Padishah

The Padishah is the title of the ruler of Sarrakeen. There have been 214 emperors or empresses since the city's founding circa 4000 PV. The Ferrinos have controlled the title throughout the city's life. Malik Ferrino IV is the current Padishah Emperor of Sarrakeen.

The Padishah's throne is in the Seat of Ten Thousand Pearls, a black and white palace in the center of the High City, named for the pearls covering it.

The elite guards devoted to the protection of the Padishah are part of the Padishah's Retinue, independent of the Sarrakeen Guard. They're led by the Padishah's sworn warden and commander of this guard, the Black Shell.

Succession
Because of Sarrakeen's violent birth and unification, the title of Padishah is deeply militaristic. Its succession is equally steeped in blood. This tradition is simply called the crowning.

In the early years of the title, the Padishah held complete power over Sarrakeen. When the Padishah died, any who held a claim for the throne were targets for assassination. With the Ferrinos in complete control of the title, this created a system of fratricide, until only one heir remained. Even in the early years of stability, the pure autocratic power of the Padishah invoked greed for the throne in many heirs, and this system became a tradition.

It was not until Padishah Rama Ferrino I's reign that this bloody tradition was discouraged. In 8034 PV, he created the Mirza Court, comprised of the 17 most powerful noble families in the High City, ceding many of the powers of the title to them. Their first law was introducing an heir's right to cede their claim at the age of 18.

However, the tradition has never been completely revoked, as many traditionalists see it as a reminder of the birth of their city and the warrior's spirit that flows through it still.

In addition, there always remains a possibility of another family claiming the title should the Ferrinos lack an heir.