Ankalagon_

Jarrack Devereux of the Kingdom of Curon signs at the bottom of the treaty.

Jarrack Devereux of Curon signs with a swift stroke of his pen, followed by the use of the royal imprint ring of Curon, leaving the red wax seal a etching of the roaring bear. “Ave Curon, Ave Imperia.”

Jarrack Devereux places his fist to his heart. “Ave Curon, your legacy will be hard to live up to, father.”

Jarrack puts the letter down on the mantle, looking out the nearby window solemnly. Sunlight streamed through glass and into the living room that looked out upon the streets of Curon, washing over Jarrack’s face. “The father was a great man. His son, might grow to be a greater one. The King is dead, long live the King.”

Accepted and Enlisted. Welcome to the Royal Army.

The snows fall heavier each day, the curse of the Vaeyl has begun to claim its first victims in the cold chills that flow through the Empire and the Southern lands. Crops have begun to freeze, and the world is left with two options. To stay and to die, frozen to the cobblestones beneath our feet. Or leave, and march on to hopefully something beyond that damned wall. The entire Curonian navy was summoned in search of a path through the ice, in search of a way to the rumored lands beyond, but they returned having found nothing. We are left with one option. Every man, women, and child shall take all that they can carry. Every horse and every wagon shall be saddled, every blade and every arrow shall be sharpened. The entire Kingdom of Curon shall answer the call of his Imperial Majesty. We march on the wall, be it to victory, or our deaths. We know not if a battle, or a calm walk lays ahead of us. We will not sit back and take no action. Curon marches with the Empire. We march through snow, me march through ice. I pray we may find a better place. Despite these dark times, I shall not lose hope or faith. Homes can be rebuilt, lives can be renewed. I swear that as long I draw breath, I shall not give up my fight for Curon. Ave Curon, Ave Imperia. Signed, Jarrack Devereux, Prince Regent of the Kingdom of Curon.

“Father, you leave me with big shoes to fill, and an even bigger tin foil hat. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I won’t fail you.” Jarrack Devereux says reading a copy of the document his father just handed to him.

