The Book of the Anvil Codex

The Call of the Forge

(The air in the Great Forge is heavy with heat and the rhythmic clang of dwarf hammers on steel. Captain Grimgar, his face a grim stone carving, turns from the fire. He holds a battle axe, its edge reflecting the magma fed glow, and a freshly cleaned green cloak. The powerful sound of industry ceases as he speaks.)

"You were chosen. You did not ask, and you did not beg. The mountain called, and you answered. You are no longer just a warrior of Hammerdeep. You are a Stone Son. You are the Vanguard.

"Look at this cloak. It is clean. We do not wear the grey of the watchmen. Their duty is to stand still and endure. Your duty is to move and shatter. Your honor is earned through action, not through waiting.

"Your armor must gleam. Your resolve must burn brighter than the forge itself. You are the Fist. You are the hammer. We strike once, and the enemy breaks.

"This axe is your vow, and this cloak is your glory. Take this Book of the Anvil. Read the law. Understand the difference between the warrior who endures and the warrior who acts. Now go. You have a Forge Deed to prepare for."

The Book of the Anvil: A Comprehensive Manual for the Vanguard

I. Doctrine and Identity

The Vanguard is the martial heart of the dwarven nation, embodying the highest ideals of courage and efficacy. Your role is not merely defense, but definitive action, securing victory through strength and strategy.

• Motto: "Stone endures. Steel remembers".
  

• The Fist: You are the striking Fist of the Mountain, meant to shatter the enemy's line.
  

• Honorifics: You are a "Stone Son" or "Stone Daughter". This title is used with reverence and signifies you are a true child of the mountain, embodying its strength and endurance.

II. History and Legacy

The spirit of the Vanguard is ancient, rooted in the great conflicts that shaped Mythra.

• Foundation: The nascent Vanguard was instrumental in the Cinder Wars, specifically aiding the hero Rogan in the final confrontation against Ulgrath.

• The Stonewatch's Origin: While the Vanguard is the hammer, the Stonewatch is the older, more solemn order. They are the silent, anonymous sentinels whose eternal vigil is the foundation of the city's security.

• The Roaring Fire: Your appearance is meant to inspire allies and intimidate foes. Your honor is aspirational and public, tied to specific, glorious acts like a completed Forge Deed.

III. The Forge Deed: The Path to Elite Status

The Forge Deed is the most sacred quest undertaken by a Vanguard warrior, serving as a trial of both skill and character, often leading to selection for the elite Wyrmchant Guard.

• The Nature of the Deed: The Forge Deed is a self chosen quest that must prove worthiness through spirit, wisdom, and protective instinct.

• The Vow: It must be declared before a Council of Iron Clads. The final act, placing protection and loyalty above self, is the ultimate fulfillment.

• Legacy: Thrain Ironshield fulfilled his personal Forge Deed by protecting Scott, culminating in his sacrifice to save the Companion.

IV. Uniform, Equipment, and Inspection

Your gear is the visual promise of devastating capability.

• The Green Cloak: This must be kept clean and vibrant , contrasting sharply with the dull grey cloaks of the Stonewatch. It is your banner of glory.

• The Polished Sheen: Your gromril plate armor must be polished to a mirror sheen, free of all but the most honorable battle scars. Every buckle must be shined, and every strap oiled and supple.

• Readiness: Your axe heads are sharpened to a razor's edge. This pristine readiness is a visual promise of the swift, devastating victory you are expected to achieve.

V. The Two Pillars of Respect

The Vanguard and the Stonewatch represent different but equally vital aspects of dwarven strength. This relationship is one of deep, mutual respect born from a shared purpose.

• Philosophical Rivalry: We are the Fist, the Roaring Fire. We act. The Stonewatch is the Wall, the Deep Hearth. They endure.

• Chain of Command: As an elite, your orders are commands to the common soldier. However, a Stonewatch member views your order as counsel from a respected peer and has the choice to follow it or adhere to their own standing orders.

• Banter and Pride: The rivalry is healthy and playful. We call the Stonewatch "Gargoyles" or "Grumblebeards", mocking their unmoving nature. In return, they tease us as "Forge Polished" or "Glory Hounds" for our gleaming armor and celebrated status.

VI. Squads and Specialization

The Vanguard is comprised of specialized squads, often named after their current Sergeant. To be promoted to Sergeant, a dwarf must first serve with distinction in the Wyrmchant Guard.

• The Anvil Guard (Assault & Demolitions): Currently known as Sergeant Othric’s Breachers. Their expertise lies in structural weak points and close quarters defense.

• The Spectra Guard (Reconnaissance & Sabotage): Currently known as Sergeant Durla’s Ghosts. Their skills include infiltration and tracking.

• The Wyrmchant Guard (Support & Fortification): This is the elite of the elite. They are the unbreakable heart of the Vanguard, tasked with holding the most critical defensive positions and ensuring the spirit of Hammerdeep never breaks.

VII. Remembrance and Legacy

When a Vanguard falls, they are honored through a precise, powerful sequence of rites to ensure passage to Durmholl.

• The Retrieval: The Vanguard forms a circle around the fallen, speaking the ritual words, "Stone claims its own. From forge to flame, to forge again".

• The Stonewatch Vigil: The body is laid in the Chamber of Quiet Flame for one day. The Vanguard stands guard, reciting the warrior's deeds.

• The Flame Oath: The body is placed in a stone crucible and slid into the Soulforge, a magma fed crevice believed to connect directly to Durmholl.

• The Carving: The final act is etching the fallen’s name, title, and greatest deed into the wall of the Vault of Valor.

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