Margrave

Margrave is the title for an individual appointed by the Tal'Dorei Council who leads a city in the Republic of Tal'Dorei. Margraves are a military title, a heritage of the Kingdom of Drassig that established the position.

Description
Margraves are appointed by the Tal'Dorei Council and hold the position for life, unless ruled unfit to govern by the Council. As the title is a military one, all cities in Tal'Dorei led by a Margrave are officially under martial law. Some margraves additionally keep councilors or advisors to assist them in the day-to-day business of their cities.

Westruun
The margrave of Westruun, as of 812 PD, is Brandon Zimmerset, who was appointed after the previous margrave was killed by the Herd of Storms in the aftermath of Umbrasyl's attack on the city. Westruun's margrave has power to create or dissolve trading guilds, as well as full command over the Shields of the Plain, which number about 800. The fact that a margrave is a military position is unpopular with many, and some have spoken of revolution.

Margraves in Westruun live in the Margrave's Keep.

Stilben
As of 812 PD the margrave of Stilben is Wendle Truss. Despite this, he is ultimately more under the power of Stilben's guilds than the reverse, and is generally considered an ineffective leader.

Kymal
In 812 PD, the margrave of Kymal is Jaktur Krishtan, the son of Calis Krishtan, an immigrant from Ank'Harel and proprietor of The Maiden's Wish casino. Krishtan is mostly uninterested in rule, preferring to have advisors and particularly his majordomo, Prudence, carry out his responsibilities.

Behind the scenes
In the real world, the term "margrave" comes from the German "Markgraf", which in turn comes from the words "Mark", referring to border lands, and "Graf", the German equivalent of an English or French Count. It was originally the name for military commanders in charge of defense of border provinces within the Holy Roman Empire.