The Yeomanry

Yeoman Agent

Yeomen are charged with upholding the Empire's control over its core organizations. They work in many capacities but frequently investigate illegal or treasonous actions magical or mundane. As such they are skilled in investigating and evaluating magical and mundane threats, uncovering all kinds of secrets, and recalling obscure facts.
The station of Yeomen in society means they have deep connections and authority in the Empire and its satellite nations in the Union of Granmor. As such, this is usually a way for wannabe up-and-comers, people who want to overcome stigma, or people trying to redeem themselves for a past misdeed or disgrace. For this, Yeomen are ofter referred to as the DUBbed--- Disgraced, Upstarts, and Bastards.

Skill Proficiencies Insight and either History, Arcana, or Investigation

Languages Two of your choice.

Equipment Yeoman's signet and green cloak. Journal and book of contacts, quill and ink. Yeomanry stationery. One magical trinket from the trinket list. 30 GP and an Imperial license to carry magical goods on the Emperor's behalf.

Lifestyle Comfortable

Features

Imperial Connnections

As long as you posess your Yeoman's Signet Ring and Stationery, you can make a written request to ANY official using your authority as a Yeoman. It is up to the DM to determine how this request will play out, but you will never suffer any direct punishment for this act as long as it is within reason.

Traits

[roll: 1d8	Personality Trait
1	I am suspicious of anyone who isn't a Yeoman.
2	The threats and plots I have uncovered have shaken me to my core.
3	I have overcome an addiction (alcohol, gambling, drugs, sex) but it still gnaws at me.
4	I truly believe I can help the Empire become a better place from within the system
5	Jaded and cynical, I'm only still doing this work to spite the Nobles and Magoc.
6	My only goal is to reclaim my lost station or redeem a past disgrace.
7	A hardened gumshoe, nothing will stop me from uncovering the truth.
8	My fanaticism for the empire covers a deep insecurity over my flaws.

Ideal

1d6	Ideal
1	I believe in justice above all, and sometimes that means people get hurt or nobody ends up happy. (Lawful)
2	I want to shake things up and disrupt the status quo, and the Yeomanry is the best plave to do that with nobody else breathing down my neck. (Chaotic)
3	I'm a Yeoman because I want the truth to come out, whether that helps or hurts the Empire. (Indifferent)
4	The reason I'm in this job is to lead by example and show people the system can work for them. (Good)
5	I've only gotten this far by looking out for myself, and I'll take down anyone who stands in my way. (Evil)
6	I'm making the best of a bad situation, and if I can benefit others or the empire while I'm at it--- That's great, too. (Pragmatic)

Bond

1d6	Bond
1	My betrothed was married to a noble when I disgraced our families, but we still have feelings for one another.
2	I would die for my fellow Yeomen, we are the only ones who understand each others' struggle.
3	I made friends with a prominent official or noble and they will support me in any way they can, but expect the same.
4	My loyalty is to the Emperor first, and I'll obey every order to the last letter.
5	My skills with the blade and quick wit have earned me the begrudging respect of the underworld in my region.
6	I live and fight to make my family's name achieve the greatness and renown it deserves.

Flaw

1d6	Flaw
1	I have power that stems directly from the Emperor, so if I want to skim a bit off the top that's my prerogative.
2	I demand respect and attention from those around me, it's my right by station, title, and office.
3	I was traumatized by a plot or magical threat I fought or uncovered and I cannot sleep well anymore.
4	I had to make a tough decision and someone innocent got hurt because of me and the responsibility for this pain weighs on me every day.
5	My status makes me feel invincible, so I'm often either callous or mocking towards others in positions of authority.
6	I'm ashamed of what I have had to do, so I hide my status as a Yeoman whenever I can unless I absolutely need to.

Structure

The Yeomanry has a highly informal structure that has never really been codified. The Lord Yeoman is the service’s representative to the Emperor and has final say on disputes. He appoints Senior Yeomen to manage postings and recruitment and Yeoman Cashiers to manage finances, payment and fine intake. However the Yeomanry is largely without a system of rank and seniority or authority is usually implied by the level of one’s posting. For instance a Duke’s Yeoman is considered to have a higher rank than a Margrave’s Yeoman.

Public Agenda

The Yeomanry serves as the Empire’s internal police force and in war time doubles as a paramilitary.
In their police capacity they ensure that the various factions and the Nobles are living up to their responsibilities. They police the Magocracy, Theurgical Society, Millitary, guilds, Subject Regents, and Nobility. They also help these groups with their own police work and serve as bodyguards and help protect their estates and property. One of their biggest duties is the appropriation of Magical items and materials. This finds them spelunking in dungeons as often as it does knocking on doors and turning over coffers.
In the latter capacity, the Yeomanry are empowered to conduct special operations and hire mercenaries. This latter was more important when there were other human enemies to pay them, nowadays though a mercenary force is maintained in order to keep them out of the hands of local lords who may want to rebel.

History

The Yeomanry is a tradition that dates back more than a thousand years. Nobles would hire commoners as Yeomen to maintain and secure their estates. Eventually, Yeoman became a formal position held by a commoner. Later it became a military position as well, as a Yeoman’s experience with weapons made him valuable on the battlefield.
With battlefield glory came trust, and with trust came power. Slowly the King began to give Yeen honors and supplement their pay in exchange for them to keep an eye on the nobles and magic users for him. This program worked so well that eventually the Yeomen were formalized into a group. The first mention of the the Yeomanry as a group was 953 PE, when the Yeomen banded together to form the Yeomen’s Guild. This guild was formalized into a branch of government in 836 PE.
The Yeomanry acquired the powers it has today piecemeal. The first instance of a Yeoman being authorized to hire and direct mercenaries was during the Verdon-Idrion War in 709. The first instance of a Yeoman enforcing magic laws and restrictions was 661 PE. The first instance of a Noble being arrested on the initiative of a Yeoman was in 573.
The reforms of 309 were the next major milestone for the Yeomanry as the checks they had been maintaining on Verdonese society we’re formalized in law. The Yeomen dabbled in foreign espionage as well starting in 211 PE but since the conquest of the human empires there is not much more to do on Granmor, although the Yeromen are still responsible for maintaining informants on Theamor.
The power and reach of the Yeomanry has increased considerably over the past few centuries and there is not much sign of this trend stopping. The Yeomen are respected or at least feared by everyone in the Empire regardless of station.

We Uphold

Founding Date

953 PE, formally 836 PE

Type

Military, Intelligence

Alternative Names

The Dubbed (from DUB- disgraced, upstarts, and bastards)

Demonym

Yeoman