Why aren't Eric and Godric (before he killed himself) higher up on the political foodchain if they're so much older and еще powerful than the current political leaders? Eric has nearly 500 years on both the Queen of Louisiana and the Magister...

Godric never wanted to be a higher rank, and as for eric he's сказал(-а) in the Книги that he doesn't want to have too much power. He just wants to run his area and fangtasia in peace with no other problems. Basically he wants to do his own thing, not worry about all the responsibility that comes with being in a higher rank. hope i helped :)

I wondered this too.
Then I thought maybe it has to do with something other than age as well...I'm not sure what though.

Well Eric did сказал(-а) that Godric didn't wanted to be higher ans for Eric, beats me... he's an alpha male for sure ... i'll look it up through the Книги maybe the answer is there and it slipped me.