Minea

Starke McHaryn sat quietly in the sparsely decorated tent that was his temporary dwelling. His family blade Grim Claw lay horizontally across his knees, naked blade dully reflecting the moon light that shone through the half open tent flap. In recent days it was this action of physical contact with his blade that helped him to think, the familiar feel of the fine steel eased his swirling thoughts and sub consciously made him feel secure. His insides were a wash of emotions, anger, sadness, confusion but as always his sense of duty and honour reigned supreme within his waking consciousness. If one was to look at Starke right at that moment one would see no trace of emotion present, no anger or joy, just the neutral features of one who had become desensitized to the actions around him, one who had worshiped duty his whole life and so had developed an extreme ability to hide all sense of emotions. A candle flickered on the table to Starke's right, the flame spluttering in one final effort before dying, the once tall wick now a melted pool of wax. Starke as always kept one ear open, so it was at that moment in deep thought that he heard the dull thump of something or someone landing with little grace over the strong walls of the Ildician Fort. Barechested and wearing only some light leather pants and boots, Starke rose silently and walked with the grace of one who had spent their whole life perfecting the art of coordination and movement, traits of extreme importance to a swordsman. Grim Claw lay in the familiar grasp of Starke's left hand, its nakedness a symbol of Starke's willingness to deal with any who would intrude. Moving carefully Starke walked to the gate, goose bumps raised on his arms, whether from the nights cool air or perhaps something...else. A Grey Shirt knight was peering with an intense gaze into the darkness of the surrounding land outside their walls. He hadn't yet noticed his commanding officer's presence and was instead contemplating the thought of alerting Starke on what he perceived as movement in the darkness. Starke watched silently for a few moments before raising his voice. "Sir Deson, I trust there is nothing of importance that has come to your attention?". The knight who was indeed Sir Deson turned around quickley before giving off a hasty salute. "I thought I saw something sir... but perhaps it is my fatigue, I was watching as ever when suddenly I saw movement beyond the river?". Starke frowned in thought, usually he would have dismissed this as a startled rabbit or perhaps a wandering farmer, but no... something didn't feel right. The recent events of the last four days were fresh in his mind, just when he was about to return to his dwelling the shadow of an unrecognizable lump could be seen in the curve of the fortress walls. Starke remained motionless for a second then decided to investigate, walking over he narrowed his eyes to see the lump better, bending down he grabbed the lump and pulled it into the light reflecting off the watchman's torch. The lump appeared to be wrapped in the blood soaked tabard of a Grey Shirt Squire, the material badly torn, unwrapping the lump with a sense of dread Starke found dull dead eyes staring back at him, the face even in death was still twisted in what looked to be sheer terror with a touch of defiance. The only movement of Starke's face was a small quiver in his upper lip, to those watching it would appear Starke had found a lump of wood instead of the head of and Ildician squire by the name of Wendel Uppings. But Starkes insides were a rage of flaming, molten hatred and anger. Starke looked again at Wendel and remembered the promise he gave to Wendel's mother to keep him safe. The pit of his stomach hardened to a core of black passionate hatred and blood lust to the one who did it. In Starkes mind only one man was capable of doing this, only one man had the crazed attitude to want to do it. Speaking low and only so he could hear Starke whispered. "The Oath Breaker walks again, and death will soon greet him". It was true, Tance Nikkelsen once grey shirt knight, now blood enemy was indeed walking and the evidence was gripped tightly by the hair in Starkes white knuckled hands.

*An Adunian Hawk somehow finds its way to your feet, it lifts its leg and you notice a tightly rolled note, opening it up you read* Hail Tyrannous, It appears that you would suit our life very well, Tance has contacted me on the matter of squireship, and I approve of the partnering. You would do well to contact Tance Nikkelsen as soon you are able, from your application it seems training isn't needed, but nonetheless tradition still stands. The uniform of the Fheum will be given to you upon meeting Tance. Sincerely Starke McHaryn *the bottem of the letter is stamped with a roaring Grey bear*

[[Extreme update, we are now a knightly order, squire rank added, squire uniform added. Knights/full order members can now take on a maximum of one squire unless special request is made to the Ordhu commander. Said knight will tell order panel of judges when their various squires are ready, this will in turn bring a council together that will test said squires in various areas, if they pass then they are enlisted and promoted as a Grey Shirt Ildician Knight. To now become a Grey Shirt one must find a knight as a "master" to train them, if there are no knights available as mentors then there will be no recruitment into the order, list of available knights are posted]].

*sends a bird back to Thomas* Master Thomas, Your application is impressive and your skill with a blade was indeed adequate for the order. I have contacted your referee who is also my lieglord and I would like to congratulate you on acceptance to the order. Please report to the Ranger hall for your gear and initiation ceremony into knighthood. Sincerely Starke McHaryn, Ildician Commander, Adunian Lord and Ordhu of the Grey Shirts.

((Accepted in game this app is purely OOC info. Welcome aboard mate!)) *An Adunian Mountain hawk carries back a message to Leon* Hail Master Leon, I have successfully received you application and would request an opportunity for you to prove your worth as a fighter and scholar. We in the Ildician Order are extremely close, we only want the best joining our ranks. Please send your response as soon as possible for a time we can meet up. Sincerely Starke McHaryn, Commander of the Grey Shirts, Leader of the McHaryn Clan.

((Seriously man this is super unique but familiar enough to be loved, thumbs up! If I wasnt leading a guild I would seriously sign up man, this looks hectic!))

((Holy hell this looks epic, good work man!))

{Updated info, added a unique order mount}

((Very nice pictures, very nice indeed. Just to let you know mate, there is an order that is literally styled after the German version of Templars (teutonic Knights) they're even called Teutonic knights, but as fasr as i've seen they're not recruiting so go for it.))

((OHH BURN!!!!!! Moogle you have the uncanny knack for completely shooting down ideas before they start and half the time your comments are incorrect, maybe not half the time but i've seen you twice XD On another note I say good job for starting something, you'll be kicked and punched verbally in OOC and physically in RP for starting some new organisation whos purpose is to beat up a current successful organisation, but good luck! Dont give in mate!))

Honestly happy to help mate, hope all goes good with it!

Haha happy to hear it mate!

Hahaha mate to be COMPLETELY honest thats what inspired me to do this, I have heard people talking about how to RP shields but your status was the thing that pushed me to write this!

Once again mate this was just a very basic guide, the shields there should suffice for those guys who are new to the server and learning certain RP. This isn't an official list of server shields or anything, if your char can use one then s/he should just go for it.

[Thread updated, mate]

*A letter is sent back to Logan* Hail Master Logan, I am sending this letter to confirm that we of the order have received your application. I must say it is impressive, and better still if you have served with Adunians before. When can we meet for a test of your military skills and combat tactics? Hopefully your brother of the Grey shirts in future, Starke McHaryn.