THE VYDRIC ORDER

[Vikenz 1162]

 

 

FOUNDED IN 2028

 

 

To carry forth the will of GOD with sword in hand is mayhaps the most sacred charge which He has levied upon His servants. This charge, men have taken upon themselves since the earliest days of the Church, in defense of the one true faith. Seek no further than Saint Andrew Vydra. For, when the Holy Mother Church was beset on all sides, by schismatic within and heathen without, GOD did raise Saint Andrew as His chosen vessel from among the lowly, to bear His sword and bring the infidel host to heel. For his unwavering fidelity to the Holy Mother Church, he is revered in the Seven Skies among the most devout servants of the faith. It is he that does set forth the image by which all men who raise their sword in GOD’s name ought to measure themselves. Thereby, in his most holy name, do we hereby consecrate the establishment of the Most High Order of Saint Andrew--otherwise to be referred to as the Vydric Order--in the year of Our Lord, 2028, by Lord Roger Ashford de Rouen. For those who seek to set upon the path once righteously tread by the Saint King of Akovia, and to champion his ideals of the supremacy and unity of mankind, as is the will of GOD, to be enforced through the sword. 

 

 

Born into a household of little repute, Andrew Vydra was a man of humble and uncertain beginnings. A man of war from his youth, he served in the host of Akovia, whereby he made himself distinguished. And whence the Mad King perished, and left no seed after him, his throne was made vacant. And the councillors and regents of Akovia did gather together, and they cast their lots, and crowned Vydra King. So he took rule over the Akovian people. And of them, he made a shield--a wall of iron around Canondom. And he went forth against the schismatics, and, with his sword, he smote them, bringing about a new age of human unity. Blessed is he, the servant of triumph, the hammer of heresy, the shepherd of unity.

 

ALTMASTER | The Altmaster of the Vydric Order is the supreme head of the order. He serves as its primary military commander and administrative chief. The Altmaster oversees governance of the order, leads military campaigns, and maintains the Order's rule and disciplines. The position directs foreign relations, is tasked with the appointment of high-ranking officials, and ensures the welfare of the knights alongside its clergy. 

 

GREAT COMMANDER | The Great Commander is the second-highest authority within the Vydric Order, subordinate only to the Altmaster. Chief among his duties is to aid the Altmaster, offering counsel and guidance as needed. He is likewise charged with the oversight of the Order in the absence of the Altmaster.

 

COUNCIL OF VYDRA | The Council of Vydra is composed of four key officers that may be brought from different chapters of the order. The Field-Marshal leads the troops onto the battlefield. The Vicar oversees all clergy and spiritual matters, while also supporting the Order's diplomatic efforts. The Trappier manages equipment and uniforms across all ranks, ensuring the Order remains properly outfitted. The Seneschal controls finances and works closely with the Brother-Bailiffs to maintain the Order's estates and resources.

 

BROTHER-BAILIFFS | Beneath the charge of Altmaster, the Brother-Bailiffs are responsible for the direct oversight of individual chapters, overseeing the regular maintenance and operations thereof. Given such, the Brother-Bailiffs serve as direct liaison betwixt his own forces and those of the Order writ large, labouring diligently to ensure that the will of the Vydric order is executed with utmost fidelity.

 

KNIGHT-COMMANDERS | Within individual chapters, Knight-Commanders are responsible for the oversight of retinues, which are small contingents composed of knights, brothers, and initiates. These distinguished retainers are made to oversee the regular functions of these individual retinues.

 

KNIGHTS | Brothers-in-arms who distinguish themselves, provided they show unwavering service and the martial prowess to warrant it, are elevated to the rank of Knight, by either the Brother-Bailiffs, the Altmaster, or the Great Commander. Within the Vydric, they serve as the vanguard, and may assume additional roles in oversight or command.

 

KNIGHT-SERGEANT | Knights who have made themselves distinguished beneath the purview of the Knight-Commanders are elevated to the rank of Knight-Sergeant, serving effectively as officers within their respective retinues. These Knight-Sergeants are expected to aid their superiors in the daily maintenance of their retinues, overseeing the day-to-day operations and trainings. 

 

CHEVALIER | Knights who demonstrate exceptional skill with the blade are promoted to the rank of Chevalier. Renowned for their martial prowess, the Chevaliers are elite soldiers who serve as the primary cavalry within a given chapter. Often considered the most skilled fighters of the Vydric, the Chevaliers are expected to be unmatched in combat, to uphold the reputation of the Order.

