The Watchwards

The Watchwards are a specialised branch of The Asyrican Military. A glorified militia, they are based in Artoneva and tasked primarily with the protection of the Velijan population, as well as the rest of the island's populace, as well as the prevention of foreign invasion. Watchwards are personally handpicked by General Cassius Buccio, and their current numbers stands at around 600, with 270 stationed in Velija and the rest distributed throughout the villages, ports, and towns of Artoneva, mostly on the east coast. Watchwards are highly skilled and invariably cruel, but due to their relatively low payrate are susceptible to bribery, mostly from the hippie encampments and the smugglers of the Pipes. Their allies include The Black Clover, Vincenzo Fiorensi's gang; and the boardmembers of The Oculus Trust, as well as anyone else who will pay them enough. Watchwards are usually dressed in rich purple garb and carry an assortment of standardised guns and blades, in addition to their iconic cudgels. In joining the Watchwards, members are instructed to take a solemn oath and to pledge fealty to the Adium Asai, Galatea, as well as Buccio and his closest circle. Recruits are required to have ten years of military experience and a recorded killcount of one hundred, regardless of method, including their mother. The Adium Asai is the only mother a Watchward will ever have. Hence, if the Adium Asai dies, the Watchwards are required to bring back their mothers from death - a virtually impossible task - or be executed for murder. Relevant members include/included Watchward Bozan and Watchward Sinara, as well as Mirelle Volkov's husband, Watchward Ivan Volkov.

Culture

Though the Watchward pledge is innocent enough - members are intructed to adhere to morally virtuous ideals, and not to succumb to pride or corription - the social tenets of a Watchward more closely resemble 'beat up anyone found to be disobeying the law'. Even this tenet is followed loosely. The Watchwards are a macho bunch, each believing themselves to be the organisations most important member. A culture of hypermasculinity thrives regardless of gender.

Public Agenda

In the Watchward oath, members pledge themselves to serve the Adium Asai and her sons and daughters. As the Watchwards are stationed on Artoneva, this includes the free populace of the island. The Watchwards do not always look out for the population they are instructed to defend, due to their often psychopathic nature (requirements for membership being such that the job appeals most to cruel and unusual individuals) and tendency to be bribed. Posters can be found all around the city proclaiming that the watchwards are always watching. Surveillance cameras, are, after all, found all over the city, if you know where to look.