Templars of Menxvan

2016-12-25T03:34:55Z

Alex:

{{Infobox
|title = Menxvan Worship

|image = [[image:Menxvan1.jpg|260px]]
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE; width:33%;

|header5 = Religion Information
|label6 = Type
|data6 = Duotheistic
|label8 = Deity(ies) Worshipped
|data8 = [[Templars of Menxvan| Menxvan]]
|label9 = Symbols
|data9 = The Letter "V", Ouroboros, Starburst, Sword
}}
The Templars are an order of knights dedicated to defending the Menxvanic faith, protecting Menxvan's followers, and safeguarding Menxvanic temples, shrines, and other holy sites. Traditionally, they have been dedicated supporters of the [[Arangoth]]ian monarchs, formed an elite corps in the Arangothian armies in times of war, and been used in prior decades to put down particularly troublesome rebellions.

The symbol of the Templars of Menxvan is a green serpent swallowing its tail, surrounded by a sunburst, with a sword in the center. The Templars display this symbol on their armor, or wear a pendant around their neck when unarmored.

=Code of Conduct=

All Templars swear eternal loyalty to Menxvan and vow to protect his followers and his holy sites. Furthermore, they are dedicated to spread the teachings of Menxvan as far as possible, and to teach by example. Templars realize that they are looked up to by most people, and strive to be role models for those around them. Humility is also a particularly stressed virtue, as arrogance makes it easy to slip from the Templar's path. Templars, like any followers of Menxvan, do not believe in forced conversions.

=The Templar's Oath=

"Menxvan is my lord and the father of my order as well as my first and foremost duty. His followers shall be my brethren, his temples my home. Those who would threaten these shall be my foes. Those who are not my brethren nor my foes are those who I must strive to demonstrate the rightness of Menxvan's ways to. In trying to teach his ways, I will remain humble. Never shall I let my arrogance overcome me, lest it lead me off Menxvan's righteous and just path."

=Abilities=

Not all Templars are capable of many of the abilities for which the Templars of Menxvan have become legendary. Most are able to enter into a trance-like state to accelerate the body's natural healing process. Through rigorous training, many come to learn the ability to enter the first tier of the underworld, the Dreamworld, to commune with the spirits of the recently deceased. Use of this particular ability is taxing. As such, conversations with the dead are generally brief.

Some Templars are able to perceive the mental auras of sentient beings around them, while masters of this ability have such acute senses that they are able to replace ocular vision entirely. During the Sherkhen War, Master Nimpe ul-Alathar was able to lead her troops into battle, despite being blind from birth. Others are able to stand as a rock in spite of whatever assault might be leveled against them. Master Illhurst, in his last stand, was able to stand upright through all manner of blows.

All Templars learn certain skills, such as turning undead and using basic healing magics, and prayers to enhance one's speed, strength, and reflexes are not uncommon among Knights.

Templars are generally longer lived than most members of their species, and with their excellent physical conditioning and iron discipline, they are able to continue their military service long after mundane knights would have left their arms and armor behind. It is not unknown for a Templar to continue his or her service well into their seventies before retirement.

=Structure of the Templars of Menxvan=

===Initiate===

This is the rank at which all Templars of Menxvan begin their service to the order. Initiates are new recruits and those who have yet to be tested in combat. Initiates have not yet earned the right to call themselves Templars, but rather refer to themselves as Initiates of the Order. Advancing beyond the Initiate state requires that the Initiate measure up to very exacting standards of physical, mental, and spiritual discipline. It is strength of body, strength of mind, and strength of faith that allow Templars to call upon their unique gifts. Many of the Templars' special skills require the Templar to enter a meditative state, focusing the will, and opening the mind to receive Menxvan's favors. Only a few individuals can walk this path, and fewer still can remain upon it without slipping. Initiates are just beginning to learn the ways of the Templars, still learning to harness the supernatural-seeming powers of the Templars, and making their first contact with ancestral spirits.

===Knight Templar===

The majority of Templars of Menxvan are at this rank. This rank is for veterans who have proven themselves in the field. As a Templar gains experience in the Templar disciplines and has sustained the intense, disciplined devotion necessary to follow the Templar ways, he or she is awarded the honored rank of Knight once their mettle in battle has been proven. Achieving this rank is a sign that the Templar has the talent and determination to remain upon the path of the Templar disciplines without faltering. Templars at this rank are fully ordained priests of Menxvan and have full authority to conduct religious rituals and lead congregations in worship.

