Raven Guard Warband

After the battle by the sea, the guard force was severely understaffed. Besides those killed in action, several soldiers had been gravely wounded and could no longer serve as frontline combatants.

Roderick transferred all the wounded soldiers into the security force and began recruiting again. This time, the requirements were loosened somewhat. Not only did local young men apply, but word of Roderick's extermination of the Shatterfin Murlocs and his generous pensions had spread to other towns. Some young people had even come from elsewhere, drawn by the excellent pay, to join the recruitment drive.

In this chaotic world, every soldier who could make the journey to Southshore to enlist was promising material. Roderick kept them all. The guard force soon recovered to its former size and continued to grow, though its combat strength did not improve much.

At the same time, some members of the Southshore Town Council strongly objected to Roderick maintaining such a large guard force. Since the Murlocs had been eliminated and the area around Southshore had become very safe, they believed a small unit would be enough to deal with Syndicate bandits. Even many soldiers had begun to slacken in their daily training now that the objective had been achieved. Roderick and the others had no choice but to reduce the intensity of training. His plan to rebuild the Raven Guard Warband had to be put on the agenda.

That night, a group of vigorous young officers filled the small garden outside Roderick's home. It was here, many days ago, that they had held a banquet celebrating Roderick's promotion to commander of the guard force. In the end, swept up in the excitement of drink, they had successfully formed the new guard force at Roderick's suggestion and personally trained its soldiers, eventually claiming victory after a bloody battle.

Now, even ordinary soldiers could make Southshore's young women glance at them twice. These young knights had risen even higher in status.

Roderick looked over the crowd sitting around him. Red's face had yet to regain its color, and Alwyn's bandages had not been fully removed. Yet the comrades who had endured battle were completely different from before. Warriors who had seen blood naturally carried a killing aura, and that was an indispensable part of an elite army.

"First, let me explain why I let the remaining Murlocs go instead of killing them all," Roderick began.

"That mysterious Murloc priest made it very clear to me. Humans cannot enter deep water, while Murlocs are no match for us on land. It was both its plea and its final threat. If the Murloc tribe were driven into a corner, they would constantly attack Southshore's fishing boats and isolated townsfolk. We do not have the ability to wipe them out in one stroke."

"Letting them leave might have been the best choice at the time." Roderick's explanation finally extinguished their desire to slaughter the Murlocs to the last.

"Now, about that ring." Roderick gestured to Albert.

Albert, who had returned from Dalaran, said smoothly, "We initially believed this Fishbone Ring might have been used by a Murloc priest specializing in water magic. After appraisal at Dalaran's Oris Magical Item Appraisal Office, we learned that this ring can enhance the power of certain water spells, improve a mage's meditative ability, and comes with a daily-charged Frost Shield as well as permanent underwater breathing."

Put more plainly:

Fishbone Ring, a blue fine-quality magical item. Moderately increases Intelligence and Spirit. When struck, it has a certain chance to activate a Frost Shield comparable to one cast by an intermediate mage.

Special effect: While wearing this ring, you cannot drown in water. A line of small yellow text: Wala wala wala wala wala, wala!

"This ring will go to Albert, but Albert will automatically forfeit his share of this round's loot." Roderick looked at the others, but no one objected. A bunch of rough physical fighters had no right to compete with a mage for equipment.

Next came the reward money for all the knights, distributed according to their ranks at the time and their performance on the battlefield. These young guard officers—

some received several gold coins, while others received more than ten. No matter how lofty their ideals or how glorious their dreams, when it came down to reality, nothing could escape the question of profit. Although most of those present came from noble families or wealthy merchant households, earning others' recognition through their own efforts, along with the corresponding material rewards, would make them identify more strongly with their cause and quickly strengthen the group's cohesion. Besides, many knights did not come from wealthy families, and an average reward of nearly ten gold coins was no small fortune.

"The Town Council has granted me the land near the Hillsbrad River, and I will also forfeit my share of this reward distribution," Roderick continued.

Ignoring everyone's surprise, Roderick spoke of how he had purchased the authorization to reclaim the wasteland. Of course, it was no longer merely authorization now. He had become the lord of that land.

"This was not an impulsive decision. Do you remember the oath we swore here that day? Does anyone still remember it?"

