead Lati's powerbase to seize it. If a non-Erati claims and holds the title, then they get their mental coding wiped away, leaving only the Emperor layer intact.
Duties
Laka is the only Lati that carries with it a responsibility that surpasses, maintains my own power base. A Laka is in charge of one of six different fields, those being Lati Doctrine & Inkallu Affairs, Rift Influence, Underworld Elements, Military Command, Civil Administration, and Scientific Advancement. Civil Administration encompasses the largest area and were that Laka to be taken out, and the powerbase (both ingrained and personal) crushed, the empire would likely fall to its knees. Luckily for that Lati, their seat carries with it the least prestige, as, despite the amount of power and skill required to reach that point, they are constantly underestimated by enemies and "allies" alike, something which works in their favor.
Responsibilities
A Laka has to manage their own miniature council and departments, along with juggling the constant assassination attempts and the other Laka's scheming. Luckily, the current Laka don't have to worry about as much, seeing as the Impirator seat, the next step up from their current positions, is seemingly permanently filled. Aside form that, they have to manage a set of tasks unique to each Laka.
Benefits
The main benefits are the official power that having the title gives a Lati, as before a Lati can only enforce their will through forcing or coercing someone not of their command structure to comply. A Lati within or at the top of a command structure can do whatever they are allowed to as part of that power base. But a Laka has the authority to command anyone in Laran apart from the Impirator, the other Laka, and their ingrained powerbase. Whether or not they are obeyed is a different matter, however.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The only official uniform a Laka must wear is a necklace which denotes their position. As specified previously, the necklace is made of a currently unknown material acquired by Mul-Zamain, and so can't be replicated. Otherwise, a Laka can wear or use whatever.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
A Laka cannot be removed or dismissed but through death or relinquishment of their title. The latter has never happened, however, so Death is really the only option, as what Lati in their right mind (usually none of them are) would give up power, knowing they'd be killed even if they stepped down willingly.
History
The title of Laka was created by Mul-Zamain during the Zamain reforms, and has since been involved in any major decision taken in Laran.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments