Leadership

"Who's in charge here?!" a line heard in many a war movie. It's also important to think about leadership when making a universe. Only a great leader can inspire a nation to band together against a common enemy. Only a great leader can convince a nation that +10% of their meager earnings is better spent by the government than themselves.

What kind of leader will be ruling your people? You've probably heard of a monarchy. That's when one king or queen rules the country. It's efficient for being able to build up a single character, whether they are a good or bad ruler is up to you.

Someone who has taken that kind of power by force, rather than birthright might be called a dictator. The word dictator has a lot of mud on its face, but I suppose their could be a ruler with absolute power, who actually cares about his people, and has good policies.

Perhaps power has been thrust upon someone who either doesn't want it (the humble hero) or who can't handle it (the pampered prince). Those to situations make it easy for a charismatic, ambitious individual (the crafty adviser) to worm his way to the top. 

Maybe public opinion was taken in a vote to elect some president(single elected leader) or parliament (group of elected officials). Maybe a tournament of strength or skill was the deciding factor.

If your setting is smaller than a country, perhaps the Duke of the region or mayor of town.