"Uphold the knightly way,"

"Drive out the Orcs,"

"Destroy the Scourge,"

"Protect Southshore and the kingdom's people."

"We will fight shoulder to shoulder and never betray one another!"

The group called out the oaths they had sworn that day in a jumble of voices. Knights placed great importance on their vows.

"So, have we achieved our goal now? Southshore's peace has been secured for the moment, but the Undead of Tarren Mill are still nearby. So many refugees from Northrend who escaped the Scourge's claws still do not have a peaceful place to settle."

"I heard someone suggesting that the excess guard soldiers be dismissed. Such short-sighted people can probably see nothing beyond their own gold coins and coffins. When the Undead attack again, without a powerful army, no matter how much wealth and food we have stockpiled, it will only benefit the Scourge. Ah, pardon me. The Undead probably have no use for gold coins and do not need food either."

"We need not concern ourselves with such foolish villagers' talk. But training in the guard force must increase in intensity, especially for the new recruits."

"The kingdom has fallen, and people have lost faith in the future. The destruction of the Silver Hand has shaken even many steadfast knights. But the spirit of knighthood cannot be destroyed. There are still people in Northrend resisting the Scourge. Our strength is still too weak, but we will not be stingy with our faith."

"I have decided that we will first repair Eastwatch Tower and Nethander Stead, then begin comprehensive surveillance of the Undead forces in Tarren Mill. After Nethander Stead is repaired, we will prioritize reclaiming the land there. Once we recruit Northrend refugees to build up the outpost, we can begin full-scale reclamation."

"The Dwarf fortress of Dun Garok and the Stormpike Clan of Alterac are also willing to join our plan. They will provide a certain amount of funding and Dwarf craftsmen to help us."

"Finally, I will establish an entirely new warband, unlike the traditional knightly orders of Northrend. It will not be limited to knights. Anyone who shares our ideals may join. Knights, mages, warriors, rangers, priests—any combat profession is welcome. Whether they are people of Lordaeron, cavalrymen of Stromgarde, or infantrymen of the Kingdom of Stormwind, we welcome them all. Alliance Dwarves, Gnomes, and those proud pointy-ears—as long as they are willing to fight the Undead, they are our friends!"

"I am willing to join your warband, Lord Roderick." Yug was the first to speak. The bald man who had fled here from Northrend trembled all over after hearing Roderick's speech.

"We refugees from Northrend have suffered endless hardships. No one dares rise up against the Undead, and Hearthglen is far too distant from us. Only you are willing to fight for the kingdom's displaced people. So long as I can return to my estate in Tirisfal Glades, I, Yug, am willing to die for you." This man, who had endured countless perils, fell to his knees and wept uncontrollably.

Albert was the second to volunteer. Naturally, Roderick understood what was in his heart. Arnold and Adrian followed, while the injured Red and Alwyn also joined without hesitation. In the end, only Darezzo did not state his position. Under the contemptuous gazes around him, Darezzo flushed red but said nothing.

Roderick had no intention of persuading Darezzo. A goal that might demand one's life and still remain unattainable was naturally not an easy decision to make. Come to think of it, these knights really were hot-blooded young men who were easily stirred up.

"Our long-term goal is, of course, to advance into Northrend and recover all the kingdom's former lands. But the most important tasks before us are building the outposts and recruiting refugees." Roderick was about to continue assigning work when Arnold interrupted him. "Commander, what will our knightly order be called? We do not even have a name yet."

Seeing everyone's interest shift to this matter, Roderick took a small metal badge from his pocket. A white raven stood at the center of its design, stretching its wings with all its might against a pitch-black background.

"Raven Guard. It will be called the Raven Guard Knights." Roderick seemingly did not wish to say more about it. After taking out the emblem, he fell silent. Though everyone found the unexplained name strange, their commander had decided, so that was what they would call it.

Having found new purpose in life, the knights were filled with fresh enthusiasm. They began discussing how to expand their numbers and recruit refugees. Then they would need to repair the road from Southshore to that area, while Nethander Stead also needed houses built to settle farmers. There were still many hardships ahead, but Roderick's plan to rebuild his warband had finally taken its most crucial first step.