Difference between revisions of "Argent Order/Exemplars"

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<center><i>As the Noble followers of the Argent Order are guided by the wisdom and virtues of the Saints, so shall the Commonfolk be guided by the obedience and faith of the '''Exemplars'''.</i></center>
 
<center><i>As the Noble followers of the Argent Order are guided by the wisdom and virtues of the Saints, so shall the Commonfolk be guided by the obedience and faith of the '''Exemplars'''.</i></center>
  
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==Original Report==
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==History of the Exemplars==
  
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<i>On the Thirty-First day of Elevenmonth of the year ______, Acolyte Padraig Havershim, Acolyte of the Staff, submitted the following report to Silver Archon Zanaras Tian at the temple in Maeotis.</i>
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The tier of Exemplars was formally established as a doctrine of the Argent Order on the Eleventh day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, when a proposal by then-Acolyte of the Staff [[Havershim_Family/Padraig|Padraig Havershim]] identified a need amongst the peasantry for accessible role models.  Padraig's concern was that the common folk were being asked to follow in the footsteps of the Saints of the Argent Order, nobles whose trials, experiences, and triumphs were far outside the scope of the peasantry's understanding.  By establishing a hierarchy of Exemplars, peasants could be instructed using examples of real men and women of the common classes to whom the lowborn could more easily look for guidance and inspiration.
  
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Silver Archon,
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[[/Initial_Report|Initial Report]]<br>
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[[/Proposal|Proposal Regarding the Formal Establishment of a Tier of Exemplars]]
  
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I understand that as my experience grows, so too will my skill at conveying the truths of our faith to the commoners. Nevertheless, it seems that even those peasants who claim to embrace the Argent Order and count themselves among the faithful only do so halfheartedly; as I experienced in Rettleville, when faced with the hard truths of the sacrifices that we all must make to battle Chaos, many of their number turned their backs and returned all too easily to their pagan ways.
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==Exemplars==
  
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While I am certain that my inexperience is partially to blame, I wonder if there might be a deeper reason for the commoners' inability to commit themselves fully to our faith. Though my studies have only recently begun, it seems that while the Argent Order is easily embraced by the nobility, the low-born of Ordenstaat see little that is applicable to their daily lives. In my conversations with Rettleville's smallfolk I have expounded the virtues of our three Saints, instructing them that they should live their lives as Alexius the Brave, Relinon the Wise, and Telani the Silver lived theirs.
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'''Tristan of the Rettlewood'''<br>
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<i>Proposed for Candidacy by Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and seconded by Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville. Ratified as an Exemplar on the 17th day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, by Silver Archon Zanaras Tian, Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville.</i><br>
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But what does this mean to a poor farmer whose livelihood hinges on the whims of the summer rains? Or to a baker who has no flour with which to bake his bread? Or to an innkeeper whose rooms remain empty night after night? They might pay homage to the faith of their lord because that is what they are expected to do, but at night, in the safety and silence of their homes, still they offer prayers to their pagan gods in the vain hope that it might change their ill fortunes.
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* A woodsman, hunter and spokesman for the peasants of the Rettlewood, Tristan demonstrated fearlessness and great loyalty during the many invasions of the region by the undead servants of the Necromancer and the troll tribes of the forest. He was an inspiration to and leader of the Rettlewood commonfolk who refused to flee for the safety of the city even during the worst ravages of the forces of Chaos.  Ever he fought them with bravery and cunning until he was at last overwhelmed.  Though he has fallen, his memory will live on as a symbol of loyalty and bravery, and of the eternal struggle of Order to drive Chaos from the lands.<br>
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Truly the virtues exemplified by our Saints are applicable to men and women of all walks, noble and common alike, but I fear that we are asking too much of the lowborn when we expect them to walk in the footsteps of the highest and most honored lords.
 
