Cohors Sacra Leonidiana | Sacred Cohort of Leonidos

[Dair 82]

 

 

 

 

Born from the ashes of a broken nation, the Knights of the Order of the Leonidos take upon themselves the mantle of chivalric servitude to their homeland, just as all Balianites did upon the final days of the Kingdom. Bound to their oaths of fealty to the Grand Duchy of Lotharia, all knights must ascertain levels of mastery with various weapons and their forms. They must prove their commitment by developing skills in negotiation, battle strategy, and wilderness survival. 

 

To be a Leonidos, a Hupoleontes must dedicate themselves to the other knights within the order and the realm they serve. To be a Leonidos, Hupoleontes must dedicate themselves wholly and completely to the service of the Grand Duchy. This service is not simply for the pleasure of the ruling house of Lotharia, but for the betterment of all citizens within the nation. Honor, duty, and reverence are the core tenets driving a Leonidos into service. They take for themselves the commitment of fighting for those who would never be able to defend themselves. 

 

The mission of the Leonidos shall be to protect the realm of Lotharia and keep its citizens safe. To protect the royal family is amongst their most important duties. They shall also seek to root out and destroy the evils of this world that take the form of Darkspawn.

 

 

 

 

Those who seek to one day become Leonidios but are not yet old enough to begin their training in full shall be deemed Neoleontes. Neoleontes are entrusted with tasks given to them by their prospective Leonidios, which generally revolve around the maintenance of items or areas that they may utilize. A Neoleontos may be requested to polish armor, restock quivers, feed the horses, and sharpen weaponry. The Neoleontos may also participate in various combat exercises and are taught the basics of swordplay and combat analysis.

 

A Neoleontos shall remain one until their fifteenth nameday.

 

To seek Hupoleonteship, one must have completed the following: reached their fifteenth nameday, received a letter of recommendation from an honored member of Lotharia, and completed two Lesser Feats of courage. If one is already a Neoleontos who reaches the age of fifteen whilst in servitude, then they may utilize a testimony of the Leonidios served in place of their letter of recommendation. However, they must still complete two Lesser Feats of courage.

 

Until such a time as Hupoleonteship is accepted and formalized, a non-Neoleontos wishing to become a Hupoleontes shall be deemed a Hupoleontes-to-be. After fulfilling all three of these requirements, a Hupoleontes-to-be shall search for a Leonidios and request to be taught the ways of the Order. The Leonidios may accept or deny this request. If they reject, the Hupoleontes-to-be shall search for another Leonidios. Should the Hupoleontes-to-be already be a Neoleontos, they must verify Hupoleonteship under their current Leonidios, or, should that Leonidios already have a Hupoleontes, they must find Hupoleonteship under another.

 

After all requirements are met and a Leonidios accepts their servitude, the Protos Leonidos shall deliver the final decision and validation of acceptance.

 

 

 

The Leonidios is a fully recognized and sworn knight of the Order. Once a Hupoleontes has completed their Aspirantian Trials, proving themselves through the successful completion of Lesser, Middling, and Greater Feats, and passing the Trial of the Lion, they may be dubbed a Leonidios. Leonidios are entrusted with the protection of the realm of Lotharia, the defence of its citizens, and the safeguarding of the royal family. In addition to martial duties, Leonidios are responsible for guiding and training Neoleontes and Hupoleontes. They are expected to embody the virtues of honor, duty, and reverence, serving not for personal glory but for the betterment of all.

 

They report to the Strategos Leonidos and the Protos Leonidos, and must maintain readiness to be called upon for greater campaigns.

 

 

The Strategos Leonidos serves as a senior officer within the Order, second only to the Protos Leonidos. They are chosen from among the most veteran of Leonidios who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, valor, and unwavering loyalty to the Grand Duchy. They assist the Protos Leonidos in their duties and have the responsibility of enforcing the standards of the Order. They are responsible for the validation of Middling and Greater Feats within their jurisdiction and are expected to take command in the absence of the Protos Leonidos.

 

The Protos Leonidos grants an appointment to the Strategos Leonidos.

 

 

The Protos Leonidos is the Grandmaster Knight and wields supreme authority within the Order. The Protos Leonidos oversees all operations, decrees policy, maintains the traditions and oaths of the order, and serves as the principal protector of the royal family and the Grand Duchy. He is greater than only one, the Prince of Lotharia.

 

The Protos Leonidos leads both in times of peace and during campaigns of war. They hold final authority in the validation of Greater Feats and oversee the Trials of the Lion. They appoint the Strategos Leonidos and adjudicate disputes among the Order. Upon the death, retirement, or removal of a Protos Leonidos, the Strategos Leonidos shall step into the role of acting-Protos Leonidos until the ruling monarch of Lotharia appoints a new Protos Leonidos.

 

The new Protos Leonidos is sworn in during a sacred ceremony known as the Rite of the Lion.

