RETICULA Forces

The RETICULA Forces (standing for “*Rubrum et tenebris, in custodiens unitatis, laudare anguis.*”, meaning "Red and dark, in guarding unity, praise the snake" in Latin) are the government instituted police system of the Greyscale regime.

## History

### Origin

During the mandate of Audatius Oraculo (792-800), Elbrus O'Tsira was appointed Scallibra of Security, being directly responsible for the command of the country's police force. While previously the organization was mostly geared towards the protection of the civilians, under Elbrus' influence the officers started being shaped to become more of an oppressive force.

### Involvement in the Grey Revolution

Before the execution of the Grey Revolution plan, Python made an effort to gather allies, among which was Elbrus O'Tsira. Through his position, he rallied up the troops that were against the regime of the time and created a militia that would be proven to be essential for the success of the rebellion.

### Official Foundation

Following the establishment of the Greyscale regime, a new set of Scallibra was appointed, with Elbrus O'Tsira retaining his role as Scallibra of Security. As the leader of the police force, he, along with Python, renamed it to RETICULA and assumed the post of Sevenstar Marshall of Greyscale.

### Greyscale regime

From the day of the revolution up until the end of the Greyscale regime, the RETICULA Forces were responsible for both the persecution of artists and those labeled as threats to the government as well as the abduction, brainwashing and training of promising artistic children with the intent of them joining the force. Their actions along with those of the government sparked many to start rebellions, which were promptly shut down by the RETICULA, leading to events such as the Massacre of 809.

The RETICULA Forces worked under the command of Elbrus O'Tsira for eleven years, at which point he retired and appointed then 14 year old Fivestar General Ernando Elrei to be the new Sevenstar Marshall. Under him, the RETICULA faced another major rebellion in 818 with the First Sunseekers Revolution, however the force won the confrontation and the First Sunseekers were eliminated.

### Fall and dissolution

In 820, the Second Sunseeker Revolution brought down the entirety of the Greyscale regime and, with it, the RETICULA Forces. Sevenstar Marshall Ernando Elrei retired following the battle, while Sixstar Lieutenant Marshall Cindy Beckford died in its duration. Linn O'Tsira took on the role of Sevenstar Marshall and began a process of radical overhaul of the police system, with an emphasis on demilitarization and protection of the civilians, whether artistic or not.

## Ranks

The RETICULA Forces are divided into seven ranks, each being given a corresponding number of stars as their insignia.

### Sevenstar Marshall

The absolute leader of the RETICULA Forces, as well as the Scallibra of Security.

### Sixstar Lieutenant Marshall

The immediate second in command of the organization, responds directly to the Sevenstar Marshall and takes control of the entirety of the forces in case of their absence. While the leader usually stays in the headquarters, the Sixstar Lieutenant Marshall is given the freedom to roam the entirety of the country's territory in search for illegal behavior or potential sparks for rebellion, which they have explicit permission to eliminate.

### Fivestar Generals

Also known as "The Five Red Giants", they serve as the leaders of each of the five divisions of the organization, being in charge of the military might of the country in extreme contexts, while lower ranks deal with mundane day-to-day issues.

### Fourstar Lieutenant Generals

Second in command to the Fivestar Generals, the Lieutenant Generals are to take over as leaders of their respective divisions in the absence of the Fivestar Generals.

### Threestar Colonels

Responsible for the vigilance of each of the seven districts of the country in all cases except for all-out conflict, in which case the Threestar Colonels, along with all lower ranks, answer to the Fivestar Generals. In normal contexts, the Colonels are in charge of overseeing and maintaining the stability and legality of all activities happening in their respective district of jurisdiction.

### Twostar Captains

Similar to the Colonel in function, with the difference being in area jurisdiction, as the Twostar Captains are responsible for individual cities.

### Onestar Officer

The officers are tasked with roaming the city's streets in search for potential illegal behavior.

