In Baritaria during the reign of King (aka Queen, though she used King to refer to herself) Zsu Zsa, if a young woman lost her social support system - whether through death of family or guardians, loss of fortune - instead of being cloistered away somewhere or hurriedly married off, she had the option of joining the military instead. Though in entering service she gave her life to the crown for its duration, the benefits included social autonomy and independence from the expectation of marriage, an income, a highly respectable occupation and standing at court, and the possibility for unlimited advancement in military ranks. The first ten years the women must devote entirely to service. They are trained, they see action where needed. After that, if they wish to retire, they may ask permission of the king/queen to do so and marry - the sovereign, however, retains all right to deny the request. This did not mean, however, that there were any explicit rules about the knights having to live a life of celibacy. Female knights who retired had legal right to control their own fortune earned during service. The female knight regiment carried on existing after Zsu Zsa's death, but was disbanded and replaced by the Lord Wren's Wolves after the coup in which he murdered Zsu Zsa's heir, Einrich the Unwilling.
