[Riparian Guard] Handbook

[BlueberryKitty]

So you decided to join the Riparian Guard.

While a member of the Riparian Guard, it is your duty to maintain the honour of the Riparian Guard. Never shall you act in ways that bring shame or dishonour to the Guard. Any soldier who is found to give the Riparian Guard a bad name will be dealt with accordingly. The upside is that, as a member of the Riparian Guard, others will treat you with honour and respect. As a member in the Riparian Guard you will have duties to which you must comply. Outstanding soldiers will be rewarded with promotions and high honour positions.
Prepare yourself to be a soldier, to cut through injustice with the blade of your honour.

Riparian Guard Uniform
Upon joining the Riparian Guard, you have received four uniforms. Three of these uniforms are your daily uniforms. You will wear daily uniforms most of the time, either for practice or guard duty.

The daily uniform consists of loose dark blue trousers with pockets, and a black leather belt with a silver buckle to put around the waist. It has a tight white tank shirt and a dark blue jacket. It also comes with a wool shirt to wear inside the jacket on cold brightenings and a hat to wear on sunny brightenings. The jackets have epaulets that have the Heraldic Crest of the Riparian Guard upon them. If the soldier is of any rank, other than Private, then the insignia of rank will be placed on the Right Shoulder epaulet.
The way that recruits wear the daily uniforms is of the Soldier's choice; replacements are available if these uniforms become damaged in any way, through normal military use. You will, however be punished if the uniforms were damaged because of recklessness negligence.

The fourth uniform you received is your parade dress uniform. Dress uniforms are worn to special occasions and specific reasons. The Dress uniform consists of shiny black boots, dark blue, pressed trousers, a white shirt underneath a dark blue coat. This coat has gold buttons down the front. Decorations are placed on the left side of the chest and bars or pins to mark rank and experience are to be placed on the shoulders. On the right breast is the Emblem of Riparia. White gloves are to be worn on special occasions, and all weapons, and metal ware is to be of the highest order. The headdress of the Riparian guard, a cap with a solid leather peak, is also worn. The insignia of the squad is located on the front of this cap.

There are no replacement parade dress uniforms and damaging of this uniform is a punishable offence.

Equipment
All equipment other than uniforms such as weapons, trail rations, backpacks, etc. may be withdrawn from the Riparian Guard Armoury, with the proper permission from a superior officer.

Rank
Joining the Riparian Guard without any sort of military background means you are now a Private. Privates are the lowest ranked military personnel in the following hierarchy:

Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Captain
Lieutenant
Sargeant
Corporal
Private

Though it is thought of as common courtesy to salute a superior officer, they need not return the salute. When you address a superior officer, Non-Commission Officers (Corporals and Sergeants) are to be addressed by their rank unless otherwise stated. Any Officer (Lieutenants and above) is to always be called Sir or Ma'am. NCOs are never addressed by the title Sir or Ma'am. You must always knock before entering a room of any sort, failure to do so as a lower-ranked officer result in disciplinary actions.

Upon leaving the military, honourably, by resigning, or dishonourably, all military properties including uniforms and equipment, are to be returned to the Riparian Guard Armoury. Resignation is to be formally applied for, otherwise you are thought of having left dishonourably as a deserter, which is punishable by penalty of the law. The Riparian Guard is not an Army. It is a private organisation of well-trained volunteers.
Holding a job or position outside of the Riparian Guard is only acceptable if a Commander or higher ranked official gives permission.


Organization
You will be placed in a squadron. Squadrons have tasks they must perform and missions they must complete. The squadron is the building block of the Riparia Guard. Each Squadron is recognisable by a certain colour and animal. These insignia will become part of your uniform, after you have completed Initial Training.

Free Brightenings / Leave of Absence
During normal peacetime activities, a Guard will be allowed to have two brightenings off every two cycles. When these brightenings are taken is up to the individual soldier, but permission must be obtained from the Commanding Officer of the Guard's squadron.

Leave of absence can be applied for with the Leave Officer at the Command Centre. However there must be good reason for this absence to occur. The decision is left to the Leave Officer and the Commanding Officer of the Guard's individual squadron

Pay
The Riparian Guard pays you for your service. (all amounts are per cycle)
Private: 32 Crowns (After training)
Corporal: 40 Crowns
Sergeant: 50 Crowns
Lieutenant: 65 Crowns
Captain: 85 Crowns
Lieutenant Commander: 150 Crowns
Commander: 200 Crowns


Meals
Soldiers in the Riparian Army are given 2 meals a brightening. All the meals are served in the Mess Hall. Food is free inside the Mess Hall, except for ale, beer and other beverages. Water is free. Guards help with Kitchen Duty once per cycle. Duty is assigned at morning Announcements.

Daily Schedule
The schedule of a soldier in the Riparian Guard: (Once Trained)
0530 hrs- wake up call
0600 hrs- assemble for duty; hear the orders of the brightening
0630 hrs- 5-mile formation run and callisthenics
0800 hrs- Rosyun
0830 hrs- Military skills practice (Weapons training etc)
1230 hrs- Assigned duty
2000 hrs- Weapons care
2100 hrs- dismiss, Pracenda
2500 hrs- Lights out No soldier is to walk about the premises without authorization.
Guard Duty will be assigned within the City on a rotating basis. Shifts are 7 1/2 hours long.

No entrances or exits are admitted past 2300 hrs.

Training
Training is free. It is mandatory for all active soldiers to have current training at all times. Privates and Corporals can ONLY train in the following areas, one of which will be the chosen weapon of the Individual:

Weapons Training
Longsword
Shortsword
Dagger
Spear
Halberd
Any Axes
War Hammer
Any Bow

If a Soldier so wishes he can gain further training in the following skills so that he may be classed as a specialist in that area for their squad.

Additional Skills Training
Tracking
Stealth
Survival ? Including Hunting Skills
Camouflage (non Arcanic)
Herbal Healing (To Advanced Level)
Cooking (to Intermediate Chef level)
Horse Riding
Military Engineering
Blacksmithing

Sergeants and other superior officers may receive training in the use of other weapons.

Punishments
If you, as a member of the Guards step out of line then you will be punished, depending on the severity of the crime. Punishments include:
- Light labour
- Average labour
- Heavy labour
- House arrest
- Suspension without pay
- Demotion
- dishonourable Discharge

The Code of the Guard
You are a volunteer in the Riparian Guard. This military group has a long and distinguished tradition. You will work hard and diligently to uphold this tradition, with honour in all that you do.

Every Guard is your brother at arms. There is to be no distinction between races, sexes, and religious beliefs. Disrespect to a fellow Guard is grounds for punishment up to and including discharge.

Every Guard deserves, and gives, respect to each other. This respect is also given to those of a higher rank. Each volunteer is to remain loyal to the Riparian Guard, willing to go to the end, in defence of another of their comrades in arms. A Guard will never leave a wounded comrade in arms on the field of battle.

Each Guard upholds the Laws of Riparia and the Realm. Each citizen is to be treated with respect. This includes those met on the field of battle, and any Prisoners of War taken.

Each Guard is to take pride in everything that they do. The uniforms, arms, and armour given to each Defender are to be taken care of, to ensure that an impeccable appearance and display is apparent at all times.

Oath
As a Riparian Guard, I swear to serve and protect the city of Riparia. I swear to serve my fellow guards, and if necessary, will give my life for the saving of others. I swear never to leave another guard in distress, and will be loyal to the Guard in all situations.

Acknowledgements given to Zakharias who wrote this. I changed a few small things, but this is his work. Well done and thanks!