Topic: RFP for Watch Uniform Re-Design

Goldglo

Date: 2008-03-31 20:16 EST
Citizens of Rhydin,

I am establishing a Request for Proposal, open to any who wish to submit, in regards to a re-design of the uniforms currently worn by members of the City Watch. With the influx of new equipment and advanced training, the current uniforms have proven unwieldy and ineffective.

I encourage all designers, clothiers, and shop owners to submit a bid, keeping in mind a balance between effectiveness and cost. Please contact the Governor's Office for the RFP packet which will include minimum requirements and specifications that will need to be met as well as the acceptable submission formats.

I look forward to reviewing your designs!

Matthew Algiers Simon

K Tarkenstone

Date: 2008-03-31 21:25 EST
And please, none of the material that they call spandex.

Kelten Tarkenstone.

Anastas Iskandorj

Date: 2008-04-08 17:09 EST
"My idea," says Anastas Iskandorj on one of his rare outings away from his farm, "is something along the lines of the old Prussian Dunkleblau, or more precisely the IJN uniform that followed it. I'm a tailor myself, you see, although I haven't worked up any drawings. A quick stop to the library got me some pictures for inspiration, though." He piles some books on the desk and points.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h144/Jaochai/gtp21.jpg

"These guys are looking pretty sharp, aren't they' I particularly like the guy on the left; I think that green is a very solid color. But that's the basic idea - single-breasted tunic, trousers with knee-high boots. I would give them two breast pockets, though. Overall, I'm going to keep the uniform on the far left, but with a few slight modifications."

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h144/Jaochai/japanesearmydetail.jpg

"This is a picture I cropped from a book on Imperial Japanese Army uniforms. I like this color much better, though the headgear doesn't please me. As a man who wore a tall hat for many years, I can vouch that they are totally unsuitable for combat use. Also notice the soldier on the left, though you can't really see it, is wearing a Sam Browne belt - another necessity.

"But overall, my design would incorporate olive green - defined very technically as #628318 - with red trim on the tunic (but with the collar and cuffs still green) and on the stripes on the pants (also green). Company insignia would be worn on the shoulders. Boots would be of the tall variety, to provide adequate ankle support. Buttons would be steel shank. For officers, elements such as aiguilletes would be introduced as well as possibly gold buttons. It would be possible to slip protective gear such as a cuirass or vest over the jacket easily."

"For the helmet, I prefer something resembling a pickelhaube, but without the spike. Protective helmets are an absolute necessity; I will not budge on this and I don't expect the soldiers will either. As an example of a pickelhaube, here's a picture."

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h144/Jaochai/Bismarck_pickelhaube.jpg

"This is, of course, a picture of Bismarck wearing a pickelhaube. Unlike ours, his is highly ornamental and has a spike on it. Also unlike the classic pickelhaube, ours would be made of steel and secured with a functional chinstrap. It creates a brim to keep out the sun but still allows others to see the officer's eyes, and it protects the back of the neck from sword blows.

"As a military man myself, I would be very happy in a uniform like this - if it was made of cotton, it would be comfortable, easy to wear, and would not impede combat. It would also look both regal and imposing and provides a nice bridge between the modern utilitarian style and the older, more ornamental style."

"So to summarize, the uniform will consist of two colors - olive green and fire-engine red. The tunic will be single-breasted, five buttons, green with red trim running next to the buttons and around the neck. The collar would be green and standing. The sleeves will have two buttons on the cuff, running in a line away from the hand and with a line of red trim between them around the wrist. Two breast pockets, one on each side, with red trim around them and secured with the same sort of button. Trousers would be of the same color, with a red stripe running down the leg. All this will be made of cotton, and there'll be a cotton undershirt and undershorts as well. A Sam Browne belt - that is to say, a leather belt with an across-the-chest shoulder strap - would support a sword or pistol or both. Boots would be of polished leather, specially designed for comfort and ankle support as well as to be easy to wear while riding a horse, as many of our Watchmen do. The helmet would be a steel haube - I call it that because pickel means spike and our helmet doesn't have a spike - with a black leather cover on the outside."

