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- YEAR 515

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RAVEN PROPOSES NEW CENTAUR ‘ARMY’

Dateline: 01-08-517

The Raven, Duke of Poldoon, has announced that he is establishing a new military force, the Poldoon Border Scouts, to help secure the North-Eastern border of the the Kingdom and protect outlying farms, villages and travellers.

“As Duke Of Poldoon I have the power, as does any Duke, to establish new security bodies to serve as regional militia should the need arise,” the Raven declared in his announcement. The Raven himself will be General-In-Chief, but will appoint a general and a military staff to handle the day-to-day running of the Scouts.

“This new body will be paid for partially from my own funds and partially from the security allowance in Poldoon's taxable intake,” the Raven added. “A full breakdown of costs involved have been forwarded to the relevant body in the Royal Courts.”

What has caused the greatest surprise however is that the Duke intends to form the new unit mostly from centaurs and to appoint the commanding general and staff from the ranks of the Centaur Council, the leading Centaur guild. “This is because centaurs are well-suited to the fast-moving open terrain nature of this new force,” the Duke added.

The announcement has caused some disquiet in Royal Circles. Despite the Raven’s assurance that the new force will carry both Royal and Poldoon colours, the prospect of an independent military force under the control of the Raven is troubling to many, especially when they recall that he came close to entering open rebellion against King Dirk when he was Duke of Ghorst.

Although both Dukes and Barons officially have the right to raise local militias, and this right is frequently used by Barons to defend their estates from hostile monsters, the size and scale of the force proposed by the Raven is significantly greater - officials in Poldoon are already describing it as an army. When the Raven’s predecessor, Duchess Arianne, attempted to raise such a force the King accused her of sedition and removed her from office. This time it has been claimed that King Dirk has given his personal approval to the initiative, although no official statement has been forthcoming.

The close involvement of the Centaur Council, a body sometimes perceived to have its primary allegiance to the centaur race as a whole and not to the Kingdom of Bereny, is also causing disquiet. However Centaur Council guild leader Chaldan Ironhoof was quick to speak up in support of the Duke. “This is quite an unexpected honour, I am positive that both centaur & unicorns members of the Centaur Council will be pleased to offer their services to the defence of Poldoon in this venture.”

“Several members of the CC have been prominent in scouting for Helltroops in the area of Crownheart, so after this particular threat has been ended, these centaurs might be most amenable to take on this particular role.”

Others were less sure however. The Bugle has learnt that the Way of the Five Paths has prohibited any of its members from joining the new organisation, apparently from fears that the force will not be approved by the Crown.

The Raven was also quick to defend the involvement of the Centaur Council. “The centaurs a key to the idea of the new force, able to respond quickly in certain circumstances.”