The Valon Guard Barracks- The Valon Guard Handbook

-- The Valon Guard Handbook --

Rummaging through the barracks, you notice a thick leather-bound book you were forced to read by the stern bannerman when you enlisted within the Valon Guard. As you flick through the many pages, you wonder what your memory has forgotten.

-- Handbook Table of Contents --

I:Overview of the Valon Guard
II:Protocol of the Valon Guard
III:Rank Structure of the Valon Guard
IV:Enlistment Requirements
V:Overview of the probationary Ranks
VI:Overview of the non-commissioned Ranks
VII:Overview of the commissioned Ranks
VIII:The Laws of Tar Valon

I- Overview of the Valon Guard
The Valon Guard are the sword and shield of the illustrious city of Tar Valon, sworn to protect both the Shining Walls and its citizens. We are responsible for hunting down and bringing to justice any criminal foolish enough to challenge Tar Valon's might, whether they are a tainted male channeler or a paltry pickpocket. The Valon Guard is a military organization and as such our members are expected to act like soldiers and not the local village militia. We are also a tight-knit group and as such any Valon can count on another Valon to watch their back, no matter the occasion.

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II- Protocol of the Valon Guard

Clothing and Weapons:
~ Members of the Valon Guard are forbidden from wearing the equipment and trinkets of the Dark, Seanchan and other Lightside Clans. Until the appropriate Rank is obtained they are also forbidden from wearing custom Valon Guard equipment and trinkets.
~ No items of the Shadow shall be worn at any time. Examples of dark items: black swords,inky black cloaks, gleaming black swords, necklaces of human teeth and wickedly scythed longswords. Other tainted items may exist.

Duties:
~ Enlisteds will recieve their quests from the Captain of the Guard. (Issue rank one quests)
~ Streetguards and above recieve their quests from the Taskmaster personally. (Issue higher ranking quests)
~ A quest may be completed only once. Completeing a quest more than once will result in a harsh penalty.
~ Simply having completed enough quests does not guarentee promotion. The Council will decide when you are ready.
~ All heads of shadowspawn and Seanchan invaders should be given to Gutrane.
~ All heads of wanted criminals should be given to Gutrane and then a report sent (To Myrddin adressed as to Gutrane) whom will then reward you.
~ If you believe you are ready to Rank, send a mail to one of the Council, whom will then inform you on what you must do to proceed.

General Protocol:
~ A junior Valon Guard will show respect to their senior comrades, by addressing them as Sir or Ma'am, and saluting them when appropriate. They will also follow any orders issued by them within reason.

~ All Valon Guard shall respect our co-inhibitors of the White Tower.
- Aes Sedai should be addressed with the honorific 'Sedai'
- Members of the Gaidin with the honorific 'Gaidin'
(Don't worry about Novices and Accepteds, Just be polite.)

~ Visiting officials from other lands should be shown the respect the Valon would expect in foriegn lands. (In other words, be nice to them.)

~ The Valon Guard is expected to defend the City of Tar Valon and its lands. However, needless deaths are wasted lives, use your judgment. A Valon Guard cannot be ordered into Battle if they do not wish to participate.

~ The Council of the Valon Guard is the highest point of authority within the Guard besides consulting Gutrane himself. a Valon shall show them proper respect even if they happen to outrank them.

~ A Valon Guard Will not assosiate with a Tar Valon criminal. This means no traveling(grouping) or adventuring(smobbing) with wanted individuals. The only acceptible exceptions to this will be in matters of life and death with Shadowspawn or Seanchan invaders being an imminent threat.
~ Titles held by Valon Guard should be appropriate.

~ If granting a Pardon, you must have permission from the Valon Council. If you proceed and you do not posess this you will face harsh punishment.

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III- Enlistment Requirements

Requirements to clan:

-Level 25
-Age 20
-Respectable
-Letter to the Clan

After the letter is recieved, the clan will then proceed into the intial voting stage.

Voting:
-The clan will have a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 1 week to vote whether to clan the applicant or not. If voting No, they must provide a good reason.
-2 Council Votes will automatically make the applicant eligible to clan.
-If the maximum time of voting has expired (1 week) and there are no serious reasons not to, then the applicant will be clanned regardless of whether anyone has voted or not.

The Applicant will then be Enlisted into the Valon Guard.

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V- Overview of the probationary Ranks

Rank 1 - Enlisted

Overview: This is the first half of the probation ranks. Hunting wanteds is NOT allowed, unless in the presence of a Valon of Rank 3 or higher. Self defense is allowed. Hunting Shadowspawn and Seanchan invaders is allowed, but no reward will be given until the rank of Dockguard has been obtained, unless the kill was on Tar Valon writ. The Enlisted is advised to complete the tasks assigned by the Captain of the Guard (using: Say issue rank one quests) as quickly as possible to advance through this probationary period.

