Imperator

The **Imperator** are the ruling caste in the Sarapo Imperium. Descendents of Kaymin the Supreme, the Imperator rule through right of birth and blood. Those who distinguish themselves may earn the privilage of sitting on the Imperator High Council, the ruling body of the Imperium made up of the twelve most powerful Imperator. All major positions of power and influence within the Imperium's government are held by Sarapo of the Imperator caste, with the notable exception of the military which is the sole domain of the Bellator caste.

### History

#### Origins of the Imperator Caste

The first Imperator were the acknowledged offspring of Kaymin the Supreme, some of whom were lowly Servitor before the unfication and the rise of the Sarapo Imperium. Nonetheless, when Kaymin was named Supreme Imperator of this new regime, it became the custom to refer to all of his offspring by the title Imperator as a sign of respect and reverence. As these Sarapo grew older however, they assumed positions of real power within the Imperium, taking an active role in its governance. The most prominant of Kaymin's offspring were the eldest male, Kayne, and the eldest female, Kayla, who competed fiercely with one another for the right to be Kaymin's heir. They eventually had children of their own, who were also called Imperator by virtue of being 'the blood of Kaymin.' Thus the Imperator Caste began, going from a few dozen to several hundred in a few generations.

#### Formation of the High Council

Upon Kaymin's death, his last will and testament dictated that the position of Supreme Imperator would die with him. Rulership of the Imperium would instead fall to a new Imperator High Council, consisting of the twelve most capable of his offspring. "The Twelve", as they would be known, would be led by a First Imperator with a Second Imperator as designated heir. The first council had Kayne as First Imperator and Kayla as Second Imperator. However, the rule of Kayne only lasted two years before he fell ill and died quite suddenly. Kayla assumed leadership of the council as First Imperator and held the position for almost fifty years.

### Organization

#### The Blood of Kaymin

The Blood of Kaymin is a central precept in the Sarapo Imperium and the Imperator caste. It places emphasis on the greatness of the Imperium's founder and former leader, Kaymin the Supreme, dictating that all of his descendents be recognized as Imperator and be given a wide variety of rights and privilages within the Imperium. These privilages include a generous stipend, Servitor attendants and the right to hold positions of authority in the Imperium's government such as being a Colonial Viceroy or a member of the Imperator High Council. Even so, many Imperator shun politics and responsibilty, preferring to live lives of luxury and indolence.

#### The Imperator High Council

The ruling body of the Imperium, made up exclusively of Imperator. Competion for a chair on the high council is fierce among the Imperator. However, once an Imperator earns their chair, it can not be taken away and they will remain on the council until their death. Imperator on the council can, however, be demoted to a lower chair by the First Imperator for incompetence or corruption. The chairs are numbered from one through to twelve and the Imperator on the council are similarly numbered. When an Imperator on the council dies, all other Imperator below the deceased move up a chair, vacating The Twelfth Chair, which then becomes avaliable to a new addition to the council.