Darkhand family/Darkhand Library/Codex

Proposed Codex of the Order of the Knights of the Sword

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 Knights of the Sword.

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 Invocator of the Sword will lead over any and all members of the Order. A direct order from the Invocator cannot be ignored, as it is as good as heresy and will be treated as such.

• The Invocator 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 Invocator him/herself and may only be ignored if the Invocator gives an order to do so.

• The Invocator shall apprise the Elder council on all occurrences within the Order, and will take into heavy consideration any suggestions they may make. The Invocator 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.
    * The noble must be able to field a unit of combat ready troops.

• 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 Invocator. Anything else, short of death, shall be considered heresy against the church.

Purpose of the Order

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

• 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.