THE ROYAL ORDER OF THE BLACK DRAGON

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THE ROYAL ORDER 

OF

THE BLACK DRAGON

 

Issued by the Grand Knight, on the 10th of Harren’s Folly, 1988

 

It is the will of the crown of Aaun to re-establish a Knightly Order that will restore a sense of honor and chivalry in their realm. The people of Aaun have always followed these values, yet the Crown finds an absence of a proper order to unite those who seek a forever path in these sacred values. Preceded by the order of the Nauzica and the Knightly circle of Saint Godwin the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun once more holds a Knightly Order, meant to teach those who find a lack of Chivalry and harbor those who find themselves overflowing with it, turning those into the greatest of the protectors of Aaun.

 

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ON RECRUITMENT

 

Many dream of a career as the noblest of soldiers, hoping to get their names permanently written in the history books so that their names and actions may never be forgotten. However, for such an honor and task to be granted upon them, aspiring Knights and Dames will have to succeed through a long and tough course to be able to call themselves a Knight of the Order of the Black Dragon.

 

ON PAGES

 

At the age of nine an aspiring Knight or Dame may find themselves a mentor Knight to learn the basics. They will help their Knight with safe tasks, such as providing for a horse or keeping their armor polished without scratching it. Pages shall not be put in any danger by their mentor Knight, for they would only cause a distraction from the Knight’s original purpose – a page remains a child after all.

 

ON SQUIRES

 

At the age of fifteen a Page, or otherwise worth-proven teen, may request to become a squire. To become a squire, they will have to fulfill the following requirements, to ensure that only the best of the best ascend to the ranks of the Knightly Order:

 

I. They must be enlisted in the Royal Army.

 

II. They must have at least the writ of approval of one seated Knight and their own mentor. The Grand Knight has the final say.

III. No Knight may ever take a close family member as their squire. This is to ensure that everyone is indeed worthy and not just a family member.

 

IV. On all rules an exception may be made if deemed necessary by the Grand Knight or the Monarch of Aaun.

 

Once a formal Squire the mentor Knight may now start to properly train the aspirant. They will teach them, among other important lessons, how to wield at least three types of weapons, proper etiquette, and the current relations and status of the Apostolic Kingdom. It’s up to the appointed mentor how these lessons take form, as long as they prepare their squire for their trials.

 

A knight can only take charge of one squire at the time, to ensure their full attention is given. Only if deemed necessary, the Grand Knight may assign a second squire. A Knight will at all times treat their Squire fair and equal to their previous Squires. If a squire thinks they have been treated unfairly, or in any other way feel negative about their experience, they may seek the Grand Knight to discuss a proper solution. 

 

 

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THE KNIGHTLY TRIALS

 

A Knight will prepare their squire to face all the designated trials, so that the squire may prove their worth. This training will usually last four to six weeks. Once the Grand Knight, the mentor and the squire agree that the squire is ready they will embark to complete the trials. No Knight may interfere, help, or otherwise influence the trial.

 

I. The Trial of Battle

A Knight must first and foremost be skilled in the art of combat. It is thus that in this trial the squire will have to defeat their mentor in a duel best of three. Every duel, they will wield a different weapon, chosen by the Grand Knight, to ensure the squire has been properly trained. If the squire defeats their mentor or it is seen fit that they pass, they will have succeeded in the trial of Battle.

 

II. The Trial of the Holy Spirit

A Knight must also uphold all virtues the Holy Father has taught us. In the trial of the Holy Spirit the squire will have to fulfill three tasks for someone active for the church. In order to pass this trial they will have to return with a signed letter of their chosen person stating what they did.

 

III. The Trial of Knowledge

A Knight must not always rely on their strength, but also on their knowledge. In this trial a squire is to find themselves a peer of the realm from whom they will learn about their chosen peer’s family. A signed letter suffices as proof of their passing of the trial, completely decided by the peer. 

 

IV. The Trial of Survival

A Knight is typically skilled in every scenario. In the trial of survival the squire is to go out into the wild with nothing more than a set of clothes and survive three days and nights. During this trial they will have to acquire the head or otherwise proof of the slaying of a predator animal. If they succeed, they pass the trial of Survival.

 

V. The Trial of Honour 

A Knight is besides a war-experienced soldier also someone who upholds the most holiest of virtues. During the trial of Honor the squire will have to successfully host an event during which they will be assigned a Lord or Lady to entertain through the night. The squire will have to show that they are not also a competent host but also that they’re a competent partner. Her Royal Majesty the Queen or an otherwise assigned courtier will decide if the squire passed this trial.

 

VI. The Final Battle

The final battle is the most important trial. Every skill the squire has acquired and used during their previous trial will be tested in this last, final test. The Grand Knight will assign a task that must be completed. If the Grand Knight and His Royal Majesty the King deem this task a success the squire will be knighted at the first held Royal Court. 

 

 

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THE KNIGHTLY CODE OF CHIVALRY

 

H O N O U R

A Knight has to always act after their honor. Honor is to respect others, and to act after God’s will.

 

C O N S C I E N C E

A Knight should never violate rules, nor violate others' limits. 

 

M E R C Y

A Knight will always show mercy to the people who deserve their mercy.

 

S E L F - S A C R I F I C E

A Knight should and will give his life for another at all times, if this meant they saved an innocent soul.

 

F A I T H  I N  G O D

A Knight should always follow God’s will, and should always act after God’s rules.

 

H O N E S T Y 

A Knight will never keep information from their superiors, nor will they ever lie.

 

 

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KNIGHTLY DUTIES

 

I. To fight in the name of the Royal House of Alstion.

II. To protect the Kingdom of Aaun and its citizens with their life.

III. To uphold the Chivalric Codex.

IV. To defend those who can not defend themselves.

 

 

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THE OATH OF THE KNIGHTS

 

“I swear to be true to the Kingdom of Aaun, and not to maintain silence about any evil that I may know which is being contemplated against it. I swear that I will obey the Grand Knight and aid my fellow brothers and sisters. I swear to cast off any traitor be it friend or foe in honour of our King and the Grand Knight. I swear this before God and men. I bid farewell to my former life and grace my newest with my shield and blade; stalwart and ever vigilant for humanity. This oath I give of my own free and independent will, so help me God.”

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KNIGHTLY TABLE

 

The Knightly table serves as the directional board of the Knightly order. Once a Knight has served three years they will be granted a seat with the maximum of seven seats, one always held by the Grand Knight. Matters will be discussed here, with all Knights allowed to listen. However, only Knights of the table will have an active say and vote if a matter should come to that.

 

If a Knight proves themselves unworthy of their seat the Grand Knight may at all times strip them from it and reward it to another. It will then be first on the waiting list who shall be awarded the open seat. 

 

VINCIT REGNAT IMPERAT

 

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ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED;
In the City of Whitespire, Apsotolic Kingdom of Aaun
On the 10th of Harren’s Folly, 1988.

 

His Excellency, SER GEORGE HALCOURT, Grand Knight of the Royal Order of the Black Dragon, Baron of Artois