===High Templar===

High Templars serve as commanding officers of forty man detachments. Members promoted to this rank are always selected from members of the Order who have attained the rank of Knight. Attainment of this rank is reserved for experienced Templars that have mastered the Templar disciplines. All High Templars are mystics and visionaries at least to some degree, having a very strong connection to the otherworldly. For this reason, many people find the presence of a High Templar intimidating, as they seem to look through one, rather than at one. High Templars serve as teachers to the Templars, guiding them on the path of Menxvan.

===Master===

The spiritual leaders of the Templars, Masters represent the zenith of the Templar disciplines. Each Templar stronghold is led by a Master, who provides guidance and instruction. Masters rarely leave the temples to take the field of battle, only doing so in times of great peril. Though Masters are often advanced in years (rarely younger than fifty), they are still more than a match for a score of ordinary soldiers. Masters are considered prelates of the Menxvanic faith and command considerable respect from the faithful.

===Lord Templar===

Only one Templar holds this rank at any time, as this is the supreme military leader of the order. The Lord Templar is given full discretion to choose the appropriate course of action in all military matters which concern the Templars, and is also responsible for making sure that young Templars receive the proper training at the various strongholds. The Lord Templar is elected by a meeting of all the Masters in council, and serves until death or retirement.

=Fortresses=

===Prakanthoss===

Located high in the mountains of [[Ruthmarna]], this ancient monastery has trained both human and dwarven Templars for centuries. The monastery's name means 'The Anvil' in [[Arangothek|Arangothian]], and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air. Templars learn discipline in this unforgiving environment to prepare them for future hardships in the service of Menxvan. They also receive basic arms and hand to hand combat training during their time here. Prakanthoss is home to at least two forty man detachments of Templars in training at any given time, as well as one detachment of trainers and an active duty detachment. When the Great Shadow of Ruthmarna took control of the province, Prakanthoss was left untouched, its Templars and staff able to come and go with impunity.

===Shiskwa===

Shiskwa is outside of Arangoth, located on the north shore of [[Song Deep]] at the mouth of the River Tkhonu, on the lands of the Menxvan-worshipping Hoshk tribe in [[Kahlahra]]. The rough lands of Kahlahra are a traditional proving ground for young Templars where they practice their endurance and learn horsemanship from legendary Khalar horsemen. In addition to horsemanship, the proving grounds at Shiskwa teach advanced arms training and unit drilling. The fortress at Shiskwa houses up to four forty man detachments of Templars in training, one detachment of trainers, and one active duty detachment. In return for spiritual guidance from the Templars, the Hoshk have a longstanding practice of donating horses to the Templars as offerings to Menxvan.

===Sonkovath Village===

This monastery is located in a small mountain village on the western side of the Skull Teeth, the mountain range that divides [[Outer Arangoth]] and [[Leptatarna]] (Inner Arangoth). It is in this secluded stronghold that young Initiates receive their education, both religious and secular. They also continue the arms training begun at Prakanthoss. Sonkovath is home to a cadre of Templar Masters and is generally the place where retired Templars focus on their spiritual devotions after ending their active service to the order. Aside from the teachers and students, Sonkovath maintains one forty man detachment of Templars in active service. The original monastary at Sonkovath was destroyed by the Order of the Beady Eye during the prior civil war to open the pass into Inner Arangoth. The stronghold has long since been rebuilt, though several of the artifacts that used to reside in Sonkovath were either destroyed or stolen in the attack.

===Millabratel===

Situated at the crossroads that connects [[Drache]], [[Arania]], and the [[Sresar Vale]], the town of Millabratel was the only remaining significant outpost for the Templars in the southern region of the kingdom for many years. The Menxvanic Temple complex at Millabratel is located in the center of the city where the three roads converge. Millabratel was the provincial capitol of [[Transdariania]] before [[BLKDRAGON]] and [[AngelSin]] founded their capitol at Drache, and has a permanent population of approximately ten thousand (though this number can double during important religious holidays). Millabratel boasts a full forty man detachment, as well as a number of students undergoing advanced studies in the High Templar disciplines. Each of the other Menxvanic temples in the southern provinces of Arangoth has at least one Templar (as many as five in the case of larger temples), though all the Templars in Transadariania, Arania, and the Sresar Vale report to the Master of Millabratel. Aside from its strategic location, Millabratel has remained an important center for the Templars because it is a repository for several important relics, including the original copy of the Book of Metrarin, a set of spiritual meditative exercises which is essential in mastering the Templars' ability to commune with ancestral spirits.

