Prologue:
Fellow guildsmen and women, I have recently travelled to our beloved Stormwind City to have audience with his Royal Majesty, King Anduin Wrynn. After several hours of waiting, I was able to request and obtain (again after several hours of formulation with a royal registraar) an official royal charter for our guild. Herein you will find our preambular, principles of policy, rule and law as well as all pertinent informations concerning the Order. I humble offer this to you all, in bond of brotherhood. Signed: Sir Bartholomeo Burlguard.
The Official Royal Charter for the Guild hereby known as
The Order of the Knights of Stormwind
Preamble:
We stand at a critical moment in Azeroth's history, a time when humanity and allied races must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one family and one Allied Azerothian community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Azeroth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.
The Knights of Stormwind, an honourable chivalric order stands as an enforcer of the above-mentionned values.
Anduin Wrynn, by the Grace of the Light, of the Kingdom of Stormwind and son of Varian Wrynn. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:
Whereas we, the Knights of Stormwind, are a circle of equal men and women of the Alliance in the world of Azeroth at the defense of, not only the City of Stormwind and the human kingdom, but of all kingdoms, cities and townships under the banner of the glorious Alliance.
And whereas we stand united against all enemies, rivals and potential external and internal threats to the Kingdom of Stormwind and its allies.
We acknowledge and recognize the succeeding principle elements of policy, rule and law.
Principles:
I. Structure of the Guild
Nota bene: Although the hierarchy of the Order may seem to be heavy, it is likened to a "practical illusion". Meaning that the hierarchical structure aid to the practical development and function of the guild, but we are, however, all equal brothers and sisters regardless of our ranks.
All forms of address are in proper chivalric terms.
The following ranks are mentionned in order of importance, from highest to lowest.
All ranks can be accessed through the ordinary and extraordinary form of democratic motion. The candidate must be nominated and seconded and from there, a vote of approval/disapproval shall take place. All formerly known trials and tests of worth may still be performed on the candidate to give material of consideration to the voting members.
1. The Guild Master* shall be known as the Master of the Guild and head of its administration.
*Note: The word "Master" is interchangeable with "Mistress" in consequence of a female being in charge of penultimate administration.
A. As the successor of the founding Lord-Protector, Sir Unther Winterwolf, his primary responsability is to see to the overall protection and well-being of the Guild and to act as its head.
B. There can only be one (1) Guild Master for the Order.
C. If the current Guild Master has not nominated a successor or an heir apparent, the future Guild Master will be elected through democratic motion by all full-members of the Order.
D. The current Guild Mistress is: Dame Anira Theranarr who has taken upon herself the title of "Commander". She was installed by Sir Lethan Teradial on December 19th, 2007.
Former Guild Masters are:
- Sir Unther Winterwolf who has taken upon himself the title of "Lord-Protector". (August 28th to September 20th, 2007 - Untherian era).
- Sir Bartholomeo Burlguard who has taken upon himself the title of "Grand Knight". (September 20th to October 20th, 2007 - Bartholomean era).
- Sir Lethan Teradial who has taken upon himself the title of "General". (October 20th to December 19th, 2007 - Lethanian era).
The End-September Amendment: (All text in Orange)
Guild Master:
This position is the leader and the figurehead of the guild. The person holding this position should be one both of accomplished skill, and more importantly someone of honor. The person needs to be diplomat as well as a fair mediator, and able to show courage in battle. He is also the head of the elected ruling body of the guild, the General Council.
Responsibilities: See to the overall protection and well-being of the Guild and to act as its head. Can also be called on to be mediator, and may punish transgressions against the guild.
Method of attainment: If the current Guild Master has not nominated a successor or an heir apparent, the future Guild Master will be elected through democratic motion by all full-members of the Order. Note: This is the only rank that can be passed down by succession.
The Guild does not serve the Guild Master, the Guild Master
serves the Guild.-Sir Bartholomeo Burlguard's motto as Grand Knight.
2. The Knight-Generals shall be known as equals to the Guild Master (insofar as it is taken to coordination of the guild.)
A. As the functional equals to the Guild Master, they are selected by the Lord-Protector through trials and commendations by the members of the guild.
