Steamguard

Protect when you must, attack when you can

Steamguard are the iron fist and shield of the empire. Sworn to the Emperor or bound by contract to the major corporations, they march across the realm propelled by gears and powered by steam.

Though they may lack the suave demeanor of high-society gentlemen or the fine-tuned expertise of clockwork tinkerers, Steamguard thrive where raw might and survival instinct reign supreme. Armed with steam-driven muskets and razor-sharp gearblades, a seasoned Steamguard can fend off squads of enemy soldiers with strategic finesse.

Yet, their armaments don't end at muskets and gearblades. Many among the Steamguard ranks have refined their combat styles to an art form. Be it throwing cogwheel-sharpened knives, dual-wielding arc-pistols, or mastering unarmed hydraulic-boosted combat, these warriors excel in a range of deadly disciplines. It is these elite fighters who find themselves employed in specialized roles and task forces, either spearheading corporate endeavors or undertaking clandestine missions for the empire itself.

As mercenaries-for-hire, Steamguard often sport a personalized array of gadgets and alchemical brews. These are tailored to complement their unique combat specialties, giving each Steamguard the ability to adapt, overcome, and conquer.

Career

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Age & Physical Fitness: Must be at least 18 years of age and pass a rigorous physical examination, including tests for endurance, strength, and agility.
Citizenship: Must be a legal subject of the Empire or secure a sponsorship from one of the major corporations.
Background Check: Comprehensive screening for criminal history, affiliations, and any instances of magic use.
Basic Education: Minimum literacy and numeracy, with preference given to those with education in history, technology, or alchemy.

Some recruits may come with previous knowledge and skills, which may put them in a more advanced path to leadership.

Advanced Requirements:

Mechanical Aptitude: A basic understanding of clockwork machinery and steam-powered devices is highly desirable.
Weapons Proficiency: Must demonstrate skill in at least one standard-issue weapon (e.g., steam-driven musket, gearblade).
Alchemy Awareness: Basic knowledge of alchemical substances, both for combat and first aid.

Upon meeting the basic qualifications, candidates must complete a grueling training program that includes physical conditioning, weapons training, steam tech manipulation, and survival tactics. Successful graduates are then inducted as official Steamguard and can be deployed or hired for specialized roles

Career Progression

Entry-Level Positions:

Steamguard Cadet: This is the starting point for all recruits, encompassing basic training and introduction to service life.

General Duty:

Steamguard Private: Following successful completion of the training program, Cadets are promoted to Private and assigned to standard patrols, escorts, and security duties.
Steamguard Corporal: Privates who prove their merit may be promoted to Corporal, taking on additional responsibilities such as training newer recruits and leading small squads.

Specialized Roles:

Mechanical Operative: For those with a knack for machinery, becoming a Mechanical Operative involves specialized training in maintenance and operation of complex steam-powered devices.
Alchemical Specialist: Those with a proclivity for alchemy may opt to specialize, focusing on creating potent brews for both offense and defense.
Arcane Liaison: Steamguards sensitive to magic may become Arcane Liaisons, who work with the empire's arcane researchers to integrate magic and technology.

Leadership Roles:

Steamguard Sergeant: Corporals who show exceptional leadership skills can rise to the rank of Sergeant, leading larger squads and coordinating more complicated operations.
Steamguard Lieutenant: Those with both tactical and strategic acumen may become Lieutenants, often working directly under corporation liaisons or imperial commanders.
Steamguard Captain: Captains oversee entire divisions, coordinating complex operations and acting as the face of the Steamguard to the empire and corporations.

Elite & Special Units:

Corporate Enforcer: Selected by corporations for high-stakes, often clandestine operations. This often comes with specialized gear and extra perks.
Imperial Vanguard: Serving as the elite guards for the Emperor and other high-ranking officials. Considered the pinnacle of a Steamguard's career.
Steamguard Instructors: Experienced Steamguards might be invited to become instructors, training the next generation.

