Zakahosa

Zakahosa means "Deputy to the Grand Elder" in the Selkie Language. These are incredibly powerful officials within the selkie Khilaia.   There are only twenty Zakahosas, each tied to one of the twenty Selkie Great Clans. Five of these clans are dominant, but the other fifteen are powerful in their own right. All Zakahosas control a sea region, a section of the oceans in which all selkie activity falls under their governance. These regions contain at minimum 200 crews, but some contain many more.   Here is a rudimentary map of Zakahosa regions:     The Zakahosa is the ultimate authority of their region, and each is given significant autonomy by the central Khilaian apparatus. Despite this, many Zakahosa struggle to meaningfully project power. They are the master of nomads, after all, and cannot easily levy taxes or conscripted fleets without a convincing reason and a strong personal following.    Viceroys were once the emissaries of the ancient selkie clan council, who could negotiate or lead armies on their behalf. Over time, the position changed into one of governance - and then, outright autonomous control.    This is the highest position of all sea nomad selkies, subordinate only to the Five Clans, Selkie Circle of Elders, and Motosui Assembly - and even then, mostly in name.