*reacts instinctively to a name that looks like "Daala"*
Hisss! Damn author who doesn't research - Chief of State, unanimous, aaaaaaaghghgh!
*second look*
Oh. Dala. Not the General Failure. Ne-ver mind!
...You know, that chair doesn't have slats in back. His wrists are tied behind it, he's got ropes binding his waist to the back, but what's stopping him from bracing his feet against the chair and just sliding the mass of ropes up over the back?