Appendix: Citizen Justice in Redmont Fief Prior to 651 CE
As discussed, Commandant Meratyn established the Special Task Force in 651 CE as a means to give fiefs protection when multiple Rangers needed to leave their fiefs. Before this was enacted, however, fiefs such as Redmont and Seacliff were left without a Ranger for months at a time, leaving them vulnerable to attack. The natural response to the increased crime rate in Redmont was a matching rise in citizen justice.
Ordinary people took the law into their hands in multiple ways. Most commonly, this took the form of heightened vigilance on the part of townspeople and more frequent interference of passersby when crimes occurred in public. One taverna keeper remarked that he âwanted to make less paperwork for the Rangerâ by helping out.
A notable response to the increased crime was the appearance of vigilante heroes attempting to keep the peace in Ranger Haltâs absence. Owen Arkwright, for example, took matters into his own hands. Using his sisterâs coat, he fashioned an imitation of a Rangerâs cloak and sought out criminals in the village of Gotrest. According to reports, the cloak was somewhat shoddily made and resembled a batâs wings when spread out. Arkwright embraced the style and called himself âBatmanâ as a way to protect his identity and prevent his family from being attacked as revenge for his heroic actions. Interviews with locals in Gotrest indicate that Arkwrightâs actions were not very effective, but many people remarked that he âseemed to be enjoying himselfâ and â[was] at least trying.â
Though incidents of citizen justice decreased after the implementation of the Special Task Force, villages like Gotrest had developed a new status quo in an attempt to support their Rangers, and the unique response of the common people of Redmont and other affected fiefs is notable enough to deserve at least a footnote in the history of the Rangers.
Historianâs note: Though I was not able to gather much information from Ranger Halt directly, he did comment that he, in fact, had more paperwork than he would have if the citizens had done nothing.
Unofficial historianâs note: I guess itâs the thought that counts, even if my jacket is still ruined.
