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November 18, 1999
Like Ichi jin-rai, Lord Fafhrd has been a prominent monarch in Dereth for some time. As he explains, he witnessed the terrible rampage of Bael'Zharon's minion Wardiel and no doubt the conflagration that attended the baleful comet as well [see Events within News & Events]. Our representative encountered him at his ease in Lytelthorpe, dressing his wounds in the company of formidable guards. We thank Fafhrd for his indulgence in answering our questions.
What are the origins of your allegiance?
I was actually born an Olthoi slave, and my first memories are of the pits in which we stirred the brew they eat. I know little of where I actually was, only that I was rescued form this fate by none other than Thorsten Cragstone himself. Those of us who made it out of the pits were taken to the northern town Stonehold, which was then nothing but farm and a healer's shop. The healer raised me, teaching me compassion and honor, and the wilds of the north gave me ample opportunity to practice my axe skills. There was little to do or learn for me there in Stonehold, and when one day a portal appeared in town, I couldn't resist jumping in. Though equipped with only an axe and some food, I made my way east, to the area that is now known as Cragstone but was then just a staging ground for the armies fighting the Olthoi. I readily joined the fight, and was assigned to a group led by Aleval. When it was decided that the old Empyrean Keep on Lytelthorpe Hill was strategically necessary for the war, it was Aleval who volunteered us. The battle was hard fought, and costly in lives, but we overcame Wardiel the Mighty and his horde, and Aleval claimed the Keep for Aluvia. While Aleval helped establish what later became Lytelthorpe, I formed a small band of warriors to guard the roads between there and Rithwic, then an important lifeline to the new settlement. We called ourselves The Righteous Order, and numbered 10 warriors. When the portals became the main routes to Rithwic and Holtburg, we settled, and renamed ourselves the Lytelthorpe Guard. Soon, many new adventurers volunteered to serve in the Lytelthorpe Guard, and it became apparent that we could assist more than just New Aluvia in keeping travelers safe from the beasts that plagued our land. Reformed as the Dereth Guard, we strive to keep the land safe from the monsters, and to aid any who walk its roads.
Do you have any magic items that can only be wielded by characters of a certain rank?
I have been gifted many items by my faithful friends, among which is a bracelet that doubles my armor's strength, an orb that increases my Item Enchantment skills, and a necklace that greatly increases my strength. I find that many of the most powerful enchanted items require some rank, for I believe the wizards who enchant them wanted them wielded by those with the experience to use them wisely.
How many total followers do you have in your allegiance? Do you have the tree mapped out?
The numbers in the Dereth Guard grow every day now. Our size is a credit to the fine people that follow me, and at last count there were 243 of us, though I am sure it will be larger the next time I enter Dereth. It is a huge land, and takes many adventurers to protect it. I have been trying to keep a decent member listing, but so many people are joining that I am positive there are some I have missed. If you are a member, please send me your info.
How do you recruit members to your allegiance? What works best?
I myself now do very little recruiting. The core group that existed after the comet wiped Dereth clean remained loyal during the down time, and we took the time to restructure and organize a bit. When I do recruit, I find that the most effective and rewarding way to attract new members is to announce my intent to clean out a certain dungeon or such while standing in a town. Some of the people about will almost always want to join the adventure. While traveling, I get an opportunity to talk and interact, and a chance to see how well each person would get along with the members of the Guard. Then, when the time is right, I offer them the chance to join. I try to avoid high-pressure recruiting, and it is forbidden to buy vassals. I offer my patronage once to see if they are interested. If so, great; if not, fine. All members of our Guard must be volunteers, for mercenaries are not welcome. Those who would join for pyreal would leave for pyreal, and there is no honor in such behavior.
Who are your major lieutenants?
We have a fairly structured chain of command, which was created to make communication down the line easier, and give some recognition to those who helped to create the Guard. The leadership is Xeth (Archmage), Dalantos Lordsman (Commander of the Home Guard), Laurianna (High Priestess), Takeda (Commander, Sho lands), Ja'mar al-Karoog (Commander, Gharu), McCracken (Commander, Aluvia), as well as Captains for each town in the land, and various other positions that make up the structure of the Dereth Guard. A listing of each position and its corresponding appointee is available upon request.