===[[Drache]]===

The Templar order's newest stronghold is a fortified temple surrounded by an octagonal wall in Drache's Wharf District. In the wake of the destruction caused by the [[Cult of Anathema]] in the year 475, the Master of Millabratel pledged the Templars' assistance with the rebuilding efforts in return for a grant of land to build a new temple to serve as a place of refuge in future disasters. While it was unusual for the Templars to build a new stronghold in the middle of a city, the order considered it a vital outpost in the struggle against evil. The new Drache stronghold houses a full-strength detachment of forty Templars led by a Master Templar, half of which is ordinarily deployed to protect the [[Royal University]] and the Temple of Menxvan in the Royal Church District. The stronghold's staff also includes several priests and healers to attend to the needs of the faithful, as well as potential Initiates receiving initial introduction to the order before traveling north to Prakanthoss.

===Castle of Gessihorna===

Gessihorna is traditionally the residence of the Lord Templar. The position of Master of Gessihorna has been held by Templars of the Sanskaranth family for centuries, and it was the family's duties as vassals of the Arangothian monarchs that first forged the link between the Crown and the Templars. Located on the shores of the strait that divides Song Deep from Little Deep, Gessihorna is the largest fortified castle in the country, large enough to contain a small town within its walls. Gessihorna's defenses are a marvel of engineering, designed by Templars with the aid of their ancestral spirits, and modified and expanded several times since the stronghold's original founding. Such is its reputation as an impregnable fortress that it was not attacked at all by the forces of the Order of the Beady Eye during the civil war, and was flooded with refugees fleeing the war after the fall of [[Tagrana]]. Gessihorna absorbed a considerable portion of Tagrana's population after the war, causing a new town to spring up around the walls of the castle in the years since the civil war. Gessihorna boasts ten forty-man detachments of Templars, plus a permanent garrison of four additional detachments that remain to defend the stronghold in times of war. In addition to the Templar forces, there is a sizable contingent of the Border Guard stationed in Gessihorna under the command of the Lord Templar, serving as the town's police force in peace, and defenders in war.

[[Category: Menxism]]
{{Navbox Religion}}
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: Military or Law Enforcement Forces]]

2016-12-25T02:57:17Z

Alex:

2016-10-12T22:08:48Z

Alex:

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Ruthmarna.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Middle of Arangoth
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves, humans, Shadar-kai
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothek, Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = The Great Shadow
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to Prakanthoss, an ancient monastery located high in the mountains. Prakanthoss has trained both human and dwarven [[Templars of Menxvan]] for centuries. The monastery's name means "the anvil" in Arangothian, and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air. After the Great Shadow's takeover in 486, the Templars of Menxvan were allowed to continue using Prakanthoss.

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BLKDRAGON]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok ul-Dorn|Arlok]] rather than [[The Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by [[Perlim Larkspin]] moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. [[Palatine]] Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King Arlok.

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

In May of 486, Ruthmarna was taken over by a shadow dragon who simply called himself the Great Shadow. He began with a gradual takeover of the dwarven mining enclaves and finished with his hostile takeover of the capital, with the help of many of his Shadar-kai cultists. The Sithire of Drache was taken prisoner, along with Prince Emereth and various members of the royal retinue.

When Drache declared its independence later that year, the Great Shadow consolidated his power, convincing the dwarves to take Ruthmarna for themselves and rule it as independent as it had been before the dwarves had been forced to allow the humans to rule it for them. Ruthmarna has since served as a key point in the battle for Drachean independence, as it forms a natural barrier between the north and the south.

=Present Day=

The country is safe again, run under the watchful eye of the Great Shadow and the various dwarven and human factions. It is an independent state and served as one of the main battlegrounds in the war for Drachean independence.