B. Each Knight-General is assigned to a particular ministry or officership. The assignment is given by the Guild Master, based on the Knight-General's talents.
C. There will be a maximum of five (5) Knight-Generals.
D. The current Knight-Generals are:
- Sir Lethan Teradial - Interim officer. (Since Bartholomean era)
- Dame Zsuzsa Melisovna - Captain of the Honour Guard, political officer. (Since Lethanian era)
- Dame Laern - Recruiter, ethical officer. (Since Bartholomean era)
- Dame Calixis Chandler - Treasurer, financial officer. (Since Lethanian era)
- Sir Bartholomeo Burlguard - Secretary, archival officer. (Since Untherian era)
Former Knight-Generals:
- Sir Ragnar "Onepaw" (Untherian era)
- Dame Jaibles (Unther-Bartholomean era)
- Priestess Ratele Vailor (Bartholomean era)
- Sir Lethan Teradial (Bartholomean era)
Knight-Generals:
The five Knight Generals are the right hand of the Guild Master, they also make up the majority of the General Council. They should be as skilled in combat and as honorable as the Guild Master.
Responsibilities: A Knight General has the same responsibilities as the Grand Knight.
Method of attainment: They are selected by the Guild Master and then voted into position by the Order. A Knight-General can also be nominated by any knight in good standing, but then he/she must be at least seconded by another knight in good standing before a vote may proceed.
3. The Honour Guard Captain shall be known as the leader of the honourable guardians of, not only the Lord-Protector and the Knight-Generals, but of all members of the guild.
A. As he or she stands equal in rank to a Knight-General, the candidate shall be selected by the Guild Master through trials and commendations by the members of the guild, but especially tried in combat skills.
B. There can only be one (1) Honour Guard Captain.
C. The current Honour Guard Captain is:
- Dame Zsuzsa Melisovna (Since Lethanian era)
Former Honour Guard Captains:
- Dame Xaify (Untherian era)
Honor Guard Captain:
The Honor Guard is the last, member of the General Council of the Order, this person is an acting Knight General with the additional honor of appointing the Honor Guard, the knights who guard meetings and other events of the Order.
Responsibilities: The Honor Guard Captain has the same responsibilities as the Grand Knight and will also appoint the Honor Guard, and be responsible for their behavior.
Method of attainment: As he or she stands equal in rank to a Knight-General, the candidate shall be selected in the same method as a Knight General, but will also have to go through a trial of combat skill before a vote may proceed.
This rank no longer exists as seperate from the rank of Knight-General.
4. The Honour Guard shall be known as the honourable guardians of, not only the Guild Master and the Knight-Generals, but of all members of the guild.
A. The candidates for this rank will be tried and tested by the Captain of the Honour Guard through tests of combat skills and valour.
B. There will be a maximum of eighteen (18 ) Honour Guards.
This rank no longer exists as seperate from the rank of Knight. Honour Guards are assumed to be speculative associates of the Honour Guard Captain.
5. The Crusader Captain shall be known as the leader of those who, having sworn allegiance to the Order of the Knights of Stormwind, Kingdom of Stormwind and the Alliance, launch offensive raids and campaigns (known as "crusades") at the Horde or any other enemy of the guild, the kingdom and allied kingdoms. This rank is equal to the Knight-General.
A. The candidate for this rank will be selected through the ordinary trials conducted by the Guild Master or an assigned Knight-General.
B. There can only be one (1) Crusader Captain for every ten (10) Crusaders.
C. The current Crusader Captain is: Rank vacant
Crusader Captain:
These are the people whom have shown exceptional skill in both combat and organization, they will be looked at to not only lead us into battle, but to set the strategy and the times for these battles.
Responsibilities: Shall arrange and create times for crusades into various contested grounds to help the alliance hold against the onslaught of the horde. As well as into various places of power to face the ancient evils of this world or the next.
Method of attainment: This is position is appointed by the Grand Knight and ratified by the General Council.
This rank no longer exists as seperate from the rank of Knight-General.
