Fehadlan Watch

There is no rank higher than Commander so the Head of the Fehadlan Watch is a member of the Royal family usually the brother or sister of the true monarch, who is then subsequently known as the Prince or Princess of the Watch. They are not in charge of a Watch, instead they oversee the entire organisation, training new captains and commanders, they also deal with possible Ant'tyn situations, among many other duties they are expected to perform.   As many members of the watch will use their own equipment they are expected to pay for them themselves and maintain them, so the Watch does not have blacksmiths. The Watch does not even provide healers, though some members may take up that role themselves.

Founding

The Watch was formed in 10.1614 by Cheh Ranwater, a militia leader in a (at the time small town) of Erixia a mining town on the island of Racona. Recently the island had fallen on hard times as outlaws preyed on their silver deposits in surrounding mining villages. Eventually these outlaws gained strength and courage to attack Erixia it self. At the time Cheh was the local militia leader, he was a veteran of the Royal Guard, highly skilled, and a natural leader. In his retirement from the army he took it upon himself to train a militia capable of defending Erixia (his home town) and fight along side the army. He trained locals how to properly defend themselves, he planned evacuation routes, and set up a constant vigil over the palisade walls.

Soon the outlaws set their sites on Erixia where much of the silver and other minerals is stored before transport or trade to other islands. In the hours before the attack was meant to take place he rallied the locals and got word to the army for aid, this unexpected man power and superior training gave Erixia an edge that granted them their success. Cheh's actions earned him commendations from the Duke of Racona and some of the Princes and Princesses of the Royal family.

Inspired by Erixia's victory many other small towns copied Cheh's ideas and made their own versions, this time they were more formal militias and they took on many names but five years after the siege of Erixia a standardised system was created. It was called the Fehadlan Watch and became the third branch of Fehadla's military.

Cheh got to be in command of this young Watch for a few years before his death in 10.1628.

 

Predecessors

Before the Watch settlements were simply defended by militias of veterans or by local Army/navy detachments that had fortifications in the nearby area. But for the most part towns were left to defend for themselves while cities usually had larger garrisons of soldiers that could be used to keep the peace.    In some cases however, the once noble Araak company would help defend the smaller settlements by patrolling important roads and destroying possible outlaw camps. Before that the legendary Ommir would defend Fehadla, the very threat of this mythical symbiosis between Dragon and mortal would be enough to deter any wrong doing so Fehadla's urban and civilised areas were peaceful and safe.  

Development

Initially the Watch was meant to be just that, they kept an eye on local outlaws and report to the army, but the army was a lot bigger in the late 10th era. They were given more professional training for a small amount of time as a recruit so they could be the last line of defence.    But now they are Watch-men who peer over barricades and battlements, they are the guards who defend the innocent. They are the investigators to ensure no crime goes unpunished and they ensure that ones punishment is fair and that it is completed.    However now most members of the Watch are no more trained than a commoner and still rely on the army's guard regiments to deal with larger threats. Yet they are trained and trusted enough that people feel safer with the Watches presence.   

Major events

Battle for Bone Pass

This was a large scale battle a necromantic group full of separatists and was the first proper battle the Watch had to sustain. These necromancers tried to cut off the city of Bonecoast by blocking its only plausible entrance, apart from boat, by taking command of the narrow winding pass, known as Bone pass the necromancers would have successfully taken over the settlement. The army was at least two weeks from the Pass and it would take too long for the navy to arrive and render assistance. So the watch were alone in their defence of the city.    It was a devastating battle for the Watch by the of the four hour battle only a few Watch members were left standing the rest: Dead or injured beyond return to normal life. Aided by the civilians with their gifts of weapons, armour, and alchemy potions, the watch just about won the battle. But the cost was great, Watch-commander Ranwater was killed in the battle.    In his Honour and the honour of any Watch-Member who dies while performing their duty - protecting the innocents. A great shrine and memorial was carved deep into the Kirolian mountains. Ever since that faithful a vigil has stood guard at the entrance to the memorial and new names are carved into the stone still.  

The first Ant'tyn (The first trial of a corrupted officer)

In 10.1688 Watch-Captain Edvak Wintran was tried for treason and found guilty, he was subsequently executed in 1700 on the day that is known to the Watch as their darkest. Edvak was found guilty of purposefully aiding and abetting a sect of the Guild of Secrets and taking money destined to help fund the Watch as his own. Unfortuntaly due to his high standing among nobles it took too long for him to be found guilty and the damage was already done. Since then the town of Ecra on East Zai Isle has refused to house another Watch instead relying on a militia to keep the peace.   This is not an uncommon occurance either where Watch-men have allowed themselves to become corrupted indiviudals and forget thier oath to Queen and Kingdom. Which is why these occurances have since been formally named as Ant'tyn. Which other official services of Fehadla have taken up like the army and Dutchy.  

The Final stand

This was the last stand of a few Watch-men as they hold off hordes of necromancers and their corrupted beasts they managed to get most of the people out of the town of Mardai before the hordes arrived but some still remained. So five brave members of the watch remained behind which allowed the rest of the town to escape and live. Unfortunately the five perished in the short battle. Their sacrifice was never forgotten, as memories remain in those who escaped and allowed them to forge new ones due to their ultimate sacrifice. This story while very much true, is used as an annotote and warning in many watches to describe the danger members are willing to put themselves in and the harsh reality of being a member of the Watch to new recruits   This is not an uncommon occurrence for Watch-men in rural regions and is a warning to those who guard the many settlements that litter Fehadla's country side.