~ Vassalage Agreement of Suffolk and Devereux ~ Written and confirmed on the 9th of the Grand Harvest, 1703 Edward Suffolk, Patriarch of House of Suffolk and Wilhelm Karl Devereux, Patriarch of House of Devereux, on behalf of their respective houses, vassals and all the estates they command, have met in Cyrilsburg City, and agreed upon terminating the “Treaty of Pembrokeshire and Order of Ursus” dated 22nd first seed 1680 and upholding the following articles, above all laws, legislations and agreements, on this day and all the days to follow: Obligations of the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk ARTICLE I - The Patriarch of the House of Suffolk recognizes and accepts the Patriarch of the House of Devereux as his overlord and his estates as a part of the federation of estates lorded by the Patriarch of the House of Devereux, providing his eternal fealty to Patriarch of House Devereux and Curonian throne. ARTICLE II - The House of Suffolk pledges, accepts and ensures to defend the property, rights, subjects, lands, estates, laws and courts of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux against internal and external threats alike, with all the might the House of Suffolk can muster. ARTICLE III - The House of Suffolk pledges, accepts and ensures to retain armed levies on their expense in their estates befitting their noble status to assist the military campaigns of the House of Devereux or discharge monetary compensation to the House of Devereux to contribute to their retained armed levies. ARTICLE IV - The House of Suffolk pledges, accepts and ensures to uphold Lex Curonia and take no action with the purpose of violating Lex Curonia or the interest of the House of Devereux. ARTICLE V - The House of Suffolk and their vassals accepts and acknowledges that any treaties they may execute outside of Curon, concerning war or military alliances, requires the prior ratification of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux to become effective. ARTICLE VI - The Patriarch of the House of Suffolk accepts to take the Curonic oath of fealty to the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. Upon the death of either the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk or the Patriarch of the House of Devereux, the new Patriarch will appear in court at the first opportunity to reaffirm the oath. The oath is defined as: “I, [Name and title], swear fealty to Curonia, House Devereux, and the Ducal Throne of Curon. I shall serve as a loyal vassal to the patriarch of House Devereux and Duke of Curon, from this moment until death. My house shall be bound to House Devereux as its vassal for all of posterity. My sword is his to command. My house is his to protect, and my banners are his to summon. I shall uphold the Virtues of Curonia, and live beneath the eternal guidance of our Paragons and the light of our God. The Green Tide Rises, for we stand as one. Ave Curonia.” ARTICLE VII - The House of Suffolk and their vassals accepts and acknowledges that they may not declare war or raids or participate to wars or raids without the permission of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. ARTICLE VIII - The House of Suffolk pledges, accepts and ensures that, no member of the House of Devereux and the Curonian Council will be arrested without the orders of the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, and the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk will give this order only if the member in question presents danger and needs to be restrained before appearing before the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. If the above situation occurs and the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk is not present to give a written arrest order, members of the Suffonian Privy Council may ask the related party to leave the demesne of the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk until such a time the situation can be brought to the attention of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. If the said related party refuses to leave and poses an immediate threat to lives of those around him, that related party may be detained befitting his status to be immediately presented to the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. Obligations of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux ARTICLE IX - The House Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that Pembroke City and all other estates of the House of Suffolk are property of the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, without prejudice to land ownership legislations under Lex Curonia for the lands to be acquired in Curon. ARTICLE X - If the House of Suffolk loses their land for any reason, if asked for, the Patriarch of House Devereux shall host the House of Suffolk and their levies until sufficient land ((75x75 blocks)) becomes available to be gifted to the House of Suffolk. ARTICLE XI - The House of Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that, including and not being limited to the lands and estates of the House Suffolk, outside of the personal demesne of the Patriarch of the House Devereux, including the estates of his vassals, all servants, subjects, members and vassals of the House Suffolk are strictly subject to Suffonian Law, as resolved by the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, above all other laws. ARTICLE XII - The House of Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that, every person, entity or creature who can demonstrate that they are a personal subject of the House of Devereux on the personal lands and estates of the House of Suffolk and their vassals, will be tried by tribunals or judges as appointed by the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, under Curonian Law, except for the members of the House of Devereux and their titled lord vassals, who are to be presented to Curonian courts for judgement. ARTICLE XIII - Without prejudice to Article XII above, the House of Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that, every person, entity or creature on the personal lands and estates of the House of Suffolk and their vassals, are strictly subject to Suffonian Law, as resolved by the Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, above all other laws. ARTICLE XIV - The House of Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that, all servants, subjects, members and vassals of the House of Suffolk are strictly under the command of the Patriarch of House of Suffolk and his appointed legates, regardless of the services they might provide to the House of Devereux. ARTICLE XV - The House of Devereux recognizes, accepts and ensures that, all servants, subjects, members and vassals of the House of Suffolk will follow the Suffonian dressing and behavior etiquettes, as resolved by the Patriarch of the House Suffolk, regardless of the services they might provide to the House of Devereux. ARTICLE XVI - The House of Devereux pledges, accepts and ensures to defend the property, rights, subjects, lands and estates of the Patriarch of House of Suffolk against internal and external threats alike, with all the might the House of Devereux can muster. ARTICLE XVII - The House of Devereux pledges, accepts and ensures that, no member of the House of Suffolk will be arrested without the written orders of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux, and the Patriarch of the House Devereux will give this order only if the member in question presents danger and needs to be restrained before appearing before a court headed by the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. If the above situation occurs and the Patriarch of the House of Devereux is not present to give a written arrest order, members of the Curonic Council may ask the related member of the House of Suffolk to leave the demesne of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux until such a time the situation can be brought to the attention of the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. If the said member of the House of Suffolk refuses to leave and poses an immediate threat to lives of those around him, that member of the House of Suffolk may be detained befitting his noble status to be immediately presented to the Patriarch of the House of Devereux. ~ Signed and Sealed by ~ Wilhelm Karl Devereux, Patriarch of the House of Devereux, Edward Suffolk, Patriarch of the House of Suffolk, Witnessed by Signatures and Seals of Jarrack Devereux, heir of the House of Devereux, Lord James George Suffolk,

