Duchess' Watch

The Duchess' Watch is an organization formed and funded by the Crown of Quel'Anaris, under which, it serves as a town watch across the cities of Quel'Anaris, such as East Lowes, Ravensden and Thornpeak. Traditionally, the Duchess' Watch is led by a Lord-Commander, with several Lord-Captains serving under him, spread across the various cities of Quel'Anaris. It is composed purely of spearmen and archers, both of which have swords as side-arms.

Those of the Duchess' Watch serve for five years per term, outside of Lord-Captains and Lord-Commanders, who serve for life. Those who choose to serve swear off all ties to their family name, their titles, their rank of peerage, and inheritance. Such is the way of the Duchess' Watch.

History
Formed nearly fifty years after the formation of the Old Protectorate (Then Protektorat), the Duchess' Watch was then known as the Duke's Watch, under Lord Arzalen Embershield. He needed men and women loyal to him to protect the towns and citizens of the Duchy of Quel'Anaris, who would go beyond the petty squabbling of the other noble Lords, such as Phoenixspire, Wintersteel and Silverwood.

Thus, he formulated the Duke's Watch, whom upon the first Lord-Commander and Lord-Captains agreed that all who join must swear off their ties to their familial names and inheritance, and titles, aside from those rightfully earned, such as Lord-Commander Vanist Dawnfire, the Knight of Flame, who had earned his title for his abilities in combat.

As such, the Duchess' Watch was formed under the watchful gaze of Arzalen Embershield, and the first Lord-Commander, whose name has been lost to the annals of time. Each subsequent Lord-Commander has been chosen through a democratic process, with the Lord-Captains putting themselves up for nomination, and Lieutenants and lower officers voting on their preferred candidate for the next Lord-Commander.

Oath of Service
"Embers of the Protectorate gather, and my watch begins. It ends only when I am relieved. Until such time, I wear no crown, hold no title, nor take inheritance. I am the sword of the Duchess, I am her shield. I will be her spear, and her bow, for these days, and the days to come."

Equipment & Troop Types
Whilst not a strict military organization, the Duchess' Watch does contain atleast two different paths for a member of the Watch to take; Spearman or Archer. As such, it is a limited path, but each one brings honor and glory to the person, and family of that person who has chosen to serve within the Duchess' Watch.

Equipment across all vectors of the Watch is standardized, and one piece central to both paths is the Graycloak, and a shortsword. The Graycloak symbolizes the formation of the Watch as one organization, and not of separate Houses.

Spearguard of the Watch
The front of the Duchess' Watch, a spearguard, or spearman. performs daily patrol duty, and standard guard duty over military, judicial, legislative and executive buildings within any of the cities of Quel'Anaris. They are also charged with protection of the gates for said cities, if there are any. They are to perform checks on all visitors and travelers entering, so as to properly screen for any spies, assassins or traitors attempting sabotage. Equipment
 * Plate hauberk
 * Chainmail armor
 * Chainmail skirt
 * Gambeson padded armor
 * Facehelm
 * Spear or halberd
 * Shortsword
 * Dirk
 * GraycloakWatchArcher.jpg

Archers of the Watch
Those who prefer a bit more safety will find themselves heeding the call of those who fight on the walls, the Archers of the Watch. They pride themselves on accuracy and deadliness, as well as a gift for utilizing their keen senses to root out treason and treachery within the streets of cities. As such, they are more lightly armed than their companions, the Spearguard.

Most of the membership for the Archers is made up of females, however, there is a good bit of males within the Archers as well. It is unknown what compels the women in this path to join it, but whatever the case, they have proven to be a deadly force that can compare somewhat to the Fastinors or Ranger Corps of the Protectorates Military.

Equipment
 * Leather hauberk
 * Half-chainmail armor
 * Archers Hat
 * Gambeson padded armor
 * Leather gauntlets
 * Chainmail skirt
 * Longbow
 * Quiver of 36 arrows
 * Shortsword

Trivia

 * The Duchess' Watch has been referenced many times in various RP sessions with members of the Embershield Protectorate guild, especially in events. The only notable member is Judith Ramsay, a Corporal of the Watch who was slain by Malash whilst guardian the vaults containing her weapons.