Sanguis Astroism/Militant Orders/Order of the Palm

Origins

The Order of the Palm was proposed by Eoghan O'Faolain, who also drafted the Order's charter and oath, and was approved by the Elders of Sanguis Astroism under Regent Constantine Meneldur. The charter's initial five signers, in chronological order, were:

• Eoghan O'Faolain
• Rev Athins
• Varchilde Esotericus
• Labelle Enstance
• Jonas Van Nieuwenrode

The first Priory of the Order was founded by Light of Auspicious Rowan Geronus in the rural region of Ammando.

History

Grandmaster Eoghan O'Faolain

After the founding of the Order in Ammando, Eoghan O'Faolain was appointed the first Grandmaster of the Order of the Palm. Under his leadership, new priories were founded in Cold Spring (Libero) and Jorradith (Astrum).

Charter

Mission

The mission of the Order of the Palm is to spread belief in the Bloodstars following the teachings of the Holy Church of Sanguis Astroism across all Dwilight. The Order will accomplish this mission in threefold methods, as first set down by his Holiness the Prophet Mathurin.

First, by way of the Sword, to spread by force through rogue regions by aiding in either the expansion of existing realms friendly to the Church or the foundation of new colonies.

Second, by way of the Open Hand, to gain authorization by diplomacy to preach to the people of foreign lands that do not grant such access to our priests.

Third, by way of the Cup, to send priests who reflect Harmony with the Bloodstars far and wide to preach across the land and in so doing promote belief in Their Light across all Dwilight.

Organization

The Order of the Palm is sponsored by the Light of Auspicious, whose command is to be obeyed above all save only the Regent and the Prophet.

The Order is headed by a Grandmaster, whose word is law within the Order. The Grandmaster has final authority on all membership in the Order; no member may be expelled without the Grandmaster's approval, save by order of the Light of Auspicious.

Each realm that harbors the Order will contain a Grand Priory, headed by a Grand Prior, who is given regional governance over the Order.

Each region that contains a guildhouse is a Priory, and the Lord of that region (if a member of the Order) is a Prior, with authority over his or her knights and seniority over the Dedicant.

All remaining members are Knights Dedicant of equal status.

Beneath the Dedicants are Knights Aspirant, who are Faithful that wish to see how the Order operates and better understand what is asked of them before swearing their Oath. There is a two-week waiting period for Aspirants; any Aspirant that does not swear the Oath within that period is expelled from the Order without penalty.

The final and lowest rank in the Order is that of the Knight Penitent. If a member of the Order is found lacking by the Church and becomes a Knight Penitent, then that member, no matter the status, is assigned the Penitent rank and their authority is stripped until such time as the Faithful is absolved of his crime. The Knight Penitent rank may also be used for intra-Order punitive measures.

Powers

The Order acts in accordance with its Charter as the Grandmaster sees fit, but may not infringe upon the sovereignty of any realm that has not been declared Evil and an Enemy of the Faith by the Regent, Prophet, or Council of Elders.

In expanding existing realms, the Order will act in accordance with the wishes of the assisted realm. However, the Order does have the authority to found colonies in regions that are not yet claimed by existing theocracies.

Laws

Heavy crimes against the Order are brought to trial before the Council of Grand Priors, headed by the Grandmaster. Lesser crimes may be brought to trial before the Council of Priors within a Grand Priory, headed by the Grand Prior.

Seditionist or traitorous activities that undermine the authority of the Church, of Theocracies dedicated to the Bloodstars, of the Grandmaster, the Grand Priors, or the Priors are punishable by permanent expulsion from the Order and the submission of a petition for redress to the Council of Elder; if the activity is severe enough, the ultimate goal of the petition is excommunication from the Church.

The Order of the Palm must respect the sovereignty of realms that have not been declared Evil or Enemies of the Faith. It may not negotiate on behalf of a realm unless authorized to do so by that realm, but may arbitrate a negotiation between realms. Failure to respect sovereignty is a seditionist activity.

All members of the Order of the Palm must act as instructed; failure to do so is dereliction of duty, punishable at the discretion of the Grand Prior.

If any member of the Order (save a Knight Aspirant, who is not yet a full member) feels that the Order has deviated from the path set forth in the Charter, they may petition the Council of Elders for redress; a petition to the Elders may not be punished in any way. A Knight Penitent may seek redress, and an expelled former member may seek redress if done in a timely manner.

Oath

I, (insert name), of my own will most solemnly swear my life to the one, true Church of Sanguis Astroism. I will bring Faith in Their Light to all corners of Dwilight; I will extend the sword, forging a path of expansion; I will extend the Open Hand, inviting all to spread their arms and accept the Light; I will extend the Cup, reflecting the perfect glory of the Most Holy Bloodstars that all may see and believe. I dedicate myself to the Bloodstars and to the Order of the Palm. (insert personal addition here, if desired). All this I swear, in the name of the Most Holy Bloodstars.

Membership

Sponsor:

• Light of Auspicious, Labell Enstance

Grandmaster:

• Eoghan O'Faolain

Grand Priors:

• Elsebeth Evans

Priors:

Knights Dedicant:

• Rev Athins (paused)
• Jonas Van Nieuwenrode
• Kihalin Lapallanch

Knights Aspirant:

• Aram Stien

Knights Penitent:

Fallen Heroes of the Order:

• Light of Auspicious Rowan Geronus

Guildhouses

Grand Priory of Astrum

• Ammando
• Jorradith

Grand Priory of Libero

• Cold Spring