Do you have an allegiance contract? What incentives do you offer people who join? What is the motto of your allegiance? Do you have a certain alignment: good, neutral, evil?
We have more of a general guideline for behavior than an actual contract. Honor, generosity, trustworthiness, leadership, and diligence are the qualities I seek in a member. While I do not dictate how one should behave, nor require one to fall into a good or evil role, I like to think that we generally lean towards the good. I spend nearly all my time seeking gifts and equipment to pass down the chain, and all treasure is readily shared among us. I feel it is the leadership's job to see that our members are prepared to defend Dereth under any circumstances, and those of us who have more experience are the ones most likely to gain the items of greater power. To horde them goes against the ideals we strive for, so I try to give any new magical items to whomever I can find.
Is your allegiance centered in a certain geographical area? Do you have a town you consider your headquarters?
Quite a few of us make our home in Lytelthorpe. The regional commanders tend to have homes in their regions, and naturally the town captains live in their towns. If I were to choose one town as a base, it would be my Lytelthorpe, for it is dear to me, and I tend to stay near my friend Aleval out of habit.
What do you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the allegiance system?
The greatest strength of any Allegiance is the company it provides adventurers. When you see another of the Dereth Guard, you should know that they are there to help. It is a way to bring people together who would otherwise be left to battle alone. Our shared knowledge of Dereth is a benefit to all our members. Also, should the unfortunate befall one of the Guard, a call can be put out for assistance, and there are nearly always some who will rush to the aid of another of our group. The main weakness I have found is that communication down the line is very difficult to insure. I have no way of speaking directly to the entire Guard as a whole, and it makes it difficult to gather, for celebrations or in an emergency.
How often do people leave your allegiance? Have you had any major defections?
All members are volunteers, so they are free to leave anytime they wish. I have had very few major defections, and our members tend to stay a part of the Guard. One is always free to rejoin the Guard, for ?tis a big land we cover, and we need all we can muster to defend it.
How much maintenance do you think it takes to keep people from leaving?
As a general rule, I feel that anyone who requires high maintenance to keep isn't the best vassal to have. Since we require someone to volunteer without promise of pay or reward, the same should hold true when speaking of keeping your vassals. Quantity of members is far less important than quality. If someone makes a demand for certain items or some such thing, it tends to make me less likely to gain it for them. I believe that gifts for outstanding service are much more valued than payments to remain loyal. Loyalty that is bought is false, and is a discredit to both Patron and vassal.
How often do you team up with members of your allegiance to go on adventures?
I spend a lot of time with those who are near my level and who can survive the areas I tend to travel in. I feel genuinely guilty that I don't spend as much time with the younger members, but I also feel that it is my duty as a more powerful warrior to locate the items and riches that can help the newer adventurers find success. I have held one major gathering since the comet, and may begin to hold a regular court on the weekends where everyone can come and meet the leadership, discuss their adventures, and ask questions to help them in their travels. It is the amassed knowledge we have that gives us our greatest strength. I spend a great deal of time answering questions, and a lot of time exploring new places, with the intention of finding new adventures for the Guard.
Do you have any alliances or feuds with other allegiances?
We currently have no feuds that I know of. I, as Monarch, try to lead by example, and welcome any other group's alliance.
Do you ever see your allegiance going PK?
I actually think eventually that we will have a branch that is for PK players. Murder for gain is not a quality I like from a vassal, but PK, if played right, can add a lot of depth to the role one assumes.
Do you have any comments you'd like to add?
The most engrossing part of the game is the Allegiance system. You folks are doing me a great service by even maintaining a website, and I am truly grateful for the recognition. I actually have people stop me so they can take screen shots with me. Some measure of cyber-fame is something I never expected.
--Fafhrd
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