The Grey Kings

The Grey Kings of Anoomenon were a peculiar meritocratic and experimental kind of dynasty that ruled over the Shining City during the years of the Long Northern Peace and more specifically at the height of the Golden Age of Anoomenon.

Structure

Under the second constitution of Anoomenon, the government of the city was the responsibility of a Grey King who ruled with absolute power until such time as he died or chose to abdicate. The Kingship was not hereditary. Instead Kings were crafted by geonomic design, educated in one of the Grey Schools and subjected to a rigorous series of examinations. In adult life, potential Kings were always assigned to the diplomatic services of the city and sent abroad, preferably on multiple assignments to gain a better knowledge of the world. At any given time, there was always a table of successors which the Rationalists maintained according to strict criteria, and whichever individual within their program topped the table at the time a new King was needed (due to abdication or death) would automatically be crowned. The system was designed to be a rigorous meritocracy so that the ruler of the city would always be the person best suited to ruling.

History

The Grey Kings were the pinnacle of the system of government for Anoomenon operating under the carefully drafted rules of the Rationalists when they established the second constitution in 2118 AF. The period between 2118 when the Rationalists took control of the city and 2160 when Oman Phariff, the first of the true Grey Kings assumed the throne is known as the Grey Preregnum. At this time, the Rationalist Council were preparing for the Grey Kings by establishing the structures they would need. It took time for the gene-enginnering, growth, development, education and training to reach a point where the first King could be selected. From that point forward, Grey King succeeded Grey King according to the rules of the second constitution of Anoomenon until the final failure of the system in 2530 AF. In total there were twelve Grey Kings and their reigns are listed below:-

Reign	Name	Image	Remarks
2160-2190	Oman Phariff	Oman Phariff by DMFW with Art Breeder	The first of the Grey Kings.
2190-2223	Hjan Spellvin	Hjan Spellvin by DMFW with Art Breeder	His reign spans the end of the age of the Trade Wars and the start of the Long Northern Peace. He ordered the construction of the spaceport at Sonnring after the loss of Green Atoll Station. The rise of Anoomenon to become the pre-eminent power in Trass began at this time
2223-2268	Malador Faranteen		Best known for ordering the building of the Faranteen Palace which became the official residence of all the later kings.
2268-2316	Jen Galack
2316-2345	Choan Sanna	Choan Sanna by DMFW with Art Breeder	Sonnring gained its city charter during his reign.
2345-2381	Phystos Mallick	Phystos Mallick by DMFW with Art Breeder	Often considered to be the greatest of the Grey Kings, his reign was noted for the many complex negotiations between the city and the Princes of the Moon.
2381-2385	Yanner Humbold		His short reign came to a premature end after he was killed in an airplane crash.
2385-2413	Prakadon Zold	Prakadon Zold by DMFW with Art Breeder	The famous painting of Anoomenon, entitled "Angry River", which hangs in the Council Chamber of the city was commissioned by Prakadon Zold.
2413-2444	Baranit Fielding
2444-2475	Tethys Locke
2475-2500	Gian Thakor	Gian Thakor by DMFW with Art Breeder	Instituted the project to build a second space elevator at Helsporan.
2500-2530	Berick Manderson	Berick Manderson by DMFW with Art Breeder	The so called "Mad King", last of the Grey Kings.