6. The Crusaders shall be known as the ones who, having sworn allegiance to the Order of the Knights of Stormwind, the Kingdom of Stormwind and the Alliance, launch offensive raids and campaigns (known as "crusades") at the Horde or any other enemy of the guild, the kingdom and allied kingdoms.
A. The candidates for this rank will be selected, tried and tested by the Crusader Captain.
B. There will be an undefined maximum number of Crusaders allowed.
This rank no longer exists.
7. The Captains shall be known as the ones who are second-in-command and advisors to the Knight-Generals. They do not, however, hold the same powers to define the ranks as an ordinary Knight-General would.
A. The candidates for this rank will be selected after recommendations made by the members.
B. There can only be one (1) Captain for every ten (10) Knight.
Knight Captain:
These brave souls have shown exemplary skill in leadership, they are the ones that Knights and Knight Veterans can look to for what leadership is. They are accorded due to their exceptional leadership the ability to take more than one squire.
Responsibilities: Maintaining the Order of the guild, and is allowed up to two squires, and is a position of leadership.
Method of attainment: This position is given to someone who has shown they have exceptional leadership on or off the battlefield, any member of the General Council may appoint someone to this position at which point it will be ratified by the Order.
8. The Veteran Knights shall be known as the experienced, elder knights of the Order.
A. The candidate for this rank will be entitled to this honorific rank if he or she has not been promoted to the aforementionned ranks before having attained his or her 40th season.
B. This rank is ordinarily entitled to the newest recruits to the Order who are between their 40th season and beyond.
C. The Veteran Knights do not possess any more power than ordinary Knights.
D. There will be an undefined maximum number of Veteran Knights allowed.
Veteran Knights:
This is the old guard, the Knights who have proved time and time again that they are consistent. Look to these as our proud members who have earned their place in the Order, and give them the respect that they deserve.
Responsibilities: Maintaining order in the guild.
Method of attainment: This position is given to a knight by any of the General Council after showing a courageous and honorable spirit, and as a means of recognizing those that have put in time with the Order. Any person set to this rank will need to be of at least his 40th season to help qualify his veteran status.
This rank no longer exists.
9. The Knights shall be known as the very backbone of the Order, being the the foundation of the guild's functional power.
A. This rank is ordinarily entitled to the newest recruits to the Order who are between their 10th and 40th season.
B. Unranked members between their 10th and 40th season shall be known as Knights.
C. There will be an undefined maximum number of Knights allowed.
Knight:
This is the backbone of our Order, this is the warrior who has proven they have the courage and honor to bare the title of Knight of Stormwind.
Responsibilities: This is the back bone of the Order, it is the general populace and as such they must be honorable, and uphold the spirit of chivalry that is the Order.
Method of attainment: A squire may be vouched for by his patron and one other knight, who then is voted on by the Order to become a full member. The squire must have attained some combat prowess and so should be at least of the tenth season.
Squire:
These are our new members people who have are proving themselves. They have already caught the eye of one or more of the other Knights, and have gotten themselves pledged into training.
Responsibilities: Learn about the Order, and learn what it means to be a member of the Order, also prove themself worthy of being a knight.
Method of attainment: A page may become a squire at the desire of any knight, though a knight may only have one page. As a note, the responsibility of the squires actions fall upon the knight who took him.
Addendum: There can only be one squire-knight relationship between two members. ((Meaning, you can't be the tutor of someone's alt if he is your tutor on his main. Or vice versa. There can only be one squire-knight relationship.)) A squire may approach any member on or above the rank of Knight to become his tutor, and a Knight or any member above this rank may approach a Page to become his student or Squire.
10. The Pages shall be known as the youngest, most precious, aspirant Knights.
A. This ranks is ordinarily entitled to the newest recruits who are under their 10th season.
B. Unranked members under their 10th season shall be known as Pages.
C. There will be an undefined maximum number of Pages allowed.
D. A knighting ceremony will be held as the Page enters his 10th season. After this ceremony, he or she will be promoted to the rank of Knight.
Page:
This is our trial members, citizens of Azeroth who wish to better the land by joining our order, but be forewarned many a page will not make it to the rank of squire let alone knight, one must show both courage and honor to move beyond this rank.
