The Marshals of the West are an established instution and authority that operate across the free lands of the subcontinent of Wessa (known as "Epeiros" in Elvaen). They serve as scouts, defenders, law-enforcers, and judges. In their responsibilty to well-being of everyday people, Marshals do so under the sworn duty to protect Creation in its many facets; all land, sea, and sky -- as it is said: "all under Meleki’s reign."
The Order of Marshals was established by the first Lord Marshal, Everyl Dalyan, in the year 2250 SR, as part of a legal treaty between the new "Great Kingdom" of Prial and the Elvaen Palatinate in Lunaria
(Ailunar). Technically, the authority of the Marshals was orginally established by both these realms, but over time it became recognized among the common people in most every land of Wessa, regardless of kingdom or jurisdiction. While local rulers did not necessarily
have to respect a marshal's judgment, most did as a matter of course, without the need for any external pressure.
The larger order of Marshals began in the wild lands of Midra, but over time, individual "Conclaves" developed in various regions. The major conclaves include the following:
- The Greenwood Conclave - covering the lands from the Midrun Sea to the Barrier Mountains, and from Doltrek in the west to the eastern edge of the Greenwood.
- The Shadowood Conclave - covering the lands from the Empire Mountains in the north to the southern lands of Sulmare, nominally including Karsha, Aibria, and the Hevostan Plains.
- The Orilian Conclave - operating within the former Kingdom of Orilia and the greater lands of Noerdewessa, and to a limited degree among the free lands of Naodra.
- The Valkorajan Conclave - the smallest of the conclaves, overseeing the baronies of the White Colonies (this used to be part of the Orilian Conclave).
The Code of the Marshals
All the Marshals of Wessa claim to subscribe to the "Marshal's Code" -- as if it were a clearly defined creed or standard of conduct. While the "Seven Rules" (printed below) are the usually the same, the Code tends to be treated a collection of aspirations and guidelines that vary in application from place to place, and may differ between Conclaves. Consider the following to be general principles and rules, to which Marshals are expected adhere:
1) Members of the fellowship may not bear arms against another member of the fellowship. This is a generally held rule within one's own conclave, as well as between conclaves as a whole, but duals between individual members of different conclaves is not unheard of.
2) Members of the fellowship are expected to respond with help and assitance to those who are lost, extorted, or in need of help. Generally speaking, Marshals are understood to be protectors of the peace and one to approach for assitance in conflict. On a legal level, Marshal's are expected to provide counsel, aid, and legal judgment, when requested by duly appointed local authorities. In judgement of criminal cases, Marshals are expected to provide impartial mediation for members of various cultures and nations, and not use their authority with partiality toward any one group.
3) In the exercise of their duties, members of the fellowship may deputize local citizens. This is to help Marshals pursue criminals and bring law-breakers to justice. Many small towns have a voluntary militia or "brigade" to aid in the apprehension of criminals, the fighting of fires, and the keeping of the peace. This is often a mark of respect for trusted citizens.
4) Members of the fellowship are not allowed possess more wealth than can be carried on one mount. Until a member of the fellowship reaches Lord Marshal status, they may have no servants, slaves, or hirelings, but must learn to supply and tend to their own existence and well being.
5) Members of the fellowship are not allowed to use force, solely for personal gain. This is is an important one, since Marshals often use force in the pursuit of justice. (Note: It is the word "soley" that is debated in this context. Most marshals are clever enough to find justification for their actions, whether or not those actions may serve to enrich them personally as a result. Marshals
are freely allowed to recieve rewards and bounties.) The general assumption here is that Marshals are representatives of law and order in lands that are often lawless and unruly. As those who patrol the roads from town to town, one of a marshal's chief tasks is definding against and bringing bandits, brigands and highwaymen to justice. Were they to become bandits themselves, they would be dealt with severely.
6) Members of the fellowship in each conclave have its own Lord Marshal, elected by a vote of all members of the conclave. Traditionally, this must be someone who has earned at least 7th level of experience. All other Marshals have no official "rank" above one another, and have equal say regarding any decisions amongst themselves. However, this election by all members is more 'in theory' than in practice. It is not alway possible to bring all members of the conclave together in a timely fashion. (Also Note: Among the Greenwood Conclave, the title of Lord Marshal is must be legitimzed by the High One of the sister of the Nymphdae -- i.e. the "Daughters of Meleki." Upon attaining the rank they receive a green scar on their forearm in the shape of an eight-pointed star.)
7) There shall be no excess in concentration among members of the fellowship. Referred to as the "Rule of Concentration" this is understood to mean that under normal circumstances, no more than three of the fellowship may operate together at one time, except in the official gathering of the Conclave. (The rationale for this rule allows Marshals to oversee their own assigned territories, providing equal "coverage" across the land, lest some area be left unprotected. However, in practice, this is rarely treated as a hard and fast rule, since it is broken quite often, especially in conjunction with the following rule.)
8) All members of the fellowship are expected to train at least one and no more than two apprentices at any given time. Some say this is an earlier version of the Rule of Concentration* limiting to three the number of marshals working together. However, this maximum number does not appear to count those apprenticed to another Marshals. (Note: If an apprentice is a child of their instructor, it is customary for the son to take the numbered syllables and the ending of their father's name.)
* Ironically, while often referred to as the "Seven Rules," the Marshals Code is usually stated with eight rules. Go figure.
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