Affiliation: Realm
Role Type: Head of State, spiritual figure, absolute authority
Held By: One individual at a time; name surrendered upon Ascension
Style of Address: Your Supremacy, Mother/Father of All Gelt
Summary:
The Sovereign is the deified ruler of the Realm, the ultimate political, military, and spiritual authority among the Gelt people. Upon Ascension, the Sovereign surrenders their personal name, symbolizing their total submersion into the role as both monarch and divine embodiment of the Realm. They remain nameless until death or abdication.
The Sovereign presides over the Seat of Supremacy, issuing decrees, guiding interstellar policy, and arbitrating disputes among the castes. Their word carries the weight of law and divinity, though internal power dynamics—particularly among the caste leaders and clergy—can influence or obstruct their rule.
Powers and Responsibilities:
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Legislative Authority: Can issue unilateral proclamations binding across the Realm.
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Judicial Role: Final arbiter in caste disputes, planetary status, and succession.
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Military Control: Supreme Commander of the Realm’s armed forces.
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Spiritual Role: Considered a living god by adherents of the Old Faith.
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Diplomatic Power: Can recognize foreign governments or grant independence, as in the case of Hanar.
Succession:
Succession is typically hereditary but not automatic. The heir must be of age or confirmed by the Seat of Supremacy. Regency is rare and culturally taboo—so much so that a succession crisis in 429 IE was prolonged to avoid naming a regent for the underage Akon.
Candidates for the throne may also be elevated from among the castes or, in extreme cases, from outside the noble lines. Upon elevation, the new Sovereign is subjected to a rite of Ascension, wherein they surrender their identity and are ceremonially declared godhead of the Realm.
Cultural Significance:
To the Gelt, the Sovereign is more than a ruler—they are an avatar of national unity and divine purpose. References to the Sovereign as the “Mother/Father of All Gelt” are both honorific and metaphysical. Even among caste skeptics or reformers, the Sovereign often retains symbolic authority.
The role is closely bound to the caste system and the Old Faith; however, recent history—including the rise of independent figures like Tishla and nontraditional Sovereigns such as Sansar Aryanna—has strained these traditional expectations.
Notable Sovereigns:
Devold: The “last named Sovereign,” sent the Gelt species into the stars under his kingdom’s governance. Died on Melekan when that world was destroyed. His heart was later harvested and used as a weapon to assassinate Sansar Aryanna after her ascension.
Sovereign of 429 IE: Never named in the narrative. Sovereign when the Laral Family initiated their unauthorized seizure of Compact colonies. Granted Lattus Tishla virtual independence for Hanar based on her late husband’s claim passing to her daughter. Would have lifted the Occupation of Amargosa had he not died as collateral damage in the assassination of Laral Umish.
Sansar Aryanna: Reluctantly surrendered her name to give the Realm a Sovereign after her predecessor was killed on Amargosa. Made that Sovreign’s son, Akon Her heir after “accepting the godhood.” Was assassinated by Jez Salamacis weeks into her reign, but after Akon came of age, thus avoiding a regency.
Akon: Son of the Sovereign of 429 and would have ascended had the Seat of Supremacy not had an aversion to regencies. Name heir to the Sovereign once known as Sansar Aryanna and ascended upon her assassination. His anger would delay peace between the Compact and the Realm
Appearances: “Uneasy Lies the Crown,” Second Wave, Storming Amargosa