=Related Topics=

[[The Origins of the Kingdom of Arangoth]]

[[The Fall of Old Arangoth]]

[[The 'Alysian' Era (465-468)]]

[[The 'Arlokek' Era (469-472)]]

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]

File:Ruthmarna.jpg

2016-10-12T21:51:29Z

Alex:

2016-07-29T00:37:14Z

Alex:

Azaan is the name of the isolated technocratic city-state far to the southwest of the Kingdom of Arangoth. It is the most technologically developed country on the planet, its citizens enjoying a remarkably high quality of life as a result. Azaani technicians study a strange blend of naturalist and arcane philosophy, creating some of the most spectacular works in the world, including their massive arcane siphon towers and their legendary, fearsome airships.

{{Infobox Country
| name = Azaan
| image = Azaan.jpg
| alt =
| caption =

| motto = 'Videmus omnia.'
| capital =
| language1 = Azaani
| language2 =
| language3 =
| race1 = Human
| race2 =
| race3 =
| religion = None
| government = Technocracy
| ruler = High Directorate
| population = 150,000
| currency = Solari
}}

=History=

Azaan was dominated by a magical empire many centuries ago. With their monarchic style of government, the previous Azaani empire gradually grew more and more corrupt, increasing the standard of living for the aristocracy at the expense of the technically skilled (but socially powerless) working class. Revolution was staved off for many long years until one fateful day. Over the course of several weeks, the Azaani empire crumbled, its aristocracy killed or exiled, and its arcanists put to work in collaboration with the engineers of the era to produce new and fantastic technologies for the benefit of its entire people, as managed by the High Directorate.

=Geographical Features=

Azaan is a relatively small island city state, the island no more than 75 kilometers at its widest point, and perhaps 200 kilometers long. It is surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs with dubious staircases leading up in ill-maintained switchbacks at strategic locations. The landscape is generally dominated by shallow, rolling hills and plains, with few dramatic changes in elevation to speak of.

Azaan's relatively high elevation over the surrounding ocean affords it excellent visibility, and potential incursions into their territory are easily thwarted by their coastal defense networks and the quick deployment of their airships, a few of which are always kept in a state of combat readiness.

=Government and Politics=

Azaan is governed by the High Directorate, an elite team of experts in the fields of arcane science, naturalism, civil engineering, etc. The High Directorate is generally limited to a cadre of 12 individuals, selected based upon their merits by the Symposium, a meeting of over 200 individuals, all experts in their various fields from across the Azaani empire.

=Military=

While Azaan has traditionally kept a low number of standing armed forces personnel, these numbers are usually supplemented by the various automata developed by private firms with defense contracts. The backbone of the Azaani empire's military might comes from its legendary airships, which represent the pinnacle of arcane and technical engineering. A single cruiser-class airship is capable of burning a small fleet of traditional seafaring vessels to the ground.

The airships of Azaan are built around specially constructed arcane batteries of rare, specially modified crystals. These power the majority of the airship, including the elemental bindings that comprise the weapons and navigation systems. Each airship includes its own command and control module in the form of sentient automata rigged directly into the ship itself. The ship's automata is responsible for the management of the batteries and the balancing of the various forces required to bind the lesser elementals to the vessel.

While each ship will field a battery of traditional gunpowder munitions, the majority of the ship's destructive force comes from the arcane-powered weapons, generally centered around the manipulation and combination of various elemental energies.

=Society and Peoples=

Azaan is a wealthy nation, due in no small part to their monopoly on their particular brand of magic and technology. Such technologies are never traded for, but the products of their technology are highly sought after. Medical and agricultural technology is especially prized.

Azaan's people are generally happy due to the high standard of living, with plenty of time for leisure. The Azaani workforce centers around the four day work week.

While the earliest advent of automata within the city saw no small amount of strife, cultural attitudes have since shifted. The automata, in all of their forms, are met with grudging acceptance at the worst, and enthusiasm at the best.

=Language=

Azaani is the official language of Azaan, though all citizens receive a formal education in Common and various other languages, as desired.

[[Category: Countries]]

Azaan

2016-07-29T00:36:08Z

Alex:

2016-03-30T18:31:40Z

Alex:

Established during the upheavals that Arangoth has gone through during the partitioning of the nation between Arlok and the loyalists to the regent, but then the Noble Council, the Border Watch has grown from the ashes of its previous incarnation, Gerrath Weston's Border Patrol.

