Provincial Guard

Overview

The Provincial Guard is the primary defensive force in regards to domestic threats within the province of Transdariania, not bound to a certain floxod or knightly order but instead to the Sithire themselves. They travel about the province at large, both patrolling the public areas and the borders of a given province. The Provincial Guard has been recently created, thanks to the Interim Council of the post-Civil War Drache, and has replaced the traditional Border Guard that was founded by the Kingdom of Arangoth itself.

Infrastructure

The base of operations in Drache is a multi-story affair, found near the infamous Fort Cybil, built by Asnerith Dreth during the Civil War. Often simply called "home" by most Trackers (the title bestowed upon a member of the Provincial Guard upon official membership), it has a renowned armory and library as well as the typical barracks components.

The armory is known specifically for the quality of null-magic items found within, which are known largely to be the only non-shackle null-magic items to be utilized by employees of the province. Everything from crossbows to halberds can be found within, each with a null-magic variant in case of a magical threat from within Drache. Though magical learning is largely unregulated, magic use is largely unpredictable, and as such precautions must be taken. There are, of course, mundane weaponry and armor found within, but these are masterwork at best.

The library is renowned for an entirely polar reason, as it is the primary magical research facility regarding medicine. Various infections and plagues are being worked on at any given time, though the cures to such ailments are generally so expensive they are only employed in the highest echelons of the province's citizenry.

Uniform Regulations

Guard formal/parade/banquet uniform is black tunic, pants and boots, with a forest green stripe down the outside seams of the pants, and a forest green cloak clasped by a pin that denotes rank. The basic insignia of the guard is wrought of bronze in the shape of a drawn recurve bow with black enamel inlaid in the negative space except for a bronze dragon, which has different symbols around that indicate the rank of the guard (As indicated on the table below). Forest green armbands embroidered with the guard insignia and the individual's rank in bronze thread are worn on the upper arms over the tunic. Officers above the rank of Corporal are given a bronze-braided rope worn on the left shoulder, and officers above Lieutenant are given a bronze silk sash to wear under their swordbelts. Decorations and medals are worn on the right breast. Trackers are issued ceremonial hunting horns, while Non-Commissioned Officers are issued ornate ceremonial shortbows. Commissioned Officers are issued ceremonial curved recurve bows. If approved by the captain, issued ceremonial equipment may be replaced with other pieces that the guardsman supplies for the formal uniform.

Rank	Insignia
Tracker Recruit/Spell Recruit	Base Insignia
Tracker/Spellcaster	Base Insignia +1 White Arrow/Flame
Tracker Corporal/Spell-Corporal	Base Insignia +2 White Arrows/Flames
Ranger-Sergeant/Spell-Sergeant	Base Insignia +2 Silver Arrows/Flames
Ranger-Lieutenant/Spell-Lieutenant	Base Insignia +1 Gold Arrow/Flame
Ranger-Commander/Spell-Commander	Base Insignia +2 Gold Arrows/Flames
High Ranger-General	Gold Insignia, Silver Inlay

Magic-using Guards may substitute a black robe for the tunic and trousers of their dress uniform if they so desire. The robe has forest green trim at the cuffs, collar, and hem for guardsmen; officers' robes have a pattern of dragon scales embroidered on the trim in bronze thread. Spellcasters carry carved wooden staves as ceremonial weapons; officers carry staves with a bronze dragon's head ornament atop it.

Uniform on patrol does not have to conform with the formal dress standards of the guard, though the green cloak is required, as is the insignia pin. Alternately, a pair of green armbands embroidered with the guard insignia and rank can be substituted for the cloak in hot weather. The rank pin can be worn on the breast or the belt if the cloak is not worn, so long as it is prominently displayed. Individual equipment and armor are allowed on patrol. Because the guards tend to be highly trained in their unique abilities, equipment for patrols is not standardized and left to the individual guard's discretion.

Recruitment

Recruitment occurs from within the servicemen of Transdariania, and the Provincial Guard will never recruit a walk-on. Seeing as their purview is so wide, and purpose so great, only the best are allowed to join their ranks. Applications are never accepted, but instead guardsmen/bannermen/sailors are hand-picked by their superiors for this station. Declining is always an option, though rarely occurs. Training takes roughly six months following recruitment. It covers every ounce of knowledge needed to be safe and effective in the field, though a fresh recruit will also be given a veteran as a mentor. Only after being given a pass by the veteran and the Provincial Guard's administration will the recruit be allowed to venture off independently and to their own assignments.

These assignments include an absolute slew of activities, from reconnaissance to shock troop-esque raids, but each is well within the skills of the chosen Trackers for the job. The Provincial Guard will, notably, be recruited on occasion into a war, but only if the forces supplied by Floxods are not sufficient for the war effort. This has never occurred in the past.