The Electors of Skyss are a council of nine high-ranking officials who hold the sole authority to choose the sovereign of the Kingdom of Skyss. Established approximately 800 years ago by the College of Heroes, the council was designed to stabilise the region and transition the culture from raiding to trading. The council ensures the kingdom remains a non-hereditary monarchy, where the King serves as a senior arbiter chosen for their ability to maintain peace and common prosperity.
The Council of Electors was established almost 800 years ago by the College of Heroes. This body was formed with the specific purpose of stabilising the region and transitioning the local culture from a “raider economy” to one focused on trading and common prosperity. The creation of the council marked the birth of Skyss as a non-hereditary monarchy. Prior to this, the area was regarded as a dangerous backwater on marginal land. The intent was to ensure a system of good government where the King serves as a senior arbiter chosen for his ability to maintain the peace. The founders designed the council to be ex-officio, meaning the elective power is tied to specific offices (such as the Lord Mayor of Heimdal or the First Sea Lord) rather than specific individuals. To prevent the concentration of power, they established that the King must be elected by a two-thirds majority (6 of 9 votes) and serves at the pleasure of the Electors, who can remove the sovereign via a vote of no confidence at any time they choose.
Membership of the council is ex-officio, meaning the elective power is tied to the office rather than the individual. The current nine Electors are:
The council is chaired by the longest-serving member, who is referred to as the Lord President. For the council to be quorate, the number of Electors present must be sufficient to carry a motion even if all absent members were to vote against it. Currently, this requires 6 votes for Kingship and a unanimous 9 votes for enfranchising new Electors. New Electors may be co-opted, after a vote, if a province or guild pays taxes at a level equivalent to or greater than the current lowest-taxed Elector.
Elections are held whenever a vacancy in the throne occurs. A candidate requires a two-thirds majority (6 of 9 votes) to be successfully elected. Electors must cast their votes in person and may not deputise their authority. While any individual—male or female—may be nominated as King, an Elector who accepts the crown must relinquish all other offices.
A vacancy in the monarchy is triggered by the death of the King, a voluntary abdication, or the military defeat of the state. Furthermore, a vote of no confidence by more than one-third of the Electors (four or more) will remove the sitting sovereign, as Kings are deemed to serve at the pleasure of the council.