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For these reasons I would ask that the Silver Archon consider the establishment of a tier of Exemplars, subordinate to our Saints as the common folk are subordinate to the nobility, to whom the peasants might look for guidance as to how they might lead their own lives. The names of these Exemplars would be drawn from peasants of notable quality, whose lives have been marked by the same virtues that we venerate in our Saints. Among their number would be farmers, craftsmen, mothers, merchants... men and women of the peasants' own class who can be looked to for inspiration and strength in difficult times, rather than figures who are highborn and thus, to the smallfolk, remote and inaccessible.
 
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Should the Silver Archon be willing to take this proposal under consideration, I would begin by combing histories, folklore, and songs for mention of commoners of notable significance and virtue, and assembling a list of possible candidates to be named Exemplar. Once a list has been assembled, I would propose that the Archons of each Echelon vote on the worthiness of each candidate for inclusion, with the Silver Archon having the power of final judgment.
 
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I pray that I am not overstepping my bounds by issuing this report, and that the words contained herein are not viewed as a heresy against the Argent Order. My wish is to see the faith strong and vibrant, and I fear that we will never see that day as long as the peasantry continue to support the faith in name only.
 
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Yours in honor,
 
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Padraig Havershim<br>
 
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Priest of the Argent Order, Acolyte of the Staff, and Knight of Rettleville
 
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==Formal Proposal==
 
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<i>Upon receiving Acolyte Padraig's report, Silver Archon Zanaras gave permission for Acolyte Padraig to assemble a formal proposal regarding the official establishment of a tier of Exemplars within the body of faith of the Argent Order.  This proposal is reproduced below in full.</i>
 
 
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'''Khaspar the Ploughman'''<br>
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I, Padraig Havershim, Acolyte of the Staff of the Argent Order, do hereby present this proposal to the Silver Archon of the Argent Order, Zanaras Tian, at the Temple at Maeotis on this day, the Third day of Twelvemonth, regarding the Formal Establishment of a Tier of Exemplars within the Official Hierarchy of the Faith of the Argent Order.
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<i>Proposed for Candidacy by Archon of the Staff Padraig Havershim.  Ratified as an Exemplar on the 17th day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, by Silver Archon Zanaras Tian, Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville.</i>
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* Immortalized by the folk song of the same name, Khaspar was a poor farmer of Kydonia whose fields were constantly raided and burned by the Rettlewood troll tribes. Every season he would plant his crops, and every season his harvest would be plundered, leaving Khaspar with no grain to eat. Every winter Khaspar came to the city to beg, and the cityfolk would ask him, "Khaspar the Ploughman, why do you not move to safer lands?  Why do you plough your fields and sow your crop season after season only to have your harvest ruined by the ravages of the trolls?"  "Because," Khaspar would reply, "the reward is not the harvest.  In ploughing my fields and sowing my crop, I bring Order to the very earth below my feet.  That is reward enough for me."
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'''WHEREAS''' the paths of the Nobility are guided by the Virtues of the Three Saints: Alexius the Brave, Relinon the Wise, and Telani the Silver; and
 
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'''WHEREAS''' each of the Three Saints exemplifies one of the three aspects of the Conflict between Order and Chaos:  Warfare, Logistical, and Diplomatic; and
 
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'''WHEREAS''' the Peasantry is of generally simpler Heart, Soul, and Spirit than the Nobility, and their daily Struggles are of a less lofty nature; and
 
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'''WHEREAS''' a Strong, Virtuous and Dedicated Peasantry is necessary to fortify Order against the ravages of Chaos;
 
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'''THEREFORE''' I do propose the Formal Establishment of a Tier of Exemplars within the Official Hierarchy of the Faith of the Argent Order, as governed by the following Principles:
 
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* The Exemplars shall be subordinate to the Saints as the Peasantry is subordinate to the Nobility;
 
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*  The Exemplars shall be comprised of notable Peasants of special or significant virtue, to whom the Peasantry might look for inspiration and guidance as they walk the path of the Argent Order;
 
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The Exemplars shall be selected as per the following criteria:
 
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*  Candidates to be considered for the rank of Exemplar shall be subject to a vote by the Archons of the Argent Order, with the Silver Archon given the power of Final Judgment;
 
