TornadoWatch

Jonathan Black accepts Lion's letter, putting it in his pocket as he's aware that the man was almost always busy.

Knight Commander Jonathan Black sits down at his desk, writing out an offical declaration to be sent out to every man who is a part of the Chapter of the Lion of the Holy Order of the Red Dragon... To all Sers in the Chapter of the Lion, I, Jonathan Black, have recently been given control of this Chapter by Grand Ser Uthor, the Grand Marshal, and his Imperial Majesty Emperor Godfrey I. As such, I intend to make our chapter a great force for the Empire once again. I have been given the War Uzg's old fortress to rebuild and revamp as our base of operations. However, as I understand, this Chapter is fragmented and inactive; as such, I intend to revive it with a meeting which will be held at the Courthouse of Oren. All Knights of the Chapter of the Lion as well as any squires or other members are expected to attend. Once all have arrived, we'll review the duties and purpose of the Chapter and discuss our future plans. Food and beverages will be provided at the meeting. I look forward to seeing every Knight of the Chapter present, or I expect a letter to be sent; either works. - Knight Commander Jonathan Black. ((This is an RP Post; I expect everyone in the Chapter of the Lion to report by posting below. Be sure to give the underlined information, and be ready to get some work done. Also, the only people getting this are members of the Chapter of the Lion, no spying crap. Those of you reading this post - share it with anyone in the Chapter of the Lion you know. Also, fill this app out, those who are attending. Name: Race: Age: Skills: Rank:

It is evening in Oren's city; Jonathan Black, a Sariant of the Teutonic Order, speaks to Grand Knight Uthor in the street. Jonathan had just returned from speaking with Elizabeth Silverblade, the woman he had been granted permission to court by Uthor himself, and was discussing the matter with him. "Ser Uthor... She just seems cold, to me; she has this stare. What does it mean?" "Aye; she's a hard one to read. I still wish ye the best o' luck." The Grand Knight paused, as if trying to remember something. "Ah, almost forgot to tell ye - follow me; we need somewhere offical." was all the Knight said before beginning to walk towards the courthouse. Jonathan just tilts his head curiously as he follows. Uthor leads him into the Courthouse and stands in front of the throne, looking down at Jonathan from his elevated position. "A small ceremony is to take place by the Emperor command; kneel." He says calmly. As soon as Jonathan did so, he unsheathed a blade which seemed to glow like silver in the torchlight of the courthouse. The words 'Knight Commander Uthor' are engraved on the hilt clearly to Jonathan as Uthor sinks the blade into the ground in front of him. Uthor produces a blade, a badge, and a cloak; garments of the Holy Order of the Red Dragon. Confusion races through the Sariant's mind as Uthor speaks again. "The Emperor 'as deemed ye of worth to take the name of Knight Commander, and to become of gentry. Jonathan Black, are ye to take the offer of the Emperor and become the Knight Commander of the Chapter of the Lion, the Emperor's Guard and the protectors of Arethor?" Jonathan looks up to Uthor, a fire in his eyes. "Yes. I do." As he says this, several White Roses file into the Courthouse, including Grand Marshal Thomas Chivay, who stands with his arms behind his back as he watches the proceedings. "Yer the best we could think of, Jon." Uthor continues. "The Emperor will be givin' ye a pardon from the Teutonic Order. If ye accept, then take the cloak, badge, and blade." Jonathan's eyes take a different look; one of confusion, perhaps of anger. "Are you saying this means I'll have to leave the Order?" Uthor sighs at him, lowering his voice so only the Sariant could hear. "Jon... I'd take it. The Emperor doesn't take kindly to his offers being refused. Trust me, this is the best way to guarantee the future for ye and yer brothers..." Jonathan nods at the Grand Knight. "Very well. I accept." He takes the cloak, badge, and blade. "Yer duties as Knight Commander are to protect this city, the Emperor, and the Emperor's family, and to serve them. Yer duty is also to see to your Order, keep it in place and do yer duty. From this day onward, ye will be known as Ser Jonathan Black the Faithful. Ye may rise. Now, go and rest; ye will need it... We'll talk more later." And so it was; Sariant Jonathan Black, now Knight Commander Jonathan Black, an ambitious, intelligent man, took control of the Chapter of the Lion. He now technically had the same level of power as the leaders of the White Roses, at least before Chivay became Grand Martial, if only he had the men; it was time to get to work...

