In Ryzom, players are able to become members of the lower branches of the various nation governments. This allows them some say in how their nation reacts to the various events happening on Atys.
There are 4 nations in Ryzom, each corresponding to one of the four homin races. Each nation has it's own government, and it's own system by which the members of that government are chosen.
According to lore, the governments also differ greatly in their roles, duties and responsibilities. But in the current ingame reality they mostly all fulfil equivalent roles.
The Fyros lower government is called the Akenak. It is made up of at most 5 members, and an individual member of this government is also called an Akenak. (The plural of this is also Akenak, thus the Akenak is made up of 5 Akenak.) The title given to players on this government is 'Fyros Akenak'.
The Akenak are chosen by election, which is held once every Jena Year (73 days IRL). Only citizens of the Fyros nation are allowed to run for Akenak, and only citizens of the Fyros nation are allowed to vote. The 5 candidates who receive the most votes become the Akenak for the following year.
The current Akenak (year 2551) are:
Former or inactive Akenak include:
The Tryker lower government is called the Taliari. An individual member of this government is called a Taliar (Taliari is the plural). The title given to players on this government is 'Tryker Taliar'.
There is no fixed number of Taliari. Every leader of an active Tryker-aligned guild (or tribe) is automatically a Taliar, provided they are also a citizen of the Tryker nation. Thus the number of Taliari depends on how many of those guilds there are. A high officer of the guild can take over the duties of Taliar if the leader is absent, but they cannot actually become a Taliar.
The current Taliari (year 2551) are:
Former or inactive Taliari include:
The Matis lower government is called the Chamber of Nobles. An individual member of this government is called a Noble (Nobles is the plural). The title given to players on this government is 'Matis Noble'.
There is no fixed number of Nobles. The Nobles are selected by the King out of guilds loyal to the Matis nation. Each such guild is then allowed to have two of it's members promoted to be Nobles: the guild leader and one high officer. To become Nobles they must be citizens of the Matis nation and followers of the Karavan.
The current Nobles (year 2551) are:
Former or inactive Nobles include:
The Zoraï lower government, having no special name, is made up out of all the citizens of the Zoraï nation. However, some of those are given higher status, including more responsibility and a special title. They are called the Awakened. The title given to players who receive this status is 'Zoraï Awakened'.
Who becomes an Awakened is decided by the Zoraï sages, and it is unknown which criteria they use to decide. It is known however that to become an Awakened, one must at least be a citizen of the Zoraï nation and a follower of the Kami.
Currently (year 2551) there are only two Awakened:
The higher governments are currently not open to the players and are composed entirely of NPCs, controlled by the Event Team. These higher up officials rarely appear and mostly leave business to the lower governments. They do appear in particularly important situations though, and can overrule decisions of the lower governments if they disagree with it. (This to prevent the player governments from making too far-reaching decisions, such as plunging Atys into all-out war.)
At the head of the Fyros Empire is the Emperor, who has the last say about anything the Empire does. The current Emperor is Dexton. The Emperor only rarely appears in public, and sometimes opts to be represented by his son, Prince Lykos, the future Emperor.
Between the Emperor and the Akenak is the Fyros Senate. It is made up of 15 Senators who are chosen for life. The Senate can overrule decisions of the Akenak. The Senator who most often appears in public to represent the Senate is Senator Dios, who though she's an NPC, was elected by the players in an event years ago.
For full details of the Fyros government, see here.
At the head of the Tryker Federation is the Governor, who is elected for life. The Governor appoints the Vice-Governor, also for life. The current Governor is Ailan, and the current Vice-Governor is Rehn Kirran. Both are NPCs but were elected by the players in an event years ago.
The Tryker Federation is the most democratic nation, and thus the only one with no additional body of government between their lower government (the Taliari) and their head of state. Only the Governor and the Vice-Governor can overrule decisions of the Taliari.
For full details of the Tryker government, see here.
At the head of the Matis Kingdom is the King, who has the last say about anything the Kingdom does. The current King is Yrkanis. The King only rarely appears in public, and sometimes opts to be represented by his wife, Queen Lea.
Between the King and the Nobles are the Grand Nobles. The title of Grand Noble is hereditary or given by the King. The Grand Nobles can overrule decisions of the Nobles. The Grand Noble who most often appears in public to handle matters of the Kingdom is Duke Rodi di Varello.
For full details of the Matis government, see here.
At the head of the Zoraï Dynasty is the Grand Sage, who is chosen for life by the Sages. The current Grand Sage is Mabreka. The Grand Sage only rarely appears in public.
Between the Grand Sage and the Awakened are the other Sages, who are also appointed for life. The Sages can overrule decisions of the Awakened. The Zoraï Sage who most often appears in public to represent the Sages is Chan Ji-Cian of the guild of Cho.
For full details of the Zoraï government, see here.