The Deep Guard

An elite Dwarven fighting force, dedicated to protecting the subterranean Dwarven cities and settlements from any incursions from the Underdark; be that creatures, abominations or more well organised foes.
Not for the faint-hearted, service within the Deep Guard is usually undertaken by those Dwarves who have already seen several decades of service in other parts of the Dwarven military. Those without the experience and skills to handle themselves in unpredictable and unorthodox combat situations do not last long in the Guard, and it can rightfully be described as a force comprised solely of veteran warriors.
For many, service in the Deep Guard is a calling to which they will dedicate the remainder of their lives. This is not to say that life-expectancy is severely curtailed by such a calling - many members of the Guard will serve for decades, or even centuries, although the danger inherant in the work which they have pledged themselves to should not be underestimated. The Underdark is home to horrors and dangers without number, and the Deep Guard truly are the first line of defence against such terrors. Retirement from the Guard is rare, with most members eventually giving their lives in battle against the forces of darkness from below.

Composition

Vehicles

The cramped subterranean quarters which the Deep Guard operate within do not generally lend themselves to the use of vehicles. Tunnels can be of unpredictable dimensions, and while many immense chasms, caverns and open spaces can be found beneath the surface of the world, the warriors of the Deep Guard must be able to do their work in even the most claustrophobic of terrain.
Notable exceptions to this however, are the small number of boats and ferries which have been constructed for the Deep Guard's use in crossing certain underground lakes and rivers, although such boats are usually found closer to the dwarven cities themselves.

Structure

The Deep Guard is led by a Lord Commander, who reports directly to the current High King of the Dwarves.
Each outpost of the Deep Guard (found within those Dwarven cities and settlements which are considered deep enough to be at risk of attack from below), and the detachment of the force containted within the outpost, are commanded by a Captain, who reports to the Lord Commander in Steinstad.
Patrols are coordinated and overseen by the Captain and his staff of Lieutenants, and carried out by non-commissioned-officers and their charges. Exact force strengths vary from outpost to outpost, generally dependant on the size of the settlement in which the outpost is based. For example, the largest formation of the Deep Guard is that based in the Dwarven capital of Steinstad, consisting of around 5000 warriors. Conversely, in the smaller and comparitively young settlement of Shalefast, the Deep Guard detachment consists of only around 200 warriors.

Tactics

Deep Guard patrols, generally consisting of small formations of less than 20 warriors, are carried out ceaselessly in the maze of tunnels and caverns that surround every subterranean settlement. At any given time, there will usually be several separate patrol groups operating outside of each Dwarven settlement, in order to cover as much ground as possible.
Through magical means; be it sending-stones or direct contact through spells, each patrol remains in communication with their outpost, allowing quick, coordinated responses to any threats to the Dwarven settlement in their charge.
Many of the approaches to the settlements have been extensively outfitted by the Guard with traps, defensive lines and all manner of early-warning devices and spells to warn of impending threats. The sheer amount of ground to cover, however, means that every single passageway could not possibly be outfitted in such manner, making the Deep Guard's patrols a necessity.
Through their encyclopedic knowledge of the terrain, combined with decades of experience and a long tradition of guerilla tactics; the vast majority of potential threats to a settlement will be seen off by the Deep Guard without any disruption to the lives and work of its residents. In the rare occasion that a more powerful foe threatens their charges, the Deep Guard's strategy is one of delay; placing themselves between the danger and the settlement in order to buy time for a larger response to be organised by the other branches of the Dwarven military.

Type

Special Forces

Overall training Level

Professional

Assumed Veterancy

Veteran