The Fort on Three Corners
It is not a short tale that Giles relays, for in truth, he has to start even before his admission into the mage's academy, however the Captain is patient, asking only a few questions during the tale as to Giles's family or interests and the tale passes with relative ease. The captain only quirks his mouth towards a frown during a single moment, when Giles is talking of his transition from the Templar college to the army but the moment passes quickly. When Giles wraps up his tale, Brashear smiles warmly and does not let the silence last for long.
"Well sergeant, I'll be frank. We can use a mage regardless of your talents or interest out here. Follow your orders and be true to the unit and mission and I don't forsee any problems. I will say that I'm not sure your recruiter has done you any favors. Most men make their way here as privates and only make their way to sergeant after putting in a few years of hard work and proven performance. If the men get the impression you've never done anything but a year of college with the Templars and come out ahead of everyone it may be a little rough getting their trust... We don't really have a position to spare in the platoons for a sergeant who hasn't been tested so you'll have to be on company staff until you've been tested, but not to worry, if you keep a level head and prove yourself to the men it won't take long to gain their trust."
Brashear leans back in his chair, stretching his legs and shoulders, restless after only a short sit. "Well, I suppose that's that then. We'll put you on assignment for the company, I think we have a spot open in logistics... I'll make sure you do watch with the platoons at interval to get to know the routine and some of our men. You'll know your way around in no time and we'll set you to one of the platoons when we have a chance. The command isn't that big and you should know most everyone after a few weeks. I have small staff to run the everyday issues of the command, a lieutenant, first sergeant and a handful of others. Below me are three platoons, each with their own officer and sergeant with about twenty or so men, though like I said we are short and are at more about sixteen or so. Each of the platoon generally have three squads to divvy up the watches. We have a patrol each day out to the border, the other two squads do twelve on twelve off sharing the watches of the fort, gates, battlements and whatnot. Makes it so you do watch about every three days, patrols about every nine. I do my best to get my staff involved when they can - everyone is here to be a soldier and protect against the next invasion, though somehow the thing that seems to matter most is the damn paper reports on supplies, pay, and spending. Speaking of which make sure you stop by the quartermaster. He'll have issued gear for you for patrol and watch. Sword steel is in short supply and is only issued to the officers, but most everything else should be available."
When Giles asks his question about the platoon, Brashear laughs just slightly, "No, our shortage is mostly a shortfall in manning, though there will be dangers here. Bushwolves have been known to pick out the single travelers on occasion and a wyvern or two has been spotted arcing around the skies to the south. I don't doubt that there are a great many more beasts nearer the great forest and I would encourage you not to venture there. The Wasifi army will probably be the least of your worries, though there can be a clan or two at times that decide to take matters into their own hands. I wouldn't put it past fate for you to have a skirmish or two with the zealots during your time here. The biggest thing is not to blow anything too far out of proportion... No one here wants another border war, if for no other reason than our closest garrison is over a weeks march away."
Brashear smiles, trying to make light of the gruesome subject. "Any other questions Giles before I release you to your duties?"
OOC: The military structure here is as described above. Each squad is led around by a sergeant or senior corporal and consists of around five people. They each report to their platoon lieutenant who has something around 15-20 people under him. Each lieutenant reports to Captain Brashear, the over all company officer. The company armory has enough equipment to allow you a well-fitting (or close enough to well-fitting) suit of armor of your preference. The armory carries cloth/leather/studded leather/and chainmail equipment. Feel free to use anything from the basic books and let me know if you want to try out anything that branches out to a more specific genre. You can also pick out a weapon of your choice - swords are reserved for officers but any just about any other TL3 missile or melee weapon is fair game. The most common choices are by far spear, axe, or bow and arrows. You can also pick out a shield if you desire to do so. Keep in mind that you do not own any of this equipment. Likewise your horse was procured through what amounts to an IOU from the army. Essentially, the army owns your horse, but has leased it to you. Of course, you could probably take it with you if you decided to leave, but it would only add horse theft to the crime of desertion. At some point you will get paid in actual money, though in this posting there isn't a whole lot you can do with it other than save it up for liberty. Feel free to ask any questions you wish of the captain or otherwise let me know when you are ready to progress.