While the Emperor was an important cultural element of the server, after the Great Exile it was declared that any new Emperor would be elected rather than inheriting the title. However, we have yet to elect (not for lack of trying) anyone to the post since then, and seemingly have not been worse off for it. This calls into question the relevance and importance of the position during the Cycle of the Dragon and the Cycle of the Phoenix.
This naturally begs the question: do we need an Emperor? Since we first drafted the Indoles Carta, the Emperor’s role and powers have been unclear; the most substantive answer was that they would be a “voice for the Council” elected from the Kings. However, at this moment, the Council is composed of only four active members and at its height had seven. Such a small number of people have little reason for a “voice” because it would be no more efficient than them speaking for themselves. Assuming there were reason and if the Council were to possess such a representative, should the House of Dukes also have one? At this stage, having a speaker for either parliamentary house seems unnecessary.
Despite this, an Emperor could serve as more energetic, executive branch of our government, acting in emergencies or at other times when decisions must be made quickly. Also, they could serve many ceremonial purposes, as Vegeuros Cersil noted. In addition, it was discussed at one point that the Emperor would also appoint the Chairs of each Ministry, but we would have to trade away our power to vote for these positions if the Emperor were to serve that function. Thus, an Emperor could be useful, if we more clearly defined what form that usefulness would take.
Currently, our government system and social structure better resembles a confederation. While power is centralized to a certain extent, it is in parliamentary houses that take action via voting, not in any special group or individual. Mostly, people are permitted autonomy, so long as it fits within the laws decreed by the Parliament; government and social institutions vary greatly from nation to nation. Perhaps, then, the name Hermertian Confederacy would be more appropriate, if we choose to forego an Emperor.
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