Chevalier

Chevaliers are Aodh’s police and military force, operating throughout Aodh. Chevalier barracks are dotted around major Aodhian settlements, and on the borders of Eithne - although border patrols are currently defunct under the kirin threat.

## Overview

Chevaliers are soldiers who undergo years of training to become efficient fighters and lawkeepers. They are both police and military, and can find themselves in varied duties across their careers. From patrolling the open wilds of Eithne, to urban peacekeeping and border guarding, there’s always plenty of work out there for Chevaliers.

Although Chevaliers work and appear as a fairly unified force, their organization is not free of classism, and having the right kinds of family connections is key to quick advancement through the ranks - as well as the way to be assigned far more pleasant duties.

Chevaliers, when on police duty, will almost always work in pairs, with larger groups dispatched as needed. During active military duty, they form large, united and well trained companies, led by Captains. Compared to most other militaries on Hireath, Chevaliers are very well organized, armed and trained. They submit to an absolute commanding structure, and strict discipline. Rule breaking is punished with cut leave, cut rations, cut pay, isolation or even corporal punishment, if the offense is grave.

Chevaliers spend a lot of their time living at their barracks, and most of them are rarely at home, if they have one. Typically, every 30 days on duty gives 10 days off duty, during which the Chevalier can visit where-ever they want, although off-duty days may be cut during times of crisis. The workday of a Chevalier is generally 10 hours, and they work in three shifts - morning (4AM to 2PM), day (11AM to 9PM) and night (7PM to 5AM). When not on shift but on duty, Chevaliers generally spend their time at the barracks, either resting, eating or training.

### **Living Quarters**

Chevaliers are expected to live within the Chevalier barracks at their assigned station, with the largest barracks being the Valiant District area in New Valore. Even when off-duty, Chevaliers are encouraged to stay close enough to their barracks to be able to respond quickly to a muster bell.

Chevalier barracks vary in size and quality. The barracks in New Valore are generally large and spacious, with large dorm style rooms provided for housing - one “dorm room” generally sleeps eight. Smaller barracks may have more cramped quarters. Chevalier barracks always include an armory, blacksmith, training grounds and a mess hall as communal spaces.

All Chevalier barracks provide catering to the Chevaliers stationed there. Chefs are usually hired help. Other upkeep duties in the New Valore barracks fall to the Labor Slaves, who clean armor, tidy the barracks, repair equipment and otherwise provide all services needed. In rural barracks, Chevaliers will either have hired servants, or need to perform these duties themselves - in these cases, most of the cleaning falls on the unruly troops, or the Squires.

Personal slaves are not permitted in any Chevalier barracks, nor can family members live with the Chevalier at their station. Large familiars are generally not welcome either. If they so wish, Chevaliers can keep a separate house for family, where they may also keep slaves.

### **Armor**

Each Chevalier receives standard armor for duty. The exact armor type varies by specialization, with minor alterations also done by breed. While generally permitted to opt for customized armor, rather than the standard, any non-standard armor comes from the soldiers own pockets. All Chevaliers are expected to present with clean, well-maintained armor at all times.

Chevalier Officers generally wear burgundy fabrics, Captains wear red, and the Commander wears red with gold trimmings.

**Light Armor** is generally used for patrol duty in the city, as well as by light flier troops. It consists of a facial guard, neckplate, shoulder guard, front leg guards and backplate, with a belt for weapons. Shield is generally not used. The armor is made of metal and leather.

**Shock Troop Armor** is an upgraded version of the light armor, reserved for elite combatants. Rarely seen in non-military context, although sometimes used during riots.  It includes a facial guard, neckplate, shoulder guard, chest piece, armor for all legs and a backplate, with a belt for weapons. Shields may be used. The armor is mostly metal, with chainmail and leather detailing for mobility.

**Patrol Armor** is a heavier set of armor. It is often seen on Chevaliers patrolling the countryside (as name suggests) as well as on medium-heavy troops in combat. The armor combines plate for chest, shoulders, head/face, neck and back; chainmail for rump/sides as well as throat; and leather for legs and detailing. Shield may be used. Linen is worn as an undergarment to prevent chafing and provide additional protection.

**Heavy Armor** is a full set of plate armor, covering head, neck, throat, chest, shoulders, legs, back and rump. Chainmail blanket is used to protect sides and the belly. An undercoat of cotton provides additional protection from attacks, and prevents chafing. Comes with a shield. Reserved for serious combat and riots.

## Joining & Training

Equines from 13 and up are welcome to join the Chevaliers. For youths under 18, parental consent is needed to sign up. Chevaliers generally accept all comers, but those who prove to be unsuitable for the profession are let go from service.

For Squires joining as children, training usually lasts at least until the individual is 18, but no less than three years. Young Squires spend a lot of time practicing basic combat maneuvers, weapon and armor maintenance, and survival skills. Young Squires also have more school style classes, mostly on the topic of law, but also on general education.

