General Info
The military organisation known only as the Guards is a group of well-trained soldiers dedicated to protecting Alcaine and its inhabitants. Other cities across Tryne often have administrations dedicated to protecting the city, but only in Alcaine is the defence so well organised and effective.
There are five ranks among the Guards: Ensign, Soldier, Sentinel, Elite, and Commander. Ensigns are the fresh new recruits, and when on duty either go in groups or with a senior officer. Training is heavy at this level, and discipline is strict. If a kat cannot handle it, they often leave the force before they are kicked out - the Guards is an organisation for only the most dedicated kats.
After accumulating a year of experience, and with the approval of an Elite officer, an Ensign will be promoted to Soldier rank. Soldiers spend less time training and more time out on the streets than Ensigns, and a more experienced Sentinel or two often heads a group of Soldiers.
The bread-and-butter members of the Guards are the Sentinels. 80% of kats in the Guard force are Sentinels. Soldiers may be elevated to this rank after another year, or sometimes two, depending on the kat’s ability. For safety reasons, Sentinels always work in pairs, and sometimes in groups for more dangerous assignments.
Kats that have been with the Guards for a very long time, are very skilled at their work, and hold the respect of their peers may earn the rank of Elite. As their title suggests, the Elite are the best of the best, and many lesser-ranked Guards hold high hopes of achieving this rank someday. Kats usually cannot be promoted to this rank until they are about 115 years old.
There are only three Commanders in the entire force at a single time, and each is head of one of the three Guard Divisions. Commanders rise from the Elite of their own division, appointed by the city’s Elders. Commander election is a surprisingly smooth process, as the Elders know not to appoint anyone the Guards wouldn’t want to work under.
A pendant worn about the neck designates a Guard’s rank. Each kat wears a silver, shield-shaped insignia engraved with their rank rune around their neck on a sturdy metal chain. Two semi-precious stones also on the chain, one on each side of the badge, denote the kat’s division through colour.
In order to join the City Division or Hunter Division of the Guards, a kat must be at least 75 years old, know the "Perceive" ability, and have no criminal record. The kat must also be in good physical and mental health, and Mundanes may not apply. Minena are not allowed in the force. It’s an unspoken rule that the larger kat breeds are preferred, but all breeds are allowed to apply, as each offers its own advantages to the Guards (Plains are strong, Plateaus make good detectives, Caves can investigate smaller places, etc.)
Guards are paid well, with raises available to those who do their job better than the rest. Lesser raises are also given each time a Guard goes up in level, so as to encourage high-level kats to remain with the force instead of retiring.
Unlike most of the common folk of Alcaine, the Guards know a little about the Guild, though they do their best to keep this information from leaking to the public. The Guards know enough to stop any multicolour kat they catch entering the city, by any means necessary. The multicolour is taken to the nearest Guard station for interrogation by a group of Forests with the Eyes of Truth ability, and is usually killed if they turn out to be a Guilder. Although Guards do have prisons for those they arrest, there is no such thing as a life term - only the death sentence. There is also no such thing as parole - kats must serve the full extent of their jail time.
City Division
The first Division of Alcaine’s Guards are the basic City Guards. These fellows make up the backbone of the organisation, and without them Alcaine would have no police force. City Guards handle tasks from locating lost kits and breaking up street fights, to arresting whores and busting up drug rings. City Guards also do undercover work, and can occasionally be hired as escorts and bodyguards. Patrols of kats with the Perceive ability constantly walk the beat about Alcaine, searching for civilians using abilities without a proper permit.
The colour of the City Guards is red.
The Commander of the City Guards is Rustam, a 151-year-old male Desert kat. Renowned for his gentle but firm demeanour and quiet strength, he commands the loyalty of his Division well. The Tashi holds a grudging respect for him, as he has managed to break up a few of their schemes.
Palace Division
The second Division is Alcaine’s Palace Guards. Palace Guards are promoted from the Elite and more experienced Sentinels of the City Division. Detection abilities are important here, and Ensnare and/or Shackle are good to have as well, since these kats are the ones that protect the Elders. These Guards are often very good at stealth as well, since the biggest threats to the Elders never enter the Palace openly.
The colour of the Palace Guards is purple.
The Commander of the Palace Guards is Akesh, a 189-year-old male Plateau kat.
Hunter Division
The final Division of Alcaine’s police for are the Hunter Guards. Hunter Guards are paired up with well-trained fleepips, like our own K-9 cops. Hunter Guards and their partners are detectives, tracking down criminals and sniffing out drugs. Larger fleepip varieties are also trained to help subdue kats. No other creatures are partnered with Hunters. To be a Hunter Guard, a kat must get along well with animals. The Speak ability is commonplace, but not required. Shield, however, is a required ability, as kats must be able to protect their non-magical companion in case of emergency. Shell is nice to have as well. Each Hunter Guard is paired with a single fleepip, and the bonds between the two usually grow to be unbreakable (except by death).
The colour of the Hunter Guards is blue.
The Commander of the Hunter Guards is Haosha, a 146-year-old female Mountain kat.
Contributed by Caitlin Wilt (Phoenix)
