Each Blood-Smelting King inherited the throne through the Blood-Smelting Hammer. So long as the hammer kept its bright-red colors, the king still breathed. But once it took a dull-red shade, it meant the reigning king had passed away—prompting the hammer to start looking for a successor.
The Blood-Smelting Hammer now lay over Gaiseric's corpse, its dull-red shade acting like a reflection of the fallen monarch's state. With a series of slow, wobbling steps, Vel'Asha walked towards the corpse, her eyes turning empty as her trembling hands rested on the king's calcined remains.
Just realized I made two significant mistakes in yesterday's status screens so I corrected them. If you don't remember that's fine. But for those who remember every detail, you should double check to be safe.