High Warden of Kha’zadun

Qualifications

The position of High Warden of Kha’zadun demands an individual of exceptional strength, discipline, and political reliability. Because the city serves both Dhuma and the Temple of Unity, the qualifications are far more rigorous than those of a typical civic leader.   A candidate must demonstrate:   Proven Martial Prowess.
The High Warden oversees a fortress-city guarding the approach to the Temple. Candidates must have a history of battlefield command, victory in clan conflicts, or distinguished service within Dhuma’s military ranks. Many have placed highly in past Election Games, even if they did not win the title of ruler.   Strategic Competence.
Kha’zadun’s defenses, supply lines, and multi-tiered urban design require a leader capable of complex logistical planning. Candidates must demonstrate tactical intelligence, crisis management experience, and the ability to command diverse forces.   Respect Among Clans and Delegates.
Because Dhuma’s social structure weaves together orcish, leonin, reptilian, and human influences, no High Warden can take office without the confidence of the city’s local leadership. Political alliances, past service, and clan support are essential.   Mental Fortitude and Temperance.
The proximity to the Temple of Unity places the High Warden under constant scrutiny. They must be reliable, emotionally controlled, and resistant to corruption — mundane or magical. The Order will not tolerate instability near its sacred grounds.   A Clean Record with the Order of Arelian.
While the Order does not choose the High Warden, it may quietly veto a candidate who poses a risk to the Temple. Candidates must have a history of cooperation with the Order, or at minimum, no history of conflict with its members.   Demonstrated Civic Leadership.
Whether through prior roles as magistrates, district commanders, caravan wardens, or clan lieutenants, candidates must show the ability to manage infrastructure, people, and administrative duties.   Completion of the Trial of Merit. Before taking office, each aspiring High Warden must pass a Trial of Merit — a Dhuman rite testing physical endurance, tactical judgment, oathkeeping, and the ability to lead under pressure. While less brutal than the national Election Games, failure is still common.  

Duties

The High Warden of Kha’zadun carries the full weight of the city’s protection, governance, and stability. Their responsibilities blend military command, civic administration, and diplomatic coordination with the Order of Arelian. Though the ruler of Dhuma holds ultimate authority, the High Warden functions as the unquestioned leader within the city walls.   The High Warden’s foremost duty is the defense of Kha’zadun. They oversee the city’s garrisons, fortifications, patrols, and mountain-watch positions that protect the approach to the Temple of Unity. This includes maintaining readiness against desert raiders, hostile clans, magical threats, and any force foolish enough to threaten the Arelian Path. The High Warden can mobilize city defenses without waiting for national approval, reflecting the strategic importance of the mountain pass.   Equally critical is the High Warden’s role in civil governance and law enforcement. They regulate trade agreements, caravans, taxation, public works, sanitation systems, water management, and crowd control during major pilgrim surges. The Warden appoints district magistrates and has final authority over legal disputes that fall outside the Order’s religious jurisdiction. Their decisions shape daily life in a city built from many cultures and species.   Because Kha’zadun exists beneath the Temple, the High Warden must also maintain stable and respectful relations with the Order of Arelian. This includes coordinating security for ceremonies, protecting the secrecy of the Temple’s inner workings, managing the flow of pilgrims, and ensuring the Arelian Path remains safe and accessible. While the Warden does not answer to the Temple, the position demands a tactful balance of power and cooperation.   Beyond these core duties, the High Warden oversees the recruitment, training, and discipline of Kha’zadun’s militia and city guard, ensuring that military standards reflect Dhuma’s expectations. They also mediate disputes between merchant guilds, clan groups, caravan captains, and district leaders, acting as the final secular authority within the city.   Finally, the High Warden represents Kha’zadun in all external matters: negotiating with Dhuma’s ruler, fostering alliances with neighboring territories, and hosting visiting dignitaries drawn to the Temple’s prestige. The Warden is expected to project strength, fairness, and integrity—embodying the unity and resilience that the city was built upon.  

Removal & Grounds for Dismissal

Removing a High Warden of Kha’zadun is a rare and solemn affair. Because the position safeguards both a major Dhuman city and the gateway to the Temple of Unity, dismissal requires overwhelming justification and a carefully controlled process to prevent instability.   A High Warden may be removed on any of the following grounds:   Dereliction of Duty.
Failure to defend the city, maintain order, or uphold Dhuman law. This includes negligence leading to military loss, disrupted pilgrim flow, or risk to the Arelian Path.   Corruption or Abuse of Power.
Accepting bribes, manipulating trade routes, exploiting clan tensions, or using their office for personal enrichment. Because Kha’zadun sits at a trade nexus, corruption is taken extremely seriously.   Instability or Unfitness.
Mental collapse, moral compromise, addiction, or any condition that renders the Warden unable to carry out essential duties—particularly if such instability jeopardizes the Temple.   Treason.
Conspiring with foreign powers, hostile clans, desert raiders, or factions opposed to Dhuma. Treason automatically triggers removal proceedings.   Conflict with the Order of Arelian.
Open defiance of the Temple’s sacred work, obstruction of pilgrim access, or endangerment of the monastery. While the Order cannot directly depose the Warden, their formal complaint is nearly impossible to ignore.   Failure in Trial of Merit.
Should the High Warden refuse or fail a reevaluation trial (rare but permitted), they are automatically stripped of title.