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A fortress of brown stone towers over the first island of Runewick, drawing the attention of all who cross the bridge and enter the town. Muffled chatter resounds from inside, only interrupted by the loud wooden banging and occassional grunts of the sparring garrison. An engraved plaque on the heavy, iron-shod door reveals this to be the "Guard House". A board next to the door is reserved for announcements pertaining to the town guard and public safety.

BY DECREE OF THE ARCHMAGE AND THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
the Town Guard of Runewick has been recreated to serve and protect
its citizens, to defend law and order, and to uphold our constitution.

Roster of current guards:
Malchus, Captain resigned
Brassius Meres, Gatekeeper
Neiran el Nyarale
Martin Whiteshroom, on trial
Orion Lysander, on trial suspended
Sigumari Sanguis, on trial

Signed,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 20th Tanos 71

An angry dwarf stands in front of the announcement. What the hell does mean "on trial"!
Dwarf tears off notice and still angry, goes to Runewick inn to drink a mug of beer. In the distance someone could hear "I'll talk to the captain now, in front of Lady Aswe he appointed me a sergeant, and officially such an insult..."

In the morning, Captain Malchus stepped out of the guard house, carrying ink and quill. His expression appeared uncertain, concerned even, and he furrowed his brows in anger as he found his first notice torn off the board.
"Insolence," he grumbled and nailed the decree back onto the board, scribbling something new onto it.
It was at this moment when Orion Lysander, who just yesterday volunteered as guardsman, walked by. Malchus's eye widened.
"Oi, Guard Lysander, halt!" Malchus barked and approached the startled Orion, seizing his handcuffs. "Drop yer spear! In the name of Runewick, yer under arrest!"
"This is a bullshit! I'm innocent!" Orion retorted as Malchus tried to disarm him. Nimbly freeing himself from Malchus's hold, Orion delivered a firm thrust with the butt of his spear to the Captain's stomach and darted off across the bridge.
Before Malchus or Brassius Meres could stop him, Orion disappeared in the forest outside of town.

Two new parchments have been nailed to the Town Guard's announcement board by Malchus.

WANTED ALIVE
Orion Lysander
WAIVED BY COUNCIL'S ORDER

Description: A middle-aged man of average height.
Athletic and of swarthy complexion, dark-haired and dark-eyed.

The fugitive is charged with breach of oath and acting against orders of the Council, and is to stand trial in Runewick.
Armed and experienced in combat, so caution is advised.
Contact the Town Guard if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of this man.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Citizens and visitors are reminded that according to Runewick's 2nd Regulation, III.
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO OPENLY BEAR WEAPONS AND SHIELDS WITHIN TOWN.
Councillors, guards, and foreign dignitaries are exempt from this law.
Repeat offenders may be fined 20 Silver Coins per future offence.

In the name of the Academic Council,
Malchus
Captain of the Town Guard

Malchus struck through Lysander's wanted poster and scribbled something over it in big, red letters.

Malchus was awoken by the midday sun which shone through the narrow window above his bed, his clothes haphazardly scattered across his bed chamber. Rumination after Lysander's trial and an unexpected, albeit very welcome diversion had kept him awake for most of the night. The long sleep was exactly what he had needed to recover from the long-winded trial and all the tedious preparations that preceded it. He had slept the trial's exhaustion off and felt fortified, awakening with a quiet smile on his lips.

"Whoever that De'Puy was, she sure saved Orion's hide in Elara's Hall," Malchus murmured to himself as he collected his clothes and dressed up. Holding a rolled up parchment and hammer, he emerged with a confident stride from the guard house and nailed his latest announcement to the board.

COURT VERDICT AND SENTENCE
The citizen Orion Lysander has been trialled and found guilty of
assault against the Cadomyrian Dame Inara Lacy Valdris
and sentenced to pay a fine of 100 Gold Coins to the Academic Council
by no later than the 21st Adras 71 under threat of banishment.

As per Dame Inara's generous wish,
her compensation shall be donated
in her name and in her presence
to the Temple of Brágon in Runewick.

In the name of the Academic Council,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 6th Ronas 71

About a week later, a second note was attached below.

BY COUNCIL ORDER
Orion Lysander is until further notice
barred from guard service
on grounds of his violent crime.

In the name of the Academic Council,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 14th Ronas 71

An elfess with green hair personally puts a note up

Alteration of Sentence details

After consultation, the Academic council has decided to alter the details of the sentence of Orion Lysander. 60 days being too lenient for the crime.

The fee of 100 gold coins still stands, however it is now due by 01. Eldas 71 15:00 with the threat of banishment still applying

Malchus approached the announcement board with a furrowed brow, bearing a parchment and hammer. As he read Aswe announcement, he shook his head in bewilderment, and nailed his parchment to the board.