=Introduction=

Jaonos Mistwinter, a noted ranger and former captain of the Royal Guard, had taken on the unofficial mantle of reorganizing the Border Patrol on a provisional basis. This was done in recognition of the Assi attempting to take lands from Arangoth without opposition and from the Ruthmarnan bandits in the north.

Where the former Border Patrol had consisted of mounted patrols, Mistwinter's experience was that of the traditional elven ranger and his recruitment of experienced rangers reflected the new direction the organization was to take. No longer a grouping of mounted patrols, it was to become far more widespread, independent and responsive to the conditions it was to operate in. This required the skills of rangers who would pass their crafts on to interested recruits.

The requirements are simple. Any that can pass the rigorous physical challenges and who learn properly the Oath of the Watchman and demonstrate an adherence to it's credos are then assigned to experienced members to train and learn on the job, picking up the skills on a master-apprentice level. Be they horsemen, mountaineers, foresters or any other member of the Watch, they learn from those who had come before them, though sometimes they would go in groups under mentors in times of stress.

It was in this growth of the Provisional Border Guard under Jaonos Mistwinter that Marcion ul-Fenduth, a member of the Noble Council based in Drache, recognized the value of the corps and would push for it's funding and recognition as the Arangothian Border Watch. Included in the charter for it by the Noble Council has been a reaffirmment of their area of jurisdiction, which starts where the city-bound Royal Guard ends theirs. In the absence of a standing Army, the Border Watch has become the de facto power as well as the place where ex-legionnaires and ex-Border Patrolmen have gone to, as well as many others. Supplies for the Watch come from the abandoned bases of both organizations.

=Organization=

The Arangothian Border Watch is commanded by Jaonos Mistwinter, whose experience is sufficient and whose reputation is well established enough that he was able to begin recruitment and build up a force. However, despite the upheavals around it, the Border Watch remains firmly in its mission to protect the borders and wilderness and areas without a guard force of its own. There is no standard organization of units within the Border Watch, nor are ranks particularly an issue much of the time.

Border Watch doctrine is to be adept in the fieldcraft and survival skills that a Watchman needs to move with little support from a base for long periods of time. This is the reason why rangers are so suited to work within the Border Watch. The credo of the Watch also suits the considerations of a Watchman, who is traditionally less concerned with law than with justice and what is right. Contrary to a legalistic approach of the Royal Guard in Drache or in the cities, the Border Watch instills an appreciation for basic morality over an appreciation for strict legality.

A Border Watchman is recognized by the call medallion they wear beneath their clothing, which they can produce upon being challenged. It bears the sigil of the Arangothian Border Watch on a silver background. The symbol is a mountain lion upon a rock, with the words "My honor shall remained unstained and my loyalty steadfast." engraved on the back of it in the Arangothian tongue.

Training emphasizes all of this, including the moral aspects, and specific training in weapons, their care, animal husbandry, tracking, cooking, climbing and swimming to recruits that might not know how to do so. Just as importantly, recruits are taught how to rely on each other and are given the first taste of fraternity and loyalty within the structure of a training regimen which prepares them for more specialized craft training which will ensue as they are sent to more far-flung posts.

The current bases out of which the Border Watch works from are as follows, with a brief description of their environs and their functions.

==Slifrahorna==

The current main post of the Border Watch, where recruits are assigned and given their first training. A good amount of meat comes through this post and into the nearby city of Drache. It is on the river Darian, a little North of Drache itself.

==Gathritana==

The Border Watch's second most active post is in the region of Bralk Lakrath and it's surrounds, bordering with Arlok's domain, where it is said that the Watch is preparing to hold off bandits that have halted their raiding seasons for the moment. The expectation of the Border Watch is to be on hand in case the bandits were to begin pillaging again. It is well known that Arlok's intensified efforts against the bandits have made Southern Arangoth far more vulnerable to such an attack.

The Border Watch in this region operates off of horseback, and in larger groups than most of the other regions. This most resembles Gerrath Weston's old Border Guards in form and indeed this is where a large majority of the veterans of his service have ended up. However, ex-army cavaliers and others also are known to staff this group. It is unlikely that they are geared to repel an invasion from Arlok, because they are equipped to deal in speed; one of the requirements for chasing and catching bandits. Weapons and armor tend to go along the lines of light lances and spears, short bows and horse bows, curved horseback-wielded swords, and leather armor.