Jonathan Black speaks up, severely injured yet still walking after the battle. "We showed them - all of them! Their Rex ran like a coward from the fight. The Teutonic Order is still as strong as ever, and this is only the first victory out of many more that are to come. I'm ready to bring my blade to every single last one that inhabits this land. They showed us no mercy here, and they deserve none themselves. They have no honor, no courage, and no wit. Let us show them what TRUE Men of Oren and Hanseti fight like! Death to them all!"

Hanseti should definitely be mentioned. Speaking from an absolutely nonbiased POV here.

This is very much needed and you've got my support. I'd guess that you yourself know a lot of this stuff, don't you? We should probably start from when Godfrey came to power.

Jonathan Black Nicknames: Jon, John. Age: 28 years and 6 months. Gender: Male Race: 75% Human; 25% elf. Status: Alive and active. Description Height: 6'3 Ft. Weight: 170 Lbs. Body Type: Medium frame. Muscular, but not too lean or too large. A comfortable average. Eyes: Green Hair: Dark black Skin: White Markings/Tattoos: Has a burn scar on his neck. Health: Healthy, in excellent condition. Personality: Jonathan is an introverted individual who is very open and friendly with his close friends and associates. He also tries to be friendly with strangers, but is very hostile towards those with heretical beliefs; religious ideas or magic contrary to his own. He is unwaveringly loyal and obedient to his superiors, perhaps to a fault. He can be very quick-witted, as well as sarcastic. He has only the best of intentions, and perhaps doesn't always understand the hurt he inflicts upon others. Inventory: Carries food, a flask of water, his weapons, and often some utility items. Further Details: Life Style Alignment*: Lawful. Good, lawful, or evil all depends on the circumstance. Mostly tries to be Lawful Good. Is not malicious. Deity*: Believes in the Creator, and believes that Emperor Godfrey is the representation of the Creator on Earth. Religion: Church of Oren. Alliance/Nation/Home Jonathan Black first feels a strong devotion to the Emperor, then the Teutonic Order, then Oren. Job/Class: Sariant of the Teutonic Order; does a variety of tasks. Title(s): Sariant Knight. Profession(s): Is a skilled fighter; also mines well. Special Skill(s): Fighting; he's ambidextrious, also is surprisingly eloquent and well spoken. Flaw(s): Can be arrogant, close-minded, and foolhardy. Magic* Finger-waggling heresy Current Status: Magic is for sissies and heretics. Arch-type: Magic is for sissies and heretics. Sub-Type: Magic is for sissies and heretics. Rank: Magic is for sissies and heretics. Weakness(es): Magic is for sissies and heretics. Strength(s): Magic is for sissies and heretics. Current Spell(s): Magic is for sissies and heretics. Weaponry Fighting Style: He fights with an almost righteous fury; his blows strike hard, but he is perhaps a bit more easy to injure; however, on the other hand, he doesn't feel injury as much when in this state. Preferred Weapon: The sword. Two of them, preferably, as he is ambidextrious. Favored Weapon: He can also use a sword and shield effectively, as well as two-handed weapons but not quite as well. Archery: Can use a longbow effectively. Biography Parents: William Black [Father, Alive.]; Esther Black [Mother, deceased.] Siblings: N/A Children: N/A Extended Family: N/A. Pet(s): N/A History Childhood to Early Adulthood Jonathan Black's father, William Black, was an innkeeper in the city of Arethor. When his mother wasn't busy helping to keep the inn running, she also ran a clothing store quite close to the inn. Jonathan's parents were both good at what they did, and were successful enough to send him to school, giving him an educational level a cut above the rest. His father also provided an entirely different, yet extremely necessary, framework for him: Morality. Jonathan's father clearly taught him the difference between right and wrong. He was taught to not steal, lie, or kill, unless one must, and to defend and help those who could not help themselves, amongst other things. He wasn't taught, however, not to hate orcs; in fact, he was taught quite the opposite. This somewhat irrational dislike has remained with him today, but he has a great respect for his brothers in the Order who have denounced their heritage. Jonathan's childhood was mostly uneventful; he did well in his studies, proving to be an intelligent student. He also showed a strong desire to learn the art of the sword and bow. The fact that Jonathan was ambidextrious helped him greatly in doing this. By the time he was an adult, Jonathan was surprisingly skilled in battle. He joined the Guard of Arethor for a brief time, but quit due to the fact that he found it boring, not to mention that he wished to do good outside of the city. He is now twenty-three years of age. Originally, he sought to join the Order of Clerics, or the White Roses, but on a whim he found himself joining the Teutonic Order. Life in the Order When Jonathan Black first joined the Teutonic Order, he was a mere plebeian. He was mostly innocent to the Teutonic Order’s cruel actions. He mostly stayed in the land of Hanseti, mining and farming whenever he was not accompanying his brothers on a mission. During his first Elven Week in the Teutonic Order, he proved to be a man who was good at following orders and listening to his superiors; consequently, he was promoted to the rank of Sariant. After becoming a Sariant, he began to become more exposed to the Teutonic Orders’ actions and was forced to make a decision: Continue down the road, or turn back. In the end, he chose to remain loyal to the Order and to Godfrey, as in his mind it was all for the greater good. Since then, he has fallen farther and farther down the slope of morality, becoming more and more extreme in his thoughts and actions. He participated in the hunts for wanted men, and tasted war for the first time. Jonathan has served the Teutonic Order for nearly five years now. It has almost completely changed him as a person, for better or worse. It has taught him true discipline, has strengthened his body, and has given him a purpose. He is currently one of the Order's most loyal and effective members, in his mind. There is no sign of him stopping any time soon; in his mind, the only thing which will stop him is death itself. Artwork See my avatar.

