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The Keep
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Keepers of Stromgarde
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New Recruits
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Ranks
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The Nation of Stromgarde
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Mud squished beneath his feet as a warrior ran through Arathi with the ice cold rain pounding down against his armor like arrows and thunder cracking against the dark-clouded sky, almost knocking him to the ground. Making his way near Stromgarde he spotted a light emanating from a cave in the distance and ran to it for shelter.
While bent over with his hands on his knees gasping for air, a stick hit him in the head. "Get out of my cave!" An old man dressed in rags said in a harsh voice.
The warrior responded quickly, "Please, sir, I will catch a deathly cold out there! Just let me stay warm next to your fire, just until it lightens up out there, and I will be on my way."
"Fine. But no longer. I will not have you ruining my cave", commanded the old man as the warrior rubbed his head where the stick had hit him. "What are you doing out in such weather, boy?"
"I was on my way to Stromgarde."
"Stromgarde! What for?"
"I'm on a mission."
The old man laughed. "Do you even know what Stromgarde is?"
"No," replied the warrior sheepishly.
"Sit down young man. I have a story to tell you, and by the looks of that storm ... you have no choice but to listen." The old man wrapped his rags around him tightly and slowly sat himself next to the fire, gazing into it.
"Stromgarde. Many have traveled through her collapsed walls, but only few know her story. Her home in Arathi was once the cradle for the human civilization. Was the birth place of the Empire of Arathor, and nearly controlled all the eastern lands. Strom was a thriving city. Her army had soldiers that when in formation ... looked like a sea of crimson as far as you could see."
The old man sighes and continued.
"But that was a long time ago. Many left to form their own cities. Wars were fought. Leaders were assassinated. Alliances were broken." The old man shook his head in dismay.
"She has fallen ... and yet she still stands for the noble few that still hold their swords for her. For those few, Stromgarde is still strong, still standing, and not orc, not troll, not ogre shall enter her gates! Their ranks stand up and fight, from the lowest of squires all the way to the commander. They bear their swords, their daggers, their staves, and they fight the forces that have crippled her!"
The old man slowly calmed. "They are noble. These Squires, these Keepers, these High Keepers -- these Keepers of Stromgarde."
As the old man throws a log into the fire, the young warrior thinks hard about these few that fight for a fallen city.
"How long have they been fighting?" he asks.
"Since as long as I can remember, boy! Hell, you might even be able to read about them in history books by now. They do still have schools now, don't they? They still teach you kids, don't they? Probably not."
"They have a rich history. Every rank has a story to tell and a meaning behind it. Take their rank of High Keeper for example. This rank is an honored rank amongst them. You have to prove yourself worthy to wear this title, like Danath did."
"Danath?" The warrior replied.
The old man looked sternly at him. "By the Light, child, have you no knowledge? Let me tell you about the nephew of Thoras Trollbane."
"Danath was a brilliant soldier. He was a mercenary captain for the Stromgarde militia. Danath lead the armies of Stromgarde in the final fight for Khaz Modan during the Second War. He then led a force to Nethergarde when the orcs breached the portal. He was called into action once again when Ner'zhul recalled the Book of Medivh into Draenor and defended the forces of Khadgar with skill and bravery until the final fight at the Portal, where he disappeared into the rifts of Ner'zhul to escape the dying Draenor."
"Are you listening, boy? This is what real heroes are made out of. They immortalized him in stone, along with the other leaders from the expeditionary force, in the Valley of Heroes in Stormwind."
"He and his men survived the cataclysm that created Outland and now reside at Honor Hold and who knows what feats he is accomplishing now."
"Now Prince Galen Trollbane, Thoras's son, created a rank to honor his courageous cousin, the rank of High Keeper. These men of Stromgarde, they honor their brothers like none other. So when they felt Danath was lost during the cataclysm, they decided to keep the memory of his sacrifice alive through their men and the rank which was given to them."
The warrior looked to the old man, the light from the fire casting a shadow upon the old man's face. His eyes were lost in the fire and they sat quiet as the logs from the fire snapped and crackled and as flashes of white light occasionally crept into the cave.
"How can I become a High Keeper?" the warrior asked the old man, who let out a slight laugh before he answered. "First you would have to be a member of the Keepers of Stromgarde and that is not an easy feat in itself. Then you would have to attain the rank of Keeper." The warrior nodded.
"But it doesn't end there; you have to prove yourself on the battlefield. Display courage and strength when evil stares you in the face. When all hope is gone and the rest drop their swords and run, you must stand and bear yours." A monstrous peal of thunder rolled across the lands of Arathi and echoed through the cave. "You must fight foot to foot with your brethren against the forces that threaten your homelands."
"These are just some of the things you must do, boy." The old man looked deep into the fire. "But my eyes grow heavy now. I must catch my rest; you best do the same. That storm doesn't look like it will be moving any time soon."
The warrior lay back and closed his eyes and wondered if he had what it took to be a High Keeper.
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High Keeper
Trials for the rank of High Keeper:
A High Keeper of Stromgarde must count with the following qualities:
# The Code of Chivalry - (Active RPer and a true example for all)
# Horsemanship - (Have an Epic flying Mount)
# The use of weapons - (Mark of the Alliance)
# High Keepers have to develop strength, speed, dexterity and leadership skills - (Initiative and success on running events/dungeons)
The Test:
The trials for the rank of High Keeper is entirely personal and it tends to be written solely for the candidate being examined. Usually a proof of success is asked in whichever quest they are ordered to do.
- Organizing Tournaments:
An angry letter from the Outlands says "It seems as though we have lost what was taught to us!. Is that so!? Is it!? We will begin a new training regiment starting today!, Nor rain sleet or snow will halt training!.....None other will leave a battle field like that fellow warrior did......not a one!!....Do you understand!? Signed, D. Trollbane." The rules of the tournament are entirely up the the event executor.
- Surpervision:
The rumors have it that we Keepers are slacking on our responsibilities and chores. Uther's forbids these lies reach Stromgarde or even worse, Danath's ears. Therefore we must make sure our people are doing what they are ordered to. Go and observe our men and make sure they are not goofing around.
-Equipment Upgrade
Considering that we have many new Keepers training, you are tasked to aid in getting them their equipment. Speak with the Guardians for gold, commission a crafter and help out your brothers in need with better armor and weapons for battle. If you are the "let them sink" type of leader, led a few Keepers into the depths of the Outlands and take the equipment you need from those demon spawn.
- Call to Arms:
In extremely dangerous times extreme measures are required. And from the very beginning of our history we have fought and defeated any posed threat against our nation. And the case is far from different during these dark times. It’s up to you to evaluate the threat and send summons for the necessary force you require to counter it. Not too few nor the entire guild, just the right amount.
- The High Keepers are also bound to ALL Keeper's tasks... |
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