What spies?

The Shadow Force is made up out of diplomats, messengers, scouts and investigators.

    * Ambassador is the one who manages the Imperial Diplomatic Service in day to day operations as well as keeps the Shadowlord informed of all political and diplomatic matters.

Leadership:
In the Imperial Diplomatic Service, the Ambassador and the Emissaries are the only ones responsible for handing orders and establishing methods.

That should answer your first question, Phinehas. There are more capable Imperials besides Hwnae or Sangwa .. they just don't all have such a public role.

As for the second. Technically the IDS will be tied in with the Empire's information services, which makes it a part of the Shadow Force. I'm sure that it will serve as a bridge between all four of our forces though, having representatives from each.

The Imperial Guard Structure has undergone some changes. We added a few extra officer ranks and changed the advancement system away from the old 'guild points' idea. Now advancement is determined by the judgement of higher ranking Imperials. Imperial Guards will advance based on skill, dedication and the need for officer ranks.

Additionally several informative books have been published in our library, ranging from a Conduct Guide to an overview of Unit types that are planned in the future.

The Imperial Guard is also applying a more aggressive recruitment strategy currently, as Aregul already mentioned. This means we'll make ourselves heard and have Guards responcible for recruiting and training new recruits. We are not reverting to mass recruitment however. As a military guild we are feigning mass recruitment by using shouts, recruitment officers and flyers .. because it makes sense to do so. However all our members are still required to be interested in roleplay and have a character with a personality and background that fits into the Empire and Steel Force's ideas.

The Imperial Guard is furthering it's usefulness and expanding it's public interests by making a number of tasks available for those who desire them. Contact any officer of the Imperial Guard to discuss the specific details of a task, in case you want to hire our services.

Services:

- Personal protection: For those who always wanted to feel safe, even in the darkest alleys, they can now hire their own private guards. Guards will take orders, that do not go against the Law, the Empire or their objectives, from the client. Costs vary depending on the number of men hired, the length of the contract and the level of danger involved. Payment is done in advance.

- Transport of goods, individuals or groups: If you're not interested in hiring a long term guard but just want to arrive safely at your destination. Or you have something important to deliver, then this service is for you. It is cheaper than hiring personal protection and gets the job done nonetheless, also perfect for keeping your caravans safer. Guards will not take orders from the clients, other than the initial objective. Costs vary, depending on the number of men hired, the distance traveled and the danger involved. Payment is done upon safe arrival, with a small downpayment in advance.

- Lawful tracking: We all know the Government guards prefer to look in the other direction from time to time. Because of this the Imperial Guard can be hired to hunt down any criminals that have personally offended you. Guards will not take orders, instead they take action based on the Laws of Yliakum and the Dark Empire. Targets will be apprehended alive and brought before the governmentl law system. We are not an assassination guild. The costs depend on the level of difficulty. Payment is delivered upon exchange of the target, with the exception of a small downpayment in advance. All potential expenses during the mission are the responcibility of the client, not the Empire.

- Military training: Do you have a lot of fresh recruits in your guild but lack the knowledge and time to train them? Or perhaps you'd like some additional training yourself but would rather not join any group? The Imperial Guard will allow outsiders to join their basic training sessions for a small fee of 100 tria per person per training session. Payment is done prior to participation. The trainings can be ended by the customer at all times, no refunds are given. Individualised Officer training, including leadership enhancement and advanced combat tactics, can be arranged but will be more expensive. Customers are required to obey the orders of the trainer at all times, unless they choose to leave.
Intentional obstruction of the training session or suspicion of espionage will have consequences.

"Are you calling our Chancellor a softy? Sounds like betrayal to the Dark Empire in my ears. You're under arrest! Men, get him out of my sight and into the darkest dungeon we have."

(P.S.: for those without any sense of humor .. I'm joking

Oh and who is Tassadar? The only Tassadar I know is from the game Starcraft. Aregul used to serve in the Vaalguard under Tyrnal Relhorn and the Community of Vaalnor. He retired from there and chose to join the Imperial Guard instead. With his military history he was immediately spotted as a valuable recruit.)

You can follow the links to the Dark Empire website and forums, as well as the Imperial Guard forums on the first post of this thread. There you can find loads of information about us.

Jobs you'll have to do vary from escorts, standing guard, patrolling for criminals to actively hunting down criminals or participating in military missions. Whenever you don't have tasks to do you can spend your time freely but I suggest keeping your combat (and roleplay) skills up to date.

P.S.: Have you been online already? Because I haven't seen you around the time you mentioned so far? (won't be able to get on much today until late in the evening GMT though.)

Welcome back, we're definitely still looking for recruits.

I'm certain we can arrange a meeting in game and try out your potential for the Imperial Guard.

Hwnae arrives at the location of the first house to be sold, with a detachment of Imperial Guards who carry a small reinforced chest with them. He studies the crowd that is already present, apparently gathering before another house sold just a few days ago, to ensure there aren't any eyes staring greedily at the Dark Empire's tria chest. When he is satisfied, Hwnae turns his attention towards Donari Tyndale, a Trades officer, with an expertise in auctions. They both discuss the strategy of the following auctions, while other Imperial officials start arriving along with many strangers, all interested in buying property in Yliakum's capital.

The first two houses on the list that day, both located in Upper Hydlaa, were quickly going towards three million tria and more. The first was sold to a Kran that goes by the name Caash for over four million and the second house, just a bit further down the road went away to Kemedes for three million. Even though this is a haughty neighbourhood, in the vicinity of Amidison Stronghand's residence, the area is also dangerously close to the North gate and quite populated. The Empire was waiting for a better oppertunity.

This oppertunity came to us quickly when the city officials led us down to East Hydlaa and offered an empty building for sale, just across from the Purrty residence. The building was in good shape and located in a secluded area, away from the attention of the commoners. After letting a few other interested parties bid up against eachother, Hwnae placed a winning bid of one million and eight hundred thousand tria and gained the keys to the building with this action.

"The Dark Empire has an Embassy in Hydlaa, Hail the Empire!"

(It was a good event, much better than the first auctions I went to! Cheers to the GMs!
My only disappointment was with the players who had to insist on GMs showing that flashy yellow label again before they went along.

They finally remove that dreaded OOC thing and you guys have to spoil it, tsk tsk tsk.)