The Administrator: Civilian Head of a Gorean City

The Administrator is a vital figure in Gorean city governance, serving as a supreme civil official responsible for the day-to-day management of the city. Their role often represents a more civilian or bureaucratic form of leadership compared to the absolute rule of an Ubar.

I. Position and Authority

1. Civilian Statesman: An Administrator is characterized as a "civilian statesman" or "servant of the people," often wearing a "plain brown garment" or a brown cloak, symbolizing a humbler, administrative role compared to the Ubar's purple or military scarlet.

2. Executive Head: They serve as the "first executive" or "administrative headquarters" of a city, managing "numerous and complex civil and economic matters." Their office is commonly located in the Central Cylinder, the seat of governance.

3. Appointed by High Council: Unlike Ubars who might seize power or be appointed by military might, an Administrator is typically appointed by the High Council of the City (composed of representatives from the High Castes). In theory, they are "responsible" to this body.

4. Limited Power (Compared to Ubar): The power of an Administrator is explicitly "limited" – they do not possess the absolute, unchecked power to change laws by simple decree that an Ubar enjoys. They must work "in conjunction with the high council" to get laws passed and manage affairs. This makes them less prone to tyranny but potentially more vulnerable to factional politics.

5. Succession: The High Council is often responsible for electing a new Administrator (or Ubar/Ubara/Regent) when leadership is vacant (e.g., after a coup).

II. Key Responsibilities and Focus Areas

1. City Administration: Responsible for "civil and economic matters," including:

   • Reform of Courts and Laws: Actively involved in shaping the city's legal framework and judicial processes.

   • Commerce Controls and Regulations: Oversee the city's economy, including taxation, monopolies (e.g., brick manufacture, salt, tharlarion oil distribution), and licensing (e.g., public auction houses).

   • Public Services: Manage various civic operations.

2. Maintaining Order: Issue orders to "appropriate officers, civic and military" to ensure "safety of the streets," "security of the gates," and conduct searches for escaped prisoners.

3. Chronology: Cities often use "Administrator Lists" to mark years in their calendars (e.g., "the eleventh year of the administration of my father, Matthew Cabot").

4. External Relations: Engage in diplomacy, sending envoys to develop alliances or handle affairs with other cities, though their envoys might face disrespect if the Administrator's city is perceived as weak.

5. Ceremonial Duties: Like an Ubar, the Administrator performs ceremonial roles, such as greeting the sun on the first day of the New Year.

6. Confiscation of Property: Can confiscate lands and chattels in the name of the High Council (e.g., Lady Temione's lands in Hammerfest).

III. Dynamics of Power and Vulnerability

1. Reliance on Support: An Administrator's popularity and ability to govern depend heavily on winning "the favor of the lower castes" (often through sponsoring races and games) and maintaining the support of the High Council.

2. Vulnerability to Factionalism: They are susceptible to being deposed due to "agitations of certain factions" (e.g., Initiates, Merchants) who might have grievances, political motivations, or spiritual condemnations against them.

3. Comparison to Ubar: An Administrator is explicitly contrasted with an Ubar, whose power is "not limited, save perhaps by revolution or the stroke of an assassin's knife." An Administrator is essentially a Ubar de facto if they are a "strong man" who controls the city through coalitions and mercenaries, but without the formal title or its inherent legal limitlessness.

4. Military Coups: In times of "crisis" or "failures and ineffectuality of an inept civilian administration," military men might "take power" in a "military coup," seizing temporary authority until the High Council can elect a new civilian leader.

5. Perceived Weakness: An Administrator (or their envoys) might be thought of as less formidable than an Ubar, potentially leading to insults or disregard from other cities.

6. Wealth and Influence: Administrators can come from wealthy backgrounds (e.g., Merchants), or their positions can lead to the accumulation of wealth.

In conclusion, the Gorean Administrator is a significant, appointed, civilian leader who manages the day-to-day affairs of a city, focusing on its civil, economic, and legal stability. Their power is constrained by councils and dependent on popular support and caste allegiances, making them a crucial yet often politically vulnerable figure in the Gorean landscape.

- Kati Evans