Rewards:
~Barmaid in the Beantree Inn will serve food and beverage.

Abilities obtained so far:
~None.

Duties:
~The tasks set by the Captain of the Guard.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from invaders and Shadowspawn.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from wanted criminals.
~Learning the City of Tar Valon.

Restrictions:
~No reward for Kills outside of Tar Valon writ.
~No access to chest.
~Cannot Warrant or Pardon.
~ Can earn up to 3 Reprimands.

******Reprimand System******
For the two probationary ranks (1 + 2) the guardsman is expected to be on their absolute best behavior. To enforce the high quality of Guardsman we want at the end, they have a set number of reprimands they can earn. A reprimand may be earned if any Senior Valon Guardsman of rank 3 or greater issues a complaint against the probationary guardsman to the council, and if investigated and found to be true, they shall earn a reprimand against them. If they earn the set amount of reprimands (3 for rank 1, 5 for rank 2) then they can either:

-Appeal to the Council for one last chance

Or:

-Leave the Valon Guard

Those of rank 3 (Dockguard) or higher are exempt from the policy.
**************************

To Advance:
~ Complete all the Rank 1 quests.
~ Obtain 10 qps
~ Complete a ranking quest to do with the city of Tar Valon.
~ Demonstrate knowledge of the City of Tar Valon by escorting a superior to various important locations throughout the city. (shops, Pracs.. Etc)

If successful, they will then be promoted to Streetguard.

Rank 2 - Streetguard

Overview: This is the second half of the probation ranks. Hunting wanteds is allowed, but preferably in the presence of a Valon of Rank 3 or higher. Self defense is allowed. Hunting Shadowspawn and Seanchan invaders is allowed, but no reward will be given until the rank of Dockguard has been obtained, unless the kill was on Tar Valon writ. The Streetguard will now receive his or her tasks from Gutrane the Taskmaster. (say issue higher rank quests) The Streetguard should busy themselves learning the immediate surroundings of Tar Valon if they wish to pass their final tests to be considered for promotion and acceptance into the clan as a fully fledged member.

Rewards:
~Barmaid in the Beantree Inn will serve food and beverage.

Abilities obtained so far:
~Knowledge of the City of Tar Valon.

Duties:
~The tasks set by Gutrane the Valon Task Master.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from invaders and Shadowspawn.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from wanted criminals.
~Learning the Tar Valon Road, Eastern Plains, Western Plains, the 'Cut' and the Black hills.

Restrictions:
~No reward for Kills outside of Tar Valon writ.
~No access to chest.
~Cannot Warrant or Pardon.
~Can earn up to 5 Reprimands.

To Advance:
~ Obtain 30 qps
~ Level 30.
~ Complete a quest that involves hunting down creatures that live in Tar Valon Zones.
~ Demonstrate knowledge of the Zones around Tar Valon by escorting a superior to various important locations throughout them.

The following areas will be tested:

-The Bridgetown of Aliindaer (The Well)
-The Western Grasslands (The Waygate, Appletree, Serpent Mound... etc)
-The Blackhills (dragonmount, Field of Honor... Etc)
-The 'Cut' (Ruined Manor, Abandoned Shack... etc)
-Southern Fal Dara Road (Narrow Bend in the Road, Shinerian Fort)
-The Eastern Grasslands (An Open Field... etc)
If successful, they will be subject to a majority vote by the Valon Guard Board of Officers on whether they should advance or not. No voters should provide a very good reason.

They will then be fully inaugurated into the clan, and receive the first trinket befitting their new rank; a dark cloak, worked with the Flame of Tar Valon.

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VI- Overview of the non-commissioned Ranks

Rank 3 - Dockguard

Overview: The Dockguard has now completed his/her probationary period and is a fully fledged member of the Valon Guard. Whilst Gutrane has no new tasks, they now receive rewards for the scalps of Criminals, Shadowspawn and Seanchan regardless of the location they were slain in.

The Dockguard also has access to the Valon Guard's personal Armory. (The Chest) They can gain entrance into this room by knocking on the 'celldoor'. Be warned that anything dropped on the floor inside the armory is a prime target for thievery and will soon be stolen if not picked up quickly. (In other words, don't drop anything in there.)

The Dockguard also may issue themselves a a dark cloak, worked with the Flame of Tar Valon for the sum of 3 quest points. The first of these cloaks will be given to the Dockguard when they are promoted from Streetguard. Saying 'Issue Cloak' will issue a new cloak at a cost of 3 qps.

They also have the ability to grant a Pardon or Issue a death Warrant. This power should not be taken lightly. If you are unsure, consult a senior ranking Valon.

