Covian Recruit Handbook
Equipment
Bedroll
The bedroll is an important part of your equipment. As a guardsman, there will be a time when you will have to spend an extended amount of time out in the open, sleeping underneath the stars. The bedroll will keep you warm, and reasonably comfortable.
Parade arm
A parade arm should be carried with you at all times. Although it makes a slow and impractical weapon, it is a key piece of parade dress. It is necessary for both promotion, and recruitment parades, and it makes the soldiers look disciplined and tidy.
Bandages
Army regulations state that at least 200 bandages must be carried with you at all times. Although this is the minimum, many experienced guardsmen recommend carrying at least 500. This is because you might get stranded, or have to give some to a less prepared guardsman. Don’t be that guardsman!
Light source
The light source is another key part of your equipment. Quite obviously used for seeing in the dark, you’ll need a torch if you’re trapped in a dungeon, cave, or outside on a cloudy night.
NB: The above four items of equipment can, and probably will be checked in any training session!
Food
Food is the stuff we all live off! For the same reason as the bedroll, we need to carry food in the event that we get stranded. A hungry guardsman cannot perform to the limits of his or her ability!
Survival Knife
The survival knife is a very useful part of your equipment! I recommend carrying one in your waistband, and another tucked into your boot. These can be used for many things, including aiding escape from capture, and preparing meals.
John Evergarde
If at any time you should lose an item of you’re equipment, you can purchase a replacement from the guardsman who mans the outside of the barracks. However, it’ll cost you from your own wages, so it’s in your best interest to make sure not to lose anything!
Orders
Line up
This is one of the most important orders. When this order is called, you must line up one metre away from the commanding guardsman. The line should be kept centred at all times, and if it gets too long a double line may be called.
Form
Form is one of the most important orders, and the most important order you will receive in battle. When this order is called, you are to drop whatever you are doing, and run straight to the commanding guardsman. Formations should start with the front and sides, and end with the back. Then the corners are to be filled.
Trackers line
This order, usually followed with "March", is the order to form a single file line behind the commanding guardsman. This is occasionally used when taking a group of men through hostile territory. The purpose of this order is to create a single line of footprints, making it impossible for enemy trackers from judging the number of guardsmen you are travelling with.
Ready arms
This is the order to get ready for battle. When this order is given, you raise your weapon, and get into a battle ready stance.
At ease
When this order is called, you stand comfortably, while still retaining the line.
Arm upWhen the order is given to arm up, equip the weapons that you feel you are best with. There is a limit to this however, as some guardsmen may tell you not to use the more exotic and far-fetched weaponry.
Hold arms
This is the order to disarm. When this order is given, you are to sheathe any kind of weapon you might have drawn.
Dress gear onDress gear is your normal armour, with your headdress, and no weapon. This is what you should be wearing most of the time, as walking around with a helmet all day is impractical, and having your weapon drawn all the time can only lead to accidents.
Battle gear on
When you are called to put on your battle gear, you equip the appropriate helmet, and arm up with your favourite weapons. You should do this before any kind of combat without being ordered.
Form tacticalThe order to “Form Tactical” should be given before any kind of expedition. When the order is given, you leave your current circle, and join that of the commanding guardsman. You then prepare to heal and help them, taking advantage of the increased communication.
Salute to the foreThis is the order to PREPARE to salute. When this order is given, you keep your ears open for the final order, "Salute!". This should result in the entire line giving a perfectly synchronised salute in the direction that you're facing.
Many directional parade orders follow the same format.
"Parade to the left, to the left TURN!"You're expected to wait until the final order to carry out these commands, as it shows discipline, control and restraint.
GeneralBuilding an outpostEvery good sentry is the same. An excellent sentry can go far beyond the standard, yet is still based around the same building method.
1) Lay out a single layer of medium sized crates in the shape that you want your outpost, being sure to leave gaps for doors.
2) Lay a single hide over each crate.
3) Repeat until the outpost is three crates high, each covered with a hide.
4) Equip the outpost with food, drinks, tables, bedrolls, and whatever is needed depending on the duration of the stay.
*A note is scribbled beneath*
This is a work in progress, so please tell me if you can think of anything that needs adding!
Signed - Hoagie, Officer Cadet
[OOC : This is my first attempt at anything like this, so what do you think? Too picture heavy? With any luck it can get cleaned out and stickied if it ends up good enough!]
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