High Sovereign
The High Sovereign is the elected ruler of the country of Kinilan, wielding both executive power and being the chair of the High Council, its legislature. They rule the country for life, unless the High Council passes a motion to dismiss the High Sovereign with a two thirds majority. When the High Sovereign either dies or is deposed, the High Council selects an interim leader from among its ranks until an election can be held and a new High Sovereign can be selected.
Qualifications
Anyone over the age of majority (as determined by their species) is permitted to run for the title of High Sovereign, though it is entirely up to them and their supporters to advertise their candidacy. All candidates are expected to comport themselves with the dignity of the position, which means rabble rousers and those who defame other candidates tend to quickly lose their popular appeal as a serious candidate. However, the only official rule that candidates must adhere to regarding their behaviour is entering into a political alliance with members of the High Council or those in high executive or judicial roles - each candidate must prove their value to the people of the country through their efforts and those of the people, not through those already in government.
Appointment
The High Sovereign's coronation takes place sixty days after the election is held, in the Temple Square in Antius, where they are annointed by representatives of the twelve most commonly worshipped gods, as well as any other gods they request for the ceremony before being presented with the ceremonial crown.
Responsibilities
The High Sovereign is responsible for managing the affairs of Kinilan, primarily through the means of delegation. They appoint new leaders to various executive branches of government, including Lord Treasurer, High Marshall of the Kinilan Army, and other such roles, and meet with each of them regularly in order to help coordinate their efforts. It is worth noting that unlike many traditional monarchies, people in these roles do not automatically lose their position when a new High Sovereign is elected, though there are generally several dismissals during the first few years of rule as the new ruler replaces those they cannot work with. Each of these branches of government has their own policies for recommending candidates for leadership, and the whole structure is somewhat fluid, as the High Sovereign also has the authority to divide or combine executive branches as they see fit.
In addition to these duties, they also act as chairperson in meetings of the High Council twice a week, where they discuss current affairs and the needs of the people, changes of policy and law, and occasionally hear legal cases that are passed to them by the Council of High Rectors or appoint Rectors or High Rectors who handle the majority of legal affairs.
Type
Civic, Political
Alternative Naming
High King (if male), High Queen (if female)
Equates to
King, Emperor, Head of State
Length of Term
Life unless deposed
Oo I really like that they are elected for life, rather than hereditary. I also really like that they can either be male or female.
Ever since I heard about it, I've always liked the idea of elective monarchy as something of a middle ground on the path to full democracy. Though the existence of an elected legislature and what's effectively a cabinet are already bigger steps down that road than elective monarchy alone would be. And yeah, I try to avoid getting too heavy into biases, particularly within a given culture (less room for misunderstanding than when it's about some far off place) - sure it's somewhat idealistic, but it's also a fantasy world where all sorts of crazy magic stuff happens - why not make it better than reality in some ways? (And on a more practical note, the majority of people I play D&D with are either female or nonbinary; I'd find it incredibly uncomfortable to fake that sort of bias with them, and I somehow doubt it would add anything positive to the game for them, either.)