Jarrack reads over the letter and scoffs, throwing the parchment in the flames of a fireplace. Even in his young age, the lad is shocked. “The Adrians were once a strong people. They once knew honor. Now under a new leader who is old, and a coward, they seem to have forgotten. We thought they were our allies. Shame. Adrians attack Curonians during the peaceful day of our Emperor’s wargames, and then try to cover it up. The agressors are so desperate, they try to make us seem like those without honor. A sad display. No matter, we will make quick work of these idiots. We outnumber them three to one. They have no defenses, and don’t have the backing of any other group. This will be good practice for our army. We will remind them what happens to those who betray the integrity of the Empire of Man. The way I see it, it seems like Adria is trying to rebel from the Empire...” The young heir stands, walking out of the hall. “It is time to remind Adria what it means to poke the bear.”

Hands in shadow hold firmly a copy of the document. The parchment of the paper suddenly ignites, and the figure drops the document. The burning paper falls slowly down, into the dark abyss of a chasm bellow. The parchment and the flame it carries illuminate the black rock of the chasm sides, finally burnt up, the ashes float down, never to be seen again.

Why are Charters not allowed to take land in the freebuild wilds? I have no stake in this, but it peaked my curiosity.

“I’m weak.” Said a man.

Hey guys, it is I, the magic plugin topic bringer upper. So, to beat this dead horse once again; Will we be getting a magic plugin? Will LOTC ever be getting a magic plugin, even an incredibly basic one? If no to either of those questions, why not? What are the obstacles preventing a magic plugin? plez don’t @ me.

One of the best posts in LOTC history? Maybe? Probably?

Placeholder for the Yatl and the Ice Wall

High cost is a good idea. The big nations are the groups that are the primary catalyst for waging wars on the server anyway. Without strict CB’s, there needs to be a check so that blatant throwing around of war declarations by big nations doesn't happen. The reason CB’s were thought of in the first place was because the community hated random warclaim threats. So making the price steep will force nations to really consider if a war is worth it at all. This is how it should be. Even the biggest nations would want to way the cost vs the benefit of going to battle. That being said, we don’t want to make it a pain in the ass to declare the war in the first place. It just ruins the fun on both sides. So the solution is to loosen restrictions on declaring war, but make the cost high. Simple. The war rules should just be rewritten on this simple principle: loosen restrictions on declaring war, but make wars cost more. Everyone will be happy with that. Big nations get insane amounts of mina quickly anyway. Get rid of all this bureaucratic stuff that everyone hates. A war rules page should ideally be only a couple paragraphs long.

Ronin, who was in the hallway of the palace, overheard Duke Will’s statement. He smirks and shouts at the door of the Duke’s room as he passes by. “No need to tell us again m’lord! We all were already well aware of your love of balls!” He suppresses his laugh to limited success as he scurries away quickly before Will could come out to see it was him.

Ronin raises a brow at the man’s foul comment after such a battle. “It is not I who lacks balls, but you who lacks a brain my friend. I would tell you to go grow one, but I fear that is not possible for you. One thing you should try to do is amass a bigger rally for yourself, since yours is rather pitiful I must say. Learn to think before you speak, especially when you speak to men smarter than yourself.” Ronin nods to his friend Lord Rhys before snapping the reigns of his horse and trotting off to see to the wounded men of the alliance, leaving that one boy behind to ice his newly inflicted burn.

