The Imperial vassal system

Given the immense size of the Irenton Empire, it is effectively impossible to govern the entire territory from the central government alone. As such, the Empire maintains a simple yet effective vassalage system, designed to accommodate for the variations in situations across the Empire and it's borders.

The following is a list of Imperial vassal ranks, in descending order of autonomy and arbitrary political power.

• Sovereignty

• Principality

• Free Territory

• Dominion

• Protectorate / Commissariat

• Annexed
  

Sovereignty

The Sovereignty is simultaneously the most autonomous, most powerful, and rarest Imperial vassal rank. Only four Sovereignties existed, these being: the Sovereignty of Naveroth, the first created, given to the Emperor's son Kyhron; the Sovereignty of Andromeda, initially granted to the White Suits for their assistance to Retribution Command, though later turned over to Imperial loyalists and subsequently re-annexed; the Sovereignty of Korus, granted to Lilith Nephilim, but inactive after 9115; and the Sovereignty of Iskandar, granted to Lotan Nephilim, similarly inactive after 9115.

Sovereignties are effectively their own kingdoms in all but name. Though still part of the Irenton Empire, they are permitted to raise their own military expeditionary forces and set their own taxes, whilst also having a non-Imperial executive in the form of the Sovereign. Officially, a Sovereign will usually be granted the title of "Prince" - separate to the rank of Prince/Princess as defined under a Principality, due to their translations in High and Low Irenton being different - though, typically, a Sovereign will go by simply their name then a descriptive epithet, such as: Kyhron, Sovereign of Naveroth. Though not required to, all Sovereigns serve in the Imperial Armed Forces.

Typically, vassalised states will move down the ranking ladder, towards annexation, a Sovereignty is formed from already annexed territories and granted as a ceremonial reward. Only the Emperor has the power to create a Sovereignty, though the Sovereignty of Andromeda was formed after his death at Mars - this is due to the fact that, although a Sovereignty in reality, it was officially only a Principality, and was dissolved only around a century after its creation.