The Order of Hightower
"What is your duty? To serve the Emperor's will.
What is the Emperor's will? That you do your duty."
~ Excerpt of the oath of inauguration
What is the Order of Hightower?
The Order of Hightower is a paramilitary charter organization that is designated the official City Watch of Regalia. It follows a direct military hierarchy and is styled after the Regalian Navy and thus beholden to the professionalism and rigidness that the military expects.
After the appointment of the Lord Commander Edmond Du Pont in 306 AC, the Violet order as an organization at large did not see any major changes. Within the Crown-Isle the Order retained its status as the law, with all changes effecting the city branch specifically. Deteriorating control within the ranks of the Guard saw necessity to pass reforms radical enough to designate the City Guard as a subdivision of the Violet's at large: The 'Corps de la Haute Tour', also known colloquially as the Order Of Hightower has thus become the new face of law enforcement in the capital. Previously-used Violet iconography remain present on the Order's shields and banner, along with a utilization of the time-honored violet nightstick.
The officers of the order stand above petty squabble and prejudice, expected to act with an exemplary behavior that their rank demands. The rank and file soldiers of the Order are dutiful, responsible soldiery, picked from the fresh stock of talented citizenry that the Crown Metropolis boasts. The Order is heavily religious and observant of the Emperor's will above all and is strict to its tenants in faith. The Organization's structure reflects this by the inclusion of Church elements within its hierarchy. While the old rank of Crown Protector is gone to fit a military structure, preference oft is made in treatment and promotions towards the esteemed peerage of the Regalian Empire.
As an extensively militant Organization, the Order of Hightower holds frequent training outside the scope of law enforcement. The defence of the city in event of invasion is an event the Order finds itself bount to prepare for, thus are soldiers frequently drilled on the use of cannons and other military weapons. The Order protects the city from all threats within or without, and offers sanctuary, aid and healing to any innocents and the faithful. Members of the Order of Hightower are expected to uphold this doctrine to their utmost ability, as the Holy City demands pure excellence.
Organizational Structure
The Lord Commander
The Lord Commander is the overarching leader of the order. He decides what the Order focuses on, oversees individual chapters and negotiates with other parties among other things. Only the Lord Commander may remove or promote officers, and all authority within the Order is derived from him.
Current sitting Lord Commander: Edmond du Pont
The High Reverend
The High Reverend is only formally in the hierarchy of the Regalian Guard. Holding no authority over guardsmen or policy or even rarely interacting with the Order to begin with, their place in the hierarchy is where the Inquisitors of the Order derive their authority from to hold religious courts and trials. They are the representative of the Holy Sancella of Union and officially sits to advise the Lord Commander on making decisions based on Unionism and its teachings as well as being the authority to write writs of sins.
Inquisitors
Inquisitors are unique individuals who derive their authority from both the Lord Commander and the High Reverend, being able to hold religious trials under the eyes of the Spirit. Inquisitors are appointed by the Lord Commander and affirmed by the Holy Synod of Regalia while under the command of the Lord Commander they are normally expected to be able to work independently to pursue inquests or work as law enforcement.
They report directly to the Lord Commander, and while other guardsmen are under no legal requirement to follow their orders it is usually expected.
Lieutenant Commanders
The Lieutenant Commanders of the Order are charged with all matters concerning raids and training, ensuring that all within the Order act in strict accordance to the code whilst on duty. They reserve the right to personally punish guardsmen who break the code or act outside of regalian Law. They are part of the Commander's small council and the rank is the highest officer position one can attain within the Order.
Ensign
Ensigns are expected to make decisions in the city and give direct orders to those beneath them. Ensigns are expected to take up a recruit as mentorship, have full authority to hold impromptu house searches and takes command when no higher ranking individual is present. Ensigns also are allowed to accept someone's initiation rights and recruit for the Order.
Warrant Officer
From the rank of Warrant Officer one becomes an officer, which means they can give orders to ranks below, as well as take upon themselves a specific function such as Warden, Detective and Quartermaster.
Petty officer
Petty officers are a step up from cadets, nominally a first among equals with Cadets and may take command during emergency situations. While the rank does not innately offer advantages they are more likely to be listened to and trusted with sensitive tasks by their superiors. Nominally considered a full fledged member of the Order, any rank above Petty Officer requires a sacrament of duty to be performed.
Cadet
Cadets are the strength and muscle of the Order of Hightower. These individuals which make up almost the entire Guard are tasked with patrolling the street, searching for possible signs of vampirism or crime. If found, Cadets are charged with neutralizing, detaining and punishing individuals according to their own judgement.
Conscript
Conscripts are new members who have not yet been initiated or trained at all, and unaware of formations. Conscripts however can still be called to action if lack of manpower becomes apparent. Conscripts must have at least fighter rank in a combat school to ascend to Cadet
State-Granted Charter Rights:
- The right to arrest, detain and punish criminals who break Regalian State Law.
- The right to wear armor while on duty.
- The right to utilize and open carry non-military grade weapons.
- The right to conduct investigations into criminal matters.
- The right to maintain headquarters within the City.
- The right to declare district searches and curfews.
- The right to enforce canon law.
- The right to operate military grade weaponry on the authorization of the Lord Commander.
Note to Those Applying:
At all times does a member of the Order represents the organization as a whole both in and out of uniform. Whether it is on an IC or OOC level the Guard has a high standard of roleplay quality and as a soldier a degree of professionalism is expected. But on the street you're not required to adhere strictly to law. As a guard you need to be focused on providing fun roleplay and this philosophy goes hand in hand with autonomous and independent nature. More often than not you'll be working in pairs or alone. A wall of fifty guardsmen isn't fun to roleplay with and impossible to beat, and even if you win it gives little satisfaction. Play an interesting individual that needs not to be hand held or fed what they should do while working together as an organization is the duty that is expected of the Guard.
Joining
Those wishing to enlist in the Order may choose to pen Lord Commander du Pont their resume. Processing of said resumes may be sped up if guardsmen already enlisted offer commendations towards those wishing to join. Follow the format below:
IC Name:
MC Name:
Do you have Discord:
Resume Letter:
MC Name:
Do you have Discord:
Resume Letter:
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