Shai Alyt

Shai Alyt
Shai Alyt is the highest title a Minbari Warrior can receive, without being clan leader. Every two cycles new Shai Alyts are presented to the Council. The Council is made up of all Shai Alyts currently on active duty. If one of them cannot make it, they need to pass right of voting to another or can demand the voting can be held at a later date. Only if all Shai Alyts give their blessing does another Minbari gain the rank.

It's probably the only tradition in Warrior society that is so tightly bound by law.

New candidates can be brought on by anyone, they do not need to be Shai Alyt themselves. The presentor then arguments the case for that new candidate to the Council, trying to convince them why he or she makes a good candidate.

Because of Minbari honourary nature, it is very rare for an unfitting person to be presented before the council, so most Minbari presented before the council are granted the rank, though the last 50 years the council has grown more strict. Especially since the Earth-Minbari War many of the surviving and still active Shai Alyts fear the rise in rank for the taste of blood and reign over an own ship or regiment.