 

DISCIPLINARIAN | Knights who showcase exceptional discipline and acumen are elevated to the rank of Disciplinarian. Within a given chapter, the Disciplinarians are chiefly responsible for maintaining order and discipline among their fellow Knights, as well as the Brothers and Initiates, in order to uphold the uniformity and regimentation of the Vydric.

 

FLAG-BEARER | Knights and brothers within a given chapter are afforded the opportunity to be chosen as the flag-bearer, a position held by only one individual for each chapter. They are responsible for carrying the standard of the Order, Chaptermaster, and Altmaster, which they are expected to use to lead and direct their retinue during formations and combat.

 

BROTHERS | Brothers constitute the rank-and-file of a given chapter and, as such, serve as the foundation Vydric Order’s fighting force. As the backbone of the Vydric, they are often the first to engage in battle, being regularly sent forth on raids and skirmishes. Thereby are the Brothers expected to be proficient in all manners of combat.

 

INITIATES | Unoathed soldiers who have neither been baptised nor yet sworn themselves to the Vydric Order are considered Initiates. As the lowest ranks, Initiates are often relegated to humbler tasks, such as gathering resources or taking on guarding duties as a means of demonstrating their fidelity to the Vydric, that they might, in due time, be deemed fit to be oathed as Brothers.

 

The Oath of Vydra stands as the most sacred and binding rite within the brotherhood, for by its words does a man cast aside his former ties and take upon himself the mantle of service. It is not lightly spoken nor oft repeated, but given but once before his comrades, his superiors, and the memory of those who came before. Through this vow, a man pledges his name, his sword, and his life to the cause. The oath likewise sets forth the three cardinal virtues of Honor, Strength, and Temperance, and Justice. In this way discipline is preserved, and the Order’s strength made manifest, so that it might endure the tempests of war, treachery, and time.

WORDS OF OATHING:

“Before my kin, my blood, and my forebears, I swear this bond, affixed, blessed be Andrik Vydra. To the Vydric Order, I give my name, my sword, and my life. Fidelity shall bind my word and deed, placing the Order above all other ties. Fortitude shall steel my spirit, that no wound, terror, or burden break me. Prudence shall sharpen my judgment, that I strike with reason, speak with sensibility, and endure with acumen. I forswear treachery, cowardice, and vain ambition. I shall stand when called, kneel when ordered, and bleed when required. Until death takes me, or my name is struck from the rolls, so do I swear, GOD as my witness..”

 

WORD OF HONOR | A knight’s word is the surest stone upon which his name is set. He shall cleave to his oath and to his brethren, placing the Order’s charge before all kinship, lordship, or worldly claim.

 

WORD OF STRENGTH | A knight is to bear pain, dread, and misfortune as iron bears the hammer’s fall. He shall not falter before wound nor woe, nor yield to despair whilst breath yet stirs within him.
 

WORD OF TEMPERANCE | A knight’s hand is not to be guided by wrath, nor his tongue by folly. In all things, he shall weigh the course with care, strike with cause, and speak with wisdom, lest ruin find him through reckless deed.

 

WORD OF JUSTICE | A knight’s hand is not to be guided by wrath, nor his tongue by folly. In all things, he shall weigh the course with care, strike with cause, and speak with wisdom, lest ruin find him through reckless deed.

 

Those who desire to enlist in the Most High Order of Saint Andrew are advised to seek audience with one bearing the distinction of Knight-Commander or higher. Alternatively, a letter may be sent declaring one’s intent, whereupon the sender shall be received and examined by one of like rank. If a man is judged fit for enlistment, he shall be received as an Initiate of a given chapter, wherein he shall commence his service to the Vydric Order. 

 

Requirements

The Order requires little of those who seek admittance. Chiefly, it favors descendants of Horen, a principle founded upon the doctrines of Saint Andrew, who upheld the undeniable dominion and supremacy of Mankind. Yet those of nonhuman descent—namely the scions of Malin and Urguan—may yet be admitted, provided they cast off the heretical customs and false idolatry of their kind, and embrace the customs of Mankind. Furthermore, those of nonhuman descent who have not yet embraced the true faith shall be baptised upon admittance, and shall take upon themselves new baptismal names, to honor saints and holy places of yore.

