worldbuilding
Today in worldbuilding, we're going to talk about the uniforms of the Watch Constabulary, the Empire's policing service¹. Now, to be clear, this doesn't include the Office of Investigation and Pursuit (who aren't part of the Constabulary, strictly speaking), who wear regular
Seranth (Imperial Core)
This was originally a #WritingWonders prompt over on Mastodon, the original prompt being: “MC POV: Name one thing that is guaranteed to make you angry? Why?”. I liked the result enough that I thought I’d share it over here, as well. “Make me angry? The cases that fall into,
Imperial Service
I, [insert name], pledge surety in the light of the Flame that I will faithfully and well, to the utmost extent of my skill and power, preserve the Imperial peace and prevent all offences against life, liberty, and property; and that I shall do so without fear of or favor
Watch Constabulary
I’ve added the Watch Constabulary’s (and OIP’s) special rank titles for the E- and lower O-grades to the Table of Ranks, for those interested in such things. See them here: Table of Ranks.xlsx
Watch Constabulary
The Watch Constabulary, on the whole, does not think of itself as a police force. But that’s not a problem, because no-one else thinks of them as one either. While their watchmen, constables, and inspectors are trained for situations in which the application of force may be necessary, these
crime
Yes, putting guardian dogs on police department logos is a cliché. But what’s important in this case is the kind of dog. Look at it. Big, broad-chested mastiff. Pure black fur. Black eyes. Disappears into shadows despite being near big enough to ride. That’s a Selenarian nighthound, the
Orbit Guard
If They Want To Leave, Let Them Leave Malefactors in command of a docked starship are always to be permitted to depart if they request it. There are no ‘land-locks’ or armored space doors for a reason. Do not forget that even a tramp merchie or private yacht has point
law
“Having adjudged those persons here present to constitute a riotous assembly within the meaning of the Act thereupon, and by that Mandate which I hold and which I serve, I charge and command ye all, in the Voice of Their Divine Majesties, immediately to lay down arms and submit yourselves
trope-a-day
Do Not Adjust Your Set: The obvious canonical example is the Emergency Notification System, run jointly by the Watch Constabulary and Emergency Management Authority, which can send out a signal across the IIP mesh network preempting every device to deliver an emergency notification. Subverted inasmuch as it can be overridden
trope-a-day
Space Police: There isn’t any overall police service for the Associated Worlds – the closest thing is probably Conclave Security, which does answer directly to the Conclave of Galactic Polities, but whose jurisdiction is limited to just the Conclave Drift itself and its containing star system, and possibly the Operatives
worldbuilding
Asked in a G+ comment: How common is it for individuals to own full up dreadnought or super-dreadnought class warships? Am I correct in thinking that individually owned and operated cruiser and frigate class warships are commonplace? Actually… not very common at all. (Even for corporations and other coadunations, even.
trope-a-day
Sliding Scale of Law Enforcement: Standards vary acutely, depending on where in the Worlds you are. The Empire’s Watch Constabulary and the PPLs signatory to the Warden-Bastion Compact occupy the idealistic end of the scale (well, one idealistic end of the scale, since they’re perfectly happy to shoot