I think the problem with Guards /is/ mainly an IC issue and a high-level one at that. Looking back over recent years - the prominent Guard this year is Napier who isn't very good at taking charge and is disliked by a large section of the party; last year no Guards made it through the year; the Five Mages year had Azrael and Eagleson as their shining examples (neither being characters particularly suited to leading though both reasonable competent in a fight); Scara'Fould had Blaine who was special and the Borderlands had a distinct lack of military of all kinds.
It is my personal belief (and I would like to think that any future character wouldn't start off with any such prejudices) that if a Guard, who was actually competent, sensible and reliable turned up on missions and was played throughout the year and in higher-level that they would be capable of changing peoples' opinions. Initially it might be a change to acknowledging that there were exceptions. (Don't forget Fiddelo who, whilst he isn't an amazing party leader, is a very good Guard and a reasonably well liked character).
The problem, IMHO, is that: a) too many people either find playing a Guard boring and so don't continue playing them to mid or higher level b) newbies get encouraged to play a Guard and thus if they decide that LARP is not for them part way through the year, the party end up managing without one and c) the majority of existing PC Guards do fall into the categories you have already described as the stereotype.
The only way to fix it is for more competent people to play competent Guards. Not an easy thing to ask for.
no subject
It is my personal belief (and I would like to think that any future character wouldn't start off with any such prejudices) that if a Guard, who was actually competent, sensible and reliable turned up on missions and was played throughout the year and in higher-level that they would be capable of changing peoples' opinions. Initially it might be a change to acknowledging that there were exceptions. (Don't forget Fiddelo who, whilst he isn't an amazing party leader, is a very good Guard and a reasonably well liked character).
The problem, IMHO, is that: a) too many people either find playing a Guard boring and so don't continue playing them to mid or higher level
b) newbies get encouraged to play a Guard and thus if they decide that LARP is not for them part way through the year, the party end up managing without one
and c) the majority of existing PC Guards do fall into the categories you have already described as the stereotype.
The only way to fix it is for more competent people to play competent Guards. Not an easy thing to ask for.