Town Watch
The Imperial Army is numerous, highly trained and well-armed but, unfortunately for most Imperial citizens, they can not be everywhere. Most moderate sized towns (in the 5000-10000 population range) instead rely on their "town watch" to ensure civil order.
A town watch is a group of people, usually volunteers, given certain law-enforcing powers by the town itself (usually via means of a charter). Unlike the Army, a Town Watch has no authority outside of its home town and is not legally bound to defend the town against EXTERNAL threats, only to manage INTERNAL affairs.
As may be guessed the average "Town Watch" doesn't like having the Army around and the Army usually considers "Watches" to be a bunch of amateurs. Hence it is relatively uncommon to find a town watch and an army garrison in close proximity to each other.
Organisation
Almost all town watches have a basic chain of command and the ranks are given according to length of service in preference to any other measure of competance;
- Privates (those with less than 1 year's experience)
- Corporals (those with 1 - 3 years experience)
- Sergeants (4-9 years experience)
- Captains (10+ years experience)
- Commander
The "Commander of the Watch" is appointed by the Town Council (if one exists, or by a local dignitary if not) and usually would have reached the rank of "Captain".
Equipment
Members of Town Watches generally need to provide their own equipment and so often are under-geared in comparison to the army or even some townsfolk (particularly adventurers). However most are given quarters and a base by the town and in most cases are treated with respect by the townsfolk. Typical equipment is:
- Leather or Padded armour
- Helm (usually metal, open-face)
- Pike
- Broadsword
- Dagger and/or hand axe
- Cloak
- Manacles
