In the Holds, does anyone know how old you have to be to become a guard (or trainee guard)?
I know apprentice crafters start from 12, so I'm guessing that's when hold children who don't want to be crafters would start to think about what they're going to do for a living, but that seems quite young. Would they be doing some other unskilled work until they're old enough, or doing some training and helping out - or a bit of both?
12 does seem young, but then maybe they sort of act like a "page" to a particular guard, or something? Sort of shadowing the guard they're assigned and helping out with menial things (cleaning, fetching, etc)?? And maybe by 15 they can be a "junior guard" -- mostly just watch duties or simple things like that? And then at 18, they can be a full guard.
I love the idea of starting actual guard duties at 15 turns (with simple watches paired with a senior guard, and martial drills), and then working more independently at 18. Prior to the 15 turns, working in manual labor to prep them for the job will help build strength and endurance and let them learn calisthenics. There may also be things they need to learn academically they can get started on.
I think fifteen would be a good age; it's technically marrying age as well, isn't it?