Detectives

Cover art by MMWoolly at Pixabay

Nobody actually wants to be a detective. Swear that's the truth! It's said the job's best for the brokenhearted since it won't hurt when they see the city's colors are blood red and rot green. Hell, the old man they had before Patchworks used to make up a few crimes, get the points, and spend most his days down at the docks hoping his sailor husband would return home.

— Tet, elderly sailor (grounded)

Qualifications

There are three qualifications for a being to be able to apply for the position of detective in the port city of Bluji. A detective must:

1. Read and write in the common tongue of Bluji (any other tongues is a bonus).
2. Not associate with criminals or dishonored guards, nor have a background of being a criminal themselves.
3. Complete basic physical training with the town's guards, as signed off by the major or a being of equivalent military rank.

Requirements

• Be a citizen of Bluji
• Have the background for the open detective position (see Duties below)
• Be willing and ready to help anyone who asks

According to the mayor, this position is open to all species of any ancestry as long as they are older than the average apprentice age.

Appointment

In most cases, a detective is appointed to their rank by the major. However, in special circumstances, a being with an equivalent or higher political power can appoint a detective as well. The order of steps to become a detective is commonly thus:

1. Declare your intention to be a detective
2. Write a statement as to why you should be a detective, read it to the Major, and hand in your paper
3. (If questioned, demonstrate reading/writing abilities)
4. If there is a position open that the candidate can accept in accordance with the requirements, spend 1 week doing physical training with the town guards
5. If the candidate is seen to survive training, the major can sign off on their appointment

Any false backgrounds or unsure statements will result in the candidate failing immediately and not being allowed to issue any future statements.

Duties

The duties of a detective are varied. An appointed detective must:

• Help those that ask for it, or assist the being to the correct detective that can help them
• Catch those that act against fair and just situations and/or people (including but not limited to thieves, murderers, kidnappers, drug pushers, rebels, etc.)
• Average at least five points a week (requests, on-going cases, arrests, etc.)

Responsibilities

Detectives are in one of three appointments:

a women's detective (for those uncomfortable around men and/or crimes of a feminine nature) - candidate must always be a woman; shifters or non-gendered beings are welcome to apply.

a non-magical detective (for cases not using any form of magic) - candidate must not be able to work magic or have beings in their ancestry; non-magical humans of all genders are welcome to apply.

a magical detective (for cases involving beings and/or any form of magic) - candidate must either have a magical ability, be a being, or be a combination of the two.

A detective may only register a point if the crime falls under their responsibilities (for example, if the magical detective arrests a thief using sleight of hand, the point doesn't count. If the thief uses a spelled coin, the point sticks).
Daily:

• be out and about the city for at least six hours; for another six hours a detective should remain in their domicile so as to receive requests
• check in with your assigned Guardhouse and acknowledge any new cases or information

Weekly:

• complete a weekly record of all points (5 or more) and hand it to your assigned captain
• spend one shift as a guard
• talk with the guild masters under your assignment for news and information (if time-sensitive report the information immediately; if not, write it in your monthly report)

Monthly:

• have a monthly record of 20 or more points
• spend a total of four shifts as a guard (if there is no case currently being worked on that requires freedom of movement)
• hand in guild reports detailing any problems, solutions, or on-going cases

Benefits

Benefits include:

• domicile stipend of 45 birr per month if renting / added to pay if not renting
• time off when not working a case
• twelve free repairs by the guards' seamstresses
• monthly stipend of 120 birr per month if all responsibilities have been met
• two pairs of shoes
• a yearly total of twelve healing potions to be doled out monthly

Accoutrements & Equipment

Detectives of Bluji have no uniform and are free to wear what they wish. Likewise, their equipment is their own to be bought and cared for. The only piece of equipment they receive to perform their duty is a badge (made of metal so spells cannot affect it).

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

If a detective fails in their responsibilities then they will be put on probation. After a month on probation and with no improvement, there will be a public rebuke and statement that they are no longer a detective of Bluji*.
*Note: most detectives that are dismissed this way tend to be found in several pieces in latter weeks.

Type

Professional

Form of Address

Detective

Equates to

• Finder (from the neighboring country of Aplein - they are to "find the truth, find the criminal, and find their due punishment"
• Open-eye (from the neighboring country of Moscaria - they are beings who have "an eye open to see what others do not"
• Lighter (from the neighboring country of Scey Shela - they are to "bring light to the darkness that dwells within all men and beasts"

Source of Authority

The major, mayor, or a higher military/political power is your source of authority

Length of Term

Until severely injured, dead, or the detective chooses to resign.