Death Shields
The Death Shields are a loosely organized group made up of those who would put their life on the line to defend the town of Moz'ki and all those living there from the monsters that may venture forth from the Death Woods. It is a volunteer position, not an official job, but those who serve as Shields are given many benefits in town.
Structure
There is no formal structure to the Death Shields, though the most senior Shields host regular meetings that often include training, sharing news, and socializing. Often, these events include drinking and gaming. Everyone is considered an equal, though the most senior Shields are treated with great respect and most Shields take it upon themselves to mentor younger and newer Shields.
Culture
The most important belief held by the Death Shields in general is that anyone who can wield a weapon of any kind and hit a target with it can become a Shield. Everyone in the town has the potential to face a monster from the Death Woods at least once in their lifetime, therefore anyone who wants to be able to fight should be able to learn to do so. Mentoring is a major aspect of being a Shield for many members.
Another belief is that fear is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, everyone should be afraid of the monsters they defend the town from. If not, they will make mistakes that could get someone killed. The key is to act despite the fear.
It is also strictly enforced that nothing is ever taken from a slain monster. Instead, they must be burned in their entirety in a special pit outside the town, and the spilled blood covered in sawdust that is also burned. Shields are even encouraged to burn their clothing if they have a monster's blood on it, and to bathe themselves and their weapons as soon as possible after a fight.
Public Agenda
Defense of Moz'ki and all those who live there is the most important goal for any Shield. They are upholding countless generations of tradition and will continue to do so as long as the Death Woods continue to host monsters that threaten the people of Moz'ki. They will also protect anyone traveling out of town and past the Woods.
History
The tradition of the Death Shields dates back several hundred, if not thousands of years, to the time before the widespread discovery and use of Core Anchors. It is believed that Moz'ki first began, as many towns and cities in Avarha often did, when a group of travelers looked for shelter as a Realm Conjunction began. Finding a small cave in the area, they spent the duration of the Conjunction making it more comfortable and enlarging it. At the end of the Conjunction, that group likely chose to stay due to the plentiful food and springs in the area.
It is unknown whether the nearby Death Woods existed before the early settlers of Moz'ki began building their town, but regardless of the timeline, the people of Moz'ki certainly had encounters with the monsters living there. It is said the first Death Shields were all those who were strong and able to fight off those creatures. During Realm Conjunctions, when the town's residents would seek shelter in the expanded caves, those early Shields would guard the entrance to the cave system in shifts, preventing threats from entering the Caves.
Even after Core Anchors came into use and made it possible to get through Conjunctions without seeking shelter underground, the Death Shields were still needed to protect the residents of Moz'ki from any monsters that might leave the Death Woods, and that is what they continue to do.
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