Fellow Citizens of Hydlaa, It is I, Valbrandr, coming here on behalf of the Community of Vaalnor. We have taken up residence in your neighboring village, Ojaveda. If you have noticed the occupied huts, do not be alarmed. Before I continue and fill your heads with our tale, I would like to take this time to say that we hope to coexist peacefully in this realm that has plenty of resources to sustain both communities. History A short time ago, the Sentinels of the Ragnarok (SoR), were nowhere to be found in all of Hydlaa, or Yliakum for that matter. Gone without a word to their respected friends from various guilds, an entire guild vanished overnight. After what seemed like a short lifetime in Yliakum, Induane and Valbrandr stumbled into the tavern with tattered clothing that whispered of a perilous journey. They were welcomed in and promptly served by Flare, the bartender. Flare began to open his mouth but before he had the chance to speak, Induane and Valbrandr had taken their seats by the fire. Flare instinctively went back to his duties.
As Induane and Valbrandr sat quietly by the fire, allowing an occasional grumble to pass through their closed lips, the tavern door slowly opened revealing the Ylian inch by inch. It was Ashamn, followed by Lordbug and Jekkar. The group moved to the bar, catching a glimpse of the battered men down by the fire with no recognition of them as their (Induane and Valbrandr) heads were down, staring into their ale. As Ashamn, Lordbug and Jekkar engaged Flare in conversation, Flare ducked his head down a little and meekly pointed over at the two exhausted men.
Sheer excitement rushed over the three men as they didn't even use the stairs, jumping over the ledge to embrace their good friends. However, they didn't find Valbrandr as plump and jolly nor Induane making his usual off the wall comments as each had been/done in the past:
Lordbug: "Hiya!"
A few seconds passed by as they waited for Val to say the usual, "Hey, how is everyone today?" But nothing. Induane and Valbrandr seemed as if they did not notice their old friends. Ashamn was the next to step forward and try to arouse the two men:
Ashamn : "Is the URPS still alive Val? I have some new ideas that could..."
But still nothing. Not a "Ashamn how is Port Calem doing?" or anything. Jekkar was the last to speak.
Jekkar: Juicy Fruit, we need you. The FA would not be the same without your presence.
As Jekkar finished, Induane and Valbrandr looked up at one another and finally Induane began to speak:
Induane: We sent for help.
Ashamn : Huh? You mean the settlement that was attack some weeks ago?
Valbrandr: And decimated? Yes. No one came.
Lordbug: We didn't know it was you. If we had known..
Induane: What does it matter who asked for help? So, it could have been another man or woman from this realm? Possibly someone you still would have known!
Jekkar: That is how it has become around here. Have you been gone so long you don't remember the deterioration of the community?
Valbrandr: Has it come to such things?
Lordbug: Well...
Valbrandr : You were right Induane, it is time for us to take leave of this place.
Ashamn : Huh? You are leaving Hydlaa?
Induane: We feel that we must. We came back to pick up our things and to invite the few good souls left in Hydlaa to come with us to our new dwelling, Ojaveda.
Lordbug: I thought Ojaveda was inhabited by thousands of Enkidukai?
Valbrandr: It is, The good people of Ojaveda drug the few of us who survived to safety inside of their walls. We are indebted to them. They have offered us huts to stay in as long as we feel comfortable there and of course we labor in the fields beside these dedicated workers. I think now is the best time for this. We are going to rebuild what we have lost.
Mission StatementThe Community of Vaalnor is a community with no hierarchy: no lower class or aristocracy. There is only a unified entity exemplified by three characteristics: Duty, Loyalty, and Honor. Our main concern is the community, not the individual. Even the land in which we dwell belongs to the whole.
We are a close knit community that spends our time helping one another. At times we may be viewed as selfish because the community comes before outsiders. The success of the Community of Vaalnor will be exemplified through each member of the society. We shall grow together and gain influence but not through military means. The Community of Vaalnor is going to take advantage of what we do best: Trade, Hunt, and Craft.
The Community of VaalnorAllow me to make one thing clear, this is an evolution. We are, and will always be the Sentinels of the Ragnarok (SoR). The Sentinels of the Ragnarok (SoR) will retain all our alliances and our alignment, Chaotic Neutral. Much has changed in the structure however, which you will soon see. This is just one step in the process of establishing ourselves.
Guidance of VaalnorThe village will be governed by the Village Council made up of village elders. The Council members themselves have no power. They are merely representatives of the various classes of members. The Council is empowered by the community, and exists solely to benefit the community: It is their Duty. If any member of the Council is discovered attempting to use his position for personal gain, he will be immediately expelled from the Council, with further punishment to be decided on by the Council. Each member is required to have his own full-time job. The Council has basic powers which include, but are not limited to settling disputes among members of the community, granting requests for secondary jobs to members of the community, setting rules of conduct for the community, and controlling the Guards of Vaalnor.
There will be one Council member for every five citizens. An equal balance of Council members will be kept at all times representing the Artisans, Gatherers, and Merchants. Members of the Council are members for life or until they cannot sufficiently do their job. New members will be voted on by both the Council and the citizens. Two-thirds of both have to agree that this member can handle such a duty. Council members can be removed from office by a two-thirds vote from either the Council itself or the citizens. Induane, Lishom, and I, Valbrandr, will be the first Council of the Community of Vaalnor. In addition, to make a decision, half of the Council must be present.
VaalguardFor the protection of our community from outside forces, the Community of Vaalnor has created the Vaalguard. Guard duty is mandatory for each able-bodied member of the community, male or female that is suited for combat. The Captain of the Guard will assign shifts to those suited, which must be fulfilled without fail unless the individual is pronounced physically incapable by the Captain or one of the Council members.
Suited: Members whose main jobs would prevent them from being exceptional guards: Miners because of the strenuous work performed daily and the Bartender because his/her job would not keep them in fighting condition. Other merchant jobs will be on a case by case basis.
Primary JobsEach village member is required to have one full-time job of his/her choice. This is to be his main responsibility in the community although he/she is allowed to take on other responsibilities as he/she believes himself/herself capable and with the sanction of the Council. The jobs that are necessary for the survival and success of Vaalnor are: (1) Artisans of all kinds and their apprentices, (2) Gatherers: whether it be through Mining or hunting, (3) Merchants of various sorts, (4) Scholars: Individuals studying the different fields of Magic, and (5) Explorer: people who would care to search out the land instead of slaying its monsters. When an individual is desirous of taking a place in the community, he is required to submit his job description to the Council to assure that he is fulfilling a necessary and valuable task within the community.
They include, but are not limited to:(1) (1) Artisans: They are, but are not limited to:
Smiths, Masons, and Architects
(2) Gathers:
Hunters and Miners
(3) Merchants:
Shopkeeper, Innkeeper and Barkeep
(4) Scholar :
Members studying fields of Magic
(5) (5)Explorer :
Cartographer
Secondary JobsMembers of the community may apply to hold certain offices in addition to their chosen vocation. The final decisions are made by the Council, and only the Council has the power to appoint or remove an individual to or from any office.
The term Secondary Jobs refers to, but is not limited to:
Village Council, Bard, Inventory Manager,
Captain of the Guard, Village Guard,
Banker, healer, guide
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