The Makers of Coherent Design

Acheron Ilisur - Ruler of the Fifth Sphere

At that time, the fifth sphere was still the one that the masses could vote a family into, but Acheron comes into power after the previous president grew too old to hold the post. His victory comes after Androids were given permission to vote, but only as half a person. Still, the amount of ARN/MSES support allows Acheron to claim the title.

He's the first unmarried president of Oris Ailia and he has no ties to any of the other four families. Little is known about him other than he seems to echo the beloved leader, Alcion, in views and ideals.

His political views are moderate - but believes that the four families exact far too much control over the population. He has eliminated the Favored agenda and while he attempted to outlaw Lucien's court, Lucien Godsen became the sixth court, and his court is made legal. It's considered a victory for the original families and a blow against the Innovators (Acheron, the Tenebrae,and the Seventh group)

Two years into his ascendance into the life-long position, one of the Renegade Helms attempts to assassinate him. It is at this time that everyone has their suspicions confirmed - Acheron Ilisur is an Android and one not easily destroyed.

Due to his longevity, a sixth and seventh familial court are brought in to balance. The seventh family becomes what the population could vote a family into for the length of the Patriarch's lifespan. The sixth family are Lucien Godsen's court of deal-makers and information gatherers. 

The fifth sphere is now irrevocably titled Ilisurian Sphere - and any of his descendants may take that position, but the rights of androids are still highly in doubt, and it's only by the deciding vote of Wolfe Vaitash'ehl (who was the affirmed tie-breaker) that he is allowed to keep his position and start the precedent. 

Wolfehart Vaitash'ehl 

Tech-God / Inventor / Redeemer of the Vaitash'ehl Name

Hermit

Father of Madison and the Androids

Ambivalent to others

Who holds more power, the public or the ruling power?

There isn't even a show that the public holds any sort of power. It's known by now that the Five Families hold the power in the world and until the Five Families die off, that's not going to change. The five families are as follows: 

Vaitash'ehl - they were the doctors, the ones that ran a top pharmaceutical company that made the virus that nearly eradicated the world. They aren't in high standing at this time, not even with the Tech-God on their rooster.

Fenyx - Soldiers. Military. Mercenaries. The Fenyx family trained the world's militia (different from each sphere's military) and were used in case of an attack against the planet (or, as it was later seen, these mercenaries, at Tarren's urging, defected and fought with the Tenebrae). The Fenyx Militia (or the Fox Calamity as it's now called) are known to be mercenaries that will fight for whomever will pay them the most, with little exception. Currently, the Five Families have them in contract. 

Grey - The technological group that kept their finger on the pulse of the world. They were the ones that made sure that they were always a step ahead of the competition, all competition, even others in the Families. Daniel Grey was the first ALTER to be created, and now, the lottery gives one 'winning' family the chance to change their child into a Synth, a modified, genetically 'perfected' transhumanist. 

Ducalle - they were the ones responsible for the temples. They kept the god days and sacred numbers. They were the first family to be brought to the brink of extinction in the private war that they had with the Greys. 

"The Fifth Family" - These were your smooth talking politicians/ba, these were the ones that bartered deals between the other families and were the 'mediators' (even though they were known to cause trouble if it benefited them.) This family was nominated every nine years by the people (even though the Four Families oversaw the election). There was some talk once that one of the elected families would finally become the established 'fifth' but Alcion's assassination changed that. 

The Tenebrae is the only balancing force to the Five Families and this group came about as a direct answer to the Vaitash'ehl Crime Family, and at first, targeted only the Vaitash'ehls but later took their war to the Five Families as a whole, yet, the Tenebrae need the Five Families. The Tenebrae are infiltrators, they gain information, they keep everything in check, and the Five Families understand their slippery position. If one unified power were to rise (as it nearly did with Alcion), the world would have to shift and change, and during an age of space exploration and rapid technological advancement, the Tenebrae make sure that things remain stable, at least for now.

"You're welcome," she responded easily. She wasn't coy, flirting, or teasing, but there was humor in her voice as she stood before the strange man, her purse slung over one shoulder but starting to slip, and no matter how many times she fixed it (or bought a new purse) it'd do the same. She was unhurried, with no place to be, but her hair was falling out of its low ponytail, and she wore flats instead of heels. "You looked like someone who didn't hear it very often so, I figured, I've got no one to love - that's in town anyway, more for you."