Responsibilities: Learn who the Order is, and prove themself both in battle and in diplomacy so that a knight might bequeath upon them the title of squire.
Method of attainment: A person is allowed to become a page by contacting any Knight Captain, or a member of the General Council and expressing their desire to become such. Though recruitment may be halted at any time by the General Council.
Beyond those of the Rank that a Knight holds there is some additional responsibilities that any individual may hold. These responsibilities can be seen in the guild roster next to their name. ((In the Officer Note))
Honor Guard: An honor guard is someone of impeccable honor, who has been given the privilege of standing guard at events, some of these events are social, but some may be meetings with the General Council, and as such they may become privy to things that should not be spoken to any, so a vow of secrecy is taken upon taking the position.
Crusader: Any knight may request to become a crusader, this request should be given to a member of the General Council or a Crusader Captain. This request allows for them to be called upon to join a crusade, and also gives them recognition as someone willing to give lay down their own life to help in such a crusade.
Sage: A sage is someone who is especially knowledgeable about a particular thing, if you need help look to your sages for they have wisdom that can only be gleaned by years of learning. A sage becomes such at the suggestion of another member who has witnessed his knowledge, then discreetly as possible the General Council will verify and then contact this person to see if he wishes to be known as such.
II. Policies of the Guild
Nota bene: Policies, as well as the succeeding rules and laws may be modified, repealed or added onto through democratic motions of proposal and vote of approval/disapproval. See the Guild's legislative branch for more information.
1. Expulsion upon inactivity:
- A. If a Page is inactive (has not activated his "Guild Seal") for over a period of twenty (20) days, he or she will be expelled from the Order.
- B. If a member ranking above that of the Page (Knight and beyond) is inactive for over a period of twenty (20) days, he or she will be demoted from one rank each time this period has been elapsed. Deletion from the guild will only happen up until the member in question has stayed over twenty (20) days in the rank of Page.
- C. Exception: If the member, however, warns the Guild Master or a Knight-General (who should inform the Guild Master) about his future inactivity, then the expulsion or demotion will be postponed.
- D. Inactive alternate characters belonging to an active main character are not subject to this policy.
2. Alternate characters: ((OOC))
- A. A member may only have one (1) alternate character allowed into the guild after each ten (10) seasons ((levels)) attained by the main character who first joined the guild.
- B. If the member has attained his 70th season, he may have all his alternate characters admitted into the guild.
- C. Alternate character's must be labelled as belonging to the member's main character.
3. Recruitment:
- A. As of today (the day on which this charter has been issued), recruitment is now open for prospective members of the Order.
- B. Recruitment tactics must not conflict with policy #2.
- C. If recruitment conflicts with policy #2, or the recruiter recruits without discrimination or discernment of the worth of those recruited, the recruiter will face penalties extending between demotion from rank to expulsion from the Order. In brief: Recruiters must not swell the Order's numbers with non-qualified members or they will suffer consequences for their actions.
- D. The Knight-General in charge of general recruitment activities should be consulted when need be.
4. Group and raiding parties:
- A. All members are encouraged, as much as possible, to group together with fellow members of the guild when hunting ((grinding)) and aiding society through quests. This is enforced to strengthen fraternal bonds between members.
- B. Raiding parties should be organised and composed of Crusaders as much as possible, but this is not required. Such crusades or raiding campaigns should be held within the guild and allied guilds as much as possible.
- C. It is not required of members to assist to group hunting or crusades, however, greatly encouraged and appreciated.
5. Manditory respect:
- A. If a member is reported under various complaints of any form of abuse or severe disrespect, this member will suffer penalties as judged righteous by the Guild Master who acts as a moderator and judge in this case.
- B. In cases where the report made unto a member is of questionable origin or intent, a trial of judgement will be held with the Guild Master presiding. Furthermore, a proper investigation on the subject of the concerned members.
- C. In cases where a complaint is made against a high-ranking member (Crusader Captain and higher), a manditory trial of judgement will be held.
- D. In cases where a complaint is made against a low-ranking member (Crusader and lower), swift action will be taken which may extend to expulsion from the Order.
