Arch Baron

The Baronial Moot of Quarowl rose to power as an aristocratic plutocracy in the age of the Long Famine, replacing a lineage of simple hereditary rulers who had governed the city under the Puzzle Lords Directorate. The Arch Baron was the title they gave to their leader. Quarowl retained this system during the First Popular Ascendancy, the New Pale Empire, the age of the Four Aerial Courts, the era of the Moderators' Council and throughout the majority of the Time of Terrors. The Moot and the Arch Baron were only eventually superseded by a democratic plebiscite which replaced them a short while before the rise of the Second Popular Ascendancy changed politics on a wider scale throughout Magicians' End.

Appointment

Arch Barons were appointed by the Baronial Moot on the basis of their audited wealth, according to the Accounting Department sub committee of the Moot.

Duties

The Arch Baron (or a deputy they appointed) would chair sessions of the Baronial Moot, exerting great influence over the law making and administration of the city.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

The Arch Baron would normally hold the post as leader of the Baronial Moot for as long as they remained the wealthiest Baron to dwell within the city walls of Quarowl, according to the Accounting Department of the Moot. This position would be formerly ratified by the Senior Auditor at the start of each session of the Moot, or else they would be replaced by whichever of its members had become richer. On two occasions (and one more attempted occasion), the Arch Baron was replaced in acts of violence, but this was unusual and only happened in an age when the Baronial Moot was already in decline during the Time of Terrors.

Notable Holders

The following table lists some of the notable rulers of Quarowl who have held the position of Arch Baron in chronological order. This is not a complete list, just a cross reference of the ones named in other articles and some of the more significant leaders.

Term	Office Holder	Image	Remarks
8th Mald, 1868 APC to 1st Glim 1912 APC	Byron Mortesque	Arch Baron Byron Mortesque by DMFW with Midjourney	The first Arch Baron of Quarowl, he took control of the city during the Age of the Long Famine after the death of Sad King Berthold and is widely credited with imaginative and energetic leadership.
1st Chiroth, 2107 APC to 15th Tuzlle, 2153 APC	Phillipa Kestrel	Arch Baroness Phillipa Kestrel by DMFW with Midjourney	The head of the most important aviation transport company in Quarowl during the age of the Four Aerial Courts.
1st Chiroth, 2565 APC to 15th Tivith, 2606 APC	Holfagus Roach	Arch Baron Holfagus Roach by DMFW with Midjourney	Holfagus Roach was the heir to the family that owned and operated the Great Gaming Hall of Quarowl.
1st Tivith, 3004 APC to 7th Tuzlle, 3027 APC	Zemdath Romuth	Magicians' End - Zemdath Romuth by DMFW with Midjourney	Zemdath the Terrible is known far beyond the city of Quarowl, where his atrocity against the Examination Board of the Moderators' Council made him universally infamous and began the age of the Time of Terrors. He also assumed the role of Arch Baron of Quarowl, acting as a dictator within the Baronial Moot.
8th Tuzlle, 3027 APC to 8th Tuzlle, 3035 APC	Orvith Highcroft	Magicians' End - Orvith Highcroft - Arch Baron of Quarowl by DMFW with Midjourney	Orvith Highcroft was a banker and Baron of the city of Quarowl at the start of the Time of Terrors who is best known for successfully conspiring with Greld Ikri, the Strongest Talon of the Quarowl High Guard to assassinate Zemdath the Terrible on his 70th birthday.
15th Tuzlle, 3294 APC to 1st Chiroth, 3315 APC	Flavius von Skrald	Flavius von Skrald by DMFW with Midjourney	The first Owlblood to attain the status of Arch Baron.
15th Tivith, 3386 APC to 1st Glim, 3408 APC	Grandalia Coltan	Magicians' End - Grandalia Coltan by DMFW with Leonardo AI	The second Owlblood to attain the status of Arch Baron. Held the role at the time of the Ruffling of the Feathers.