NB: Do not pardon anyone without the Council's approval. Failure to observe this rule will result in harsh punishment. (e.g. Declanning, Demotion.. etc)

To be considered for further promotion, a Dockguard should concentrate on improving and expanding their knowledge of the nearby areas and their other skills.

Rewards:
~Barmaid in the Beantree Inn will serve food and beverage.
~Issuable Cloak, 'a dark cloak, worked with the Flame of Tar Valon' ~ 3 qps.
~Chest Access

Abilities obtained so far:
~Knowledge of the City of Tar Valon
~Knowledge of the Tar Valon Road, Eastern Plains, Western Plains, the 'Cut' and the Black Hills.

Duties:
~The tasks set by Gutrane the Valon Task Master.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from invaders and Shadowspawn.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from wanted criminals.
~Learning of the Caralain Grass, Cairhein to Tar Valon Road, Forgotten Braem, High Braem, general Caemlyn region.

Restrictions:
~None.

To Advance:
~ 75 qps.
~ 'Adequate' Combat Skills.
~ Basic Leadership Skills.
~ Lead two patrols to demonstrate both your leadership and your zone knowledge:
- From Tar Valon to Whitebridge via the Caralain Grass
- From Tar Valon to Cairhien via the Tar Valon to Cairhien Road.
~ Complete a report on the Braem Tunnel system.
~ Complete a final ranking quest.

If the Dockguard can complete all this and they have the council's blessing, then he or she will be promoted to the rank of Gateguard.

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Rank 4 - Gateguard

Overview: The Gateguard has now proved themselves to possess skills far greater than the rank and file Valon Guard and as such is now allowed to exchange certain armor pieces with the Forger for Custom Valon Issue Equipment.

-'a full metal helmet and visor' for'an ornate helm crested with a white plume'
-'a shining steel breastplate' for 'a white-steel plate marked by a seven striped tabard'
-'a tunic of finely-crafted chain' for 'a tunic of flawless white-steel rings'
-'a pair of ebony-steel plate vambraces' for 'a pair of ornate white-steel vambraces'
-'a pair of heavy metal gauntlets' for 'a pair of ornate white-steel war gauntlets'
-'a pair of ebony-steel plate greaves' for 'a pair of ornate white-steel greaves'

The Gateguard should also be able to lead into battle whenever a senior ranking Valon is not present to any skirmish that takes place on our lands. The Gateguard is also eligible to sit upon the Valon Council if there is a vacancy and a new election is taking place. In order to seek promotion, a Gateguard should concentrate on both their leadership skills and expanding their knowledge of the surrounding lands.

Rewards:
~Barmaid in the Beantree Inn will serve food and beverage.
~Chest Access
~Issuable Cloak, 'a dark cloak, worked with the Flame of Tar Valon' ~ 3 qps.
~Exchangeable Equipment.
~Ability to sit on Council

Abilities obtained so far:
~Knowledge of the City of Tar Valon
~Knowledge of the Tar Valon Road, Eastern Plains, Western Plains, the 'Cut' and the Black Hills.
~Knowledge of the Caralain Grass, Cairhein to Tar Valon Road, Forgotten Braem, High Braem, general Caemlyn region.

Duties:
~The tasks set by Gutrane the Valon Task Master.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from invaders and Shadowspawn.
~Defense of the City of Tar Valon from wanted criminals.
~Learning of the Forgotten Braem and Black hills in detail.
~Learning of the Tar Valon to Fal Dara Road north to Stoutdoor.
~Learning of New 'Cut'.
~Learning of the North Whitebridge, the Tunnel system east to Higher Braem and the Tunnel system north to Whitebridge Fade.
~Learning of South of Whitebridge and South of Four Kings to the Lugard North Gate.
~Learning of West of Whitebridge, including the Zone near Whitebridge Fade, and the city of Tarendrelle.

Restrictions:
~None.

To Advance:
~ 'Advanced' Leadership Skills.
~ 150 qps.
~ Lead 3 patrols to demonstrate both your leadership and your zone knowledge:
- From Tar Valon to the Forgotten Braem to Caemlyn.
- From Tar Valon Eastern Brideguards to 'Bedroom Fade' to 'Stoutdoor' to 'New Cut' to 'The Cut' to the Western Tar Valon Bridgeguards.
- Tar Valon to Caralain Grass to North Whitebridge (Via the Tunnel) to Whitebridge Fade (Via Inky Tunnel) to Whitebridge to Four Kings to Lugard Fade to Four Kings to Roland's Lair to Forgotten Braem to Black Hills to Tar Valon.
- Complete a ranking Quest.

If successful, the Valon Board of Officers will discuss and vote on their worthiness to obtain a commission within the Valon Guard. If they are deemed worthy they will be now considered an Officer of the Valon Guard.

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