Rot Beneath Their Noses

[DancingZebra267 1626]

 

Woe to the Imperial Guard, whose duty lies forgotten, left to rot beneath their noses.

 

On the 10th of the Deep Cold, 2034, I had returned to Alba on another patrol, still searching for the darkspawn that had slipped through earlier that day. That is when I saw it, a skeleton, dressed in black robes, walking the streets like it belonged there. I was not alone. I was accompanied by heathen dwarves who, to their credit, helped bring down the abomination. At that point, I believed surely that would be the end of it. There could be no possible way a third interaction with darkspawn would occur in the same day.

 

I was wrong.

 

Later, while conducting a test on another dwarf, he passed the examination. However, when his person was searched… it was like opening a gate to hell itself. The dwarf was discovered to be a Lich, possibly even an Arch-Lich. As he attempted to flee, black smoke erupted from the ground beneath him. We charged after the Lich. We pleaded for the Empire’s guard force to assist.

 

And yet... they did nothing.

 

They seemed far too occupied with their own conversations at the tavern, gossiping, laughing, unmoved. It is a disgrace to turn your back on your fellow man, to allow darkspawn to breed and spread unchecked through the streets of Alba. I have not seen such shameful inaction since the days of Haense. The Lich was eventually brought down. But not before I lost my eye. And perhaps that wound would not have been necessary, if the guards had done their job.

 

I now call upon the Lord Marshal to right this wrong. Let discipline be returned to the soldiers of man, before their complacency invites our destruction. This day was not a victory. Yes, three darkspawn were uncovered in Alba, by yours truly, because the guards are useless and do not test. They do not watch, nor do they not ask questions. And so the burden falls to those who still fear GOD. But more damning than any undead is this: the truth is that the Imperial Guard force no longer cares for the safety or protection of its people.

 

What has happened to man? He has grown fat. Lazy. Blind.

 

Justice will be had. Whether by my hand… or by the hand of GOD.

Vincenzo de Capua, Chaptermaster of the Order of the Grail of Saint Lucien, Knight of the fellowship of Lucien, Brother of Sacred Hearts Monastery, The Elf Cleaver 

 

 

[xo31 4010]

"It appears that 'The Elf Cleaver' is wondering what has gone wrong with mankind." Quipped Senior Researcher Apricot.

[Venomous_Pup 2978]

"IS IT THE ORDER OF THE GRAIL OR ORDER OF THE YAP!?!?!?" screeches a Witch in great distress, getting a third missive this day

[Security_ 2287]

"The invention of the printing press and its consequences have been a disaster for descendantkind."

Remarks a skeleton.

[PrimnyaQuorum 4008]

"A mere skeleton gives him pause and fright? I shudder what horrors the valiant must face against a zombie, or even a horrid ghoul!"

 

A demon quips. Around it, demons chatter and snap at one another, famished at peace. 

[Morigung-oog 5697]

"Alba is just Sutica with extra steps."

 

A disgraced elf heckled from afar, from the comfort of her own vessel. 

[Cheese 8899]

4 hours ago, DancingZebra267 said:

I have not seen such shameful inaction since the days of Haense.

"They can't be serious. Even Haense fought most of their darkspawn raiders." A heretical voidstalker tsked.

[Behindbush 163]

Freia O'Hara glanced at the missive, while enjoying her first cigarette of the day.

"Oh, it was during that time when the other mentally challenged Farfolk guard wanted to take me on a date... then nearly jumped off the roof... Hmmmh"
She mused, saying that as if it were absolutely trivial

"Alba really is a mess"

Edited June 26, 2025 by Behindbush

[Chimeraof1999 1194]

The Kharajyr, one known for his Radiant Uniform, blinked.. He thought for a moment,

“Maybe if they try not to skin me, I can assist in patrols. Deadspawn run rampant and they can’t even chase bandits… Pathetic albeit intriguing.”