Courier

The title 'Courier' is a deliberate misnomer, as couriers are in actuality highly skilled in intelligence gathering and espionage. Members of the Courier service act as diplomats all while keeping an eye on the loyalties or otherwise of the Kingdom’s nobles.
They often travel across the various fiefs of Araluen or to other countries as a means of gathering intelligence and keeping an eye on the security of both their fief and of the Kingdom itself.

Career

Qualifications

Apprentice Couriers undergo rigorous training that includes schooling in diplomacy, espionage, and even combat. Couriers are highly trained in the art of diplomacy, which includes politics, foreign languages, as well as the reading and writing of coded messages using the courier's code. They are masters of disguise, capable of creating disguises as well as acting to ensure their authenticity. Part of that training is in keeping a keep a calm, neutral expression while under extreme pressure.

Career Progression

The laurel branch is the symbol of a Courier's authority, equivalent of the Ranger's oak leaf.
Apprentices wear a bronze pin, graduates wear silver, and retirees wear gold.

Perception

Social Status

Couriers of the first rank are addressed by the title of Lady, and their rank is equal to that of Senior Knights.
Senior Couriers are addressed by the title of Mistress. When a Courier arrives at their destination, protocol dictates that they be properly announced to whom they are meeting. The protocol also requires that the person a courier meets with examines and acknowledges their credentials before proceeding. The destruction or damage of a Courier's credentials is a crime that warrants a jail term. The formal introduction is as follows: “Courier's Full Name, Title + Name of Recipient/Host, Courier from Dispatcher. My credentials.” (Example: “Alyss Mainwaring, Sir Montague, Courier from Redmont Castle. My credentials.”) Couriers are typically assigned an official guard of at least two mounted men-at-arms. Depending on rank and or assignment they may be assigned more. Other members of the Diplomatic Corps may accompany them on secret missions.

Operations

Tools

The typical uniform of a courier is a simple white gown with a blue cape fastened to their right shoulder by their laurel branch pin. Under this, they wear leggings or tights, usually of a dark color, and calf to knee-high flat-soled riding boots. They also may wear a white robe as opposed to a gown. [be] A courier's traveling/utilitarian uniform consists of a short tunic, dark-colored tights (commonly gray), and calf to knee-high flat-soled riding boots. They may also wear waist-length cloaks as well as caps (specifically feathered hunting caps). They wear wide leather belts to gather their tunics and to hold their daggers which are worn in decorated scabbards. The formalized style of the Courier's uniform leaves one shoulder bare, (for weddings, the formal uniforms are changed from their usual white to pale blue). Couriers carry long, fine-bladed daggers concealed on their person by a specially cut fold in their gowns. The most valuable tool of a courier's trade is their makeup and disguise kit. Couriers also carry their credentials with them at all times. Their credentials take the form of a heavy scroll.

Dangers & Hazards

Couriers are often sent undercover into hostile environments, where if they are captured, they are liable to be held captive or killed if discovered. Furthermore, they travel frequently, meaning they are often at risk of attack by bandits or other enemies. If a courier is captured by an enemy they cannot be ransomed as doing so may put other couriers at risk if the ransom of couriers is seen to be profitable. Therefore, if a courier is captured they are on their own. The only defense they have is that if a Courier is killed the king promises swift and uncompromising retribution.

When meeting with someone, couriers may carry their credentials up their sleeves to protect/conceal them.