“At what cost?” Ronin says as the wounded are wheeled past in rickety carts by the hundreds. “We lost half our men, and our fields continue to freeze over, all for what? To obtain a useless keep?” He sighs, his breath visible in the winter chill as he trots beside fellow Curonians. “My friends I fear we have played right into the hands of the Red Vaeyl. I fear we are already too late...”

Finally. This will put a real motivator on groups to actually try and promote activity. @SeventhCircle What about small freebuilds that tended to pop up this map and then just go empty, leaving bad builds all over the place with no one playing in them? Will the regions that don’t outright ask for a activity checker get one anyway?

I really like Narthok’s idea for a more dynamic war system, always have. A warclaim where two nation’s territory’s or a significant swath of land with forts and castles to capture, would be way more fun than the “put them in a box and see who wins” battles we have now. Some of my most fond battle memories from my many years of fighting, were when we marched out together. The army rallied in its capital, and then marched to the battlefield location. Both armies knew sort of where the enemy would be headed, but the design and landscape of the battle was never truly known. Your army could arrive only to realize that the enemy set up their position up on a slope, giving them a significant range advantage. Stuff like that happened a lot. We had to worry about being outflanked, out maneuvered, out smarted. Nowadays your army starts in one corner, the enemy in the other. Whichever side can click the fastest during the chugging lag will win the day. We should work on implementing Narthok’s idea of a more dynamic war system.

The thousands and thousands of men from Arbor would begin to pour out of the river gates. Ships of war would be seen on the still waters. Couriers running between Arbor, Belviz, and all of the soldiers of the Empire of man would swivel their heads. Their gaze now looks to the Dwarves and Orcs. The empire of man marches on, ready to crush all in its path.

Lol what the hell is the point of a countdown if players can run and then pvp even if countdown wasn't finished? That's the same as just rushing the enemy side halfway through countdown.

Aragon stamps the wax seal of the House Silversteed, and writes below each new applicants piece. "I Ser Aragon Silversteed. Count of Arbor, Duke of Umbra, Knight of the Realm and Lord Paramount of House Silversteed hereby declare the above applicants all accepted citizens of Arbor. Citizenship, and all its benefits and expectations are herein applied to yee."

