le Glaive
Le Glaive, or "the Sword" in Arian, is a small but determined band of armed resistance fighters committed to pushing the Vytuian Elves out of the Contestee and back across the rivers to Naru. The Glaive number 22 Halfling and Human men that once resided and worked within the boundaries of the Contestee but have subsequently been forced out due to the occupation of the region by the Elves and are now dedicated to the effort of forcing the Elves out of Aria by any means necessary.
Structure
A group of 18 Halflings and 4 Humans that have united together under the leadership of Elyot Roseau for the purpose of driving the Elves out of Arian territory forever.
The group operates out of several secluded locations made up of ruined or abandoned structures such as farms, villages and camps found within an area of roughly 12 miles in any direction from the Village of Eau Claire. They monitor traffic on four significantly travelled roads and the Arul River, closely watching and recording travel patterns, numbers of vehicles and guards, possible cargos and destinations. This information is evaluated by Elyot and his senior advisors, and a decision is made as to whether or not an attack should take place.
The Glaive never stay in one hideout more than two consecutive nights in a row, and they never are all found in one building at a time. They currently maintain at least seven different locations that are considered safe for overnight or all-day rest and perhaps a dozen other locations for emergency hides or rally points in case of danger.
Culture
The members of the Glaive have sworn their lives and honor to ending the occupation and control of Arian territory by the Elves of Naru that have settled the area now known as the Contestee. They are the most well-known resisting Arians left within the Contestee region, but they are not the only ones and they sometimes find support and succor from the few other native inhabitants that have chosen to remain.
The Glaive resist and oppose the occupation through the systematic and carefully waged campaign of ambush and attack of trade and traffic along a corridor that follows the eastern bank of the Arul River from the mouth of the river to as far upstream as 40 miles. They will carefully observe and track caravans and barges to best determine the time and means of attacking and seizing the material and cargo and either disarming and robbing the Elves hauling the goods, or (if resistance to the attack is determined) killing them outright.
Elyot does not often allow the consumption of captured food or drink due to the risk that it might be poisoned or drugged by the Elves, and when he does it is only after very careful and attentive testing. Food is rarely an issue for the Glaive, however, as many of the farmers that abandoned their farms released their livestock before departing and the woods and fields of the area are full of half-feral swine, goats, sheep and even cattle and mules. This is in addition to the bountiful amounts of deer, elk, bison, auroch, dozens of varieties of small game and fowl that can readily be harvested with a bow or sling. It is a rare and sorry night, indeed, when anyone with the Glaive goes to their bed hungry.
Public Agenda
The Glaive is openly committed to forcing the invading Elves back across the rivers and out of all territories, lands and areas historically understood to be the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Aria, by any means necessary.
Assets
Over the course of nearly eight years, the Glaive have ambushed and sacked several hundred cargo-laden caravans and barges of very valuable and vital supplies and materials that otherwise would have further secured the Elven occupation of the Contestee. Much of this booty has been sent further east to benefit the refugees of the region that had been forced out of their homes and livelihoods by the Elves, but significant amounts of it remain hidden in caches and hides across the area surrounding the Village of Eau Claire.
Chief amongst these stockpiles are stashes of weapons, armor and gear that constitute enough to fully equip and arm a company of Elven soldiers. Barrels of construction material, preserved food, wine and ale, grains and dried fruit are hidden in cellars and barns across the area. Wagons, carts and river craft are hidden or camouflaged in dark but accessible places that only the members know of, as well.
Finally, there is a small wagon hidden deep within the woods outside that has the equivalent of 2,100 gold urcs secured on it in an iron-bound chest, or more than $500,000 in gold bullion. This was seized just a few months ago from an Elven noble on his way to Selion.
One of several hideouts of the Glaive, this in the Village of Eau Claire
The leader of the Glaive, Elyot Roseau
Elyot's second-in-command, Rolo Fortebras
