The Highway Guard are a group of mercenaries for hire, but with a very strict code of honor. Because of this, these sellswords are often contracted by wealthy merchants to protect shipments across the sometimes dangerous roads of Ezrahn. Chapter Houses can be found in almost every city, located by their flag – a sword and bow crossed over what looks like a grey road snaking across a green background. Even in the smaller towns across the countryside, someone (usually the local innkeeper or tavernmaster) knows how to reach a member of the Highway Guard if the need arises.

While they usually are chartered for protection, they have been known to take jobs as bounty hunters or to retrieve items stolen/lost by those who can afford to spend the coin to hire them. Their ranks are filled with just about every type of adventurer imaginable: from swordsmen and archers; to wizards and clerics. All races can be found amongst the Highway Guard’s roster, especially those of mixed lineage shunned in “polite” society.

Players (or whole parties) can gain favor and reputation with the Highway Guard by demonstrating an ability to be useful to them and upholding the ideals held sacred by the Highway Guard.

Highway Guard (Faction)

 Mercenary group specializing in protection details for merchant caravans or nobles. They have been known to take on missions for hire as well.

Levels of Membership:

Wooden Coin (benefits granted once per week)

• Access to room/board at any chapter house, comfortable lodgings and provisions provided.
• Information as long as it doesn’t endanger the Guard or go against their code.

Tin Coin (includes Wooden Coin benefits)

• Basic equipment (no weapons/armor) at discretion of Chapter House leader valued up to 5 silver per week.
• Access to more information from the Guard’s network of members.

Iron Coin (Includes benefits of previous coins)

• Access to basic equipment increases to 1 gold per week.
• You may stay up to 2 days a week at a chapter house or with a guild member, comfortable lodging and provisions are provided.
• Access to the Guard’s messenger service, allowing you to transmit messages between locations at a faster rate.
• You may be reached out to if there is a “Mission” within your general vicinity if the Guard is aware of your presence.
• Information pertinent to your area or direction will be readily available.

Steel Coin (Includes benefits of previous coins)

• You may requisition 1 piece of armor or weaponry (+1), or a quiver of ammunition (20 of selected ammunition at +1).  Weapons and armor can only be requested once, but you can exchange your item at a Chapter House that has items. Additional Ammunition can be purchased at the same 5% discount you receive on regular goods (below perk).
• Access to a 5% reduction in goods/services (not all services available at all Chapter Houses, but in some locales there are businesses that will honor the presentation of a Steel Coin)
• You may stay 3 days a week at any Chapter House at a comfortable lifestyle.
• You may call upon the aid of other members of the Guard. Once per month, you can gain the assistance of one member of the Guard, depending on availability. This person can be any class and will be 2 levels below yours (minimum 1^st level). This NPC will act in the best interests of the Guard and will refuse to violate the Guard’s code. Once requested, they will appear in 1-3 days and will stay for up to a week before returning to the Chapter House. If the member dies, regardless of fault, you lose this ability for a period of 60 days and must pay reparations to their family/the Guard (equal to 100gp/level of hireling).

Silver Coin (Includes benefits of previous coins)

• You may requisition a second piece of armor or weaponry (+1), or exchange first item for a +2 item. Your discount on additional ammunition increases to 10%.
• Most businesses, even if not directly affiliated with the Highway Guard, will honor a Steel Coin, granting aid and negotiate slightly (roughly 5%) on good and services.
• You may stay in any Chapter House for as long as needed. Comfortable accommodations and provisions are provided.
• As above, you may request the assistance of a member of the Guard, their level will be equal to yours and stay until the mission/task you requested them for is completed.
• Your 10% discount on goods and services now extends to magical items (potions and scrolls).

Gold Coin (Includes benefits of previous coins)

• Ammunition can be purchased at a 15% discount up to a +2 enchantment (any other special ability counts as one of the enchantment levels).
• Your 10% discount on goods and services extends to any magical item except for weapons and armor. The discount on potions and scrolls increases to 15%.

Ranks are granted by assisting the Guard via completing missions/assignments either from a notice board or by direct ask of a higher level member. As the individual or party completes their missions, they will be granted the next level of rank. There is no cut and dry number of missions, as different tasks may carry different weight.

Code of the Guard

• Do your best to protect the innocent, be the foe monster or man. The Guard does not suffer the abuse of the weak, the innocent, or the disadvantaged.
• Uphold your promises and contracts, a Guard member is nothing if they do not hold true to their word.
• As such, do not make grandiose claims for the sake of applause. Do good, but do it humbly.
• A member of the Guard will do their best to assist fellow members in tasks, as long as the task is honorable.