Note: You are innocent until proven guilty.
Thus the righteousness and justice of the Order.
III. Rules and Laws of the Guild
On communications:
- All OOC (Out-of-character) talk should be held in the proper channel, which is: TKOSooc. Guild chat must always be IC (In-character).
- Members or friends of the guild only may use the TKOSooc channel.
On role-playing: (Added as the January Reformation, an amendment approved by Anira Theranarr on January 14, 2008)
- All characters in the guild must be based on Warcraft lore and on Warcraft lore only. (You may not roleplay as a Super Saiyan, Harry Potter's twin brother or a Half-Gnome/Half-Draenei/Half-Harpy.)
- All characters must make sense*. (*"make sense", to be reasonable or comprehensible) (You may not roleplay as a Human who has seen the Sundering personally and once dated with Queen Azshara, who has wrestled with Illidan Stormrage when he was 12 or be Sargeras' bastard child.)
- All characters must be possible within the range of the aforementioned lore. (You may not roleplay as a Night-Elven mage, for example)
- While roleplaying, avoid "god-moding"*. (*roleplaying as an overpowered character. For example, you should be able to take hits during a roleplayed fight and not dodge all of them and kill the character you're dueling with in one single, goddly blow. You may not play a character who is all-knowing [omniscient], all-powerful [omnipotent].)
- All roleplaying with non-members of the guild is encouraged and falls within the perrogative and liberty of the roleplayer. How the member of the guild roleplays with the non-member is entirely between the mutual consensus of the two.
- All characters in the guild should, in some way or the other, be compatible* with the lawful good allignment of the guild and in harmony with the ideals of honour, chivalry and loyalty/service. (The Order of the Knights of Stormwind is an confraternity of knights, defenders and civil servants of the Kingdom of Stormwind and its allies [The Alliance], your character should blend into this collective identity.) (*By "compatible" we mean, any characters who can work with and within an organisation of a lawful good alligned identity. Thus, allignments such as neutral good, chaotic good and lawful neutral are acceptable, granted the character does not contradict the ideals, goals and purpose of the chivalric order and his or her role in the guild makes sense.)
On formal, official meetings:
- All members, except the Honour Guard are required to disarm themselves during meetings.
- The Honour Guard must be posted in and around the perimeters of the meeting hall. All intruders must be dealt with accordingly. If short-staffed, the Honour Guard Captain may assign Knights to act as Honour Guards for the occasion.
- All members are asked to dress and act according to the code and etiquette of chivalry. In brief: Try to be neat and nice as much as possible.
On banishment:
- Any member who does not conform to the constitutional body of the Order or who does not conform to its ideals or acts contraversely against the Order and its administration is liable for banishment.
- Any member who is in complicity with a criminal or aids an illegal cause against the Order or the Kingdom is liable for banishment.
- Any criminals or otherwise morally and politically incorrect members are liable for banishment.
- Only the Guild Master, a Knight-General, or a designated full-member may banish a member of the Order.
- The proclamation of banishment can only be pronounced once the banished member has returned to the Order his Guild Seal. Once returned, the Guild Seal is effectively destroyed. If the banished member is wearing the Guild Tabard, it must ripped asunder.
- If the banished member refuses to peacefully return his Guild Seal or any item belonging to the Order, it must be taken from him under the employ of righteous force.
- Once banished, the former member may appeal to the Order to be re-admitted.
On trials:
- The Guild Master can assign a member to a trial of whatever nature he so wishes it to be.
- There will never be a set time limit on a trial, as long as the set requirements of the trial are met.
- The Guild Master can stop, postpone or cancel a trial at any moment.
- Concerning trials of a combative nature such as duels; these will be held outside the meeting hall or perimeters, or set at a certain time and place. No healing whatsoever is allowed in trials of combat skills (duels).
On guild events:
- Guild events may include anything likened unto the following examples: weddings, funerals, judgement trials, casual gatherings or rounds at a chosen tavern.
- Events of greater importance call for greater levels of security.
May the Order of the Knights of Stormwind ever bask in the pristine glory of the Holy Light.
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