The

Knight Protectors

(of the Old Code)

 

An Order of Ranger Knights

 

Purpose: To provide an Order whose members strive to be as objective and impartial as possible such that the populous of the Realms may trust them to do right in matters of dispute both IC and OOC. To provide a bastion of loyal Realmsfolk who seek to care for the common good regardless of consequence or game law and whose primary desire is to serve others in and out of the game.

 

Regalia: The regalia of the Order, the items that indicate membership and status of the wearer are as follows;

A)   Belt – A plain white belt with a golden triskele within a circle painted at the belt tip. No other decoration is allowed.

          A squire’s belt may be of any color other than white and may not have the triskele symbol upon it.

B)   Medallion – A plain gold chain with a medallion suspended from it. The medallion shall be round with the same golden triskele    and circle on it. These may be customized to a degree to allow for wide varieties of materials.

                  The Knight’s medallion shall be white in background or have no background at all if rendered as jewelry.

                  A Waywatcher’s medallion shall be red in background.

      C) Badge - A favor, patch, or similar piece of gear given to Foresters and Freefolk in a Knight’s service. They are generally drawn                     from the Knight’s own armory for design and so vary from Knight to Knight.

 

Equipment - A Knight shall have the following items in addition to anything else they may wish to carry;

A) Sword. All Knights must have at least one single handed sword or hand and a half sword.

B) Shield. All Knights must have a shield blazoned with either their or the Order’s device and having a canton bearing Valehaven’s crowned eagle.

C) Bow. All Knights must have a bow of some sort. It may be for target archery, for combat archery, or both as the Knight wishes.

 

The Old Code  <>
      1)     Honorable Service freely rendered
            IC and OOC a knight serves the Realms as a whole in whatever capacity they can. If they see something that needs doing, it gets done,                 with no expectation of reward or accolade.

 

2)     Death before Dishonor
IC and OOC rule. Character death is demanded rather than dishonor to the Order. Pretty self explanatory. If a Knight dishonors the Order in any way, IC or OOC, then that Knight’s character is forfeit along with their membership in the Order. Membership no longer carries to new characters made by such a player and re-entering the Order would require exceptional penance and might not be allowed at all.


3) Defense of any charge unto Death
      IC rule; if you are given charge, or take unto yourself the responsibility to defend or protect an individual or group, then a Knight should do all to protect them, even unto character death.


4) Loyalty to the Realms and its populous at large
OOC and IC; A Knight gives their loyalty only to the Realms as a whole and to its populace at large. Loyalty to the Realms comes before all other concerns, including country. Inability to do this results in release from the Order. This is one of the Great Offenses members can be exiled for. Note that this loyalty is not to be construed as loyalty to the Law of the Realms, but to the common weal of the Realms. Laws must at times be changed, not so the common weal.

5) Aid to those in Need.
OOC and IC; Speaks for itself, but this is really applicable to those newly entering the Realms. Knights should shelter and guide these people to help them become a part of the greater whole. This can also be applied to handling IC and OOC confrontations. We are to mediate all such conflicts and try to present a just compromise from an objective viewpoint. Trust is essential here…which clearly illuminates why personal interests and factionalism are not allowed.

6) Courage in combat
IC and OOC; Need I say more? Cowardice just to survive is ridiculous. The recognition of Knighthood is more OOC than IC, so the belt carries to your new character as long as you yourself are worthy of wearing it. Combat isn't always physical but can be mental or emotional as well, hence the OOC portion.

7) Justice to all
ICC and OOC; Again, self-explanatory. A Knight does not favor anyone when rendering a decision. If he/she feels they cannot do this, then they must find a Knight who can.

8) Your word is your bond.
IC and OOC; A Knight should speak only truth. No gossip, no character assassination, no hubris or arrogance. This is very difficult to do, probably one of the most difficult.

9) Expose Corruption Wherever Found
IC and OOC; A Knight undoes the corrupt whenever they are found. This is a true mandate. To confront and risk all for what is right despite popular ideas is the essence of service and defense. Only with this may we prevent a slide into discontent and disruption.

10) Gracious conduct
IC and OOC; No trouble here. At the same time, very hard when we are angry, or feel slighted. Still, no Knight worthy of the title behaves in an arrogant or superior manner to anyone. Humility is the watchword. Behave with Grace at all times and under all circumstances.


Appearance:

      Knights should look the part. This applies to both armored and unarmored states. Good dress clothing for feasts, courts, and ceremony, and maile armor for things like Knightings and military gatherings and functions. Maile may be either metal or PVC in nature. The maile should be more than a simple vest; rather it should have at least half length sleeves and preferably full length. A coif is optional. Other sorts of armor such as leather, studded, scale and so on may be worn if the appearance is up to the standards of the Order. Realms combat may dictate what is worn during fighting, but has no hold for non-fighting appearances.

      A Knight’s weapons should be more than a simple padded pipe. Quillions are expected as is an edge marked with contrasting tape. Use of that edge in battle is required, and a Knight is duty bound to call a blow ‘flat’ if the edge does not hit. This may give opponents an advantage, but that is not the concern of the Knight of the Old Code. We set the example for others in large and small ways.

      A Knight’s shield should be well painted with their arms or the badge of the Order. The shield will have a yellow canton in the upper left as one looks at the shield, this canton bearing the crowned eagle of Valehaven.

      A Knight should be garbed in natural earth tone colors like greens, browns, some golds, blues, and reds. Blazingly bright colors make it hard to hide in the forest.

      A Knight’s garb is more than the minimum effort. It should suit the occasion and set the example for others. Gowns, tunics, hosen, shoes, all should be considered carefully for impact and appearance. Knights are the heights to which folk aspire, even those who don’t admit it or realize they can’t get it. They still expect and rightly too, that Knights will look and act the part.

Founding Feast:

      This is the feast that commemorates the Founding of the Order. Held each year by the governing Wardens, its location may vary depending on need and availability. The Feast has its own ceremonies and traditions to be honored and renewed. It is not uncommon for Knights to renew their vows to the Order, for Waywatchers to become Knights, and for Waywatchers to be accepted at this event. It is not a Realms event, but rather a private and invitational only feast. Each Knight may bring their Household and two guests. Amongst other things, tales of valor from the previous years are told, discussions of chivalry, honor and valor are held and philosophical debates on various topics, along with dance, music, drink, and food.