Written By Silas
Feb. 2, 2017, 11:11 p.m.(11/2/1005 AR)
PLAN FOR IRON GUARD REFORM, ROUGH DRAFT #1
It is the new mission of the Iron Guard to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.
Training at all levels - academic, field, and in-service - will support these principles. We have always, and always will, draw in recruits from all walks of life: we will see to the recruitment of officers who have a "spirit of service" instead of only a "spirit of adventure." We will thoughtfully examine where we are seeking recruits, whom we are recruiting and hiring, and what is being tested. Performance, reward, and promotional procedures will support sound problem-solving activities, proactive policing, community collaboration, and citizen satisfaction with guard conduct.
We will form collaborative partnerships between the Iron Guard and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in the Iron Guard. We recognize that the Iron Guard rarely can solve public safety problems alone, and we wish for interactive partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
The Iron Guard can partner with a number of other government agencies to identify community concerns and offer alternative solutions. Examples of agencies include legislative bodies, prosecutors, public works departments, health and human services, child support services, and ordinance enforcement.
Individuals who live, work, or otherwise have an interest in the community - volunteers, activists, formal and informal community leaders, residents, and visitors - are a valuable resource for identifying community concerns. These factions of the community can be - and hopefully will be - engaged in achieving specific goals at town hall meetings, decentralized offices/storefronts in the community, and team beat assignments.
There will be long-term assignment of guardsmen to specific neighborhoods or areas. Geographic deployment plans can help enhance service and facilitate more contact between guards and citizens, thus establishing a strong relationship and mutual accountability.
There will be a decentralization in both command structure and decision making. Decentralized decision making allows frontline guards to take responsibility for their role in policing. When a guard is able to create solutions to problems and take risks, he or she ultimately feels accountable for those solutions and assumes a greater responsibility for the well-being of the community. Decentralized decision making involves flattening the hierarchy of the agency, increasing tolerance for risk taking in problem-solving efforts, and allowing guards discretion in handling calls. In addition, providing sufficient authority to coordinate various resources to attack a problem and allowing guards the autonomy to establish relationships with the community will help define problems and develop possible solutions.
Leaders serve as role models for taking risks and building collaborative relationships, and they use their position to influence and educate others about it. Leaders, therefore, must constantly emphasize and reinforce the Iron Guard's vision, values, and mission within their organization and support and articulate a commitment to the protection of those they serve.
In the end, our goal is to move away from the traditional policing goals, which revolved around simply protecting law-abiding citizens from criminals by accumulating evidence and jailing them - and towards a proactive partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems; to assist the public in establishing and maintaining a safe, orderly social environment.
Sir Silas Mercier
Lord Commander of the Iron Guard
It is the new mission of the Iron Guard to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.
Training at all levels - academic, field, and in-service - will support these principles. We have always, and always will, draw in recruits from all walks of life: we will see to the recruitment of officers who have a "spirit of service" instead of only a "spirit of adventure." We will thoughtfully examine where we are seeking recruits, whom we are recruiting and hiring, and what is being tested. Performance, reward, and promotional procedures will support sound problem-solving activities, proactive policing, community collaboration, and citizen satisfaction with guard conduct.
We will form collaborative partnerships between the Iron Guard and the individuals and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in the Iron Guard. We recognize that the Iron Guard rarely can solve public safety problems alone, and we wish for interactive partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
The Iron Guard can partner with a number of other government agencies to identify community concerns and offer alternative solutions. Examples of agencies include legislative bodies, prosecutors, public works departments, health and human services, child support services, and ordinance enforcement.
Individuals who live, work, or otherwise have an interest in the community - volunteers, activists, formal and informal community leaders, residents, and visitors - are a valuable resource for identifying community concerns. These factions of the community can be - and hopefully will be - engaged in achieving specific goals at town hall meetings, decentralized offices/storefronts in the community, and team beat assignments.
There will be long-term assignment of guardsmen to specific neighborhoods or areas. Geographic deployment plans can help enhance service and facilitate more contact between guards and citizens, thus establishing a strong relationship and mutual accountability.
There will be a decentralization in both command structure and decision making. Decentralized decision making allows frontline guards to take responsibility for their role in policing. When a guard is able to create solutions to problems and take risks, he or she ultimately feels accountable for those solutions and assumes a greater responsibility for the well-being of the community. Decentralized decision making involves flattening the hierarchy of the agency, increasing tolerance for risk taking in problem-solving efforts, and allowing guards discretion in handling calls. In addition, providing sufficient authority to coordinate various resources to attack a problem and allowing guards the autonomy to establish relationships with the community will help define problems and develop possible solutions.