 

 

 

Lesser Feats are the actions that constituents of the order may perform by going above their everyday duties. A Lesser feat is an action that may pose little to no danger to the physical or mental well-being of the constituent, yet requires a passion for serving your fellow companions and citizens. Often, Lesser Feats are events that transpire by the Neoleontes or Hupoleontes going out of their way to serve their fellow man. Actions such as protecting a citizen from being attacked during a civil dispute, standing vigil through the night for a fallen ally, or tracking an enemy through a densely wooded area may be considered Lesser Feats. 

 

The Neoleontes or Hupoleontes-to-be may petition any Knight of the Leonidos for validation on the status of their action. A Lesser feat is the only Feat needed to become an Hupoleontes. 

 

Middling Feats are the actions that constituents of the order may perform by going above their everyday duties. A Middling Feat is an action that may pose danger to the physical or mental well-being of the constituent—the willingness to put oneself in harm's way to serve fellow companions and citizens. This action can also be obtained by defeating a well-trained adversary. Actions such as defeating an armed enemy whilst unarmed, claiming victory at a jousting tourney, and tracking an enemy across several dense biomes. 

 

The Hupoleontes may petition their respective Leonidos, the Strategos Leonidos, or the Protos Leonidos for validation on the status of their action.

 

Greater Feats are the actions that constituents of the order may perform by going above their everyday duties. A Greater Feat is an action that may pose great danger to the physical or mental well-being of the constituent. Whilst the action is performed, their own life is on the line in order to protect or save another. This action can also be obtained by defeating a powerful adversary. Actions such as slaying an aggressive bear to save a brother and defeating several mounted combatants while on foot may be considered Greater Feats, tracking and slaying a powerful darkspawn.

 

The Hupoleontes may petition for validation on the status of their action. The Strategos Leonidos and the Protos Leonidos shall deliberate. If a request is denied, it may be re-petitioned for validation as a lower-tiered feat.

 

Usually given posthumously, the greatest feat is achieved by giving the ultimate sacrifice whilst protecting your companions and countrymen. Any constituent of the Realm may petition for validation on the status of their or another’s action. All Knights of the Leonidos shall convene in a special gathering and deliberate.

 

When a Hupoleontes is chosen and confirmed, they may begin their quest towards becoming a Knight of the Leonidos. Hupoleontes are required to earn several Feats of Courage to prove their worth. Just as the Hupoleontes-to-be are required to complete Feats of Courage, so will the Hupoleontes. While the Hupoleontes-to-be are required to have two Lesser Feats, the Hupoleontes are provided with more advanced training. They will also be required to complete three Lesser Feats, two Middling Feats, and one Greater Feat. These feats may be done in any order. After these Feats are verified, the Hupoleontes may petition for their final trial to begin. This trial is dubbed the Trial of the Lion.

 

When the trial commences, the Hupoleontes shall visit the Oracle of Lotharia, who shall provide them with the details of their quest. Be it a beast they need to fell or a treasure they must obtain, the Hupoleontes must complete their task in order to succeed. Should the Hupoleontes fulfill their services to the Oracle, evidence of their success must be proffered, or their trial shall be deemed a failure.

 

Should the Trial be completed and the evidence examined by the Protos Leonidos, the Hupoleontes shall be dubbed a knight upon the next ceremony of the Duke.  

 

 

I

A Lion shall serve GOD and adhere to His laws.

 

II

A Lion shall protect and serve the royal family faithfully, safeguarding them and their kin.

 

III

A Lion shall serve the people of Lotharia, putting the citizens’ well-being above their own.

 

IV

A Lion shall keep the peace with fellow Constituents of the Leonidos.

 

V

A Lion shall never draw armament upon fellow Constituents of the Leonidos outside of lawful combat.

 

VI

A Lion shall never betray duty for the sake of wealth, glory, power, or love.

 

VII

A Lion shall remain truthful in all circumstances. 

 

VIII

A Lion shall respect the authority of foreign dignitaries and their laws whilst within their borders.

 

IX

A Lion shall remain bound to the Leonidos and no foreign oath or realm.

 

X

A Lion shall stand vigilant in their watch, regardless of the task at hand.

 

XI

A Lion shall uphold their honor if one of lesser status insults them.

 

XII

A Lion shall never refuse a challenge from one of higher status.

 

XIII

A Lion shall never allow their back to be turned to a foe.

 

XIV

A Lion shall remain untainted by the ideals of treason and treachery.

 

XV

A Lion shall take up arms against the threat of Darkspawn and evil.

 

XVI

A Lion shall keep their oaths until a time when they are no longer actively serving as a Knight of the Leonidos.

 

Signed,

Protos Leonidos

 

[Navigator 4260]

Miguel, formerly Sir Miguel of Eredmar of the Order of the Dragon, stares at the missive. He ponders for a moment, and decides it was worth a shot.