Order of the White Rose/History
|
Creation of the Order
The Order of the White Rose was founded by the first Grand Master, Saul Tarvitz, in the region of Santoo, Luria Nova with the assistance of Aldrakar Renodin, Viscount of Sulorte, Luria Nova. The Order was created for the purpose of bringing together the nobility of not just Luria Nova, but of the entirety of Dwilight in the hopes that there might become a common standard of honour amongst the nobles.
A manuscript written by the first Seneschal of the Order of the White Rose on Valour. Written in the 28th Year, Spring. By the hand of Aldrakar Renodin.
-=-=-
Esteemed members of the White Rose,
Today I wished to share with you the Code and the Virtues of the Order as one might find them written in each of the Order Chapter Houses.
The Code of the White Rose
1. To protect the weak and the defenceless
2. To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
3. To live by honour and glory
4. To guard the honour of fellow members of the Order
5. To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
6. At all times to speak the truth
7. To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
8. Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
9. Never to turn the back upon a foe
10.To seek out and vanquish evil wherever it is found
The Values of the White Rose
Justice
Sagacity
Prudence
Temperance
Resolution
Truth
Liberality
Diligence
Hope
Valour
Where I will highlight one of the Values today, it is my hope another will take up this torch and highlight one of the other Values or stipulations of the Code as he or she envisions it. Through this I hope to spark the sharing of wisdom and vision and reach a greater understanding.
I will choose to tell you about Valour.
Valour, that Leonine quality all warriors claim and all that run must lack. Wrong I say onto you. Valour is not vanquishing your foes and riding down the stranglers or rushing in a great horde the few who stand to resist and get utterly shattered. Is it exactly those few that dare to stand, to uphold their believes and stand, come what may, that are valorous.
Do not mistake bravery for Valour either. Where Bravery comes from the heart and some men are born with it and others may be conditioned to it there are few who truly become valorous. Where one may feel the fear of death, of injury and choose to stay and fight or to face the consequences of a tough decision. It is different still. A valorous person may know that there will be pain, he may already foresee that future and know what consequences he must face down the road he must walk upon. Not because that road is easy but because it is hard. That road is the only road he could walk if he wishes to remain in the light.
Valour is knowing, beforehand, that the road you will walk upon will be hard and realize the bad that may befall you. Despite the actions of good that you will take upon this path. A brave man might do the same but never realize he is upon the path and he never knew it was the right one either.
This foreknowing, this sacrifice before the deed is where true valour springs from. Not the heart's passion but the mind's calm. Accepting, knowing and taking the path that is right and leads not into darkness and the cool but into the light where you may take a burn but never shy away from the true. This supersedes bravery and becomes a conscious choice. Seeing a friend in need and realizing there is little hope but riding all the same to his or her aid. Giving a last bread to a starving man, knowing you will go hungry. Giving up a favored sword or helm to a squire whom you desire to survive a coming battle, knowing you will need it just as much.
A woman who tells her fighting man she believes in him and will be waiting for him. Knowing he may perish and realizes that her hidden sorrow and confident words will give him strength.
There are many forms of Valour and many are not displayed on the field of battle. Bravery leaps from the hearts passion to conquer fear.Courage is the repeat of bravery and the Dauntless are conditioned to display courage a dozen times over. Valour comes from the mind and must be chosen.
In this I share my views with you and hope you may see wisdom in them. I also invite discussion and another to continue in this same vein with another Value of the Order of a part of the Code.
With warm regards,
Aldrakar Renodin
Margrave of Giask
Seneschal of Order of the White Rose