+ The Black Guard of Arbor + ~ The Black Guard Marching Through the Gates of Arbor ~ It is said, that when the Black Guard fight side by side in the line of duty, they need not speak. It is said that the bond they share with those in their Decade is so great, that orders are often not even necessary. True or not, the loyalty and dedication that members of the Guard come to feel for each other is without equal. This trust displays itself on the battlefield. Staring straight ahead as a horde of undead charge their ranks, The Black Guard stand unfazed. Despite what they may say in the tavern the next day, they felt fear in that moment. Every soldier does. Those soldiers who claim to not know fear, are the cowards that break rank and flee the field. Not the Black Guard. This feeling of fear is destroyed when they stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers and sisters. As the undead horde sprint towards the ranks of the guard, mercilessly stampeding the slower ghouls that trip, it is the feeling of loyalty and trust that allows a Black Guard to stand strong. As if they were one synchronized being, the ranks of the Guard shift their bodies. Left foot forward, right foot back. Shield's strapped to their left arm, raised. The sound of metal shields locking together one by one rings out, as if a hundred Dwarven smiths slammed their hammers onto a heated blade, one right after the other. The horde gets closer and closer, and like a tidal wave one could begin to feel the rumble of the earth beneath their feet. Another horn blows, the first line of Guard lower the tips of their swords between the cracks of the linked shields, as the second rank lowers large heavy pikes to rest upon the shields of their kin. Fear travels through the bodies of the Guard, a constant and dangerous reminder of the enemy horde that charges their way. Yet they stand firm, the Guard twist their plated boots in the dirt without thinking, a result of their constant training. They hold their ground, knowing should they flee, they will put the lives of their fellow Decade in danger. They remind themselves what is at stake, and in that moment fear is crushed by the weight and power of loyalty, of bond. Anger rushes through the blood of the Guard. How dare this enemy threaten the lives of their brothers and sisters. How dare these creatures think they stand a chance against the combined might of the Decades of Arbor. As these thoughts fill the heads of the Guard, suddenly the cries of hundreds of undead ring out. The pikes began their slaughter. Those few ghouls that managed to duck under the deadly spears were quickly cut down by the swords of the first rank. Disorganized and driven by a thirst for blood, not kinship, the undead were massacred where they stood. The battle was over before it could even have begun. ~ Who Are the Black Guard ~ The Black Guard are the men and women who have signed on to fight as the primary legion of Arbor. They are those who fight, so that their families and other citizens of Arbor don't have to. Black Guard members range in age from 18 to 50, and may be both male and female, provided that they are able to complete basic training and pass. Some members are below the age of 18, these Trainees, start at the age of 15 and work hard to prove that when they turn 18, they are fit for the duty and possibly even early command. ~ Benefits and Pay in the Guard ~ -Standard pay is given out to all Guard members in the Guard Headquarters in the form of the Pay Slip. For every Saint's day that the Guard is on duty, they will receive payment for that day. Being absent from duty will result in loss of that day's payment. + Standard pay starts at 50 Mina per Saints day for the rank of Private. Pay of a full Saint's week of Service will be given in the form of a Private Standard Pay slip, (which can be found in the Black Guard Headquarters, in the box with the individual Trooper's name on it) which is worth 350 Mina. + Standard pay increases by 100 Mina per rank up. Ranks below the rank of Private do not yet receive pay, until they achieve the rank of Private. Each rank's slip is respectively named; Private Standard Pay, Sergeant Standard Pay, and increases in value by 100 mina per rank. -Sub Standard Pay is given out to those that miss 2 or 3 days of Active duty. This pay is the same for all Troopers, regardless of rank, and comes in the form of a slip titled Sub Standard Pay, which is worth 150 mina. + Sub Standard pay does not increase per rank, it is the same 150 mina per person. -No Pay is given out to those that miss 4 or more days of duty. If an individual receives this 'No Pay' two Saint's weeks in a row, they will be removed from the Black Guard in a dishonorable discharge. -Beyond basic pay, all those who are in the Guard and are the rank of Sergeant or higher, are exempt from taxes so long as they maintain the Standard Pay benefit. ~ Service Times and Times of Duty ~ -Service Duration: + Those who join the Guard sign on for periods of time known as Aetate. + One Aetate is the minimum amount of time a Guard can sign on for. + One Aetate is the equivalent of 2 Saint's Weeks. + For simplicity, when an individual signs on to join the Guard, their Aetate starts on that upcoming Saint's Sunday, and that Aetate will end two weeks on a Saints Sunday. -Times of Duty ((This is ooc information)) + Each Guard has times when they are on Duty, and not On Duty. When on duty, a guard is expected to have on their uniform entire, and unaltered. + Guards who are the rank of Sergeant or lower, must have their helmets on when on duty. Lieutenants and Captains are not required to wear the helmet during on duty times. + Note: 'On Duty' times, are not times that the player must be online. 