Gathritana itself is a tiny village with a large barracks that stables many horses and other mounts, such as a small number of griffons that are the only griffons the Border Watch has. However, a series of stables at hostels in various villages serves as stopover posts for the mounted Watchmen in this region, and arrangements have been made with the recent funding to insure that a band of Watchmen have a place to stay and to stable their horses in the towns. For this reason, among others, Gathritana is considered a fairly soft post, save by the griffon riders and others who are called to all regions of Arangoth for all manner of missions. Gathritana Watchmen are known to be somewhat rakish and consider themselves casanovas. They are not the most liked of Watchmen in the community, but they are more socially adept than many of the Watchmen in the ranks for a variety of factors listed above.

==Shatral==

Poised in the Sresar Vale, with mountains surrounding and streams running through it, the Shatral post is rugged and picturesque, beloved of the rough Watchmen who man the post there and patrol the lands. Because of the landscape, horseback patrols are impossible and so pairs of Watchmen undertake the patrols on foot, generally. Patrols are also done in small watercraft hollowed out from the trunk of a tree that carry a few Watchmen and some supplies up and down the rivers and streams that run through the region. Climbing and swimming and knowledge of living in rugged terrain are a requirement for those that would take the challenge of Shatral. Physical strength and endurance are a premium in these lands. Even the Sresar Vale itself is subject to a rough terrain and erratic weather patterns. Patrols are self-reliant and are small in number and on foot. However, some pack animals are used from time to time. Flying patrols from Gathritana often come over this area to assist in the duties of the Watchmen stationed here. It is noted that the Watchmen stationed here leave the post, if they ever do, toughened and leathery. Shatral is known to house some of the toughest and most experienced Border Watchmen, as well as the least socially capable.

==Nilik==

The newest post of the Arangothian Border Watch, this is where the majority of newer recruits are sent. It is an intermediary and temporary post on the edge of the Elgar Forest, intended to be an intensive training conducted by experienced rangers to bring their charges into the skills and lore of the profession. Patrols are conducted on foot and in small groups. Because the Elgar forest is fairly dangerous in terms of it's inhabitants, it is considered a proper setting to give new Watchmen the indoctrination they need in the skills of fieldcraft before they are sent further up to Hoganth.

==Hoganth==

This post is the most active in the Watch, being the staging point for the planned activities taken against the Assi, and this is where sufficiently trained Watchmen as well as the most experienced Watchmen not involved in training are sent up to. The nature of the enemy dictates that the patrols are conducted the same way the Assi conduct themselves, which is to say that they move on foot. However, the hand of Jaonos Mistwinter's training shows through in that there is a blend of elven and non-Assi human rangering tactics mixed in as well. What patrols occur in this region are oriented towards gathering information and troop movements on all sides rather than actually moving against the Assi at this point.

==Ranks==

(In the case of equal rank conflicts, seniority is considered until the grievance can be brought to a higher ranked Watchman.)

Recruit Watchman - This rank is only used in Slifrahorna and is what is assigned to the new Watchmen. Promotion occurs at the end of a training period at Slifrahorna, if the potential Watchman has survived the training regimen. Experienced persons are able to skip this stage.

Acolyte Watchman - Standard rank for a Watchman. In patrols, they are the junior partners, with an experienced Watchman.

Adept Watchman

Senior Watchman or Watchman Instructor - The former is used in the field, the latter in training posts. Most common rank in command of patrols in the Gashritana post.

Master Watchman - Highest rank out on patrols. Lower ranks can also be paired with Acolyte Watchmen for patrols.

Watchpost Commander - The commander of a regional post is assigned this rank. Below this rank, there are no limits on how far a member can rise in the ranks. Once Master Watchman is reached, there is a limited number of posts to command. Provisional posts can be established as well, so this number can change. Under a Watchpost commander are a staff to help in managing the post, what little management that might be needed. The sudden assumption of responsibility and logistics and even political considerations makes this an undesireable promotion for some Watchmen.

Border Watch Commander - Top Rank in the hierarchy, occupied currently by Jaonos Mistwinter.

[[Category: Military or Law Enforcement Forces]]