[quote=@MacabreFox]
<Snipped quote by Leidenschaft>

What would be the process to becoming a city guard? How old does one have to be? Or does Windhelm have its own army, before 4E 201? Is there a type of conscription? Trying to find something militaristic for this guy to do before the war, as he would be 27 when it started.
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Joining the town guard? You'd probably just have to volunteer and be able to provide your own weapons or stick with the shit they give you. He could also have hung around the tavern and easily fallen in with caravan guards, bodyguards for hire, dungeon-pillagers or even a stint as a highwayman. There are also likely small bands of men that take on simple odd jobs for money. Commonly called adventurers. Keep in mind that a town guard is very unlikely to see battle or combat if they're stuck behind Windhelm's walls.

The town guard is also a separate entity to the military of Eastmarch. Each hold has their own levies, meaning peasant conscripts that are lightly armed and armored with cheap gear that are recruited from villages and towns. Moving up, you have Housecarls, which is any man who serves a Jarl or a Thane or any other well-to-do person. They are bound by an oath sworn to that person, note this is different than simple mercenaries or adventurers.