'On Duty' times, are times of the day that if the player is Online, they must be On Duty. -=Below are the time slots a Guard may sign on for to be 'On Duty.' If you do not know how EST compares with your timezone, simply put the time and EST in google, to compare it to your own time zone. + Time Slot 1: 11 AM EST until 8 PM EST. ((If your timezone is EST or CST, select this time slot)) + Time Slot 2: 11 AM PST until 8 PM PST. ((If your timezone is PST, select this time slot)) + Time Slot 3: 1 AM EST until 10 AM EST. ((If your timezone is somewhere in Europe, I recommend this time slot. Changes for European players can be arranged however)) ~ Organization of the Black Guard ~ -Decades. The Black Guard is divided into groups of 10 called Decades. Each Decade may have no more than 10 troopers, including the Captain. + Each Decade is led by One Captain, who has 9 troopers under their command. + Each Captain selects one member from their Decade to be Lieutenant. Lieutenants may not be ranked up or chosen instantly. Lieutenants earn their rank like all others, but there can only be one acting Lieutenant. + Sergeants are the rank beneath Lieutenant. There can be no more than 3 Sergeants. Sergeants support the Lieutenant, who supports the Captain. + Beneath the Sergeants are the Privates. + Beneath the Privates are the Guardsmen. + Beneath the Guardsmen are the New Bloods. -The Optimal and Best Organized Decades Look Like this: } One Captain, in charge of the Decade. } One Lieutenant, who is second in command, and works to aid the Captain in all tasks. } Three Sergeants, who work to support the Lieutenant. } The remaining 5 troops may be a mix of Privates, Guardsmen, and New Bloods. -10 of these Decades, together form 1 Century, and is the primary term used to command a large body of troops on the battlefield. Centuries are commanded by the Leader of Arbor directly. ~ Power and Duties of Each Rank, and How to Rank Up ~ + New Bloods: This is the rank given to those who have just joined the Guard by passing basic training. They will be ranked up to the rank of Guardsmen by the discretion of their Captain, by proving they are capable warriors, and are fairly competent in basic combat and working with the rest of the Decade. Duties: speak to your Captain and obey all orders received. Uniform, Standard Uniform and Armor: https://imgur.com/XKowqHA + Guardsmen: This rank is given to those who have proven their basic competence in handling the day to day tasks of being in the Guard. They can rank up by the discretion of their Captain if they have proven they can handle standard guard duty, and do well on basic patrols. Duties: speak to your Captain and obey all orders received. Uniform, Standard Uniform and Armor: https://imgur.com/XKowqHA + Private: This rank is given to those who have proven a strong interest and dedication to the Guard. They have also proven decent ability in combat. Once an individual obtains the rank of Private, they will be given all the keys that lead to Level 1 doors around the city. Level 1 doors include access to the gate house, barracks, and upper Guard Headquarters lounge, which is available only to the Guard. The Private will now also be given a payment box with their name on it in the Guard Headquarters payment section. Duties: When the individual is on duty, they are expected to be available for all training, patrols, and other tasks that a higher rank or that the Captain may assign. If there are no current orders to receive or act out, Privates are expected to go to the gate house, and man the main gate to allow citizens or visitors to come and go. Before allowing someone inside the city, the Guard on gate duty must say these things: -What is your name? -What is your purpose for entering the City of Arbor? -We will now search you for weapons. These weapons will be returned to you upon leaving the city. (Then search the individual and confiscate their weapons. If they refuse to give up their weapons, they may not be allowed to enter the inner city, but are welcome to stay in the Emerald District.) + If the individual claims to be a citizen of Arbor, ask around to confirm if they have been seen around in Arbor before. Citizens will typically use the citizen doors, so it is suspicious for a citizen to claim they don't have access to the citizen doors. To Rank Up: A Private must prove true loyalty, courage, ability and strength in conflict, and above all duty to their Decade. They must also show the ability and worthiness to start being entrusted with small