Autarch's Investigator
Ah, hells, it's one of the Cloaks- Look sharp, don't make a fuss, and we may just make it out of this without attracting the attention of the dicatorship.The Autarch's Investigators are a wing of the Dicatorship dedicated to investigating incidents, crimes, and threats to the nation in due order. Often called 'Cloaks' for the long, black coats or cloaks they wear when going about their work, the Investigators are serious, humorless men (and occasionally women) whose only concern is if you're a threat to the country's safety and financial security. The Cloaks, run by Armin Hammel, existed before the Dictatorship was founded in 1903 and hope to exist long after it falls. Their concern is the safety of the country. And if the Country would be safer with out the Dicator, they will ensure the transition happens smootly. While they did not have the Black Cloak and intimidating glare reputation before the Dicatorship, they have leveraged it to their advantage over the years. In the reign of King Gustavo II they were a more administrative side to the Monarchy's government, compiling reports from the local police, the military and the navy for the King to make choices on. With the rise of the [Dictator] after the The Night of Falling Crowns, They took a more active role in the field as relations between many of the small towns and the captial faltered. Despite appearances, they are not the 'personal police' of the dictator, and will be annoyed if you call them such. This being said, even the Dicator tends to treat them like his personal goons rather than a branch of the government designed to sniff out threats to the country. They have walked a very narrow line trying to keep him from realizing their true loyalty.
Career
Qualifications
The average citizen of Shimshar would tell you that the first qualification a potential Cloak needs to pass is 'the ability to look terrifying in black'. The mere sight of a Cloak is enough to send a room into silence, and less-than-lawful men subtly looking for the nearest exit. Their faces are stern, and often obscured behind colored glasses. No one has ever seen a Cloak smile, at least genuinely. If a smile is forced, or a Cloak is on the hunt, it is often more terrifying than the stern face.
In truth, there are multiple qualifications to be a Cloaker; loyalty to the Dictatorship is not amoungst them, to the suprise of everyone who learns this. Including the Dicator himself, should he ever learn this, which is why the Cloaks take great pains to make sure he doesn't. Cloaks are expected to have good mathetmatic and language skills, with the ability to read, write, and decipher handwriting. Multiple languages are a plus. Cloaks must maintain a basic level of physical fitness and be able to carry a weapon. While they do not directly condone combat, many of their targets do and it's better to be safe than sorry. They are excellent quick thinkers and often have to think outside the box in order to solve their cases. Most importantly a Cloak should be able to carry authority; a Cloak who cannot command a room will find themselves in trouble more often than not.
Career Progression
'A Cloak is a Cloak for life'. That's the saying that's often passed around Investigator HQ. While this saying is not meant to be taken literally, there have been many Cloaks that have died in the course of duty. In reality, most Cloaks will work for five to ten years before moving to less demanding work. However, they still maintain their connections, creating over time a vast network of informers, observers, and contacts. Very few Cloaks have left the service in discgrace, but there have, as always, been notable exceptions.
The Cloaks keep an extra careful eye on them as well.
Perception
Purpose
The first purpose of the Investigators is investigation; particuarly, crimes or events that are above the scope and scale the local constables can handle. The recent destruction of the Admiral's Revenge, Aramis 'Headwind's personal ship originally stolen from the Dictator, is such an example. They have resources and abilities far beyond what the average constabluatory has as well, making them far more effective in the field. They also sniff out revolutionary parties, smuggling rings, and piracy coves. Sadly, and strangely for such a nautical-based culture, their scope is mostly land-based. There have been rumors of that changing, but staffing a ship with as many Cloaks as they would need would be infeasible, and staffing it with people not entirely loyal to the Cloaks unthinkable.
Social Status
The Cloaks are feared; It is not the ideal reputation for their trade, but it is one they have learned to cultivate in their favor. The innocent will quietly comply, the guilty will look for the nearest door. Anyone who falls in between is someone to keep an eye on. While the Cloak's intelligence network is uknown, there is always the rumor of 'Cloaker spies' lingering in the pubs and ale houses. The Cloakers don't mind; they don't actually know the barmaid is one of the spies, because they're too busy looking for a shady guy in a gray coat.
This being said, the Cloakers also command a degree of respect; They have their job, but they do it well and Shimshar is kept safe because of it. The recent breaking up of a human trafficking ring out of the capital did much to curry favor with the general public.
Demographics
The Cloakers are a small organization, but one that draws from a variety of Shimsharic social strata. It pays to have ears everywhere, from the cream of society in the Royal Courts, to the bottom rungs of the piers. When one sees them all in uniform, it beggars belief that two men standing next to each other would be from opposite ends of the wealth sprectrum.
While most of the Cloaks tend to average 20-30 years old, there are some members in their 40s and 50s. These more seasoned members tend to lead the larger investigations, or are in charge of managing the large pile of paperwork that their work generates.
There are a few women mixed in, originally starting as secretaries and assistants but are starting to appear in the field. Tiziana Le'More is one such agent, leveraging her status as a women to her favor, as men will say things to a woman they would not say to a man, or assuming that her petite posture does not make her as much of a threat.
Alternative Names
Black Cloaks, Cloakers, those Government Bastards
Type
Intelligence Gathering
Used By
That sounds like an impressive job, indeed! I love how you explain their true loyalty, the loyalty that everyone assumes, and how they find themselves forced to keep this assumption alive. The qualifications make a lot of sense, and I can see how leaning into that scary reputation helps with their work. While reading, the mood shifted nicely from "oh no, the evil oppressor's henchmen" to "wow, they're actually really cool with good motives." Great work!
Creator of the Kaleidoscope System and the planet Miragia.