[One of the many pages of this thick Journal.]

Alturiak 9th, Year 153 Topic: A meeting with Chairman Dentra and Lieutenant Dorn Reynolds.

I've met with Chairman Dentra. He's had some interesting ideas and it seems that we are largely in agreement on many things. His viewpoints differ in some regard from my own, but I believe he is a man that I can see myself working with - we are heading in the same direction.

He also saw it fit to grant me an old Dunwarren Engineering Helm. It appears useful though it's enchantments are obviously fading. I am unclear if it was given to me out of a sense of gratitude or if he had deeper motives behind it. I accepted it regardless, and I will take him at his word.

After this I met with Lieutenant Dorn Reynolds. We seem to share a common surname, and it leads me to wonder if he also has family that can be traced back to Reynolds Hill. How odd that we find ourselves here, although it is a common surname so there is likely no relation.

He spoke to me about a man named Marshall Greer. The name sounded familiar but I couldn't place it. Marshall led a band similar to the one I am forming now known as "The Marching Men." I will bring this up to Chairman Dentra's attention. He suggested a name change, and his choices were less than stellar (though I dare not tell him that), and it is possible that we may be able to capitalize on the popularity of the former group to mobilize interest.

The Lieutenant told me of Greer's disappearance, of how the Marching Men faced an assault by the Rats who call themselves 'Chosen'. They did battle on the bridge near the Watch House, and Greer - to his credit - attempted to grapple one of the Rats that Fly. He tumbled over the side toward the Lower Ward. It is believed, or rather I should say, the Lieutenant believes, that he may still be alive, and this is based upon the evidence that no body was ever found. I am dubious to the claim. Apparently Greer may have been carried off, and nothing has been heard from him since.

A few patrols have been sent to look for him, and they've come back with reports of larger numbers of Rats than they've ever seen. Two men have been lost in this search.

He does not know how long it's been since Greer has disappeared, but he claimed that Sergeant Timmons might know.

I feel that this is largely a wild chase that will turn up nothing, but there is always hope I suppose. I promised that I would assist the Watch in this and I intend to keep that promise. My first course of action will be to contact the rumored Chosen hunter that lives near or around the Sewers. I'll send word down that way.

I am debating on contacting Montezzi. I was informed by Councilor Dentra that he killed his brother and that he serves a female demon of some kind. It is not my desire to start a war with the Montezzi, least not without a direct order from the Council themselves, but I am sure leading an armed force into Montezzi's realm will result in exactly that. From what I hear he's on edge, and any display of force may force him over that edge into full out hostile action. I am loathed to ask for permission, but it may be necessary. If he refuses there are other avenues I can pursue that do not involve dealing with him, though they would prove more difficult than desirable.

Regardless, I will move forward with my other plans. The fact that Greer is likely dead does not put haste upon this mission. With luck, I'll at least find a set of remains to return to the Watch.

Alturiak 10th, Year 153 Topic: The Council's Folly, information on Greer.

I have been successful in uncovering some information about former Lieutenant Marshall Greer. According to Private Redbeard He left the Watch after the Sheriff Walters incident. Redbeard also confirmed Dorn's story dealing with Greer's death. He has also further elaborated upon Greer and informed me that he joined New Dunwarren and was possibly friends with the former Watchman and Councilor Matterheim.

We ended the conversation as Redbeard discouraged me from continuing with the mission. I said I'd take his words into consideration in an attempt to be polite, but I have already given my word and intend to keep it. He claims that Dorn is known to be a detective of sorts, and that he may have given me this task to see if I can "use my brain".

According to what is known Greer died recently. I also spoke to Councilor Merle Barer about the issue. She confirmed much of what Redbeard told me. Greer had indeed defected to New Dunwarren, and she further elaborated that he did not have that much confidence in Sheriff Azzam.

This may place Dorn and Greer as a New Dunwarren sympathizer. While I have respect for New Dunwarren and am glad they agreed to once again to submit to the Council's rule their past acts of treason are difficult to forget. Their ultimate aspirations cannot be forgotten. They seek a theocracy in Sanctuary, and though I hold no ill will toward the faiths of Tyr, Torm and Ilmater, I cannot readily abide by such an action. The vision of the Bresely's of a united, well defended and democratic society must continue to endure.

However, that is obviously in danger. I warned Chairman Dentra against turning over the Canal Ward to the Montezzi. I understand the reasoning, and as always, I will be supportive of the Council's decisions, but I cannot say that I like it. After speaking with Councilor Barer it became clear why the Spellguard assaulted the Montezzi a few darks ago. It also explained why the Canal Ward was handed over so easily.

