In the Summer of 3229ey I was imprisoned by the crown for the crimes of general indebtedness, counterfeiting gold, poaching deer and reiving cattle. It was sixteen months from the issue of his royal warrant until my capture. During that time I evaded all the king's men arrayed against me while ranging no further than forty miles on any side of his Keep at Menea.
After capture, my trial was swift. I was found guilty, along with my brother Jonsalon on all charges. By the crown's mercy I was to spend twenty-two years in captivity. But in 3231, while still languishing in the king's dungeon, word came to me that the city was besieged on all sides by the vile hordes of Vareg Greatjaw the so-called goblin. So, the King himself sent for me and issued a pronouncement.
"I do therefore hereby appoint you, the villain Rodalon, to be Captain of an independent company of scouts and raiders, and such other men as might be raised at your discretion. You are to be formed and employed in the distracting of the Horde from the walls of the city. You are to engage them by whatever means or stratagem you see fit to employ, so long as it shall see to their defeat."
Thereupon, I recruited my brother and such other men as I felt could be taught from among the imprisoned murderers and thieves. I felt these men had little to lose and, like me, might earn their freedom by great deeds. I took to me one of the king's huntsmen also, for it was he who finally managed my capture those years earlier and his skills were apparent. We numbered only one dozen at that time and called ourselves Striders for the king would not spare us his horses.
Thankfully, our first skirmish added to our numbers greatly. After which it became my preferred method to recruit vengeful captives and untamed freeholders to my cause. I did so whenever such opportunity arose and whenever they could be persuaded to adopt my methods, and no other.
My methods were as if winnowing grain. From the recruits I winnowed the men who would not voluntarily cover forty miles in a day on foot -- even if they did not first know how long or how far they were to travel. Next I winnowed those who could not be taught to make and bend a bow; then use it to strike a mark with three arrows -- placed no farther apart than the diameter of a garland wreath. Then I winnowed those who could not learn the art of the sword sufficient to sever a tightly bound sheaf with either hand in a single blow; sufficient to parry a dozen coins cast in quick succession. Finally, I winnowed away every man that could not learn to track deer at dusk, and yet leave no trail himself even if he must cross a bog. Finally, I winnowed those few men who would not swear their allegiance to me; and also an eternal vengeance upon the goblin.
These ranging men of mine carried a blade, a bow, a blanket and water. When we could not hunt, we took food from those we slew. We traveled light and hungry. We vowed not to eat except that we had paid the price in blood spilled or plunder taken.
According to the King we were to harry those outside of the Keep at Menea and cling to the walls whenever possible, but once upon the plains we traveled as near or as far as we might find suitable targets. The King was not given to chase us, so we followed the seasons and learned the routes of the goblins. We stole what we could, burned what we couldn't, and killed as any as we were able. In pitched battle we did not engage. We struck quickly and brought chaos. We retreated when met with superior numbers. We struck mercilessly upon those that left themselves open and slaughtered those who fell behind.
We quickly made a name for ourselves that spread even among the Elder Races. In time we were accepted by the White Robes. They gave unto us the gift of understanding the natural world. We learned that we could be the force for good that should balance the threat of evil. So we left off our former lives as outlaws and embraced a new, more excellent Observance among us.
With the Observance we were able to master the beasts, and draw strength from the wild places. The ground and the sky spoke to us, the leaf and the rock heeded our call. Of all these things we made allies, and from all these things we took power. Our savagery was not diminished, but was made sharper and more deadly.
In time, our band became a company. One company became two; two became four; four became eight; eight became sixteen. Over each new company were placed such men as whose skill demanded it; regardless of his former station or rank. So the sons of slaves were as likely to lead as the sons of chieftains; and former outlaws as often as the worthies. By our Observance we defeated the hordes. By our Observance we slew the ancient enemies of all people.
But now that is long past and we are fading. I myself am old and the light is dim in my eyes. I can no longer track by dusk nor stride too far. The kings and chiefs of men all fear us. We are told we must disband or face their justice, but our Fraternity must live on. For this reason, my guidance is firm: We should travel no more together lest we be seen as lions among the lambs.
Let us not noise our presence among the uninitiated. Let each Strider keep the company of but one other of our number. Let each take a learner to pass on his skills. And despite our great distance, let us forgather from time to time to reconstitute our chapters and take a census of who is still able to follow our Observance. Once our forgathering is over, let us fade back into the high grass so our numbers are unknown to friend and foe alike.
This then is the Seven-fold Observance:
- We will not work evil; neither in time of war, nor time of peace.
- We will not neglect the gift of the White Robes; nor forget to master its power.
- We will not permit friend nor foe to pass without raising our notice.
- We will not permit our foes to note our passage; nor to predict our ranging.
- We will not be heavy, nor loud; neither encumbered with spoils, nor girt with noisome armor.
- We will not be found wanting, even with only a minute's warning.
- We will not forget the binds of the brotherhood -- more valued than gold, more sought than titles, and more precious than any embrace.