 

Spoiler

RP: 

Name: 

Age: 

Race:

Reason for Enlisting: 

Past Experience (if any): 

 

OOC: 

MC Name: 

Discord Tag:

 

 

NO WORDS, BUT DEEDS.

 

HIS LORDSHIP, Roger of Bourdon, Altmaster of the Vydric Order

 

[Emery 958]

RP: 

Name: Bohemond de Rouen

Age: 21

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: To serve GOD

Past Experience (if any): trained in ulmsbottom

 

OOC: 

MC Name:  EmeryOP

Discord Tag: e.mery

[subatomic 1497]

RP: 

Name: Hughes Ashes

Age: 26

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: to spread and serve god

Past Experience (if any): soldier in the ranks of drusco

 

OOC: 

MC Name: subbyOP

Discord Tag: suub._.

 

[nunlover 579]

RP: 

Name: Lucien Raymond

Age: 24

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: For GOD and his peoples

Past Experience (if any): Killed heretical kin and brought peace to their souls

 

OOC: 

MC Name: nunloverOP

Discord Tag: nunloverr

[xDisarray 552]

RP:

Name: Drekkar

Race: Dwarf

Reason for joining: To serve

Past Experience (if any): Did some freelance work as a mercenary and also trained in hand to hand combat.

 

OOC:

MC Name: xDisarray

Discord Tag: Aurelliano

[CanadaMatt 873]

RP: Alasdair

Name: Alasdair

Age: 25

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: for god, for canondom, for humanity

Past Experience (if any): Hunter of heretic soldiers of war, served as an inquisitor 

 

OOC: canadmatt

MC Name: canadmatt

Discord Tag:10matthewc9

[Nord 346]

RP: 

Name: Renaud

Age:  23

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting:  For GOD and Drusco

Past Experience (if any): armsman for Drusco

 

OOC: 

MC Name: NordOP

Discord Tag: nordvvm

Edited May 11, 2025 by Nord

[Dragon Ball 47]

RP:

Name: Hugure

Age: 32

Race: Human
Reason for Enlisting: For the honor of the blade.
Past Experience: None.

OOC:
IGN: Omnicompetent
Discord Tag: Svenvald

[MonteGiant 891]

RP: 

Name: Pepe de Trastamara/Pepe

Age: 23

Race: Human Farfolk

Reason for Enlisting: To put my blade to something worth while

Past Experience (if any): Served against the bandits of Salvo as a freelance swordsman at 13, Served as a Pontifical State/Alban Mercenary from 14 to 16, Served in the Walden Frei Kompany to then serve in current as an officer of the Royal Burgundian Guard.

 

OOC: 

MC Name: MonteGiant

Discord Tag: fruitgushers6019

[Nectorist 12869]

Name: Cassius Mareno

Age: 19

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: To fulfill my solemn oath of friendship to the Lord Rouen.

Past Experience (if any): Service at the sieges of Salia, Aquilae, and Portoregne.

[Tabby64 1464]

Name: Robert

Age: 25

Race: Human

Reason for Enlisting: To serve liege lord Roger of Bourdon

Past Experience (if any): Helping slay an undead knight

[North 995]

Name: Istvan Ivanovich

Age: 35

Race: Highlander

Reason for Enlisting: To serve GOD and the heavens above.

Past Experience: Lots of it.

[_RoyalCrafter_ 5285]

RP:

Name: Tihomir Ivanovich

Age: 30s

Race: Highlander

Reason for Enlisting: God

Past Experience (if any): Cavalry scout in the war. 

 

OOC:

MC Name: RoyalClouds

Discord Tag: RoyalClouds

[Gridlock 1033]

RP:

Name: Leonid 'Lev' Othaman

Age: 40-something

Race: Highlander

Reason for Enlisting: Foightin' 'round the world.

Past Experience (if any): Former Coalition Spec Ops, Commander of O-Team Six (we took down [REDACTED]), Sellsword. 

 

OOC:

MC Name: _Gridlock

Discord Tag: Gridlock

[John Joe 26]

RP:

Name: Gorimaz

Age: 30

Race: Highlander

Reason for Enlisting: God and Lord István.

Past Experience: Once served as a sergeant in the Brotherhood of St. Karl, now serves in the Ivanovich levy. Fought in the war, doing his part in many sieges and battles. Has combat experience against enemy soldiers and darkspawn.

 

OOC:

MC Name: John_Joe_Walter

Discord Tag: bartolomjuvs