stiward

Stiward is a fictional title used in speculative fiction and game design to denote an official who acts as the principal administrator and guardian of a polity’s assets and records. The term is a neologism, commonly treated as a variant of "steward" or as a compound suggesting guardianship and custody.

In typical portrayals, a stiward has authority over treasury, land and resource management, licensing and adjudication of estates, and the maintenance of archives and bureaucratic systems. In some settings, the stiward also oversees ceremonial duties and acts as a liaison between the ruler and the populace. The role may be hereditary, appointed by the monarch, or elected by a council, depending on the fictional polity. In fantasy contexts, a stiward may supervise magical properties, artifacts, or guilds, and could command a specialized staff or retinue. In science fiction, the stiward may administer spacefaring colonies or planetary assets, blending administrative skill with technocratic or bureaucratic expertise.

Variations exist; some writers spell it as "stiwarden" or capitalize it as STIWARD for titles. It is frequently used in world-building exercises and tabletop role-playing games as a versatile governance role, adaptable to different genres and power structures.

Notable examples: there are no canonical holders of the title; stiward is primarily a construct found in fan-made lore and indie works rather than established canon.

See also: Steward, Administrator, Governor, Warden, Archivist.