Post-Service Opportunities:

Private Contractor: Many retired or discharged Steamguards go on to work as private security for corporations or wealthy individuals.
Mechanical Consultant: Those with mechanical expertise may find employment in the booming steam tech industry.
Political Advisor: Given their in-depth experience, some Steamguards transition into advisory roles within the empire's political landscape.

Payment & Reimbursement

A steamguard earns base salary as a cadet, which may increase with rank. Certain bonuses may apply during wars and special operations. Some may earn special allowances due to high risk missions and tasks or corporate bonuses in case of such emplyment. beside these there are many more options for a steamguard to get paid or compensate:

Gear & Equipment:

Standard Issue: Basic gear, such as steam-powered muskets and gearblades, is provided by the empire or contracting corporation.
Maintenance Fund: A set budget for repairs and maintenance of standard issue equipment.
Specialty Gear: For specialized roles, additional or customized gear is provided and maintained at the empire's or corporation's expense.

Health & Insurance:

Medical Coverage: Free medical care, including alchemical remedies and mechanical repair for any cybernetic or steam-powered prosthetics.
Life Insurance: Steamguards typically have a life insurance policy that pays out to designated beneficiaries in case of death in service.

Retirement & Pension:

Pension Plan: Long-serving Steamguards can look forward to a pension, calculated based on years of service and rank.
Retirement Fund: Some corporations offer a retirement fund, contributing a portion of the Steamguard's salary to a long-term savings account.

Miscellaneous:

Training Reimbursement: Steamguards wishing to enhance their skills in mechanics, alchemy, or other areas may be reimbursed for certified courses.
Relocation Allowance: If a mission or new assignment requires moving to a different city or territory, a one-time allowance is often granted.
Family Benefits: Some corporations and the empire provide additional allowances for Steamguards with dependents, like education funds or housing subsidies.

Other Benefits

Social Credibility:

Steamguard are held in high regard due to their specialization in warfare and survival skills. They are considered the elite forces of the empire and corporations and are very versatile in their position and skill. The mere employment by a corporation or the emperor carries a certain social standing that is above simple soldiers.

Fame & Recognition:

Medals & Commendations: Exceptional service often earns public commendations, sometimes even imperial acknowledgments, which can lead to minor celebrity status.
Public Celebrations: Successful missions might be celebrated in public festivals, further raising the profile of the involved Steamguards. Steamguards are known to lead military as well as corporate parrades as the elite force.

Cultural Benefits:

Stories & Legends: The tales of particularly heroic or skilled Steamguards often become part of popular lore, told in taverns and perhaps even documented in almanacs or history books.
Iconography: Exceptional Steamguards might find their likeness used in propaganda or advertising, becoming cultural icons to some extent.

Perception

Social Status

As elite warriors in the service of the empire, Steamguards command a significant degree of respect from both civilians and imperial workers. They serve as the vanguard of the empire's military might, with a select few even honored as personal guards to the Emperor. Their reputation extends beyond mere soldiers, as they are also feared as unyielding enforcers of the law and the embodiment of the Emperor's justice. When employed by corporations, they retain an aura of respect and intimidation, although their corporate allegiance sometimes diminishes their status as champions of the common people.

Operations

Tools

Steamguards wield a diverse arsenal, but their go-to weapons are the musket and the Gearblade. The long musket, while accurate and devastating at range, is cumbersome and slow to reload. This makes every shot a calculated decision, one often executed with deadly precision. For close-quarters combat, the Gearblade is the Steamguard's weapon of choice—a saber-like marvel of engineering. Its hilt features a series of small levers connected to gears and tubes along the blade's flat. With just a flick of the right lever, the Steamguard can release a variety of alchemical substances, transforming the blade into a conduit for flames, poison, electricity, and more.

by Dall-E

Alternative Names

Soldier

Type

Military

Demand

High demand with empiric forces and corporations