leadership roles. An excellent way to show this, is to go out and recruit others to join the Black Guard. Privates who recruit people who are not already citizens of Arbor to join the Guard, (even if that current Decade is already full the person recruited will be assigned to another Decade) will truly show their Captains that they are capable of inspiring others, and are worthy of ranking up to Sergeant. Uniform, Standard Uniform and Armor: https://imgur.com/XKowqHA + Sergeant: This rank is awarded to at maximum only 3 troopers within a Decade. It is the rank given to those who have proven strong capability in battle, courage in the face of darkness, and above all the ability for basic leadership. Those who achieve this rank are given a large pay increase, as well as the Level 2 key ring access. Level 2 keys give Sergeants and above access to more important doors, such as Jail Cell doors, office doors, and doors to the main level of the Silversteed Palace in case the noble family is in need of protection. Duties: Sergeants are expected to help move Privates and any lower ranks through their daily tasks. Sergeants are expected to work together within their Decade and gather themselves and the lower ranks to go on patrols, do some basic combat training, or help man the gate house. Essentially, Sergeants have been given the authority to lead the lower ranks, and help organize them, and they are expected to do so. To Rank Up: To rank up from Sergeant to Lieutenant is no easy feat. The Sergeant must either prove they are able to be a Lieutenant in a brand new Decade, or be a replacement to the current Lieutenant within their Decade. To achieve this, a Sergeant must at least recruit 3 individuals that are not already citizens of Arbor to join the Black Guard. If the Decade that the Sergeant is in is full, those recruits will join a separate Decade. To be eligeble for a rank up, the Sergeant must at least have recruited 3 individuals. Once they have achieved this, the Captain may begin to consider the qualities of that Sergeant and see if they are worthy of the position. If the Captain believes that the Sergeant would be a worthy Lieutenant, but that they should not replace the Decade's current Lieutenant, they may submit the info to the leader of Arbor. Uniform, Standard Uniform and Armor with Gold Pin upon the chest: https://imgur.com/BzNxT6T + Lieutenant: This rank is given to those who have proven excellent skill in combat, and nearly unrivaled skill as leader. They have proven to be an invaluable asset to the Captain as their second in command. A Lieutenant must work hard to maintain their position, and always prove that they are the only person in their Decade worthy of the title. Lieutenants earn the next large pay increase, in addition to the final Level 3 access key ring. These keys give the holder access to sensitive locations, including the upper halls of the Silversteed palace, and the classified locations across Arbor. Duties: Lieutenants are expected to be often available for whatever the Captain may need. Additionally, they are expected to be the number one force for organizing patrols, and training if the Captain is not available. As second in command Lieutenants are expected to constantly be assisting and teaching the lower ranks. Conducting group or even individual training, should be done every other day. Patrols should be organized (if not by the Captain) then by the Lieutenant. Patrols should be conducted daily by a Decade. Patrols of the Emerald district, up on the walls, and within the inner city. To Rank Up: A Lieutenant must show such ability in leadership, that they catch the eye of the Leader of Arbor. To even be considered for the rank of Captain, a Lieutenant must recruit at the least 6 people to join the guard that are not already citizens of Arbor (these are 6 additional people, not including the 3 that were recruited back when they were a Sergeant). They must also prove talent and skill in combat, as well as undying loyalty to their decade and the Black Guard. They must prove courage, kindness, and intelligence, to be granted such an honorable title as Captain. Uniform, Standard Uniform and Armor with Gold Pin and the Lieutenant's Purple Pin: https://imgur.com/o3yQoO2 + Captain: The Captain is the highest rank achievable in the Black Guard. The Captains are hand picked by the Leader of Arbor. Just like other ranks, they have on and off duty times, they are not special and get to be off and on when they please. Unlike other ranks however, they receive the final pay increase in their Standard Pay. They are tasked with managing their Decade to the fullest extent. They alone are tasked with giving out the payment slips, and watching who should receive what types of payments based on how much Active Duty that person participated in. Captains may also hand out bonuses, which come straight from the Captain's own pocket. These bonuses come in the form of the Arbor Iron pendant, and are worth 100 mina each. These bonuses may be given out as a reward to troopers who have proven excellent service. Duties: Captains are expected to conduct the following with