Adult recruits can expect to graduate into Chevaliers in 3 to 12 months, depending on their base level of skill - if they have none, training can take up to three years. Their training tends to focus on patching up any holes in their knowledge: if someone is already an expert combatant, but has no idea about laws, they’d be focused on studying that.

Chevaliers are trained at two main locations: New Valore’s Valiant District, and Opulence’s Chevalier compound. New Valore focuses on basic training, police work, peacekeeping and other urban duties, while Opulence trains for active military duty, reconnaissance, survival, tracking and border patrol. Most Chevaliers will spend some time at both, either during their initial training, or later on during their career.

### **Duties and Specializations**

All Chevaliers, regardless of their task at hand, are responsible for keeping the peace and protecting Aodhian citizens from harm. This means a Chevalier should always seek to intervene with any violence or disturbance they come across, seeking a peaceful resolution where possible - and taking decisive action when it isn’t. Chevaliers in basic duty are often assigned to different duties every now and then, meaning that they may spend a few months as a labor slave guard, and then be moved to a different posting.

Basic duties that may be assigned to any Chevalier, regardless of training, include:

* Patrol Officer: Focuses on patrolling the cities and keeping peace. Enforce laws and arrest troublemakers.
* Train Guard: Assigned to patrol trains or stations. Very desirable post.
* Labor Slave Guard: Responsible for managing and disciplining teams of labor slaves. Not a particularly desired post.
* Dark District Guard: Chevaliers assigned to guard the walls of the Dark District. Considered something of a crapshoot.
* Border Patrol: Guard Eithne’s borders. Currently defunct due to kirin situation.

Specialized tasks tend to pay better and offer a higher level of prestige. It should be noted that even a specialized Chevalier may be assigned (although often temporarily) to more basic duties as needed.

Chevaliers from good families - whether that be wealth or a family with a history in the military providing connections - tend to have a much easier time getting selected for additional training, and as such, potentially more lucrative duties.

Chevaliers from across all specializations may be called to serve in active military duty during conflict.

#### **List of potential specializations**

##### **Urban**

* **Emergency Specialist:** Chevaliers who have received further training in basic emergency care, advanced conflict resolution and negotiation. Act as Patrolling Officers for the most part, but significantly better paid.
* **Detective:** Highly trained Chevaliers who work as crime scene investigators and solve more complicated crimes. Detectives are further broken into branches by specialization (like economic crimes, violent crimes, organized crime etc).
* **Palace Guard:** Assigned to guarding the Palace. Considered a high honor.
	+ **Prison Guard:** Assigned to guard the Palace prisons. A bit less prestigious than being a Palace Guard, but still a good gig. Generally more hard-hearted individuals are selected.
* **Personal Guard:** Chevaliers assigned by the King to guard a specific high ranking official, usually an Adviser or other high ranking noble.

##### **Rural**

* **Reconnaissance:** Highly trained scouts and special operatives. Usually work in pairs in the wilderness, reporting any changes or disturbances. Act as scouts and intelligence officers during wartime
	+ **Runners:** Subset of reconnaissance. Generally receive less training in combat and scouting, with higher focus on survivalism. Run messages - both during conflict and peacetime. Only extremely trusted individuals are selected.

* **Trackers:** Chevaliers trained in both search-and-rescue, and tracking escaped slaves and criminals through Aodh’s countryside. Skilled survivalists. Support reconnaissance during conflict.

##### **Specialist**

* **Army Medic**: Chevaliers who have been trained in battlefield medicine. Range from basic medic training to actual doctors - who are very highly paid.
* **Engineer:** Military engineers take care of siege engines, both for defense and offense. Aid in the construction and maintenance.

### **Noble Chevaliers**

Some noble families choose to send some of their children to train as Chevaliers. While basic combat training for noble children is not uncommon, becoming an actual Chevalier is somewhat unusual. It is considered a convenient way to “harden” one’s offspring and teach them valuable life skills for military oriented noble families. It does not, however, tend to forward any great ambitions or political careers.

These nobles will lose their titles for the duration of their service, and are subject to the same treatment and duties as other Chevaliers. Nobles who attempt to “pull rank” over other Chevaliers are punished severely, often with heavy fines or even corporal punishments.

Nobles are, however, more or less guaranteed to become at least Officers, if not Captains, should they stick with the Chevaliers - at least if they show any aptitude at all.

## Ranks

**Squire** is the rank all Chevaliers start as. The youngest squires are 13, but technically any new joinee will spend at least some time as a Squire before being promoted into a full Chevalier. Squires typically don’t see much in the way of action, and are generally confined into the Valiant District for training and studies until experienced enough to be in the field.

