Avamar (Realm)/Knights

After the fall of West Siron the people of Avamar had to work together to survive. After braving the dark times and finally finding prosperity the people realized that they must be careful not to fall into the same trap as the lords they overthrew. And thus they created the Knights of the People to insure that Avamar would never return to the old ways in which evil ruled. They followed 7 virtues: Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Sacrifice, Justice, Honor, and Humility.

Honesty

Is scrupulous respect for truth - the willingness never to deceive oneself or another.

To the self, be true. Honesty begins with the will to regard the Truth in one’s heart. A true heart spreads its warmth to the home and across the entire world. In repetition and experience, you shall find honesty whose comeliness inflicts shame upon evil.

Compassion

Is nonjudgmental empathy for one's fellow creatures.

He who lives without compassion dies loveless. Compassion is the child’s awe at the natural world and his love for all who live in it. Compassion for others reflects the Love in one’s soul. It requires strength to hold Compassion, for under duress, it is quick to flee. In testing your will to aid others, Compassion shall grow in your spirit like a wildfire.

Valour

Is the courage to take actions in support of one's convictions.

Valour is the cloak that protects the other seven virtues. Valour gathers selfish Courage and shares it with the beliefs that one holds and protects. Valor is tested again and again, and through it, one sees the portal to virtue. To demand valour of oneself is to lead the way for others to find it in their hearts.

Sacrifice

Is the courage to give of oneself in the name of love.

Sacrifice gathers Love in the palm of Courage. Sacrifice requires a love of self to be given without consideration to others when that selfish love suggests safer choices. Where there is no choice, therein lies no sacrifice. Where the shape of those choices blur and lose definition, the highest standards of the common good find expression. In finding the Courage to share your Love, you shall find therein Sacrifice.

Justice

Is the devotion to truth, tempered by love.

Wherein Truth and Love are reconciled lie the secrets of Justice. It bears no moderation, for Truth that is dimmed is no longer Truth. The fiery will that spurs on towards only Truth can lose sight Justice, if not protected by Love, however. To judge with a level eye demands Truth and Love, for Justice that is blinded by lack of Love is indeed not Justice. In reward, Justice shall give temperament to your spirit.

Honour

Is the courage to stand for the truth, against any odds.

Truth is the tree from whose top sings the bird of Honour. The Courage to be true in repetition brings the song of Honour to your spirit. Though its melody sweetens over time, Honour can be lost in a moment’s hesitation. Honour sings from lonely mountain. In finding the courage to pursue the truths in one’s life, you shall find Honour.

Humility

Is perceiving one's place in the world, not according to one's own accomplishments, but according to the intrinsic value of all individuals.

On the road to virtue, humility is an elusive wind in the face. To lack Truth, Love, and Courage is to spread the seeds of Pride. Humility is that gentle breeze which, upon seeing the seeds of pride, sweeps away these begetters of hubris and discontent. Humility is often the last virtue captured, for pride is quick to flourish. To find humility, you must bear witness to the pride in your spirit. Only after such an examination, can you call forth the winds of humility.

A Knight swears to follow all Virtues to the best of his ability at all times.

Upon swearing this oath the Knights realized that they must also remind others if they begin to stray from the path. To do this easily the Virtues were divided with each Knight choosing one to champion, though not at the expense of the others. This splitting of tasks among all Knights proved effective to ease the burden of each in the Order while keeping the message strong.

Some quotes

Members of the Knights of the People

Honesty: None

Honour: Tasadar, Marguerite

Sacrifice: Julia

Valour: Naira

Justice: Eilonwy

Compassion: Ammeria

Humility: None

Examples and Explanation for the Virtues