River Watch
The River Watch is an organization within the Sypi Confederacy created to contain and repulse any incursions from the Giant Lands to the west. They welcome members from all races and walks of life to service. The only requisite is the ability to learn the skills of giant slaying, or at very least, learn to operate massive siege weapons. The Watch is known to be the only standing military force within the Confederacy.
Structure
The River Watch is technically an independent organization, but in practice, it does report its successes and achievements to the High Chief of the Sypi Confederacy. It is well known that the River Watch is able to continue operations due to the sufferance and support of the Confederate tribes and towns. When it comes to day and day administration and leadership, the River Watch is led by the High Commander, who takes cares of the affairs of the Watch and leads them in the cases when offensive action is required. Beneath him, there are the Commanders of the different fortifications of the River Watch, and beneath them the Watch follows a military hierarchy.
Public Agenda
The River Watch's main goal on the political stage is to continually secure funding from the tribes and towns of the Sypi Confederacy. Ever since the Battle of the Shards, the amount of gold and manpower provided to the Watch has diminished greatly. They were able to reverse this trend, somewhat, by siding with the Bienombes during the Sypi Civil War, but traditionally the Watch has remained neutral in political affairs.
Assets
The River Watch possesses eight fortresses along the Sypi River, each of which are armed with heavy siege weapons meant for slaying giants with minimal losses. The castles themselves are protected by at minimum seventy to one hundred volunteer soldiers each. The River Watch possesses the finest weapons available to the people of the Confederacy, with most of them provided by the Cotaw Tribe. This has recently changed, and the River Watch has begun purchasing dwarven crafted weapons from Valtkos Wingo, much to the disfavor of the local tribes, due to cheaper availability and somewhat higher quality. The Watch has a limited amount of yearly gold available, meant for paying out bounties to those who kill giants, both within the River Watch and adventurers.
History
The River Watch's origins come from a desperate need to defend the lands of the Confederacy. From its very origins, the Confederacy consisted of tribes escaping from the slavery and oppression of the giants to the west. It wasn't until the middle of the third century that the giants began pursuing those who tried to escape. These giants would cross the Sypi River, and lay waste to any villages or tribes that were unfortunate enough to cross their path. Some giants chose to simply raid the region to collect new slaves. Multiple tribes were simply extinguished in these attacks, and Confederate leaders knew they had to take a stand. The River Watch was created in 279 AF, and the finest warriors of the Confederacy assigned to join it.
The River Watch was sworn to remain out of political affairs, and remain focused upon their task at hand. They stayed out of the Second Shin-Confederate War, and kept slaying the giants that dared to cross the border. Originally their tactics were to hunt and kill giants as they crossed, possessing less than one hundred warriors. After the war ended in the east, they were granted several captured Shin siege weapons, and to best use them, it was determined that a series of fortifications would be built to protect the most common crossings of the river using those devices. The last of these castles was not built until the seventh century, and they have required regular upgrades and renovations in the ensuing centuries.
The River Watch remained impartial to tribal disputes throughout the Confederacy, and built a reputation for extreme focus upon their goals of restraining the giant threat. This dedication remained unbroken until the Burrow Incident of the Sypi Civil War. With civilians threatened by the Church of the One Sun and their agenda, the garrison at the castle chose to aid and protect them, and the resultant siege forced the hand of the River Watch. Giant attacks had been on the decline, and more than a few within the Watch were worried at what could occur should the Church and their allies gain control over the Confederacy, so they intervened with their veteran warriors. Their assistance in the war has helped revitalize funding, but most have become concerned with the increased giant incursions during the war, almost as though the giants knew of their shifted attention.
We Tend the Flood
Founding Date
279 AF
Type
Military, Paramilitary/Militia
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Leader
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
Comments