Sō-Thadi

The Sō-Thadi were the supreme rulers within the bounds of Nīwulā Valley from the dawn of its civilization. Founded by Soyaewa who waged war to unite the region, the title was passed from one descendant to another for generations until the end of an age called Yuoho Azōhayo.

Historically the eastern people did not follow a single leader, but rather the eldest generation of their respective clans. Even after Soyaewa's reign the title of Sō-Thadi was mainly a symbol and a person who could be followed and respected by the tribes of the Valley, instead of having ownership over the land or its people. This, however, changed over many generations as the Sun Kings strengthened their rule.

Only once has the title of Sō-Thadi ever been without holder. Caused by the sparking of a violent civil war between the two Yuiwian Temples (Later named the Temple Wars), it was not until its end a decade later, after the end of the war, when another Sō-Thadi was crowned on the royal hill overlooking Lake Akao.

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The First Dynasty

So-called "true" Sun Kings of the Valley, the First Dynasty could trace a direct lineage back to Sō-Thadi Soyaewa himself. The First Dynasty lasted until approximately 282 Y.Az., when the twelfth Sō-Thadi Masōzyo was assassinated during his own coronation, sparking a beginning to the Temple Wars which ripped the Valley apart and ended the rule of the First Dynasty.

The Silver Kings

After the end of the Temple Wars, no direct descendants of Soyaewa appeared to take the title. Instead, surviving minor clans began their own bloody rise over each other, chasing to fill that abyss of power. However, a lack of population and rise of general disorder within the Valley bounds forced the aspiring rulers to move away from an outright war.

Appointment

Whoever held the title of Sō-Thadi had to choose their own heir. Most likely, this was a child close to them, thus why direct descendants were most common. Neither age nor sex were common attributes when considering the heir. Instead, skills as well as temperament were considered important aspects to consider. However, in the end each ruler could use whatever methods they liked to choose their own heir without anyone being able to stop them. At least, that was how it began.

It was after the fourth Sō-Thadi Alōhsēha's poor reign when the Yuiwian Temples, particularly leaders of the organizations, began to more strongly take part in the choosing of the heir. By the time of the ninth Sō-Thadi Saelyozu's reign, their influence over the Sun Kings had grown to the point that it was the Temples who decided the ruler, not the Sō-Thadi themselves.

The ceremony to crown a Sō-Thadi was always a deeply religious event, and one veiled in secrecy. The occasion was held after a moon from the last Sun King's death, within the head Yuiwian temple on Ēhnuo, the larger of Lake Akao's two islands. The ritual was described as a kind of rebirth, and lasted a single night from dusk to dawn. The people gathered first to say goodbye to the Heir, and returned at dawn to greet their new Sō-Thadi.

Pronunciation
/ˈsoːthaˌdi/

Form of Address

Nasēni (roughly meaning "the highest one")

Alternative Naming

Sun King

Related Locations

• Nīwulā Valley

Related Organizations

• Wīzoha Empire

Sō-Thadi of the First Dynasty

1. Soyaewa 'Dawnbringer'
2. Tēhsō 'the Builder'
3. Tēhlebao, 'Whiteflame'
4. Alōhsēha
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Saelyozu
10. Aezotēwa, 'the Wild Sun'
11. Soyaewa II, 'the Great'
12. Masōzyo, 'the Last Sun'