Sovereign Watch | Eldranis

Sovereign Watch

Captain Garren Stonehelm commands the Watch and oversees the Council of Shields. District captains report to the Council; sergeants lead patrols and manage smaller outposts.

Commander of the Watch — Captain Garren Stonehelm holds overall command and oversees the Council of Shields.
Council of Shields — Senior officers who allocate resources, direct operations, and address major cases and threats.
Captain — Oversees a district or several outposts and reports to the Council.
Sergeant — Leads patrols, oversees investigations, manages smaller outposts, and trains recruits.
Watchman / Watchwoman — A full member assigned to district patrols, investigations, and disturbances.
Watch Recruit — Trains while assisting experienced guards and patrolling lower-risk areas.

Patrols — Guard assigned districts and respond to crimes and disturbances.
Investigations — Pursue burglaries and other criminal operations.
Magical crimes — Work with the Imperial Academy of the Arcane on cases involving magic.
City defense — Reinforce the city during riots or external threats.

Increase patrols in Shadowgrove to curb the Shadow Hand’s influence.
Secure funding for new equipment and more recruits.
Investigate high-profile burglaries in Silver Terrace.
Establish permanent outposts in poorer districts.
Investigate corruption within the Watch, particularly among lower-ranking officers.
Strengthen cooperation with the Imperial Academy of the Arcane for magical law enforcement.

The Watch recruits veterans and ordinary citizens. Some join to serve the city; others seek stable employment. Officers are expected to follow a code of discipline, but bribery and criminal connections remain a problem, especially in the lower ranks.

Complete physical training, combat exercises, and instruction in law, tactics, and investigation.
Swear the Oath of the Shield after completing training.

Employment — Stable work with housing, food, and medical care.
Equipment — Access to the Watch’s weapons and armor, with enchanted gear when available.
Training — Instruction in combat, investigation, and law enforcement.

Patrol assigned districts, enforce the law, and protect residents.
Report corruption within the ranks.
Guards who break the law face dismissal or imprisonment.

Oath of the Shield — Recruits swear to protect citizens, uphold the law, and remain loyal. The ceremony takes place in the Hall of Command, where they receive their first official armor and weapons.
Vigil of Steel — An annual march through Altoria on the anniversary of the Watch’s founding.
Iron Wall — A memorial at the Iron Bastion bearing the names of guards killed on duty. Members pay their respects during the Vigil of Steel.

Garren Stonehelm — The Watch’s commander, a military veteran known for fairness and discipline.
Lina “Steelheart” Draven — A sergeant who patrols the wealthiest districts and also makes a point of protecting residents of Shadowgrove.
Thaddeus Blackthorn — A corporal and investigator who has exposed several high-profile criminal operations. His ambition and willingness to bend rules have made him controversial.

Imperial Academy of the Arcane — collaborates on crimes involving magic and arcane threats.
Silver Shields — mercenaries hired to reinforce the Watch during riots and other crises.
Shadow Hand — the Watch pursues its criminal operations and struggles to curb its influence, especially in Shadowgrove.
Nightblades — carries out espionage, assassinations, and theft, including infiltrations of secure sites.

The Iron Bastion is a fortified barracks and command center in the Ironclad Ward. Its stone walls and high towers house armories, training grounds, and holding cells. The Council of Shields meets in the Hall of Command.

Smaller outposts support patrols across the districts. Those in poorer areas are often underfunded and understaffed.

History

Altoria’s ruling council founded the Sovereign Watch soon after the Iron Bastion was built, to protect the city from internal and external threats. Over the centuries, its work has been shaped by uneven funding and persistent corruption, particularly in poorer districts such as Shadowgrove.