BEWARE!
A yet unidentified man has been found murdered
outside Runewick at the northward road.
Criminal investigations are ongoing.

Citizens and foreign visitors are advised
to neither travel on foot nor alone.

Contact the Town Guard with any information relevant to the case.

Signed,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 14th Ronas 71

A green haired elfess makes an alteration

The Sentence of Orion

After further advisement and introspection, the original sentence for Orion has been reinstated. 60 dwarven days.

-Aswe

Malchus returned from his usual patrol around Runewick's countryside, spotting at the guard house a giant of a man, clad in armour and wielding an axe. It wasn't the first time that Malchus met Sigumari Sanguis, who even towered over the captain himself, but seeing Sigumari all battle ready impressed Malchus nonetheless, and he struck up a conversation. Sure enough, the chitchat turned to talk about their fighting experience, and the town guard's noble duty to protect Runewick and its good people - an ideal which Sigumari could agree to.

After ensuring that Sigumari had no criminal past in Runewick and putting his skill with the axe to the test, Malchus gave him his approval: With a handshake and signature on the town guard's list, Sigumari became officially a guard of Runewick.

"Greetings, Brassius. How goes the watch?"
Brassius Meres politely bowed his head, as Malchus approached and greeted his fellow guardsman.
"Be greeted, Captain. All is calm, nothing unusual to report."
"Good, good. Listen up, we got new orders from the Council: There's concern o' smugglin' an' espionage from Cadomyr. Therefore, we'll from now on conduct random checks at the bridge, especially on foreigners. Make sure to pick every now and then random travellers out who enter town and check their belongings and clothes for anythin' suspicious; ya know, flasks which could be poison or fire bombs, Cadomyrian gemstones, incriminatin' scriptures..."

With these words, Malchus nailed a large parchment announcing this new security measure to a post next to the bridge for any arrivals to see.

ATTENTION! SMUGGLING CHECKS

Due to current trade restrictions with Cadomyr
the Runewick Guard may conduct random smuggling checks
and inspect the belongings of visitors for illicit goods.

In the name of the Academic Council,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 14th Findos 71

Malchus lowered his voice to a whisper as he turned again to the watchful bridge guard:
"One more thing, Brassius. If ya see any man who's as tall or taller than me, make sure to pick him for a "random" control. Don't do it alone an' be very diligent in yer check. We're lookin' for a hulk with a tattoo showin' a lil' blade on his lower left arm. If ya discover him, let him pass an' act as if nuffin' was suspicious 'bout him, unless he actually carries sumthin' illegal on him. Just make sure that 'nother guard tails him to keep an eye on him while he's in town, an' have it all reported back to me."

Brassius Meres confirmed his orders with a determined nod.
"Be vigilant as yer always are, Brassius," said Malchus with a light, commending smile on his lips as he walked back to town.

A new parchment was attached by Malchus to the guard house's announcement board.

PREPARATIONS FOR MAS 71
Citizens of Runewick, the month of Mas will be upon us soon. Prepare accordingly!

• Citizens are strongly advised to not leave the safety of town during Mas.

• Keep your pantry well-stocked with enough food for at least five days. A siege may cut the town off from outside food sources.

• Barricades were erected at the bridgehead guarded by Brassius Meres. Guardsmen and volunteers will man this barricade during Mas to defend the entrance to Runewick.

• Health potions have been stockpiled and can be issued at request to our town's defenders.

Runewick stands strong and ready! Our home will be defended!

In the name of the Academic Council,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 14th Chos 71

For the time until the end of Mas. The orc Greum is subject to:

One warning to leave

Before he is to be either killed or chased out of town.

For the crime of

SABOTAGE on the Mas Barricades.

Aswe

Summarily as ever, Captain Malchus executed his last official act by nailing a parchment to the Guard House's announcement board.
He breathed a sigh, either one of regret or relief, and took one last look at his writ before removing the blue cloak which had served hitherto as his unofficial uniform.
It was as if together with the cloak the burden of duty slid off his shoulders. With his oath lifted by Aswe, Malchus's life was no longer tied to Runewick and its Council.
Now he was just a citizen of Runewick like any other, a free man, beholden to no one but himself, and as many free men of Runewick like to do, Malchus decided to spend the rest of his evening over a frothy mug of beer at the tavern. Mulling over his regained freedom and future place in Illarion, Malchus murmured to himself in his native Serinjah dialect:
"As the adage goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on."

Guard Captain's Resignation

With the Academic Council's permission,
I, Malchus, am herewith relieved of my oath
and resign from my office as Captain of Runewick's Town Guard.
Command of the Guard is thus returned to the Council,
until a successor to the Captain's office is appointed.

In the name of the Academic Council,
Captain Malchus
Runewick, 15th Eldas 72