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The story of the Pard
Long ago when the Dyrlings were a young race, they traveled the lands. There
were always some with the aptitude and a seemingly uncanny sense of the woods
and terrain that would travel outside the main group protecting the path that
their kin would travel. These rangers came to be called the Path Guarders. This
later became shortened to its now present term of Pard. As more and more of the
Dyrlings settled into the ways of towns, growing crops and raising livestock,
there was still the need for the Pard to safeguard the paths between the towns
and the forests surrounding them. Thus, travelers may never know of their
presence, but most know that at some point in their travels a Pard has watched
over them.
A person with the aptitude and gift is often sought out at the appropriate age
by a full Pard. Often a Pard will hear of a gifted youth when they are in town
passing on information and receiving the up to date news they have missed when
on a journey in the woods. There are instances that Athlendyr himself will come
to a Pard and speak of a person that is in need of training. This is often the
case for Pard'wan trained at an older age. Yet some who have developed a keen
awareness and feel that they would serve well will seek out the Pard and find a
Master to train them in the full Pard ways. Many a great Pard has been ones that
sought it later in life as opposed to being selected.
Pards do not really have a mystical power, although to one not trained, it often
seems that they do. It is more that their awareness of their surroundings has
been so well honed that they will often sense something that others would miss.
Their affinity to the woods and creatures that dwell there make them some of the
best trackers and hardest to find when they do not wish to be found.
The knowledge and training of a Pard is passed from master to student over many
years of training. The bond that is formed is a strong one, sometimes closer
than father to son. The student has been come to be known as a Pard'wan.
Typically this training last approximately 10 years or more, but it is up to the
Pard to say when a Pard'wan is ready to be on their own.
{However 3 real time months of role-playing it would be a fair request, though
there are some that enjoy role-playing that role and as long as that role
remains enjoyable with the master in game it could continue as long as possible.
However if the in game master goes missing, they could easily post a story
saying they were promoted. However if contingents are formed, then those
contingents would have the ability to set this more firmly for the members.}
Pards are more likely to live on their own and in the woods that they choose to
protect. Often Pard will roam the entire kingdom of Telrae'dor, yet some are
shown a Path that is somewhat different. Some will live in a town of their kin
and safeguard the surrounding area. Others will choose a specific forest to
protect and patrol. Some may even be called on for leadership duties to the
Kingdom and towns. Pard' often follow the creed of "Do what needs to be done
when the situation calls for it". If a Pard member is asked to take up a
position of authority or some other position, that Pard member would look at it
and if they felt it would help in their duties, protecting the kingdom and such,
then yes, they most certainly would take up the position.
The nearest thing the Pard' have to a leader is the one called simply "First"
who is recognized as "Mentor of All Mentors", "Judge of All Judges". There are
some who believe that "First" is Athlendyr himself in disguise. However, this is
fictionally false. There are those that are respected by the other Pard that
form what could be loosely called a ruling council, though nothing "official" or
formally established. Most likely some form of loose "respect" is given to those
that have the qualities of leadership and wisdom. Pards are not highly organized
like the Knights and Paladins. They rarely gather all together, but once a year
there is a gathering where if age has overtaken the "First", then a new one is
selected and news of the Kingdom is shared.
Pard's that share a common territory will often hunt together and will even
sometimes form contingents. Pards are not forced into joining in a contingent by
any means. It is more of a common feeling that they share and a fellowship to
serve with other Pard that share the same feelings and territories. But when a
threat arises so that "First" summons the whole of the Pard, it is a fearsome
sight indeed!
Pards are not a force of law enforcement, but just like any other citizen, they
would stand up and do what they felt should be done if a crime is committed. It
would most likely take a serious offense to cause a Pard to deal out justice.
But once a Pard makes the decision to do so, there is very little that would
ever stop them from following it through. Should a Pard "go bad" and be, in the
judgment of the "First" with the advice and counsel of all other Pard,
irredeemable, then they will be actively hunted and be slain by one of their
fellows, likely by an arrow in their chest from a great distance. Their flesh is
fed to wild beasts, bones put to the fire and scattered. They will never again
be named among the Pard. It is as if Athlendyr himself took them and they are no
more.
Not to say if a Pard member realizes this is no longer their Path that they
can't go to the Pard, discuss, and then leave the Pard. In this instance, no,
the Pard would not hunt them down but wish them the best in their new Path.
Pards are well respected by all Dyrlings. They will often travel with a camp of
Sora'Nau for a few days sharing meals and gathering and passing news. They are
even known to visit and share meals with the bands of people that reside within
the Queens Grove without looking down on them for having fled there in shame of
something they have done in their past. Pard do not judge others, they are there
to protect the lands and peoples within. They are considered the first line of
defense of the Kingdom of Telrae'dor.
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