[Royal Guard] A Call For Volunteers

[Dan]

(Please JD's post to the ML entitled "Unto Captain Lucius von Stahl, 
Captain of the Royal Guard" from May 19 for more information. )

Unto all members of the Royal Guard in Drache:

We received word some time ago from the now-deceased Gerd ul-Alfrith 
Elgire, Aptentrod* of Valkthres, concerning increased bandit activity 
along the northern reaches of the Darian in an area called Whitepool, 
near to both the Elgar Forest and the Ruthmarnan border. While the 
countryside is not usually our responsibility, I have received word that 
the Border Watch is contending with an unusual amount of raiding by the 
Assi in the disputed border zone of Eastern Arangoth. Though the Lord 
Protector has personally led a force of Watchmen to relieve the area, 
the Watch cannot provide enough manpower to deal with the situation alone.

Magistrate Abraxas Caros, himself a veteran of the army and the Border 
Watch took several of his veteran compatriots to the nearby village of 
Parmi, and was recently proclaimed Aptentrod, and deputized his 
companions and other able-bodied men. He has fortified and defended the 
village against bandits as best he can, but is is in dire need of 
reinforcements and resupply.Therefore, I have been commanded by the 
Sithire to raise a contingent of volunteers to travel north to  the 
Valkthres area to cooperate with representatives of the Border Watch and 
the defenders of Parmi in dealing with the bandits and making sure that 
travel by road and by river between Ruthmarna and Transdariania is made 
safe again.

This is a dangerous situation, and hazard bonuses may be awarded if
circumstances merit it. Sheriff Elgire made it clear that he feared for
his life, and his fears were all too well-founded. Sheriff Elgire also
noticed some unusual behavior on the part of the local Vorfon Broxkad, 
who has taken on new guards who rebuffed the Aptentrod from the manor. 
Be aware that that the local lord seems to be in league with the 
bandits, or they have imprisoned or killed him and are creating the 
appearance that they are in his employ. The bandit force numbers at 
least one hundred individuals, and they seem to be occupied excavating 
the ruins of an old Menxvanic temple on the Western bank of the Darian. 
The significance of this activity is unknown at the present time.

If anyone is interested in volunteering for this assignment in 
Valkthres, please notify me** forthwith so I may organize the expedition
and give the volunteers further instruction. As it may be dangerous to 
openly display the Guard's colors in area, you will be travelling 
disguised as caravan drovers escorting a supply convoy to Parmi. Attacks 
upon the caravan are possible if not probable, and the relief force must 
be prepared to repulse attacks vigorously at any time.

Me enxenim,

Lucius von Stahl
Captain of the Royal Guard in Drache

28. V. 474.

[Seal Affixed]

----------------------

* Aptentrod literally means "Overseer" in Arangothian. As a Guard rank,
it translates into common as Sheriff or Constable. An Aptentrod is equal
to a Sergeant in the rank hierarchy, and are posted as  representatives
of the Guard in small villages in the countryside. The local lord's
guards usually serve as an Aptentrod's deputies when he needs
reinforcements.

** Email the list if you want to volunteer a Guard character. This plot 
could take a while, so it could result in your character being out of 
Drache and out of the inn for several weeks, so please take that into 
consideration before signing up. This will be played out in scenes GMed 
by Mark (Skonar) as well as posts to the channel mailing list. Please 
respond before Friday June 4th if you want your character to be 
included. (We'll probably be playing fast and loose with the travel 
times to get your characters into the action right away, and minimize 
the time your characters are out of the inn.)