Leaders serve as role models for taking risks and building collaborative relationships, and they use their position to influence and educate others about it. Leaders, therefore, must constantly emphasize and reinforce the Iron Guard's vision, values, and mission within their organization and support and articulate a commitment to the protection of those they serve.
In the end, our goal is to move away from the traditional policing goals, which revolved around simply protecting law-abiding citizens from criminals by accumulating evidence and jailing them - and towards a proactive partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems; to assist the public in establishing and maintaining a safe, orderly social environment.
Sir Silas Mercier
Lord Commander of the Iron Guard
Written By Leona
Feb. 2, 2017, 10:45 p.m.(11/2/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Luna
A refugee from the woods, where demons apparently killed most of the people she knew, she's been sleeping in the streets with her bear. Her bear! His name is Reinhart and against my better judgment I've introduced her to Valerius. In any case, she sees spirits which is interesting to me for more reasons than I care to name, and apparently she dances too. And likes sweet drinks over whiskey, but nobody's perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing her again.
Written By Leona
Feb. 2, 2017, 9:15 p.m.(11/1/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
He is quiet and stalwart, his whole being focused completely on the task at hand - protecting the King from enemies both foreign and domestic. Well, almost completely focused. His sense of humor is understated and brilliant, and his taste in cider impressive. Nonetheless, I am quite comfortable taking orders from the new Lord Commander, and I could not have entrusted the sword of my mentor to a better man. He is sometimes a little tactless, but I can appreciate that. And he is meant for great things. Hopefully those great things won't get him killed.
Written By Leona
Feb. 2, 2017, 9:11 p.m.(11/1/1005 AR)
Three weeks since I turned over the Lord Commander's sword to Rymarr. Three weeks. You people couldn't hold it together for three solid weeks before gleefully marching toward the apocalypse? Really? Some of my reasons for turning over the sword still remain. Others are now resolved. My decision stands, but apparently a woman's work is never done.
Really? Three weeks?
Really? Three weeks?
Written By Serafine
Feb. 2, 2017, 7:20 p.m.(11/1/1005 AR)
My beloved offered to knit me socks, so that my feet would remain dry as I chased after dogs.
I swear I have never had an off-handed suggestion squeeze my heart so, nor ever in my life felt the sudden impression to swoon.
Love is ridiculous. It makes us all ridiculous.
Pietro, stop laughing at me.
I swear I have never had an off-handed suggestion squeeze my heart so, nor ever in my life felt the sudden impression to swoon.
Love is ridiculous. It makes us all ridiculous.
Pietro, stop laughing at me.
Written By Kima
Feb. 2, 2017, 7:13 p.m.(11/1/1005 AR)
I've always preferred men to women. As friends, as lovers, as figures of authority. Men like to keep things simple. None of the absurd oversensitivity, reacting to every damned expression or glance or gesture. None of the stewing over some careless comment made in passing. And, most importantly, none of the vicious backstabbing and poison cups given with such winning smiles.
No.
I have long since learned all the cruel lessons of my own gender. I've seen enough eyes crawling up and down my body: judging the clothes I wear, the cut and style of my hair, the man at my side. I've seen women carving up others when they think their victim isn't looking, (Sometimes, even when they know that they are looking!) with eyes like blades.
Stab! Slice! Gut!
And isn't it true -beyond all challenge or doubt- that women who prefer the company of men are they most hated women of all?
No.
I have long since learned all the cruel lessons of my own gender. I've seen enough eyes crawling up and down my body: judging the clothes I wear, the cut and style of my hair, the man at my side. I've seen women carving up others when they think their victim isn't looking, (Sometimes, even when they know that they are looking!) with eyes like blades.
Stab! Slice! Gut!
And isn't it true -beyond all challenge or doubt- that women who prefer the company of men are they most hated women of all?
Written By Orazio
Feb. 2, 2017, 4:24 p.m.(11/1/1005 AR)
To the Faithful Reader:
It is in the extremes that one grows to understand the strength of one's connections and the truth of one's friendships. Sometimes, it is simply in the kindnesses shown, be it a selection of exquisite teas, the impromptu rearrangement of one's sleeping quarters, or any number of cherished messages sent by those close to my heart. We are a strong and passionate people, the Arvani. Often, this very strength and passion can lead us into impasse and conflict, torn apart by competing duties or desires; as a man, I have often tried to moderate and disperse this passion, to replace it (or at least to channel it) with the cooler, harder substances of reason and intellect.
