Succession Laws

The means by which succession is determined varies greatly throughout the world. Listed below is a summary of the various methods utilized.

Elective
Heirs are chosen by an elective body.

Tanistry
The lord's heir is chosen from members of their house by predetermined electors. Variants of this method exist depending on what restrictions are applied to the list of candidates be they age, gender, physical requirements, or mental acuity.

Hereditary
Titles are passed down from ruler to suitable heirs from their dynasty.

Primogeniture
Inheritance based on birth order.

Agnatic Primogeniture
Only males can inherit titles based on birth order.

Male Preference Primogeniture
Males and females can inherit the title based on birth order, however males are preferred over females.

Cognatic Primogeniture
Males and females can inherit based solely on birth order.

Female Preference Primogeniture
Males and females can inherit the title based on birth order, however females are preferred over males.

Enatic Primogeniture
Only females can inherit titles based on birth order.

Seniority
Inheritance is passed down through the dynasty based solely on age of the members of the dynasty. The eldest member of the family based on the requirements inherits the title.

Agnatic Seniority
Only males can inherit based on age.

Cognatic Seniority
Any family member can inherit based on age regardless of gender.

Enatic Seniority
Only females can inherit based on age.

Meritocratic
Heirs are selected based on their abilities without concern about their heritage.

Combative
Rulers are chosen through forms of ritual combat that may have limits on who may challenge.

Dynastic Combat
Only members of the ruling house have the legal right to challenge the ruler for the title.

Non-dynastic Combat
Any citizen can challenge the ruler for the title.