Prince-Elector
The title of Prince-Elector (or Elector-Prince in some formal contexts) is one of the most prestigious and powerful noble titles in the Holy Solarian Empire. It is held by the ruling heads of the Seven Elector Houses, each of whom possesses the sacred and political right to vote in the election of a new Emperor. Though the Emperor is Solenara’s chosen, it is through the Sunfire Council and the collective will of the Electors that their rule is legitimized.
Current Known Elector Houses
- House Aurellis – Custodians of the Imperial Throne
- House Caelanor – Guardians of the Eastern Frontier
- House Carathen – Flame of the South
- House Drakonis – Mountain Lords of the North
- House Solthar – Keepers of the Forge
- House Valenhurst – Stewards of the Heartlands
- House Velmaris – High Lords of the Coast
Duties
Electoral Authority:
- Each Prince-Elector casts a vote during the Imperial Election, a sacred and highly politicized process held upon the death or abdication of an Emperor.
- While their vote is their own, Electors often face pressure from allies, Church authorities, and rival factions to choose a specific candidate.
Council Governance:
- Prince-Electors sit as senior members of the Sunfire Council, where they influence laws, military campaigns, imperial decrees, and ecclesiastical appointments.
- They can propose or veto major legislation, especially if it affects their domains or the balance of power among Houses.
Autonomy and Privilege:
- Each Elector governs their territory as a semi-autonomous realm, with the right to mint currency, raise levies, administer justice, and maintain their own armed forces.
- Electors may even oppose imperial decrees under certain conditions outlined in the Charter, though this risks ecclesiastical censure or war.
History
- It was created to balance imperial authority with noble power, ensuring that no single dynasty could dominate the throne indefinitely.
- Each Elector House was granted a hereditary right to the title, tied to control of a specific region of strategic, economic, or spiritual significance.
Type
Nobility, Hereditary
Creation
The title was codified in the Charter of Imperial Privilege, a foundational legal document ratified centuries ago following a period of civil strife.
Form of Address
His/Her Illustrious Grace, the Prince-Elector of [House Name].
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