But it is good to be reminded, once in a while, that it is our passions which urge people close, and hold the bonds between us fast even when reason and intellect might suggest we should pull away. Never be ashamed of your regard and affection for another, faithful readers, even though the world may tell you it is foolish. Do not allow it to tempt you into dishonor or away from the gods' path, but do not be ashamed. Limerance is, after all, the god of Love and Fidelity.
It is in the extremes that one grows to understand the strength of one's connections and the truth of one's friendships. Sometimes, it is simply in the kindnesses shown, be it a selection of exquisite teas, the impromptu rearrangement of one's sleeping quarters, or any number of cherished messages sent by those close to my heart. We are a strong and passionate people, the Arvani. Often, this very strength and passion can lead us into impasse and conflict, torn apart by competing duties or desires; as a man, I have often tried to moderate and disperse this passion, to replace it (or at least to channel it) with the cooler, harder substances of reason and intellect.
But it is good to be reminded, once in a while, that it is our passions which urge people close, and hold the bonds between us fast even when reason and intellect might suggest we should pull away. Never be ashamed of your regard and affection for another, faithful readers, even though the world may tell you it is foolish. Do not allow it to tempt you into dishonor or away from the gods' path, but do not be ashamed. Limerance is, after all, the god of Love and Fidelity.
Written By Bethany
Feb. 2, 2017, 12:59 p.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
No, Scholar I am not done yet. I just had no desire to have that moment of flailing panic to be permanently documented in the Journals.
(I am *not* getting a new dress for this - the one that Mistress Aurora made last summer will suit me just fine!)
Damnation!
(I am *not* getting a new dress for this - the one that Mistress Aurora made last summer will suit me just fine!)
Damnation!
Written By Bethany
Feb. 2, 2017, 12:44 p.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
By the scantified scrot--
No, no. No cursing. How did I not know that my own reception was just around the corner? See. This is what happens when I mope for too long.
No, no. No cursing. How did I not know that my own reception was just around the corner? See. This is what happens when I mope for too long.
Written By Serafine
Feb. 2, 2017, 12:21 p.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Propriety? Really?
Written By Fergus
Feb. 2, 2017, 10:48 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Each day it seems there is something new, whether it is the vanishing of others, their death, uprisings, conflict.
I took the sword down from the mantle to see if I could make right things that went wrong, and I may have found a way to do that in a manner I didn't think about before.
I have been trying to seek opinions of those that aren't noble, but live their lives in the uncertaintity of their future, and I want to give them something to be certain about.
Their own strength. It is something we all look at when we look inside of ourselves, and we wonder if we are strong enough to continue doing what is needed to be done.
When we feel strong, we are sure footed, confident, and we know the next day will not be our last. It makes you calm. It makes you know hope.
I wish to give that to the people.
I took the sword down from the mantle to see if I could make right things that went wrong, and I may have found a way to do that in a manner I didn't think about before.
I have been trying to seek opinions of those that aren't noble, but live their lives in the uncertaintity of their future, and I want to give them something to be certain about.
Their own strength. It is something we all look at when we look inside of ourselves, and we wonder if we are strong enough to continue doing what is needed to be done.
When we feel strong, we are sure footed, confident, and we know the next day will not be our last. It makes you calm. It makes you know hope.
I wish to give that to the people.
Written By Jasher
Feb. 2, 2017, 10:25 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Felix
An excellent weaponsmith. He put a better edge on my blade in an hour than I've done in weeks with my whetstone.
Written By Cecilia
Feb. 2, 2017, 9:01 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Ford
I love my brother dearly.
One day, I will finally get to know him.
One day, I will finally get to know him.
Written By Rymarr
Feb. 2, 2017, 8:49 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
How does one write the sound of an uncertain and disapproving grunt?
Hrm?
Hrm?
Written By Rymarr
Feb. 2, 2017, 8:17 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rainier
A knight who has returned to His Majesty's royal guard. I found him somewhat grating to begin with. As time progresses I am noticing the capacity for wisdom in his typically casual manner. I can respect that.
Written By Rymarr
Feb. 2, 2017, 8:17 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rainier
A knight who has returned to His Majesty's royal guard. I found him somewhat grating to begin with. As time progresses I am noticing the capacity for wisdom in his typically casual manner. I can respect that.
