The Lord High Marshal of Wall

Otho Baldrac has been Lord High Marshal of Wall for more than 30 years. Unlike the rest of the Guardians of the Wall, the position of High Marshal is not hereditary, even though his father held the title before him. Otho's father Baldwin was Lord High Marshal during the last Great Incursion and had fought bravely defending Wall. He was awarded the the Order of the Dragon by the Emperor himself for his actions.
Otho had a lot to live up to. Baldwin was a very tough man, and expected great things from his sons. Otho was the second oldest and spent most of youth away from Wall, studying at the capital. In reality, Otho was a political prisoner. His father had become a bit a of a hero. In the politics of the Empire, famous generals, easily become new emperors. So, Otho's schooling was paid for by Baldwin's political enemies, but held captive against his father's ambitions.
This was to change, however, when Mallian, the oldest, and successor to Baldwin was killed in a failed expedition Beyond the Wall. Otho was quickly recalled to the place of his birth, but a place he hardly knew. The student, would have to become the warrior.
Otho's training began in the Underguard, those tireless tunnel fighters who protect Wall from below. From all accounts, Otho served admirably, taking to his new warrior role quickly. His father then began schooling him in the logistics of running such a far flung garrison. Here Otho's years of education paid off. He was an even better book keeper than fighter.
During this time, Baldwin began more expeditions north. Otho, more and more would take to the day-to-day running of Wall.
At age 25, Otho's father would be killed Beyond the Wall. An ambush by Hobgoblins was the story, but few believed it. Baldwin's journeys had become epics, song by bards across the Empire. The Imperial council, it was said, had arranged Baldwin's demise. Thinking Otho was just an inexperienced lad, the Emperor promoted him to Lord High Marshal of Wall in hopes he would have a more controllable Marshal.
Rather than be intimidated, Otho dived into the role he already knew, and all this time has kept the Darkness at bay.
Now, Otho tries to man the crumbling walls with fewer and fewer men. Imperial corruption and neglect have Otho ranging farther and farther for supplies, and becoming more inventive when it comes to making ends meet.
The few times he is seen outside his office strewn with paperwork, Otho is walking the walls befret of all the trappings of his office. Mostly he is seen at night on the battlements, staring at something, out Beyond the Wall.

The Undergaurd

For centuries, the Wall has kept the dark things of the barbaric North at bay. Its seemingly endless span is patrolled by the Guardians above, and its border is protected below, by the Underguard.
Dark forces have tried many times to circumvent the Wall by attempting to go around it, or hitting weak spots. They have also tried tunneling under. Each threat has been stopped by the stalwart forces of the Underguard.
The ranks of the Underguard are filled mostly by dwarves, with the occasional gnome, halfling or shorter human. Their life is just as harsh and under-appreciated as the Guardians that patrol above. The Underguard's life spans have been shortened by the sometimes brutal subterranean environment. A tragic fact given the normally longer life that demi-humans have over Man.
There is an almost endless maze of tunnels beneath the Wall, and earning all of them would take a lifetime. There is a cadre of mappers that do just that.
Most of time, however, the Underguard can be found at listening posts spaced inside the tunnels. A system of mechanisms, both magic and mundane, constantly monitor for the telltale sound of scratches and digging that proceeds an incursion.
Few above know of the small battles that happen more and more frequently below their feet. Not too long ago, a marauding Bullette found its way into the tunnels. Three Underguard died bringing it down. The harsh reality, is there are attacks, and fewer defenders each year. Who wants such a unforgiving job? How many Underguard die, alone in the dark?

Professor Nodd's: Apothecary and Curiosities

On a dead end street, tucked up against the Wall itself, lies Professor Nodd's. You'd walk right past it, if you weren't looking for it. Some say there's a spell on the shop, that does just that.
Did you find an scroll that needs deciphering? Do you have a cursed sword that needs un-cursing? What about a magic ring, need one of those? You can find all that and more at Professor Nodd's. The old curmudgeon that is Professor Nodd has been around for as long as any can remember. He is ill tempered and sometimes rude, but a genius at all things magic. Like most of Wall, the Professor is surrounded in mystery. Some theorize he is a retired adventurer, others think he really is a professor, cast out from University for delving in the Black Arts. No one has actually seen Nodd perform any type of spell but on several occasions he has come to aid of Wall when demon has been loosed or a curse laid. Whatever his past, Nodd is tight lipped about it and all business.
For the right amount of gold, anything seems available at his shop, from cursed monkey hands to magic blades. Any adventurer worth his salt should make a stop by the end of the street, where there's a shop that isn't there.

Calavetti Bros. Arms and Armor

For over six generations, the name Calavetti has been synonymous with fine arms and armor. They have been armorers to kings and the god of war himself, if their claims be accurate. Indeed, for a time the weapons were of such a fine quality, they were denied export by imperial decree.
The Calavetti's had fame, riches and the ear of the Emperor. All that changed when Donatello Calavetti was implemented in a plot to assassinate one of the emperor's favorite nephews. The charges were baseless, but the Calavetti name was forever tarnished among the nobility, and without their favor, the family floundered.
Enter Giovani and Nicoli Calavetti. These grandsons of Donatello pulled up shop in the south and moved to Wall. Ever since their arrival they have been providing quality equipment to the military and adventurers alike. "Good Steel at a Good Price" is their motto, and they stick behind every weapon or piece of armor. If you break a sword, they replace it, no questions asked. The ringing sound of hammers, echoes from their shop every day, where at least one of the brothers is working while the other dithers over prices in the front of store. (or they're apologizing to a local farmer over indiscretions with his daughter).

The Calavettis have earned people's respect in this harsh part of the world. When all else fails, you at least know the Calavetti steel in your hands, won't let you down.

Interlude: Life on the Wall

Living on the very edge of of civilization can be hard. Living on the Wall is harder. The climate is harsh, ranging from the numbing cold blowing in from the Frozen Wastes to the blistering heat of the summer. Now, throw in the constant threat of being overrun by hordes of bloodthirsty monsters and you begin to understand why life on the Wall isn't for everyone.
But, the life of a Guardian has some benefits, full Imperial citizenship for one. In return for 25 years service, a retired Guardian can expect a pension, and a small plot of land, usually just south of the Wall.
While in service he will get a steady, if meager pay.
The Wall itself stretches for leagues upon leagues, interspersed with mile forts along its length. These forts become little fortresses in and of themselves, with villages springing up to service them. Some Guardians spend their whole lives here, never seeing the city of Wall, or any place within the empire. The post of Guardian has become hereditary with a father's post passing to his son. It can be a solitary life, with long stretches of the Wall abandoned and crumbling in places. Each generations has fewer and fewer Guardians. More and more would-be recruits head to the more prosperous south, in hopes of a better future than walking a seemingly endless parapet.
That hasn't stopped men from joining though, as many a desperate drifter has become a legend. For instance, the great Cerdic, who snatched back an imperial standard from the claws of a great War Troll at the siege of 1346,  during the Third Incursion. Then there's Osbert the Slayer, who single handedly slew a great wyrm, but died in the process. Only his hand was found. Or there's Captain Martel, who served valiantly for 20 years, then one day disappeared into vastness Beyond the Wall never to return.
All these men and more have their names listed on a obelisk at the center of Wall. Many men will brave the weather, the danger, and the sometimes lonely life of a Guardian, simply to have their name someday etched on that monument.

Wall City Guard

Descendants of the original Legionnaires, the City Guard still defend the Northern Frontier. Though they be tired and a bit shabby, the Guard are still proud of their warrior past.