Order of the Theren Guard

The Order of the Theren Guard is currently led by Speaker Aaiyaah and Vice Speaker Dechtire.

The Order's website is http://www.therenguard.com

Motto

"Justice not law, Deeds not words."

Emblem

The Guard's emblem of member identification is a deeply patina'd filigree clasp overlaid with a crimson shield bearing the embossed gold image of a magnificent rearing silver gryphon.

Purpose

1. The Theren Guard was formed by Lord Valkrin Falcata Hedeon, of the House of Hedeon, to be a guiding light of all that is good and true.
2. The Guard's purpose is to support the well being and growth of the town of Therenborough and the Province of Therengia; to protect the Baron and Barony, and the citizens of Therengia against all things that seek to destroy the good of this world. Beyond that we stand against all tyranny and to help the weak and oppressed by guidance through the development and maintenance of the Guard.
3. The Guard shall first and foremost protect Therengia.
4. Having secured Therengia, the Guard shall protect and defend the lands of Elanthia and her citizens from all forces of chaos and evil. Members of the Guard shall accept as their sworn duty to protect all law-abiding persons and properties within Therengia to the best of their ability. By using their discretion and best judgment at all times, Council will determine if and when force may be a necessary part of problem resolution. Guard members must, when resolving issues, follow the By-Laws of the Guard, as well as the Laws and Policies of Elanthia, both written and implied. Guard members should, at all times, strive to maintain a standard for leading by example. No member shall ever abuse the rights and privileges of his/her position for personal gain, or any other purpose, nor shall any member ever attack, harm, or otherwise provoke another in an unjustified manner. Members may defend themselves against any unjustified attack by another member to the point at which the threat has been eliminated.

Goals

The goals of the Guard are as follows

1. Protect Therengia from any threat against its citizens, or holdings within at the discretion of the guard council. This includes providing guards to the nobility, both local and those that visit our land should they wish it.
2. Deploy and protect Elanthia and its citizens as determined by the Guards Council. During times of invasion, the Guard will organize defenses such as rallying and triage points, providing leadership in counter attacks as needed, and provide aid by dragging the dead and wounded, bonding weapons, healing, raising, or whatever we can do using each of our skills that apply to the situation.
3. Recruit quality individuals into the Guard as new members whom are trained to the standards, which all Guard members are held accountable.
4. Let each member fill a part of the Guard and lead by example for all other citizens.
5. We will stand ready to answer any summons from the rightful ruler of the land, and answer such requests as best we can, as long as they are not against the best interests of the people.
6. We will stand ready to assist citizens against foes to Theren and in cases where the council deems fit, we shall assist other communities.
7. The Guard will hear the concern of any citizen consistent with the Guards purpose and endeavor to accommodate their request to the best of its ability, provided such request does not conflict with Guard Laws, and the issue is brought before the Guard Council and agreed upon by majority vote.
8. Citizens will also be welcome to attend any of the classes held by the Guard. Participation within the class of any citizen student will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Founding

A long time ago, Lord Torsten ruled House Hedeon. A lord of lesser nobility, he ruled his house with a cruel hand and an iron fist. He had one son and heir, Valkrin. As time passed Torsten began to worry that his only son was not following the path that he wished him to travel. In Torsten's eyes Valkrin was weak and much too friendly with the common class. Torsten, having no wife for many years decided it was time to change his son's path to one more suiting to his station. He had Valkrin taken from the public he loved and began strong teachings in hopes of making his son more like him.

Torsten acted too late, for Valkrin had fallen in love with a commoner. Lilea was her name, an Elothean of a House in the southern lands. With the help of his cousin, the Lady Galya, Valkrin escaped his would be prison and asked for Lilea's hand in marriage. The guard was sent to retrieve the rogue son of the Lord of Hedeon. Valkrin was retaken by his father but not before securing Lilea's safety with her friends. Lord Torsten demanded to know the name of the woman that had bewitched his son and turned Valkrin against his father. Valkrin would not surrender her name and claimed he would have her as his wife. Torsten flared and had his guard take Valkrin under house arrest.

As Valkrin lay isolated from his friends and his newfound love, he had decided that the only way his father could not stop him from marrying the woman he loved would be to denounce his inheritance. He decided then and there he would do just that. Meanwhile, Torsten had signed an agreement with another lesser noble and an arranged marriage was made between his son and the other noble's daughter. They were to marry within the week. Upon learning of what his father had done Valkrin became enraged, knowing full well this was not something he could fight outright. He denounced his claim to Hedeon and demanded he be set free. Torsten laughed at his claim and told the empaths to give Valkrin something for his mind as he was in a state of shock, and nothing more, and the plans for the wedding proceeded. Valkrin's cousin, the Lady Galya, found out about Valkrin's plight. Knowing what it was to be promised to someone you could never love, she called for help from the people of the town and they moved in and rescued Valkrin from his holding. After the effects of the drugs wore off they escaped to the islands.

Time passed and after securing the blessing of Galya's own father, Lord Marlin of Hedeon, Eldest brother and true Lord of Hedeon. They returned to confront Lord Torsten as to his claim on the House and on the young lordling’s heart. However, upon arriving they discovered that Lord Torsten had looted the House funds, destroyed the family manor, took whoever would follow him and his guard and left Theren into hiding. Patrols were dispatched to find him, but no trace was ever found. Lord Marlin surrendered, what was left of the House, to Lord Valkrin and gave his blessing for his union to Lilea.

Valkrin decided that the first thing he must do is to rebuild the House. He sent out pages far and wide that all those with good heart should come and rally to the cause of protection of Therengia, the Barony and the House Hedeon. Many came, some were turned away, some were taken in and the new guard was formed. They became known to all as The Theren Guard.

Valkrin and Lilea were married and after time had a daughter, Hanah. Hanah was Valkrin's heir, but she has since moved from Therenborough to continue her life and her own guard in the Province of Ilithi with the blessing of her father. Since that day Valkrin has chosen an Heir Designate to compensate for the departure of his only child.