Guide to the Bitra Guard

-- Steve Mohundro 9/24/95

Introduction

A Guard, therefore, cannot be a legion of men (and women) powerful enough to decimate other Holds. In the 10th Pass time of PernMUSH, the largely autonomous Weyr Council, Holders Conclave and Craft Council exist to handle internal problems and find solutions so a "standing army" at a Hold could not be justified.

Guards on PernMUSH

Crime, although exaggerated in some portions of the books to further the plot, is probably not really a widespread thing within Holds. Bitra is one exception because it attracts a number of gamblers and cheats, but most Holds will have little in the way of internal criminal activity.

When the current Pass approached, a number of Holdless began banding together as renegades. These renegades might infiltrate a Hold and steal items from the stores, or kidnap livestock among other violations of general order. Renegade activity is something the Guard of any Hold needs to watch, because any thefts can mean loss in resources for their own Hold. One must remember, however, that renegade activity is usually rare - being more pronounced during the turns leading up to the current Pass.

One other duty a Guardsman might serve as is escort to leaders visiting the Hold or the Holder as he/she travels. Members of the Guard therefore must be very trustworthy because they would be the ones the leaders would trust their lives. Leaders are at risk from many different sources, including jealous, power-hungry heirs and renegades set on sending a Hold into chaos to their own advantage.

Guard Weapons, Skills

Being a Guardsman requires some sort of writing ability. Guardsmen do not have to be harper apprentices, but must be able to convey important events in the Hold to their superiors.

On duty within the confines of the Hold, the Guardsman should probably not even need to carry a weapon. Within a Hold, the most likely weapon would be a small one like a dagger or slingshot, and a Guardsman should be trained well enough to be able to subdue someone with their own strength and agility, using the weapon only as a backup.

At the same time, if Guardsmen have a reason to patrol in the outer reaches of a Hold's territory, they would carry their weapons in case they become outnumbered. One must remember, though, that while Hold Guard might sometimes look like an army, it is merely a defensive force.

One other duty of the Hold Guard is only carried out during Threadfall. A Hold Guard also coordinates, and sometimes assists, the ground crews when Thread falls over the Hold. Likewise, in any other natural disaster such as flooding, storms, famine or plague, Guardsmen provide assistance with refugees, sandsacks, etc., whatever is needed to assist other staffers of the Hold.

Guard Ranks and Positions

The Captain will study these reports and at some point promote the Cadet to full Guardsman status. This is the rank most Guards will remain in the rest of their careers. Guardsmen patrol, train, run drills and generally are the most important part of the Guard.

Certain individuals of Guardsman rank may have special status within the Guard. These people are called upon by the Captain to supervise other guards or perform special duties. These duties might be to serve as a Quartermaster (a Guard who keeps track of the weapons, uniforms, runners and other equipment). Others with skills of subtly and keen observation may be called upon from time to time to serve as a special investigator if undercover work is needed to keep the Hold's peace.

The Captain outranks all other Guards and directs the other Guard leaders. He or she is usually promoted from one of the special leadership positions in the Guardsman rank by the Holder. The Captain answers only to the senior Steward, Headwoman and the Holder. The Captain is effectively a part of the senior Hold Staff, and must represent the Hold accordingly. He or she may be sent to other Holds, Crafthalls or Weyrs to deliver sensitive information, although the Hold Harper will most likely perform that duty through his Craft.

Guard Size, Juristiction

The "Law" a Guard enforces is generally a common law (i.e. no stealing, assault, etc.) plus any particular rules a Holder may want enforced. Also, the Guard of one Hold is largely autonomous from other Guards, although it may consider a liaison or periodic meetings between the two to coordinate activity and exchange information. For example, Bitra Hold currently does not have relations with the Guard of the closest Hold, Benden.

Guard Guarters, Pay

Guards are paid a paltry sum of a few marks each sevenday depending on their rank, but are provided clothing, food and shelter as part of the job. The exchange is the respect most Holders show for the Guard keeping Hold life as peaceful as possible during a Pass. Second to Dragonriders in some ways, the Guard of a Hold must defend Pernese to the death, and in exchange gain the admiration of these same Pernese.

Roleplaying a Guard Character on PernMUSH

A Guard Captain's player has little more influence on Hold policy than a Cadet, and all players of Guard characters can initiate plots themselves. The Captain acts as a coordinator to make sure plots within the ranks are agreed upon by all parties and approves plots involving criminal actions. The Holder has the final say in any tinyplot matters, but anything that will effect the cohesiveness of the guards should be brought to the attention of the Captain.

Remember also that the Captain is not there to run plots on their own, neither is he/she physically capable of keeping track of every plot in the Hold. If something happens in roleplay which affects guards in any way, +mail the Captain this as a pseudo-report so he/she can keep up to date as they would In Character.

The ultimate goal is not to become Captain (it's a thankless job), but to find something your character is good at and make it fit In Character. If being a leader is what you're good at, show this. If being a follower is, this is good, too.

Avoid angstful plots with maiming, multiple murders, etc. If it's a good impetus for roleplay, a dead body with a mystery surrounding it is great. Coordinate with close-by Weyrs as they are often willing to conduct Hold- Weyr plots. Renegade activity is a decent excuse for Guardsmen to use, but keep the story consistent (Nabolese border, etc.) to maintain continuity.

Any Guard character can recruit others to join the Guard, but the Captain or Holder are the only ones who can add the person to the knot. Either can approve entry into the Guards. When recruiting, be careful if the player is completely new. They should know what they're getting into. Emphasize that a Guard is not a warrior in the classic sense - we don't want any sword and sorcery types.

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