View source for Seanchan (Government)

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==General==
Seanchan is an Empire, usually ruled by an Empress, although males can become emperor ({{tgh|34}}), the last to do so was [[Algwyn]], nine hundred years earlier ({{wh|14}}). When the return began, the Empress was [[Radhanan]], a widow ({{cot|10}}), with several surviving children ({{kod|11}}), though [[Tuon]] was her favorite and had been named, though not proclaimed, heir ({{wh|14}}).

==Class Structure==
The Seanchan empire has a complex class structure. At the top is the nobility, the Blood, divided into the High blood and the Low Blood ({{wh|21}}).  Originally, these were descendants of the nobles that accompanied Luthair, but it is possible for commoners to have their name added to the Blood and to become nobility, or for nobles to be adopted into the Imperial family ({{tpod|24}}).  The Imperial family rank above both of these.  Under the blood, are commoners with slaves, ''[[da'covale]]'', typically occupying the lowest rung of the ladder.  ''[[so'jhin]]'' are ''da'covale'', but do not fit entirely within the structure, as the [[so'jhin]] of the blood are considered of higher rank than commoners, and [[so'jhin]] of the high blood, or imperial family are often considered of higher rank than the low blood.  Seanchan people do not meet the eyes of those of higher rank than them, and if the difference is great, they will not even look directlyinto their eyes.
===Appearance===
To mark their station, Seanchan nobles shave parts of their head and laquer their fingernails.  This is such a significant designator of rank, that baldness is not publicly displayed and those that lose their hair are required to cover their head.  Members of the blood shave the sides of their head and those of the imperial family, though not the high blood, their whole head. Those of low blood may not be entitled to shave their head at all, and will have to rely on laquered fingernails to denote rank ({{tpod|24}}). [[Egeanin]] shaved her head all the way round above the ears, leaving a bowl shaped hairsyle above it ({{wh|19}}). So'jhin may also have the sides of their head shaved, depending on role and rank.

All nobles will have long fingernails, and the low blood will laquer the little finger. The high blood will lacquer the ring finger also, while members of the imperial family will additionally lacquer their middle finger.  The Emperor/Emporess will lacquer all five nails.

[[Category:Articles to be expanded]]
[[Category:Seanchan]]