their Decade Daily: -Daily patrols. These patrols take the entire Decade (all that are available) to go on a patrol. These Patrols are to start at Arbor's main gate, go through the Emerald district, back into the interior of the city, up onto the walls of the Old Town, through the Old Town Castle, across the bridge and into the new town. Inspect equipment and straighten out uniforms at the Silversteed palace, then proceed back to the Old Town and finish at the main gate once more. Ideally, these patrols occur twice a day. They must happen at least once a day, and if the Captain is unavailable the Captain is expected to inform their Lieutenant to run the patrol for them. -Ensure that their Decade is at full capacity. If a Captain's Decade is not at full capacity, that means that that Decade is under performing. Captains are expected to get to and maintain the active number of 9 troops under their command. Failure to do so, will result in that Captain's removal of rank, and the Captain will be brought down to the rank of Private. Regularly, if not daily missions with the entire Decade to go recruiting should be commonplace, to ensure that the Decade is operating at full potential. Captains are expected to do this on the following days: Every Saints Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday the Captains are expected to organize that day's drill training. These Decade training sessions, will be divided into three parts. 1) Duels, one on one combat. These fights will be duels between guards. Full armor and a dulled iron sword are to be used, to make it more realistic to actual combat. 2) Group combat. The Decade is to be split into two equal parts. Combat will proceed much like duels, except it should now be 5 on 5, the Captain should not sit out the fight. If it seems to be an unfair advantage to one side, then the Captain may alternate sides. 3) Decade formation drills. Captains are to conduct formation drills, in which Orders One, two, three, etc. will be taught to their Decade. Formations are critical to an organized force. The ability to form up quickly and efficiently is a skill that few armies across the world posses. It is the hallmark of the Black Guard. Uniform, Captains may wear their own style of Armor and uniform that most comfortably suits them, so long as it is very similar to the Black Guard uniform, and includes the gold and purple pins, a red sash, and a red plume upon their helm. https://imgur.com/8TQ5iNm Those that would prefer to wear the standard Captain uniform, can find it here. ~ Focus ~ All who join the Black Guard, are to declare a focus for themselves. There are three available. All Guard will be trained and be expected to posses elements of all three, however this indicates what type of soldier you wish to be within the guard, and indicates what you wish to one day master, or achieve. The Warrior This focus is for those who want to be in the brunt of the fighting. Those who wish to master the sword, the axe, or the war hammer. Those who relish the glory found upon the center of a battlefield, would be wise to choose this focus. You will be trained to specialize in close quarters combat, and to be a force of nature. The Ranger This focus is for those who show skill and talent with a bow. Those few who can shoot an enemy from great distances, and disappear into the woods from whence they came. Those who find strength in the tension of their bowstring, would be wise to choose this focus. You will be trained to excel with the bow, and hand to hand combat. The Leader This focus is for those who know they are capable of leadership. Those who understand that an army of dear led by lion, should be more greatly feared than an army of lion led by a dear, would be wise to choose this focus. You will be trained to perhaps one day become a leader of a Decade yourself. You will be mentored by a higher ranking officer, who will show you the way and teach you the ropes of what it means to be a leader. ~ Clarifications between the Black Guard and the Knights of Arbor ~ For those that have questions regarding who has command over who. + The standard Knights of Arbor hold no authority over any member of the Black Guard. The Knights may assist in the activities of a Decade, but must respect a Captain's wishes if the Captain wishes for it to be a Black Guard Training (or other activities). This respect of Captains applies to Wardens as well. + Wardens, however, have authority over some specific ranks of the Black Guard. These ranks are anything below the rank of Sergeant (including the Sergeant). However, if an order from a Warden conflicts with an order from a Black Guard Captain or Lieutenant, the Guard are to listen to the commands of their fellow Guardsmen, over the commands of a Warden. Wardens typically remain separate from the Black Guard, and work to improve the Knights of Arbor, not the Black Guard. ~ Join The Guard ~ What is your name? ((RP)) Do you have combat experience? None is ok. ((RP)) Are you 18 or older? ((RP)) Are you taller than 5 foot? ((RP)) What is your declared Focus? ((RP)) Do you have Discord? ((OOC. No need to share it here.))