In the name of YELM the Emperor of the Cosmos, son of Aether,
Harbinger and Provider;
In the name of YELM the Warrior, Master of the Bow and Spear;
In the name of YELM the Teacher, Musician, Hawkmaster, Fertility
Bringer, and Rider (who gave the Horse as a gift of the Sun);
In the name of YELM Imperator, Emperor of the Universe, Guardian
of the Mantle of Leadership, The Crown of Heaven, The Sceptre of Order, The Girdle of
Command, and the Globe of Authority;
In the name of YELM the Sage, Keeper of the Divine Order,
Gracious Father and Mighty Lord,
PRAISE YELM!
In the name of YELM and YEMALIO (Son of the Sun) we, Solanthos
Ironpike, Light Son, XLIInd Count and Ruler of the Sun Dome lands of Prax, do take the
following into the service of the Sun Dome lands under the conditions of the following
contract.
Each hired person will give his complete and utter loyalty in all
matters, whether they lead unto life or unto death, to me, Solanthos Ironpike, Light Son,
XLIInd Count and Ruler of the Sun Dome lands of Prax, to be sworn in person by the oath of
my choice.
Each warrior agrees to obey all officers appointed by me, as if
they were me, except in matters which countermand orders given to me.
Each warrior agrees and understands that he places complete trust
in me and my wisdom, and that my own interests include the well-being and trust of each
individual in my employ, and that I will not abuse or needlessly risk anyone's life, and
that risks will be undertaken only as it aids and serves to protect every loyal person of
my group.
Each hired warrior will receive an equal share of food, delivered
once a week, to include: ten kilos of unground barley, one kilo of fresh meat, three kilos
of beans or other lentils, and one kilo of good animal fat; or board at any Sun Dome
shrine or militia barracks.
Any person who brings his own mount will receive five kilos of
grain, five kilos of fodder, and adequate water each day when it is used, as much as
possible. Normal grazing in good ground with adequate water is guaranteed for all mounts
not in use but in hire.
All those without a mount will be provided with the free loan of
one for the duration of their period of service. These mounts will receive the same
amounts of fodder as those mounts privately owned.
Shelter will be provided within suitable barracks or tents, owned
and provided by the Count.
Security will be provided for every person in my command, and it
is guaranteed that myself and my captain of Militia will serve as impartial witnesses to
the ownership of private goods. Anyone in our employ may have his own items reviewed by
us, establishing true and absolute ownership.
On my own word I guarantee that anything with our vouchsafed
witness of private ownership will receive exactly the same protection by me and my
followers as if the items were owned by us.
Protection for each warrior is guaranteed, with the understanding
that the warriors obey instructions to the letter, and that they in no way behave
purposefully with neglect or intent to harm me or my reputation or my people.
I am Solanthos Ironpike, Light Son, XLIInd Count and Ruler of the
Sun Dome lands of Prax and I speak for the people of Sun County in full authority as the
chosen of Yemalio. My powers and those of my priests will be at your service to keep you
healthy from enemy gods and devils who are sent against you for being in my service.
Furthermore, every year I will each person in my employ one suit
of cloth or of leather clothing of my choice, and replacement for all personal arms,
armour, and mounts which are lost in combat, and free repair of those damaged on duty.
I recognize the existence of heirs,and will properly advance to
them all items which come into my hands which I have reviewed and recognized as personal
property.
Finally, each man and woman will receive 10L per week paid in
cash, and also receive a fair share of any loot received (this loot shall consist solely
of any goods taken from enemies of Sun County and those found to be in contravention of
the wishes and laws of Sun County) according to the following conditions. These conditions
shall be as follows:
1) Any weapons and/or armour that shall contribute to the
military effectiveness of oath swearers shall become their property to be divided as they
see fit. Any surplus shall become the property of the Count to be disposed of as he sees
fit.
2) All goods in kine or specie shall become the property of the
Count with one tenth or their value being divided among the oath swearers.
3) Any magical goods shall become the property of the Count to be
disposed of as he sees fit with the understanding that due consideration shall be given to
the needs of the oath swearers.
The warriors shall be assigned duty in a special mobile unit, on
detached duty, of the Ist militia (commonly known as "the Victors") under the
direct command of Vega Goldbreath under the leadership of Durnfal Slipspear of Sun County
and Svart Ulfsson of Sartar. Specific duties shall be to help to eradicate the hazia trade
in Sun County and to defend and succour the people of Sun County from their enemies.
Now I demand oath and seal of you, and the recitation of the
following:
By all that is Truth and Honour I swear by the power in my soul,
by the mind within my body, by the Sun over my head, by the Earth under my feet, by the
gods I worship, and by the weapons in my hands that I will give faith and fealty to
Solanthos Ironpike, Light Son, XLIInd Count and Ruler of the Sun Dome lands of Prax, until
I am honourably released from this service, or death (without Resurrection) take me, or
the world shall end.
Signature, Oath or Sign of the mercenary.
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