Darkhand family/Darkhand Library/Codex

Proposed Codex of the Ordo Lamina (Order of the Blades)

Basis of Need

In finding that many of the nobles that dedicate themselves to the following of the Blood Stars have become listless in the halls of the church, it does appear that new means of invigorating this base must be made ready.

It is well known that there are three paths, as laid out by our most holy Prophet, they are that of the cup, the open hand, and the sword. Each of these paths must follow the other in due course, and within balance, to ensure the enlightenment of all who follow, or may one day follow, the faith of the Astroists.

There is currently no one body dedicated to one or the other of these paths, save for the Invocator of each, whose voice must ring out in support of his or her own path. Being titled as the Invocator of the Sword, I feel it is my duty to bring into creation an order to support this path, one that will also energize the base of the faith. What follows is the proposed Codex of the Order of the Blades.

Preamble

I, ____(Name Here) , being devout in faith, sound in mind and body, and honorable in all dealings, do swear upon the Blood Stars to uphold the essence of the Church of Sanguis Astroism and its Principles. I will always put the Faith above all other matters, never seeking personal gain at any risk to the church or its followers. I will always put the Faith above my lords and my bannermen, never seeking political gain at any risk to the church or its followers. I will honor all of my duties with good faith, until such a time as I am released from the Order.

Hierarchy of the Order

• There is to be no convolution or pollution of the chain of command within the Order. The Maester of the Blade will lead over any and all members of the Order. A direct order from the Maester cannot be ignored, as it is as good as heresy and will be treated as such.

• The Maester may assign a noble, or number of nobles, to dispense orders to the knights as his discretion. These orders are to be treated as if they come from the Maester him/herself and may only be ignored if the Maester gives an order to do so.

• The Maester shall apprise the Elder council on all occurrences within the Order, and will take into heavy consideration any suggestions they may make. The Maester is also charged with the duty of keeping informed the general population of the church of the Order’s missives.

Enrollment of the Order

• There are Three requirements for any noble of the faith to become a member of the Order, all three requirements must be met before application may be submitted.

    * The noble must be a member of the Church of Sanguis Astroism
    * The noble must not have any outstanding loans from church coffers.

• To be released from the Order and all charges of it, a noble must express written desire to do so and must receive the blessing of the Maester. Anything else, short of death, shall be considered heresy against the church.

Titles and Ranks

The only Title and rank required to be filled at all times is that of the Maester of the Blade. All other ranks and Titles shall only be given and filled as they are earned.

Maester of the Blade

• The Maester of the Blade is the highest authority within the Order
• The Maester shall be a priest of good standing within the Church of Sanguis Astroism
• The Maester is chosen by the Elders of the Church of Sanguis Astroism

Grandmasters

• There shall be at maximum three Grandmasters within the Order
• These shall be entitled the Grandmaster of the Austere, of the Auspicious, and of the Austere.
• A Grandmaster must be a member in good standing of the Order
• Grandmasters are chosen at the discretion of the Invocator
• A Grandmaster must embody the star of their name in both word and action
• Grandmasters shall be granted jurisidiction of lands under the control of the Order, should there ever be a time the Order gains lands
• Make military and regional decisions in council with the Maester and Champions

Champions

• There shall be at maximum three Champions within the Order
• These shall be entitled the Champion of the Cup, of the Sword, and of the Open Hand.
• A Champion must be a member in good standing of the Order
• Champions are nominated by a Grandmaster and ratified at the discretion of the Maester
• A Champion must embody the Tenant of their name in both word and action
• A Champion must swear a vow of celibacy lasting no fewer than 5 years
• Champions shall be granted jurisidiction of lands under the control of the Order, should there ever be a time the Order gains lands
• Make military and regional decisions in council with the Maester and Champions

Brothers/Sisters

• There shall be at maximum three Brothers/Sisters within the Order
• These shall be entitled the Brother/Sister of the Voice, of the Greaves, and of Silence.
• A Brother/Sister must be a member in good standing of the Order
• Brothers/Sisters are nominated by any member of the Order and chosen at the discretion of the Maester

Brother/Sister of the Voice

• This individual shall be a Courtier/Diplomat
• This individual is responsible for the recruitment of new members to the Order
• This individual is the Ambassador of the Order to all Realms
• This individual is responsible for presenting charges against Heretics
• This individual shall be considered Judge of the Order and would be installed as such should the Order gain lands

Brother/Sister of the Greaves

• This individual shall be the voice of the Lamina Frater/Sorer
• This individual is responsible for the relics in the custody of the Order
• This individual shall be a member of the Order for life
• This individual is responsible for maintaining communications between Order members in times of war
• This individual shall be considered General of the Order and would be installed as such should the Order gain lands

Brother/Sister of Silence

• This individual shall be an Infiltrator
• This individual shall carry out direct orders from the Maester
• This individual shall collect bounties placed against Heretics and Unfaithful for Guild Treasuries
• This individual shall take an oath of silence for a period no shorter than 2 years
• This individual is above reproach from all, save the Maester

Lamina Frater/Sorer

• All new members of the Order shall gain the title of Lamina Frater/Sorer (Blade Brother/Sister)
• Must be a member in good standing of the Church of Sanguis Astroism

Church Tithing

• A weekly tithe of tax incomes shall be given unto the Church of Sanguis Astroism
• This tithe shall be given to the nearest Temple of Sanguis Astroism or Guidhouse of the Order
• This tithe shall be, at minimum, 10 gold or 5% of income, whichever is the lesser

Shrines, Guildhouses, and Temples

• Visit must be made to any Shrine or Temple of Sanguis Astroism, as well as any Guildhouse of the Order when one is passed
• An offering is to be made at each of these locations during any visit, be it of coin, relic, or prayer
• These locations shall be defended till the death from any heretic or faction that would seek to destroy it

Prayer Requirements

• Once per week, on any day of the chosen week, a member must fast for a period lasting no shorter than one day
• Prayer must be made, at minimum, once daily to the BloodStars
• Prayer will be given before any combat
• Prayer will be said for the felling of an enemy
• Prayer will be said for any Lamina who is lost to the folds of death

Purpose of the Order

• The Order shall be maintained with a minimum of five members (including in that count the Maester of the Blade).

• The Order shall serve no Realm singularly, it is to be considered an independent body formed strictly from the soul of the Church.

• The Order shall be a militaristic missionary service. It is to be used only in times of Heresy or to bring to balance wild lands. The Order may not target any Realm in its entirety as the focus of any of its missionary work. Times may call for the Order to be used in search of one or more Heretics, but never is the Order to be used as a tool in political warfare.

Service to the Order

• When not in active service to the Order, the members of the Order are free to return to their respective realms and pursue whatever ends they choose.

• Members of the Order may not use their position within the Order to bargain, intimidate, or purchase any titles or gains they have not otherwise earned.

• Service to the Order is to be considered strictly that, a service. It is in the best interest of the Church and all faithful that only pious nobles who seek to better the faith be members of this order.

Changes and Adaptations to this Codex

• Any changes must first be put forward by a member in good standing of the Order
• No changes shall be made for the benefit of one realm or political faction
• All changes must be approved by the Maester of the Blade