Les Esprits Curieux Tract -Issue Five-
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this volume of Les Espirits Curieux Tract! Today, we write about something that is on all our minds: the threat that we all face from an unknown serial killer or group of killers, and the state of our own security.
Signs of gendarmes being brutally murdered and butchered have been seen scattered all about the city. The identity of this heinous mass murderer or group of murderers is, as of yet, unknown, but is believed to be some sort of stunted caliban beast or possibly even the warning signs of a caliban uprising. Law-abiding citizens are advised to keep themselves away from sewer-grates in all parts of the city.
Of course, this crime spree as of late begs the question: what can be presumed to be the catalyst? Certainly not the recent induction and impressment of various foreigners into the service of the Gendarme...
~ Suzette D. Nymme
Nouvo nan Gendarme-
There are few domains in the Core who can boast a military force as well trained or advanced as the forces of Dementlieu. The Republic can boast a large professional army comprised of hardened men both local and foreign, led by the finest of our noblès. This Military force protects Dementlieu's interests across the domain, and around the core. However the day-to-day defense and upholding the law of the cities, towns, and hamlets is tasked to local Gendarmes. Unlike the Professional army, the esteemed office of a Gendarme is reserved for men of gentle birth. The office of Gendarme is not to be confused with a Military force, it is an honored and lofty position that has always been granted to noblès of high standing.
That is until recently. Within this last month alone, three foreigners have been granted this honored office. Three foreigners of questionable background and origin.
Wymmer Drukker: An elderly man, and self proclaimed "Natural Philosopher" of Lamordian decent. This Drukker fellow has apparently been enlisted to serve as a Physician for Port-a-Lucine's Gendarme. As anyone knows Lamordia and Falkovnia have a somewhat friendly diplomatic relationship and with war brewing and Falkovnia's pension for espionage, one must question the wisdom of this decision.
Elfric Gotz: This new Gendarme doesn't even speak High Mordentish, and is married to a Lamordian woman. Our sources have turned up this Elfric character, is formerly of Barovia, and ethnically a Gundarakite. A small country annexed by Barovia and Invidia. Our sources indicate he was also affiliated with an extremist organization within Barovia that hoped to topple it's government.
Cervantes du Maare: Reportedly the new Master-or-arms for the Gendarme, despite having a criminal record in the city for assault, his foreign origin, and wife the head mistress of a Barovian pleasure house.
I ask you, dear reader, have we fallen so far? Is our need so great that we must enlists such questionable folk into an office of dignity and prestige, normally reserved only for the gentle? Does this truly make you feel safe?
-Humbert F. Antome