Dog of Tyros

In its origin myth, the city of Tyros was ruled by a repressive hereditary monarchy. In the six centuries since the Great Tyrosian Revolution, however, it has been ruled by an elected monarch known as the Dog of Tyros.

Etymology

The title of Dog of Tyros is an odd one given that dogs occupy a position of no particular esteem in the culture and folklore of the city. Precisely why the elected ruler of the city would have this title is therefore debated both within Tyros and beyond it. One of the more popular possibilities is that the title is intended to be ironic, degrading the incumbent of an office of great civic power to keep their ego in check. This interpretation is popular in Chogyos, a city ruled (in contrast) by a hereditary aristocracy. Another possibility is that it reflects the non-aristocratic nature of the role. Although the Dogs of Tyros have been without exception wealthy, influential citizens, the grand aristocratic dynasties of the city's folklore were obliterated during the revolution and the Dog is elected, at least notionally, on the basis of the competence and sobriety which have long been held as common attributes of the Tyrosian citizenry, rather than their lineage. The constitution of the city in fact forbids the direct offspring of the Dog from running to replace them at their death, precisely to prevent dynasties from forming. In practice, a number of descendants of previous Dogs have been elected to the office, but the policy has held true throughout the history of the institution.
One other possibility noted by thaumatologists is that the name may relate to a religious link to the cult of Krezzan. The cult was known to be prominent in the city at the time of the revolution, and possibly even involved in the destruction of the previous monarchic regime. Dogs were known to be of ritual significance to some of the cults of Krezzan and it may be that the new elected monarch became known as the Dog in reference to his role as an assistant of the god and/or his clerics. This could be seen to apportion some sort of ritual or thaumaturgical significance to the title, though records of the early phases of its history - kept by the Brotherhood of Rooks - are murky on the point.

Election

In theory any permanent resident of the city of Tyros may run for election to the office of Dog. Nominations are only accepted, however, after the previous Dog's death is publicly announced. The death must be agreed upon by three officials - the Gold officer of Tyros's Commercial Guilds, the head of the city's chapterhouse of the Brotherhood of Rooks and the primate of the city's Keepers of Light, and only the first dozen candidates to enter the Great Plaza of Tyros and publicly announce their candidacy are allowed to run. As such that 'slate' of twelve candidates tends to be heavily slanted towards figures considered appropriate by senior members of those three organisations, who will often be kept appraised of the failing health of the incumbent so they can be prepared and poised to enter the plaza hours or even days before his or her death. Disagreements about who the first twelve people to do this are common and staredowns not unheard of, though disturbances are rare and violence especially so. This is partly because a combination of honest diplomacy, polite campaigning and discreet skulduggery among informed individuals often decides who the twelve candidates are days or weeks before the incumbent's death. It is also partly because the self-imposed dignity held to be inherent in the Tyrosian national character means anybody who started trouble would severely damage their chance of victory in the election. People have successfully forced their way into a candidacy in the past, but no such candidate has ever come close to winning.
In practice, therefore, the twelve candidates tend to be wealthy, well-connected individuals, often advisers or acquaintances of the previous Dog. These candidates have until the end of the moon following that in which the previous Dog died to publicise their case to the Tyrosian citizenry. They wear crimson armbands throughout the period and are expected to be available to be questioned by the public about their fitness for the office. Those citizens then cast lots for their favoured candidate. The winner is announced by the three officials who announced the death of their predecessor.  
The Dog is elected for life. Unpopular incumbents have been called upon, or even threatened, to abdicate, though no such crisis of civic confidence has actually resulted in the Dog stepping down.

Powers

The Dog of Tyros is considered the city's head of state and the commander of its military. They also direct efforts to maintain civil order and are the only person in Tyros who can banish or exile a citizen. Such exiles have been known to be readmitted when the Dog who banished them dies, though this is not universal.
The Dog also liaises closely with the Commercial Guilds to lubricate the wheels of commerce in the city. As an island city-state with very limited agricultural land to its name Tyros is dependent on ships to feed its population and ensuring this shipping continues is widely considered the Dog's primary duty.
By ancient tradition the Dog has no official residence and receives no remuneration for their labour, although their expenses are met out of public taxation. This, in fact, is what most of the port duties levied in Tyros go towards. In practice, again, this limits candidacy to those who can delegate the gathering of their own income to employees.

Type

Nobility, Non-hereditary