Praetors are the templars of Balic. By popular vote, they
are elected to their offices for 10-year terms. Once they
have won their positions, Andropinis invests them with
the magical power necessary to perform their duties. The
dictator’s minions carefully screen candidates and arrange
voting districts and slates to produce the results that
Andropinis desires. On occasion, an unwanted praetor
is elected despite the dictator’s arrangements; unfortunate
accidents often befall such people shortly after they take
office. Praetors whose terms end without reelection or
who are elevated in anticipation of offices they might
one day hold serve at the discretion of Andropinis.
The most important praetors in Balic, the high praetors,
hold no particular office but stand high in the dictator’s
confidences.