A warrior’s honor is worth more than the coin in his purse. \n\nHe holds grace with his weapons subordinate to grace with those in his charge. \n\nHis tongue is as true as his blade, and his valor burns as a beacon for those in his shadow. \n\nWe are not sellswords or mercenaries. We serve no purse or purser. \n\nWe are the bringers of order, and the keepers of peace. \n\nWe wield the might of our weapons in defense of the meek and the helpless, \n\nAnd uphold the justice of our forefathers, in this life and all our lives thereafter.

Creed of the Company of the Iron Rose

The Iron Creed

The Creed is not a polite suggestion. It is a code of behavior that every man of every faith must know and respect. I expect you to learn it; to believe it. And if you don’t, you can pack up your iron and go straight back to peddling your swordarm in the local marketplace. \n\nAny company can teach you to kill – without mercy and without exception. In the Iron Rose we hold ourselves to a different standard. A better standard. One of fair, but firm, adherence to the laws we are sworn to uphold, and above all, to the Creed. THAT is what our clients pay for.\n\nIf I ask you to recite the creed at any time, you DO IT. I don’t care if there is a knife at your throat or an enemy at the gates, if you fumble or stammer in any way, you WILL BE out of the company. Is that clear?\n\n-Commander Elaina Merrill

To all recruits

Commander Merrill's Letter

Valor burns as a beacon in the dark. And Commander Merrill’s fire burns brightest. I know, for I have witnessed the white-hot flames of his glory. \n\nWith a hideous crack, I watched as the cyclops wrenched my arm free of my body. I opened my mouth to scream, but my air rushed from my lungs. My vision rippled, as though I gazed through water. The beast roared and flecks of spittle splattered across my face. As if in answer, I heard the shout of his command—“Halt!” \n\nThe cyclops’ resolve shook at his beck, and it bared its teeth for another attack. As it raised up its arm, I watched Sir Merrill leap high into the air and drive his weapon deep into the cyclops eye. As it doubled over, crimson streaming from the wound, he readied his attack once more, and clove the beast in twain at the waist. \n\nAs he lifted my broken body, cradling my dying form in his blood-soaked arms, he whispered words of comfort into my ears: “Be at peace, son of eternity. May your blade light up the darkness of our land, in this life and the next.”

A crumped page in Commander Merrill’s chambers

The Commander's Beacon

Take heed, citizens of the realm! \n\nWe of the Iron Rose seek to bolster the ranks of our brotherhood. \n\nIf you have skill with blade or with bow or with flintlock, pack up your gear and assemble at the Iron Keep for the lists before the waxing of the moon. Of your number, at least two shall be selected, and as many more as attendance shall merit, if valor of arms should justify your commission. \n\nSalary shall be room and board, alongside a standard wage of two coins per cycle of the moon. For those on deployment, combat pay shall be dependent on station, with additional compensation for grievous injury or death under the banner. \n\nAll those who seek honor, your time is now! May your blade shine as a beacon in the darkness!

The Iron Rose Chapter - NWGuide Database of Lore

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