The Vashnarian Shield carries on a long tradition of elite warriors sworn to protect the Cyrenian valley. Since our founding, the safety of our home has been reason alone to serve. But as Cyrene stands to claim its legacy and step out into the wider world, it is time for the Shield to build on our foundation and seek heights beyond the mountains we have long called home.

In our nearly two centuries, we have seen firsthand the limits of isolation and the costs of selfishness. In the Second and Third Black Wave, we saw clearly how willing cities have been to toss aside past promises and the needs of others, ignoring the rest of the world for the sake of their power and goals. We know now that it is not enough to only guard our valley; that Cyrene will never be truly safe if we let the rest of the world fall around us; that we are called to a greater purpose.

The Vashnarian Shield has always admired the champions of past ages, from the Seleucarian Myrmidons who protected the Empire from threats from within, to young Durande and those who took up his steel to selflessly stand against a tide of monsters. But this era has no such champions, none willing to put aside their quests or power or hatred of their enemies to protect the world and those in it.

In the face of the tragedy we have seen, the only right action can be to stop anything like it from happening again. And so, we stand resolved to revive and carry forward an ancient tradition that has called to us since our founding, of those who swore to protect Sapience and its people from its greatest threats.

The Vashnarian Shield has a new purpose. Where the Myrmidons and the champions who protected the remnants of falling Seleucar once walked, so shall we. From here on, the mission of the Vashnarian Shield will be:

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-To defend the city of Cyrene and those who call it home at all costs. We carry on a legacy passed down from warriors who protect the earliest civilisation in our valley to give everything we have so that those who make their home here may live in peace. We are bound by oath and blood in defense of our valley, and we will never waver.

-To keep watch against the threat posed by the lowland cities, and to prepare ourselves to face them directly should their desires to destroy and oppress begin to come to fruition. While the state of the lowlands has left its would-be conquerers and warmongers stuck behind their boundaries and unable to meet their ambitions, there may well come a time when the greatest threats to our world rise from Sapience itself. We will train against and study their forces now, making ready to defeat them should that day come.

-To stand against any threats beyond, ready to become the front lines should Sapience or the greater world be threatened. Like the heroes of old, we will put the threats to all before personal power, we will fight for the future of the world and its people, not just ourselves. It is not enough to simply prepare against the threats that face us now; we will hone all our skills to their utmost, and make ready to face the unknown. For we know that greater powers lie waiting below, across the seas, and beyond our world, and we will rise to meet them.
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The path is long, but we will walk it. The challenge is great, but we will meet it. Together, we will forge ourselves into champions of this world.

-The Council of Shieldlords

Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Daedalan, in the year 848 AF.