Exarchate

Exarchate is a type of polity, which at least de jure accepts the seniority of the Aethliri Empire, but governs itself independently, having their own ruler, named exarch.

Initially they were military governors, who rebuilt the empire after the Dragon War. They were forced to act on their own, due to communication with Aethlirin being temporarily severed. But later, they would not give away their power and remained a power that defined the Second Empire.

After the fall of the Third Empire, legions that were stationed in Arwadek, Kwod and Urandayed were forced to retreat, but then decided to create their own state in the image of the empire as they saw it. That would become the Exarchate of Koldwealm. Later, many other exarchates would be formed around Udroth when a pro-imperial faction in the periphery gained power. But often such exarchates were destroyed, as their neighbors feared the return of the empire the most, and were willing to compromise will all their enemies to prevent that fear from coming true. For that reason, Exarchate of Koldwealm was by far the most long-living and successful of the exarchates of the Age of Chaos.

At a point in history, most exarchs swore fealty to the Möthnarin Stewardship.