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* Candidates shall be drawn from a variety of common occupations so as to offer the greatest accessibility to the Peasantry;
 
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*  Candidates shall be selected based upon their adherence to the Virtues that are held in esteem by the Argent Order:  Courage, Loyalty, Wisdom, Honesty, Sacrifice, and Diligence; and for their Steadfast Devotion to Order and for their Stern Opposition to Chaos;
 
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*  Candidates shall be nominated for the rank of Exemplar by any Man or Woman who is a member of the Faith, be they Noble or Common, EXCEPTING THAT no Man or Woman may be considered for candidacy whilst they still live;
 
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Upon selection and final approval of the Exemplars, their Names shall be entered into the Silver Tome, where they shall remain for All Time.  The Words, Deeds, and Virtues of the Exemplars shall be taught to the Peasantry, who shall follow in their footsteps, and who shall aspire to one day join their ranks.
 
  
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==Candidates for Selection==
  
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Submitted this This, the Third day of Twelvemonth<br>
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<i>Currently there are no candidates pending ratification as Exemplars</i>
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by Padraig Havershim<br>
 
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Priest of the Argent Order, Acolyte of the Staff, and Knight of Rettleville
 

Latest revision as of 01:55, 29 December 2009

As the Noble followers of the Argent Order are guided by the wisdom and virtues of the Saints, so shall the Commonfolk be guided by the obedience and faith of the Exemplars.

History of the Exemplars

The tier of Exemplars was formally established as a doctrine of the Argent Order on the Eleventh day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, when a proposal by then-Acolyte of the Staff Padraig Havershim identified a need amongst the peasantry for accessible role models. Padraig's concern was that the common folk were being asked to follow in the footsteps of the Saints of the Argent Order, nobles whose trials, experiences, and triumphs were far outside the scope of the peasantry's understanding. By establishing a hierarchy of Exemplars, peasants could be instructed using examples of real men and women of the common classes to whom the lowborn could more easily look for guidance and inspiration.

Initial Report
Proposal Regarding the Formal Establishment of a Tier of Exemplars

Exemplars

Tristan of the Rettlewood
Proposed for Candidacy by Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and seconded by Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville. Ratified as an Exemplar on the 17th day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, by Silver Archon Zanaras Tian, Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville.

  • A woodsman, hunter and spokesman for the peasants of the Rettlewood, Tristan demonstrated fearlessness and great loyalty during the many invasions of the region by the undead servants of the Necromancer and the troll tribes of the forest. He was an inspiration to and leader of the Rettlewood commonfolk who refused to flee for the safety of the city even during the worst ravages of the forces of Chaos. Ever he fought them with bravery and cunning until he was at last overwhelmed. Though he has fallen, his memory will live on as a symbol of loyalty and bravery, and of the eternal struggle of Order to drive Chaos from the lands.


Khaspar the Ploughman
Proposed for Candidacy by Archon of the Staff Padraig Havershim. Ratified as an Exemplar on the 17th day of Twelvemonth, of the Eighth Year of Dwilight, by Silver Archon Zanaras Tian, Archon of the Sword Arden Fury, Grand Master of Ordenstaat, and Archon of the Pen, His Grace Brynden, Duke of Rettleville.

  • Immortalized by the folk song of the same name, Khaspar was a poor farmer of Kydonia whose fields were constantly raided and burned by the Rettlewood troll tribes. Every season he would plant his crops, and every season his harvest would be plundered, leaving Khaspar with no grain to eat. Every winter Khaspar came to the city to beg, and the cityfolk would ask him, "Khaspar the Ploughman, why do you not move to safer lands? Why do you plough your fields and sow your crop season after season only to have your harvest ruined by the ravages of the trolls?" "Because," Khaspar would reply, "the reward is not the harvest. In ploughing my fields and sowing my crop, I bring Order to the very earth below my feet. That is reward enough for me."

Candidates for Selection

Currently there are no candidates pending ratification as Exemplars

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