**Private** is the in-military term for the standard everyday Chevalier. Make up the bulk of the Chevaliers, and serve in a variety of duties. There are subtle differences in rank and prestige depending on the duties of these Chevaliers.

**Officers** are the midrank between regular soldiers, and the higher ups with actual power of command. Officers are always specialized, meaning that rather than being regular soldiers, they serve in duties like instructors, combat medic, combat priest, secretary etc. They have authority over regular Chevaliers when performing their duties, but are not field command. This allows them to perform their duties efficiently.

Officers are free to create.

**Captains** are experienced Chevaliers who have shown their ability to lead and be reliable. Most captains serve as commanding officers of varying company sizes. The size of the company granted under a Captain’s command depends on their level of experience and skill, with new Captains essentially practicing command with only a small number of troops. Captains are responsible for handing out duties, receiving reports, dishing out punishments for misbehavior, and keeping up discipline in the barracks. Like regular Chevaliers, Captains can also be specialized (so one could be, for example a Detective Captain).

Some Captains may also be assigned into other duties, such as bodyguarding high ranking Aodhian officials.

Chevalier Captains are free to create, but have to have good, well-rounded applications, similar to a limited rank.

**Commander** is the leader of the Chevaliers, and an absolute authority figure. They answer directly to the King. Their duties include planning operations, receiving reports from the Captains, appointing Captains and generally supervising the military and maintaining order.

There is only one Commander, although the headmaster of the Opulence Military Academy also holds this title as an honorific (with the field rank of Captain).

Commander is not available for creation.

### **Advancement**

Advancing from Squire to full Chevalier is simple enough - one must simply complete basic training. After that, things quickly become complicated, and family ties, as well as one’s ability to be noticed by their superiors are of utmost importance.

Officers are rarely promoted from among rank and file soldiers. They are usually people who enter the Chevaliers already having another skillset, although some train while in the army. Instructor Officers are usually decorated veterans who have left active duty. Becoming an Officer is typically the goal of any Chevaliers hailing from “good families”, which usually means they have the monetary means to pursue whatever additional education they’d like.

Captains are selected by the Commander personally, promoted from among Chevaliers with good reputation. Captains for various specialties are promoted from within that specialty only. One’s chances of making a “regular” Captain increase drastically by attending Opulence’s Military Academy - something reserved only for those who show real talent as leaders.

Becoming a Commander is a combination of dedication, power of character, and being in the right place at the right time. When a Commander dies or retires, they will generally have a shortlist of Captains that they consider to be a suitable replacement, from which the King will select their favorite.

Adding its own complexity to the matter is that historically, becoming a Chevalier has been one of the very few ways a commoner from a non-notable family might hope to advance in Aodh’s society. Officers, Captains and Commanders have historically been ennobled in return for exemplary service, and marrying up isn’t impossible either for a dashing knight. This is still extremely *rare* - but just common enough, especially in Aodhian stories and legends, that the dream stays alive.

### **Organization**

Aodh’s Chevalier force is about 250,000 strong - likely the largest standing army in Hireath. When needed, Aodh will supplement its forces with civilian and ex-Chevalier volunteers, who will usually be assigned to less dangerous duties, such as caravan guarding or peacekeeping in small communities.

During peacetime, Chevaliers are spread across Eithne, with about 150,000 of the Chevaliers stationed in New Valore, 50,000 in Opulence, and the remaining 50,000 assigned to other settlements, border patrols and wilderness patrols. Major locations, like New Valore, will have a large number of Captains, each with their own team of Chevaliers - ranging from small troops of 30 for specialized tasks, to cohorts of 500 for basic duties. Meanwhile, any medium size settlement, like Bloom, is likely to have only one Captain and their Chevaliers, the number of which depends on the settlement size. Small towns may only have a few patrolling Chevaliers who answer to a Captain in a larger nearby town, while the very smallest hamlets will not have Chevaliers at all, except some rural patrols checking in on occasion.

During wartime, organization itself remains reasonably similar, although individual Captains may find their cohorts made larger or smaller. Chevaliers are reassigned away from settlements and to the front, with any towns and cities running on minimum capacity for their police force.

## Rank Rewards

* **At 25 AP** | They say that the Aodhian Chevalier is the most fearsome soldier in Hireath. You may gain your **Tier 1 Talent** early (for your first talent only).
* **At 50 AP |** Every Chevalier is outfitted with sturdy armor. Receive a **Breastplate** and **Neck Guard** for free.
* **At 75 AP |** Do you rely on your hooves to bring the business or keep you out of an enemy’s reach? Receive **+15** SP to either Strength or Speed.
* **At 100 AP |** A dedicated familiar can be a boon on the battlefield, and provide companionship on those boring patrols. If your familiar slot is free, receive an **Aodhian** **Level 2 Familiar (except rare).**