Arhont

Arhont or Aerhon (Olmë: archondae) is a vulgar-elvish word that originally translated, albeit roughly, to "provincial magistrate". Its first recorded use occurred during the reign of the elven emperor Brannen, in the early 23rd century. Likely instituted as part of his reforms, it used to refer to an autocratic or otherwise ruler of a single city-state, which had become common in the later years of the empire, especially on Neuvalon and Suthria.

It is also notable for being one of the first higher offices that a human was allowed to occupy, often for life. Though an archondae was a common title in the eastern territories where the human populations were prevalent, it was seldom used on the peninsula and the elven heartlands.

Eventually, by the time of the Crisis of the 28th century, the use of the title was seldom noted in historical records, likely meaning it fell out of favour or was replaced by another one. Ironically, it did warrant a mention in several biographies of Carassar Carain, wherein it was noted that he had based the new powyssar or "prince" title on the archondae itself.

Among the Pentari and the Serisians
The title saw renewed usage during the Warlord Era, in the breakaway states of the Alignment, Serisia, and the eastern Esphoran League. Its exact usage, pronunciation, and spelling varied, due to the elven dialects mixing with the local tongues. Norwe aep Cwernach, the first ruler of the Alignment, supressed the title in favour of his own, and though it lost the majority of its influence over time it survived into the modern day, as the rulers of Antress and Serisia both style themselves as Arhont and mae Aerhon, respectively.

The offices themselves, despite having a similar name, remain different. The Antressian Arhont is a public office that is occupied for a single year, and the same person cannot serve as the arhont more than three times, while the Serisian variant refers to a more powerful, monarchic ruler -- the seat of the mae Aerhon is currently held by Atienne Corven, of the Corvenid dynasty.