Praetor

The Praetor is the title of the leader of the Antaran State.

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Origins 1.2 Titular History 2 Powers 2.1 Leader of the Senate 2.2 Commander of the Munitorum Antara 3 Protectors & Servants 4 Forms of Address 5 List of Praetors

Overview

"As the Praetor wills it, so shall it be."

• Arden Desann, Lord Privy Seal

Whenever necessary, the Senate will choose one among its ranks to serve as the next Praetor. That candidate is then approved by simple majority vote of the Adamantine Order. The Praetor himself is, by practice, what is known as Erus Adamantine Primo - Adamantine Highlord - and leads the Order and the Twelve

The Praetorian Office is occupied by whomever the Senate elects for life. The serving Praetor can step down due to personal reasons, but this has yet to happen.

Origins

In Antaran, "Praetor" means hand of law. As the head of state, he not only fulfills ceremonial roles when recognizing Antarans for great accomplishment and foreign dignitaries visiting the Dominion, but he also is the supreme executor of State law and as such charges his subordinates - the provincial governors and magistrates - to see that said law is enforced with equal regularity throughout the Adeptus Antara. The penalties for failure can be extreme, and it is often fear of the Praetor's wrath (if nothing else) that can encourage State officers to execute their duties with the utmost efficiency. The directives of the Praetor to carry out the business of the Antaran State are seen to by the twelve Adamantine Lords, who serve as his inner circle.

Titular History

Like the title that preceded it - Emperor of Antara - that of Praetor of Antara is an extremely prestigious one. The person who holds this post is widely considered by many to be the most powerful man in the world.
The post of Praetor of Antara was created by the Dominion Charter and first occupied on 1 January 1800 by Beyon Aiden Corono, who served until his death on 24 December 1833. The serving Praetor is Rayden Arunsun Rex Lord Belesarious, who took office on 1 July 2113 and is the eighth man to so serve.

Powers

The Praetor is the head of state and head of government, has absolute authority over the Munitorum Antara, the bureaucracy, and the entire Dominion itself. The Praetor has sole power to appoint, dismiss, approve, and supervise the provincial governors and prefects. With his financial advisors he will also organize and declare the budget and economy, he orders the Senatorum Antara into session, and dismisses it from meeting at will.

The Praetor has the final say in the Senate and heads the courts as well, enforcing his will via the Lord President of the Supreme Court. The Praetor also will issue executive orders and proclamations making laws over the Dominion. He controls all officials in the government, and directs all governmental administrations. It is in his name that high provincial or prefectural officials will appoint other officers key to local administration, and it can be to him that they may have to answer for failure.

The Praetor has, as supreme state executor, national pardon authority. He is the only person who can overturn the conviction of a criminal who has been duly prosecuted by the courts. Appeals to the Praetor can be submitted at anytime, but he can take his leisure in determining any action to take. Unfortunately, if the Praetor is planning to pardon an applicant for release and dies before ordering it done, the man who follows him into the Praetorian Office is not obligated to carry through with the order.

Leader of the Senate

Elected from among their ranks, the Praetor is also the leader of the Senate. He is head of executive and legislative power, reflecting the awesome authority he commands. He holds veto power over resolutions of the Senate, and can at any time influence Senate debate however he sees fit. He sets the national agenda, guides State activities, and has absolute authority over all State affairs, to be influenced as he sees fit.

Commander of the Munitorum Antara

Most importantly to Antaran society, the Praetor is State Supreme Commander of the awesome might of the Munitorum Antara. He is, essentially, the highest-ranked officer in its heirarchy and commands all officers at all levels. At any time and for any reason, he can personally command the abilities of any unit in the armed forces, though seldom does he do so.

The Praetor commands the loyalty and respect of all soldiers in all three branches of the Munitorum Antara. As their Supreme Commander he is the final authority in their lives of service. He is, to the Antaran soldier, the supreme authority and unity which gives their work direction and purpose. When joining the military, all officers and enlisted personnel take the Oath of Dominion Service which binds their loyalty to the Praetor until their service is ended.

Protectors & Servants

The Praetor has the protection of the Royal Guard at his constant disposal. Dressed in armor harkening to an ancient heritage, these professional bodyguards are culled from the finest of the Munitorum Antara, most notably the Legio Classis Antara and the Legio Antara. They obey only the Praetor himself, and will lay down their lives for him on his personal order or if circumstances require such sacrifice.

It is rumored that every Praetor since Beyon Corono himself has had a small cadre of elite enforcers who undertake missions from him personally, known as the Blades. They are said to be lethally trained specialists and are each isolated from other soldiers, sometimes working in teams. These elite operatives are used in situations requiring finesse in dealing with unique problems.

Forms of Address

Reference - His Excellency
Address - Your Excellency

List of Praetors

These men have served as the Praetor of Antara -

• Beyon Aiden Corono - 1 January 1800 - 24 December 1833
  
• Antonin Ledarion Jerjerrod - 27 December 1833 - 27 April 1872
  
• Ranulph Iskander Seerdon - 30 April 1872 - 8 March 1919
  
• Osvald Jomon Teshik - 11 March 1919 - 24 February 1954
  
• Revan Lupin Onasi - 27 February 1954 - 28 May 2003
  
• Vetrello Lerexus Rex Belesarious - 2 June 2003 - 17 November 2066
  
• Cassio Loren Rex Belesarious - 20 November 2066 - 28 June 2113
  
• Rayden Arunsun Rex Belesarious - 1 July 2113 -