Written By Rymarr
Feb. 2, 2017, 8:15 a.m.(10/28/1005 AR)
Dear Diary,
It has clearly been some time since I've witnessed my original home before taking my vow. I've been assured that it has been a great deal of time if I've forgotten the taste of the Redoubt's rubylicious apples and the juicy, thick, robust, girth of the most mouth-watering and filling apples ever grown.
Some day perhaps I will visit Dicken's Cider & Apple Orchard personally in order to collect a few fresh rubylicious treats. I imagine that Dauntless would eat every one in sight.
Love,
Rymarr
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the event that you and yours find yourselves reading this: As before, my outlook and stance has not altered. I am merely waiting for your move. I am patient.
It has clearly been some time since I've witnessed my original home before taking my vow. I've been assured that it has been a great deal of time if I've forgotten the taste of the Redoubt's rubylicious apples and the juicy, thick, robust, girth of the most mouth-watering and filling apples ever grown.
Some day perhaps I will visit Dicken's Cider & Apple Orchard personally in order to collect a few fresh rubylicious treats. I imagine that Dauntless would eat every one in sight.
Love,
Rymarr
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the event that you and yours find yourselves reading this: As before, my outlook and stance has not altered. I am merely waiting for your move. I am patient.
Written By Julea
Feb. 2, 2017, 5:30 a.m.(10/27/1005 AR)
Things have been in something of a turmoil over the last few days, and I am eager to put my feet to solid ground again. I want to know where I stand, so I can start walking again. I've never been good with uncertainty.
So I have been trying to stay focused on the funding and support for the boroughs, and it has been going well. Almost everyone I have asked has come through with an offer of food, medical supplies, housing, funding, training, and many of them have more than exceeded my expectations.
And I hope that it is enough to smooth things over. That we lose no more of our people to that Herald. That we can in turn focus on the real threat. I think that is what they're trying to do, make us fight each other, encourage this civil unrest between the Crown and the Faith. To turn the people against each other, because a people divided, is much easier to defeat. They paint the picture that we already expect. And we've fallen for it before, haven't we? Deluded into ignoring the real enemy, and doing their work for them.
Maybe I'm just paranoid and my mind is working over time trying to think about just about everything but the feet that are so close to slipping from beneath me.
Also I bought a dress. A fucking expensive sea-silk dress of a Thraxian style that I really ought not to of. But it is beautiful and I do not know that I will wear it. Maybe just hang it up on the wall like a picture.
I guess I need to find my sea-legs.
So I have been trying to stay focused on the funding and support for the boroughs, and it has been going well. Almost everyone I have asked has come through with an offer of food, medical supplies, housing, funding, training, and many of them have more than exceeded my expectations.
And I hope that it is enough to smooth things over. That we lose no more of our people to that Herald. That we can in turn focus on the real threat. I think that is what they're trying to do, make us fight each other, encourage this civil unrest between the Crown and the Faith. To turn the people against each other, because a people divided, is much easier to defeat. They paint the picture that we already expect. And we've fallen for it before, haven't we? Deluded into ignoring the real enemy, and doing their work for them.
Maybe I'm just paranoid and my mind is working over time trying to think about just about everything but the feet that are so close to slipping from beneath me.
Also I bought a dress. A fucking expensive sea-silk dress of a Thraxian style that I really ought not to of. But it is beautiful and I do not know that I will wear it. Maybe just hang it up on the wall like a picture.
I guess I need to find my sea-legs.
Written By Serafine
Feb. 2, 2017, 2:36 a.m.(10/27/1005 AR)
Sorry, scholar, I've got purple paint all up my-
No, no, I'm not painting a house. Well, aye, I am, but this isn't from that.
What? Oh, a giant phallus out in the Lyceum ward.
Don't make that face. People need a different thing to laugh about at the moment. Don't think Jayus will grant me any blessings, but it's not even white-wash, goes away with a rain or two.
Of -course- I know these journals are public. How's anyone going to know it's a joke and not a declaration of rooster fights?
No, no, I'm not painting a house. Well, aye, I am, but this isn't from that.
What? Oh, a giant phallus out in the Lyceum ward.
Don't make that face. People need a different thing to laugh about at the moment. Don't think Jayus will grant me any blessings, but it's not even white-wash, goes away with a rain or two.
Of -course- I know these journals are public. How's anyone going to know it's a joke and not a declaration of rooster fights?
Written By Merek
Feb. 2, 2017, 1:43 a.m.(10/27/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
The Princess is quite an intelligent woman, with much willpower. Willing to do what she needs to when required. I talked to her at the Shrine of the Thirteenth, and she had quite a bit of insight to give to me.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.