Unfortunately, my picture can’t tell you all the jokes, which can be found in game. Imagine drunken sentinels, singing with stupid voices and wobbling on the wind… or company of weary guards, trying to amuse themselves with humorous conversation about bloody bear-fighting. And Benny’s terribly hoarse voice. Imagine “a fount of eloquence”, spreading along the hallway, when brave enforcer of the law hardly tries to recognize thief’s silhouette among the shadows. That’s a good opportunity to find out what guards are thinking about thieves as a profession. :) I couldn’t depict all of that fun stuff in my picture, so I just to represented different guardians of Thief world with their different amunition. I allowed myself to break the canon by attributing one of Benny’s lines to Bafford’s captain and by introducing completely fiction character, a member of City Watch before Truart’s reform.
Guards are usually hired in two ways - individually as well as members of big and small security enterprises. In second case, the contract is concluded between the owner of the protected object and the owner of the security enterprise, who does all which is possible to build up his wealth and reputation. Security enterprises have their own hierarchy – the ranks, the sergeants and beyond up to captain. The most prosperous richmen can organize their own guard collectives (similar to security enterprises, but for personal service), which are very reliable and controlled directly by them – as department of household staff. This is much better then group of individually-hired guards or even then contract with enterprise. As a rule, this touch teams are supplemented with extremely well-paid “commanders” and bodyguards, who can escort their lord everywhere, even in far travels (like Cedrik did for lord Bafford). In the same time, less payable people of not-so-upper-class usually hire worn-out (old, sick or drinking) guards.
There is another specific kind of guardians, named City Watch. They are very important part of the City’s life. Depending of different experience and skills, they also have different ranks. Almost the same as a police, difference is that they are not reading out a notice about your rights when arresting, or… just slicing you in pieces.
Truly, guardians are not refined people, but they are full of self-importance – always speaking loudly and always trying to find out, who of them is in charge. But let you just overhear their muttering when they don’t see you, and you’ll find out, that they are terribly tired by endless patrolling under chilling wind, cold rain and dampness of deep cellars. Heavy duty. Not for Garrett to feel sorry for, because guard is opposite job to thief, and guards never feel sorry for thieves.
The most common weapons of guards (as well as any fighters) in Thief world are miscellaneous medieval cold arms – swords, bows and so on. Sure thing, there are primitive electricity and mechanics there – on a level of 1880th years and with inclusions of much more advanced technologies (as well as unique technologies not existing in real world), but still swords are in demand. May be specific physical laws and situation with resources can explain such a paradox. Possibly, somewhere in the world of Thief gunpowder exists, but is too expensive or something... So, since the most weapons are just swords and maces, medieval armor sets are also a typical kind of amunition. In the dull world of industry, it is rarely too nice. Mostly it’s cheap and practical chainmail with addition of heavy plates of metal, no ornate details and no complex shapes.
Music for the mood: Thief TDP: Lord Bafford's Manor OST.
Date: May 2007.