## Division system

The RETICULA Forces are divided into five divisions into which all members below a Sixstar rank are assigned. These divisions are only called upon in times of all-out conflict or impending threat to the government, in which case they are to be led each by one of the Fivestar Generals and their respective Fourstar Lieutenant Generals.

### Garter Division

Founded and led by Elbrus O'Tsira from 800 to 809, the Garter is the division that answers the most directly to the government, having their protection as their ultimate duty. In 809, the division was assigned to the command of Fivestar General Ernando Elrei, before his promotion to Sevenstar Marshall in 811, at which point Garth Guomundsson took the lead. Their symbol is the snake and their official base is in Daemonslace.

### Thistle Division

Founded and led by Sylvester Chardonnay from 800 to 817, the Thistle Division holds blood as their highest value. It is their belief that no blood of high standing families shall be spilled, with no regard to those who don't possess such status. They are in charge of the safekeeping of the prestigious families in case of a state of conflict. In keeping with their emphasis on blood, the leadership of the division was passed down to Sylvester's son Sangraal Chardonnay when he retired in 817. Their symbol is the thistle and their official base is in Exylvia.

### Bath Division

Founded and led by Callace Krokeskin from 800 to 820, the Bath Division values resistance over all, with all members being obliged to participate in an initiation ritual in which they are bathed in fire. Their duties lie in the protection of the cities in case of invasion or siege. Their symbol is the flame, which they mark on their bodies, and their official base is in Acerwood.

### Eversleigh Division

Founded and led by Edwina Darkstar from 800 to 820, the Eversleigh Division is the one that is sent out of the cities in case of a fullblown conflict. They constitute the majority of the RETICULA Forces and are known for riding on pitch black smoke horses known as the Darkstar horses, which is also their symbol. Their official base is in Tharoborne.

### Sepulchre Division

Founded and led by Godfrey Passepulcro from 800 to 820, the Sepulchre Division is responsible for the stealth missions as well as the executions. Their symbol is the skull and their official base is in Voralen.

## Special squads

### Los Cometas

The Villagio Casino, constituting by far the most significant institution in the Lavilla District, concentrates the region's police force into a special squad known as Los Cometas, whose function is strictly that of protecting and serving the Casino as well as the Del Cuadro family. This squad is made up of Threestar Colonel Stein Ardinelli, Twostar Captain Alasmond Halleybopp and Twostar Captain Takeji Hyakuzake.

## Notable members

* Elbrus O'Tsira, Founder, Sevenstar Marshall of Greyscale (800-811)
* Ernando Elrei, Fivestar General of the Garter Division (809-811), Sevenstar Marshall of Greyscale (811-820)
* Cindy Beckford, Fourstar Lieutenant General of the Sepulchre Division, Sixstar Lieutenant Marshall (811-820)
* Linn O'Tsira, Twostar Captain of Paredan (815-818), Twostar Captain of Dentropoli (818-818), Sevenstar Marshall of Sunscale (820-)
* Jeni Apollo, Onestar Officer in Paredan (817-818), Onestar Officer in Dentropoli (818-818), Fourstar Lieutenant General of the Garter Division (818-820)
* Garth Guomundsson, Fivestar General of the Garter Division (811-820)
* Godfrey Passepulcro, Fivestar General of the Sepulchre Division (800-820)
* Sylvester Chardonnay, Fivestar General of the Thistle Division (800-817)
* Sangraal Chardonnay, Fivestar General of the Thistle Division (817-820)
* Callace Krokeskin, Fivestar General of the Bath Division (800-820)
* Edwina Darkstar, Fivestar General of the Eversleigh Division (800-820)
* Stein Ardinelli, Threestar Colonel of the Los Cometas Special Squad (808-818)
* Alasmond Halleybopp, Twostar Captain of the Los Cometas Special Squad (808-818)
* Takeji Hyakuzake, Twostar Captain of the Los Cometas Special Squad (808-818)
* Firresh Morvantus, Twostar Captain of Paredan (818-818)
* Arctur Rowelboote, Onestar Officer in Paredan