Leyvarr Guard (Lah-VAR)

When the city was first established, the Raone people made a decision that although they wished to be a peaceful people who lifted up the fine arts as their cultural standard, they would never be left undefended. Thus, the Leyvarr Guard was established as the honorable fighting force for the city, and later, the whole kingdom. Leyvarr means “guardian of the stones”, which is where the city of Elaria was established. The name is meant as a constant reminder that the purpose of the Guard is to maintain peace, defend the people, but to never slack off in discipline (to consider what they do as a fine art or craft). "   The Leyvarr Guard (often referred to as simply The Guard) is the military police force for the kingdom. All citizens are required to serve for a two-year minimum (after two years is voluntary). This is most often served right after a person becomes an adult, but that is not required. A citizen has a choice of when to serve those two years. If they show promise in another field/avenue, then they may pursue that first, then report to the guard. It’s also possible to learn a gifted field while still serving the Guard for half days for four years.   Not all serving citizens must be actual guards, some are cooks, resource management, admins, and other supporting roles. There have been exceptions made to excuse a person from serving, but they are rare. Many choose to serve long after their initial two years.   To join the Guard is considered an honor. Youth are allowed to train as beginners, called Novices, at a fighters guild or observe guard training at any of the posts.   There is a clear chain of command in the Guard. All members begin as recruits, whatever their previous experience, age, or status in society prior. After a time of proving their character and becoming proficient in at least one style of fighting, they may be promoted to a patrol guard, town guard, or guard post after at least 3 months of training and service. (These are all basic positions), after that they may promote to a low leadership position or a guard specialist position. They may become a Guard Captain at any post or patrol post, or specialize in their fighting style in a way that’s useful to the guard.  

Ranks:

  Officer: Bailiff (villages)/Sheriff (sm forts) -- Seargent — Lieutenant— Commander (lrg forts)—General   Soldier: Recruit — Trainee — Guard — Mark — Specialist* — Elite     *Specialists: -Colderns: Some situations require some looking into, and the Investigators - Colderns - are called in when things don't easily add up. These specialists take a methodical or magical approach to learning the players, motives, and happenings surrounding a crime or mystrious disappearances. (Coldern Lanterns used to hang in the old city of Alarya at night. They had a colder blue light, but magically imbued to reveal all things, including magically hidden within their range.)   -Pillars: The Pillars are Elites that operate under special missions only. They are recruited out of Specialists, Elites, and Officers, or even earlier in their military career and thier identities are kept secret. They have their own ranking system within the Pillar organization. Some are operatives, specialists, commanders, or something else. Everyone knows they’re real, but no one knows who they are.   Crown Guard: The Crown Guard are a seperate, though smaller, organization that singularly operate to protect the Crowned ruler as well as answer to the Grand Council. They are often selected/recruited out of the Leyvarr Guard ranks, specialist and non, officer and Soldier ranks.        

Training Camps

There are several small ones on the mesa, one each in the larger Forts, but the one training camp all recruits go to first is the one in Dembe, a large Fort intentionally built for initial training of Soldiers and Officers.   Small Training Camps: One Training Commander, 2-6 Lts with 4-10 Sergeants with 4-10 Recruits each. Dembe: One General, 4-12 Training Commanders, 2-6 Lts with 4-10 Sergeants with 4-10 Recruits each.    

Forts

Large posts in larger or more strategic towns (Keylara, Lores, Carmela, Esen, and T’lune). Serve same purpose as Guard Posts, but also house more guards, and larger training area, stables, etc. The Largest forts are in Esen and Lores, T’lune being a close third. Two forts also exist on The Banks (one on each side), and one above on the mesa. One Fort Commander, 2-4 Lts, 6-16 Sergeants, 18-160 Guards. (min 20 Marks +Specialists)    

Guard Posts

Usually in a large village, small towns, and medium sized towns. These posts are more like small forts and also act as supply stations for Patrols, or where Guards are stationed for a time. They are typically near or in towns to help protect the town and act as local law enforcement for the town. Large post=One Lt, 2-4 Sergeants, 8-40 Guards. 6-10 Marks, 3-6 Magic Specialists. Small Post=One Sergeant, 4-10 Guards    

Patrol Stations

A guard post near/ in a very small village or watchtower in a strategic position. These are mostly to maintain a presence in the small towns and serve as supply stations for the patrols who ride through the country from one town to another. One Sergeant will command 4-10 Guards. (2-4 Marks, 1-2 Magic Specialists)