Warlord

The head of the nation of Gwa'aag is given the title of warlord. The warlord rules for life or until someone stronger displaces him.

Typically, upon the death of the reigning warlord, each tribe will send representatives to attend the funeral, festivities, and selection of a new warlord. Said selection involves a hefty dose of trial by combat, though there are other tests as well.

The warlord can be removed from office at any time by rite of combat. In order to prevent him from constantly having to deal with an unending stream of upstart challengers, anyone who wants to oust the warlord first has to defeat at least three of his Shieldbearers. Anyone who challenges the warlord and loses doesn't get a second chance.

In theory, the warlord commands the loyalty of all the tribes in his country. In practice, however, unless he's planning some grand conquest, this is seldom enacted. Again in theory, he is able to enter into binding treaties with other nations, which his subjects must adhere to. In practice, however, if the rest of the orks don't like the way the warlord's running things, they're likely to turf him out of office. A new warlord is not considered bound by any agreements made by the old one, to the unending despair of other nations trying to forge some kind of lasting treaty or favourable trading agreement with Gwa'aag.