[Verdant] Nobility

[WHO CAN HOLD THE THRONE?]
   Any healthy seadwelling adult can claim the throne if a troll of royal, Fuchsia blood is unable or unwilling to claim the throne for any reason. An Adult is defined as 'over 8 sweeps' for these purposes. Seadwelling adult encompasses those of the Violet caste; no seadwellers of any other caste are allowed.

Gender plays no role in who can rule; however, some hemoloyal trolls may take issue with a male Emperor.

Only one person may sit upon the throne at any given time. The ruler is absolute.
Regardless of Caste Variance in Violet to Fuchsia, they are the Top Rung of the Hemospectrum.

[HAS THERE EVER BEEN A VIOLET EMPEROR/EMPRESS?]
   Yes; six. (Update: Technically 7 due to His High Monarchy, Highking Siddon Oorlog.)

The longest-reigning was THEODORA TSARINET, a violetblood who took the throne after HER IMEPRIOUS ILLUSORY. The ILLUSORY, in her anger, had killed off all Fuchsias within the Empire once they reached the age of 8 sweeps, in order to avoid contest to her rule. (The ILLUSORY's killing of breeding-age Fuchsias drastically reduced the number of Fuchsia lineages available, and likely caused inbreeding in the caste.) This meant that when the ILLUSORY died due to an Imperial Warship explosion, there were no fuchsias who could take the throne.

The TSARINET seized control and kept it, successfully, for over twenty thousand years; during this time, a Fuchsia eventually did reach adulthood and challenge the TSARINET. In the challenging duel, the TSARINET killed the nameless Fuchsia, thereby keeping her throne. The Fuchsia was considered 'unable to claim the throne' due to her failure to win the duel; this means that, through precedent, a Fuchsia cannot merely demand a throne from a ruling Violet, but instead must take it through force.

The TSARINET, in turn, died due to a psionic accident on a colony planet, and her throne was taken by THE NAUTICAL, a Fuchsia.

These events occurred two million years ago; only an incredibly ancient Fuchsia would remember them first-hand (none of which exist; they are all dead), but there are plenty of textbooks and legal documents which refer to these events.

[CAN SOMEONE WILLINGLY CEDE A THRONE?]
   Yes; it is rare, but possible. Though there are half a dozen examples or so, here is one in particular:

The KRALJICA, a Tyrian Empress, ceded her throne to the DAUXHIST, her Tyrian prodigy. The KRALJICA ceded her throne while still having the respect of the Empire; she decided that, due to a recent loss of a matesprit and subsequent mourning, she was unable to rule effectively as Empress. The KRALJICA's blood status was demoted to 'honored Violet' and she was given a respected position in the DAUXHIST's court.

Those who cede their throne cannot take it back. Those who cede the throne lose Tyrian blood status and are legally considered Violets, and their commands are equal to any other Violets'.


[CAN SOMEONE BE OUSTED FROM THE THRONE, BUT NOT DIE?]
   Yes; it is uncommon, but possible. Some Empresses will spare the lives of those who challenge them, and allow them to live. In return, these challengers will often take up positions in the Empress's court and serve her, fully loyal and convinced of their strength.

However, it is not considered particularly -smart- to allow a challenger to live. While plenty live out the remainder of their days with newfound respect for the Empress they challenged, others stew in anger and train in earnest, prepared to oust the Empress at the first opportunity.


[IF SOMEONE LOSES A CHALLENGER'S DUEL AND LIVES, CAN THEY CHALLENGE THE EMPRESS AGAIN?]
   Yes--see above. If Ruling Empress A is challenged by Challenger B, and defeats B, then she remains Empress A. Challenger B, if left alive, can CHALLENGE THE EMPRESS AGAIN AT ANY TIME, and if Challenger B wins their second (or third, or fourth) challenge, they will become EMPRESS B.