Holy Jurisdictor
The Holy Jurisdictor. No title holds the weight under Galvander's own, not even the Director of The Iron Studio. The Grand executioner, as the Jurisdictor is alternatively known is the right hand of god, and his right hand is holds the gauntlet. When a child of Galvander strays into the mist, and they are not killed by the mist, they have the blood of Galvander. It is the order of the Band of the Phantom to either put them to work, or put them to rest. The Holy Jurisdictor oversees every other member of the Band of the Phantom's activities, and leads battles fought on Zevemlyan soil.
Of all humans on Vyům, only two have killed a member of The Jester's Blade: the Premier Ballerina and the sitting Holy Jurisdictor Nehamaet Kharuun, who slew the Jester without the gear of the first phantom, a feat that brought the adoration of the judges, but more importantly, the respect of Galvander.
Prolonged service alters the Jurisdictor in a number of ways, including:
- Their shadow moves independently.
- Their blood smokes.
- They begin to hear verdicts whispered before crimes occur.
Veteran Jurisdictors often preemptively execute people who have not yet offended—because the whispered law says they will.
Within the mists The Jurisdictor may:
- Command the Ghostmists to part, thicken, or reveal memories of the forgotten dead.
- Sentence criminals to Mist Exile, where they are destroyed by the mistghosts, and added to their number
- Bind spirits to service not with necromancy— but with pure authority
The Holy Jurisdictor is second to Galvander, and if the Godking should die, the sitting Holy Jurisdictor is set to gain his power. The Holy Jurisdictor may challenge Galvander for his position once a year through honorable combat, and is expected to. Nehemaet Kharuun is the first Holy Jurisdictor in nearly one Millenium to have scored a hit on the Godking, earning Galvander's respect.
The Holy Jurisdictor is not merely an enforcer of law but a mobile court.
- Their presence constitutes jurisdiction.
- Any judgment pronounced while wearing the Phantom’s Mask is considered retroactively lawful, even if it contradicts prior statutes.
- The Jurisdictor alone may recognize new categories of blasphemy.
- New crimes can be created by precedent.
- Once named, the crime exists forever in Zevemlyan law.
- These are catalogued in the Black Codex a living legal text that bleeds fog from its pages.
A retired Holy Jurisdictor is given all the honors of any Judge, even in retirement, and their retirement is paid for by Zevemlyan taxes.
Qualifications
The most dangerous, devout, and effective of the judges
They must prove that they are exceptional, even among the Judges of the Phantoms.
They must be ruthless, and completely beholden to Galvander's will.
Requirements
Must have the light of Galvander, and have gone up the ranks through the Band of the Phantom first through the jury then the judges.
Must wield the respect of the other judges or defeat those who oppose them in honorable combat.
Appointment
Vote of the judges
If not enough votes, must prove worth in combat against those who oppose them among the judges.
Duties
Lead the Band of the Phantom. Execute, and order the executions of those who trespass against Galvander in the ghostly reaches between cities, or those who do so with the light of Galvander as blasphemers.
Responsibilities
Hunt down those who would use the Ghostmists to hide or defy Galvander
Face the enemies of Galvander with the might of the iron gauntlet
Uphold the statutes of Zevemlya within the mists and without
Defend Zevemlya from those who would dare invade it
Bring death or torture to all who oppose you
Garner the word of Galvander as his right hand
Benefits
Fear and respect of all of Zevemlya
The ear of Galvander
The ability to traverse the ghostmists without provocation
Leadership of the Band of the Phantom and all the resources of that organization
Accoutrements & Equipment
The Phantom blade
The Phantom's mask
The cloak of the Phantom
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
treason, retirement, or death
History
The First Holy Jurisdictor was Galvander's own son, and right-hand general. He was the greatest warrior of his time, after Galvander himself Zharum-Geldrin. Zharum-Geldrin was said to have forged the three symbols of office from the mists themselves. He was one of the few men under Galvander in his first campaign to have slain a dragon in single combat.
He fell when ambushed by an army of rebels. It is said that when t he army slew him, he called upon the mists to devour them. This tale is unconfirmed, but when his body was found, there was not a single rebel left alive, though many showed no signs of injury.
The position continued as one of honor, and maintains the position of second to Galvander to this day. Nehamaet Kharuun took the title from the prior owner when the prior Jurisdictor was slain by a member of The Jester's Blade. Nehamaet challenged that member to single combat and slew them before picking up the symbols of office, but was injured gravely. When Nehamaet recovered, the judges voted unanimously for their ascension to the role.
Cultural Significance
This is the single To be the holy Jurisdictor is to be the son of Galvander, his right hand, and one of two people who consistently have his ear. No post comes with greater responsibility, no post bestows greater honor.
Notable Holders
Zharum-Geldrin
Prince/High Prince
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