"Your thoughts?"

Lydia Loran

Date: 2008-04-11 03:05 EST
"I think...we're done." The very exhausted Lydia slumped against the work table, turning desperate pale blues on Griffith. "Really, the hat's a great addition, but there's not much else to be added to the uniform Griffith."

Standing just in front of the mannequin that donned the uniform he and Lydia had worked on for some time now, Griffith carefully looked it over. Nothing less than perfection would be acceptable! Which is probably why he fussed and fussed about it...."Are you sure" I don't know....I think maybe we could add some-"

"-finishing touches?" Pale blues widened as the elf regarded him with no small amount of bewilderment in her eyes. "Griffith. We've been working on the 'finishing touches' for two days now." Her voice bordered on whiny, but it wasn't quite there. "We're done. And before another sound could be uttered from the tailor's opening mouth, Lydia rose to her feet. "Done."

A slumping of shoulders and a sigh showed that Griffith had accepted defeat. "Alright, alright, we're done....I'll pack it all up then."

"And I'll write up a letter for Matt..." Already, she set off to locate some nice stationary and a pen.

"Should we include that list Carley wrote up for you to send the governor too?"

"Gods no..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

It wouldn't be too long after Lydia and Griffith finished up their uniform submission that it would arrive at the governor's office, pressed and wrapped up neatly in a small brown package. It was relatively simple in design: The majority of the uniform was a polyester/cotton blend in a dark plum color. Over pockets and along cuffs, there were polished silver buttons with the Rhy'Din crest embossed on them. The complete uniform consisted of a matching dark plum cadet style hat, a dark plum button up shirt with pockets, dark plum trousers, a black leather belt with matching black leather steel-toed boots, a white thermal under armor shirt, and a simple looking thin leather vest. The magic-infused leather vest is to be worn over the under armour thermal shirt, and beneath the dark plum button up shirt.

Also in the package was a drawing of said design with basic explanation as to some of the uniform's 'features' as well as an envelope. Inside said envelope, with A Stitch in Time's address on it, was a letter written to Matt with black ink on simple, white floral stationary that smelled oddly of tea....The handwriting was print, rather than cursive, and just a little messy. Contrasting with that, however, was the slightly flourished signature.

Dear Matt,

I hope things are going well for you in your new role as governor. I was really happy to see your plans for redesigning The Watch's uniform, since I think they can definitely be a lot safer. I didn't set out in designing a uniform alone though. The uniform I have sent you is a combined effort of myself and Griffith Alcott, a tailor I work closely with at A Stitch in Time. Rather than explain it all to you, I believe showing you is better, hence why we worked on a prototype to send.

Unfortunately, cost is an issue. The reason why is because of the vest- the material it is made of is very, very expensive. I used the same material to craft myself some light leather armor for the Madness tournament, should I end up dueling someone not willing to give up their blade since I have a strong aversion to healing magic, and it cost me a good amount. The material is actually magicked leather, and you can't stab through it or penetrate it or damage it. If you try to rip it, the weapon seems to pass through but really doesn't, and when you pull the weapon out the leather looks unharmed. I really recommend you test it out for yourself since I can't fully explain it. I believe it will make things much safer for the guards, since it will resist sharp weapons and even bullets. There's no telling what else it can resist.

Initially, I estimate that the cost will go a few thousand silvers over the budget, and as more uniforms are made, and as the Watch increases and with the addition of RASG I believe it will go around ten thousand silvers over the budget, if not more. However I believe the extra cost is definitely worth it, to ensure the safety of those working in The Watch. Also, if you do accept mine and Griffith's design I am more than willing to work at raising the money needed to cover the budget's deficit. I won't have it overnight of course, but I'll try to get it to you in a timely fashion.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely, Lydia E. Loran

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/VirescentElf/uniform-1.jpg