West Caldonacia Defence Volunteers

Some members of the community are volunteered for the defence by the leaders of their homesteads, and they tend to be made up of the younger members of the families from the farmsteads. While the leaders of this group continue in these roles year-round, many of the others are present for shorter stints, and they contribute to the farming duties between their times manning the defences.

Toby Blarman and Gordon Hudder

The group of volunteers is led by Toby Blarman, who used to be an active member of the defence team, but is now a little too old to move around at speed. He has many stories to tell of small defence operations, and speaks highly of some of the homestead elders and of Sam Gallachin. While he has many experienced years manning the homestead defences, he's an excellent teacher - and is an expert in the technical processes needed to become a master of armed combat. Toby was born in this region, in one of the other homesteads, but spent several of his younger years working in the outskirts of Caldonacia as a part of the Guard, a job that helped him learn his weapon skills and paid well, but which he didn't like for the most part. He returned home four years ago, and ended up volunteering to organise the Sixhomes defences.

Toby is assisted by Gordon Hudder, who is more of a hunter than a fighter. Hudder has lived in Sixhomes for fifteen years, originally moving here when he married his wife, Ellen Tapley. Ellen sadly died while trying to help during a flash flood over ten years ago, and this turned him into something of a recluse. Gordon is a much quieter man than the loud, shouty Blarman, and he personally handles much of the defence volunteers' scouting duty, watching the outskirts of Sixhomes, keeping the community safe.

Senior Members of the Team

• Frederick Tapley, the youngest son of Mabel and Hendon Tapley (Hendon is Brian Tapley's youngest son) and has been in the defence group for nine years, joining on his fourteen birthday. The rumour in the homestead is that he's considered somewhat 'spare' in his family, but he's earned some respect in the defence group and is considered quite experienced and senior in the group these days. He has several scars from run-ins with wolves and vermin, but his favourite is across his back that was given to him by an orc, pretty early on in his career.
• Hugh Langham, tough, leathery fighter whose loud voice is helpful when training recruits. He's the team drill-master, although what he does is more about holding the weapons straight and using them for best effect, he's really not into displays of might or anything involving marching in time.

Other Members

• Louis Wardle, barely fourteen years old, but already a keen archer. Doesn't travel for confrontations, he is based squarely in the homestead (on his mother's orders).
• Jennifer Langham, who calls herself a 'shieldmaiden', and has never married. She is a cousin of Hugh Langham, has been in the group for four years, and is in her mid to late twenties. The traces of whiskers on her chin, and her beer drinking reputation, make some question whether she really is female. Nobody has asked her directly, of course.
• Helianthus, a young elf, recently arrived in the homestead, being accepted into the Hudder family farm, and then volunteering to help with the defences once he'd run into Toby Blarman. He seems to attract the attention of many of the young ladies of the homestead, but his youthful lack of charisma often leads to him behaving awkwardly around them.
• Finch, only recently being drafted into the defence unit upon reaching a suitable age, works as a scout in the supervision of Gordon Hudder.
• Graham Evans, a jovial and popular man, is a temporary volunteer - there have been problems with water seeping through some of the land at the Wardle farm that have meant that some of the farm hands were not needed for a while, those problems will be sorted out by late spring, and for the meantime, Graham is helping out with the defence force.
• Freda Tapley, who has joined the group to support and help. Brian Tapley did not expect her to take on active defence work when he recommended her, but seems keen to be involved in anything out in the field (despite having no sword, and only a ptchfork for defence).
• Theodore Kirkmann, a religious man whose church makes him an odd choice for a fighting role, but who is particularly adept at handling any livestock or hunting animals.
• Maeve, a fighter originally from Ellington Hold who wields a great sword with poise, grace and a threat or two for anyone who says she has no poise or grace.

CategorySixhomes