Even so I am disappointed. I warned Chairman Dentra that the Montezzi were not the Council's only enemies, and that others would soon begin to make a move. I was not disappointed. Alexander Archibald is already maneuvering for a good position to survive the fall out. I'll include a copy of the flyer I found.

I am certain that others are also moving behind the scenes, and I must admit Archibald overreaches. The obvious power play is foolish and will only backfire and furthermore it will only antagonize the Spellguard. Therefore, it is not something that should be of great and immediate concern, but it is something that must be watched and guarded against carefully.

I've also met with one of the Mithrilsouls - their second in command. I urged him to encourage his clan to leave the city. Knowing Dwarves the way I do it is only a matter of time before they strike at the Montezzi again, especially considering their numbers are growing rapidly. Their strike will antagonize Montezzi and he may use it as a claim that the Council was behind the strike and use it as justification for an assault.

The Council seems heavily burdened. It is understandable. I would offer my aid but they've given me clear instructions to continue on as I have - both Councilor Barer and Chairman Dentra are supportive of my ideas. I will seek out the other Councilors to speak with them as well.

Additionally, Sergeant Timmons has responded to my letter informing me of what little information exists regarding the Marching Men. I will include the letter with this entry.

It is not much to go on, but I may be able to play upon it. I am going to begin to prepare my announcement. There is little time to waste.

Alturiak 10th, Year 153 Topic: More information on Greer

I've conducted more research on Greer. He disappeared on Uktar 20, Year 152. That means he's been missing roughly eighty-two darks. I've spoken to a few citizens who were eye-witnesses to the event. Here is what I learned.

On the date mentioned Upper Sanctuary was assaulted by numerous attacks by the Rats that lasted for several hours. There were some of those Flying Rats involved as well, who plucked up citizens from the streets, only to drop them and let them splatter on the rocky ground below.

The Watch and the Spellguard took time to mobilize to the scene, but Officer Barkely was there and seen getting involved in the massive melee that ensued. Sheriff Azzam was strangely nowhere to be found, but former Lieutenant Lothor was seen single-handedly defeating a large chosen War leader.

Former Lieutenant Greer was seen battling a gigantic monstrous and bloated flying Rat, and was carried off in flight by it, battling and struggling it down into the gorge between Upper and Lower. Most believe him to be dead, however as Lieutenant Reynolds pointed out no body was found.

Parchments were dropped by the flying rats that read:

LOTHOR

DEEPINGDALE

DEDERICH

I know both Lothor and Dederich are dead, and I would not be surprised if Deepingdale is dead or missing also.

Finally, I've searched the Library and have found bits of information pertaining to Greer. In Chapter 6 of The Reckoning of Law It mentions how as Dhogur descended into Lower Sanctuary during the Ubel rebellion, Greer was placed in command of the Watch. This gave Yorrick Bresely the opportunity to take the Mayorship with Greer's aid and ultimately remove Dhogur from power. Greer was instrumental in securing Yorrick's place as Mayor.

According to the Rise and Fall the above occurred in Eleasis Year 119. Greer's disappearance is the last entry in the Rise and Fall.

A final book, The Reckoning of Steel and Blood briefly mentions Greer in Chapter 2 and his involvement in dealing with the Ubel Rebellion. However, there seems to be an inaccuracy calling him a Sergeant instead of a Lieutenant.

Finally, the dates above and the information given to me by Timmons puts Greer at roughly seventy-five years of age. However, the fact that he was more than capable of doing battle with Chosen may also indicate that he was healthy for a man of his age. Even so, I still have little hope that he survived.

It is difficult to make much of these bits of information, but it does help paint a picture of the man that I seek. His part in securing Yorrick's place as Mayor is enough for me to at least try and recover his remains. An honorable man such as that deserves a proper funeral.

Alturiak 11th, Year 153 Topic: The Announcement of the Marching Men

Friends and Citizens:

We live our lives in the most unlikely of places. We thrive and endure in an environment which we were never meant to live. It is a testament to our will that we are still here, but it would be folly to think that we did it alone. The Gods have imposed upon us and our city a historical blessing of unique scale. They have ensured our survival by sending us some of the greatest men and women ever known.

I speak of men such as Charles Bresely who famously spoke the words: "I shall watch this night..." These simple words put down the foundations of the Sanctuary Watch. It was through his actions that forged our democratic way of life. I speak of his wife, Melinda whose intellect and determination gave her the ability to unveil the secrets of Dunwarren to begin the reactivation of the Machine which has for so long provided us with a strong defense.

