Gatewardens

Ranger-General of the Watch

Ranger-Colonel

Ranger-Major

Ranger-Captain

Ranger-Lieutenant

Ranger

Uniforms

Upon graduating their training, each Ranger is presented with a set of spurs - while functionally, very few rangers ride horses, they are all trained in -how- to do so, and expected to keep that training active. Symbolically, they signify that the recruit has ‘earned their spurs’ and is now a full member of the Watch. Informally, this also tends to come with a cowboy hat, purchased by their peers instead of by the Watch itself.   For formal occasions, there is a uniform greatcoat which shows their rank; however, that coat usually only sees use when putting one of their own to rest.

On one hand, Rangers are single minded, ruggedly individualistic, die-hard Olympians. They take their oath to the Watch with the understanding that their prey is, quite literally, the Most Dangerous Game on the planet; as a result, this tends to lead to a bit of a cocksure “I can handle anything” mindset which is often deserved but can, in fact, lead them in over their heads. On the other hand, there is a tacit understanding that agreeing to the Gatewatch and taking the oath is, ultimately, a death sentence - there are few, if any, retired members of the Watch. And those that are ‘retired’ from active duty become archivists, researchers, and trainers for the next generation of monster hunters. It is, however, far more common for one of the rangers to “end their watch” out on the road or in some nameless bunker to an unknowable foe.   Most Olympians treat members of the Watch with the utmost respect, understanding that when push comes to shove, they are the ones walking the walls of Olympia - though individual tastes vary and individual rangers are more or less assholish about how much respect they feel they deserve.   Newcomers to Olympia are required to serve a term with the Watch as part of the process of gaining citizenship with the city - more martial newcomers ‘squire’ to a Ranger, while non-combatants work in a clerical sense for their duration of service.   Rangers who fall in the line of duty while out on the Hunt are considered, in much the same way as Ark Runners, to be “MIA” until and unless their body is recovered. This is often referred to as being “out on their Final Watch” until they are brought home for burial when their Watch ends.  

Sayings

“We Walk the Walls”: As much a rallying cry as anything else, this phrase is often used as an ‘if not us, then who?’   “One Horror, One Hunter”: A phrase that is as much a call and response as a general impression that any given Gatewatch member should be able to handle all the aspects of hunting a Horror - from the physical combat element to understanding of magic, even in an academic sense, to the investigative work needed.

There is one, single, agenda for the Watch. To investigate, hunt, and destroy the Horrors that threaten Olympia.

While the Watch doesn’t maintain a large supply of equipment, the equipment it does have is often top of the line gear with significant elements of LOSTech. Any equipment that a Ranger is able to find and bring back while on the Hunt is, more or less, bequeathed to them once the University of Apollo has reviewed, archived, and understood how the LOSTech works. It is not uncommon to see Rangers of higher ranks with advanced and futuristic armors, weapons, and personal shields in addition to investigative and scientific research equipment.   While the average Ranger can be found in serviceable and non-descript clothing, with their trademark spurs and cowboy hat, when the real danger comes to Olympia, the Armory is opened.   It is a sight to see, and one not often seen, for the Gatewatch to roll out in full ‘battle rattle’ of futuristic powered armor covered in energy fields, wielding laser rifles and other advanced LOSTech in defense of the city.

It is said that the Watch began the moment Olympia began to form, with Michael Bass gathering up one member from each of the founding Tribes to serve as protectors of the city. Hand training them in both detective work and martial skill, Bass was the de facto leader of the ‘defenders’ for most of his life. When the watch was formed in 64DF, he was named the Ranger-General of the Watch and charged with building and expanding it in order to protect an ever growing Olympia in the early and conflict ridden days. Of his original seven, plus himself, only he would survive long enough to see the Watch as it is known today take form.   During the early Olympian years when only the Octants existed, Bass kept the Watch to a lean nineteen members, plus himself - allowing for two Watchmen for each Octant with some ancillary support and backup. Before he retired, however, Bass realized that the Watch needed to be expanded and as his last act as Ranger-General, he changed the process of joining the Watch from being hand picked to a more application based nature. While many decried this at the time, seeing the Watchmen as a sort of ‘not so merry Knightly Band”, Bass understood that as the city continued to grow it would invite problems beyond the Horrors. Though he never lived to see it, the conflict periods and civil war periods he predicted came unerringly true - and the Watch was ready to respond. When faced with outward conflict, the Watch rallied and defended the city alongside Oracles, Ark Runners, and Oympians - further showing that when faced with an outside threat, Olympians band together. During the civil war periods, however, the Watch took no sides - opting instead to maintain their duty on the Walls and to step in for rescue and humanitarian needs only.   The modern Watch is vastly different from Michael Bass’ original idea of a small cadre of hand picked and infallible trustworthy individuals, but nor has it fallen from grace. While some members of the Watch can be rough around the edges, given their fatalistic oath to die in service of the city, there is absolutely zero corruption present. Even the barest hint of it is rooted out and resolved rapidly - the one incident in the late 200’s DF of a corrupt Ranger-Captain was not only made wholly public, but the Watch itself dragged the man through the streets to throw him, bodily, on the steps of the Themisian Court to stand trial. There have been very few willing to risk acting against their oath since then.