Hilt

The full title of the Hilt is "Hilt of the Sword of the People," though even that long title has changed innumerable times over the long history of the Republic. The Hilt is nominated by the Assembly of the People and elected by the State Council, with the Heunos able to accept or reject the election as needed. The Hilt is elected for life, but can be removed by a vote of the Assembly, State Council, or the Heunos.      

Authority

The Hilt serves as the head of state and commander of the armed forces, but their authority in both respects is severely restricted. The Hilt may request a state of emergency, but cannot declare one. The Hilt can, however, declare the end of a state of emergency with a simple statement.    

Peacetime

In peacetime, the Hilt serves as the leader of the Heunos, but is legally barred from voting except to break a tie. As commander of the armed forces, the Hilt chairs the Republic Defense Council, but again, cannot vote unless there is a tie.    

State of Emergency

Under a state of emergency, the Hilt is granted full dictatorial powers, no longer requiring a vote of the Heunos or Defense Council to take action. In addition, the Hilt may pass any law for thirty days without the approval or consent of any other branch of government. Such laws can be overturned once taking effect.          

Origin

In many ways, the position of Hilt was designed around Mykentos, and his desire to prevent the vast accumulation of powers he had gained as the one who both ended the Great War and created the Provisional Government that led to the Republic. Both Mykentos and Asdo of Lek, the writer of the Charter of the Republic, envisioned the Hilt as a figurehead who was the focus of the public's attention, but who held little to no actual authority and could therefore do little harm. However, both recognized that there would be times where swift, decisive action would be required, and the Hilt was the logical person to have carry it out.   Knowing there would be a natural tendency to want to gain such powers, they placed the authority for actually declaring a state of emergency in the hands of the Assembly and State Council, the approval of both being required.