I speak of former slaves who braved the darkness to seek out this Sanctuary and make it their home. I speak of tradesmen who seek to improve their craft to provide for this city. I speak of men and women who raised and will raise their blades to fight and die for our cause of freedom for all. I speak of countless others, both past and present, who have faded from memory or have failed to make the public eye.

I honor them as some of the noblest figures to ever be born. Their name and legacy is the birthright of every Sanctuarian. In their time, through their love and loyalty for this city and its people, they gave all that can be given.

They need no eulogy or introduction from me or from any other man. They have written their own history and written it by carving their statues into the hearts of all who live in this city. They belong to the present, to us, by their virtues and by their achievements. From one generation to the next they have inspired countless citizens to drink deep from the chalice of courage. Without their determination, their patience under adversity, their courage under fire, without them we would not be able to stand here walking these streets as a free people.

So now you wonder why I write of these people here and now. You wonder about my purpose and intent. I have stepped forward to begin a new chapter in our collective history. As an era of historical significance draws to an end, a new era of great decisions lies ahead. The whole of Sanctuary should take note of this glance into the past, as well as the coming decisions the present and future impose upon us.

I am honored to say that Chairman Dentra of the Council and other individuals of note have placed their trust in me to lead a new organization. It shall be an organization which is privately funded, loyal to the Council, and the democratic ideals which it represents. It shall seek out the best and the brightest men and women of Sanctuary to stand vigilant against the threats that face our city.

We stand at a crossroads where the past meets the future and a new age is born. As we walk down this road we look to the past for inspiration. We look to recent events and recent heroes and we cannot help but think of former Watch Lieutenant Marshall Greer. He was a loyal man. He was loyal to this city and its people. He served over fifty years in the Sanctuary Watch. Without him Yorrick Bresely may have never become Mayor, and former Sheriff Dhogur may have ended our democratic way of life. He is a hero of the people by any stretch of the imagination. On Uktar 20, Year 152 he displayed the three virtues that every Sanctuarian should hold in their hearts: Valor, Sacrifice and Loyalty. On that dark he charged forward and bravely grappled one of the flying self-proclaimed "Chosen". In doing this he saved countless lives at the cost of his own.

As we looked back over his life we could not help but notice that others of the past have traveled a similar road, a road that was also paved by Marshall Greer. They were known as the Marching Men. It is in honor of them and their service that we take up this name and this cause. It is in honor of Marshall Greer and all other Sanctuarian's like him that we dedicate this organization. It is our hope that we can live up to their standards and do their legacy justice as we move forward into the future.

The Marching Men shall be defined by the simple code exemplified in the actions of Marshall Greer: Valor, Sacrifice, and Loyalty. These three simple words shall dictate what each of us ought to be, what we can be, and what we will be. These words shall be our rallying call: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for it; and to create hope when hope seems to fade.

There will be unbelievers who will say it is but a set of words, it is but a slogan, and it is but a flamboyant phrase. Every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and I am sad to say, some others of an entirely different sort, will try and denigrate them even to the point of mockery and ridicule. But these are some of the things they do.

Valor, Sacrifice, and Loyalty these are the virtues exhibited by great Sanctuarian's such as Marshall Greer. These are words that will define us in our role as part of the cities defense. They will make us strong enough to know when we are weak, and brave enough to face ourselves when we are afraid. They will teach us to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but humble and gentle in success; not to substitute words for action, not to seek the path of comfort, but to face the stress and hardship of difficulty and challenge; to learn to stand up in defense of this city but to have compassion on those who fail; to master ourselves before we seek to master others; to have a heart that is clean and a goal that is high.

The words Valor, Sacrifice, and Loyalty symbolize our great moral code - the code of conduct and chivalry of those who stand ready to fight for this beloved city. For all ears and for all time, it is an expression of the ethics of the Marching Men, who shall march forward into the darkness to meet our enemies. We shall march onward, bending under heavy packs, slog ankle-deep through muck and mire, sludge and blood, blue-lipped and chilled from the dank Underdark air. We shall march to drive home a single objective: The protection of Sanctuary, the freedom of her people, and the protection of our democratic way of life.

We shall renounce the land and titles of birth, to die unquestioning, uncomplaining as true Sanctuarians. Through blood, sweat and tears we shall fight for the right for Sanctuary to be a united city of a single people.

We now face a new world - a world of change. It is time for a new generation of Sanctuarian's to make the same choices, the same difficult decisions, to fight in equally difficult battles as the heroes of the past.

All Sanctuarian's who have a love for this city, and who hold true to our goals and code is welcome to join the Marching Men. United we will become the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our city. We shall fight to honor the heroes of the past, marching onward to victory.

May the Gods continue to bless our city with heroes.

Kedrick Reynolds Grand Marshall of the Marching Men