Jonathan Black nods at the poster, seeming appreciative. Consolidating power to the Emperor is always a good thing. The bannerman are unreliable at best, thugs at worst... Before long, perhaps the Teutonic Order, White Roses, and Imperial Guard will be all the Emperor requires.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

Sariant Jonathan Black's point of view. He had been called; each and every one of them had been called to this battle. He stood proudly by his Brothers as the Emperor gave his speech; his heartbeat rose every escond, his heart pounding in his chest in anticipation. "You, my comrades in arms, obey the commands of your leaders in the knowledge that this is the day of your glory -- a day on which, if you shed but a drop of blood, you will win for yourselves crowns of martyrdom and eternal fame!" the Emperor finally finishes his speech; Jonathan nods as he closes the visor of his helmet shut with a quiet clang. Every muscle in his body readies itself as the zealotry for his Emperor, for his Hochmeister, and the adrenaline from the oncoming battle combines. His hand grips the hilt of his blade eagerly. He moves into position with the other Sariants. As one, the sound of their blades being drawn is clearly heard almost across the entire battlefield. As one, they all charge forward; he watches as Mirtok is flung into the fray first. Unsurprisingly, the Hochmeister decimates all around him like they were nothing but mere ants facing a behemoth. Jonathan begins surrounding the Meric forces along with the other Sariants. He glares at the men behind the shield wall; occasionally, an attempt at a stab is made by one individual or another, but no progress is made for a while. One man, a prideful-looking younger man, stabs his spear forward a bit too far; an overextension. A mistake, a vulnerability. His spear connects with Jonathan's shield harmlessly, and he himself stumbles to get back into position. Jonathan thrusts his longsword forward in response, taking advantage of his mistake. There's a wet sound as the blade pierces the unprepared man's gut, followed by a gasp as the blade is brought back out. "Fall back! Retreat men!" Mirtok yells, his voice somehow penetrating the chaos of the battle around him. The Sariants again mobilize, retreating back the way they came. Mirtok follows behind after throwing a banner into the ground, taunting the Meric forces greatly. Time seems to slow as the Meric forces give chase fruitlessly down the hill; it is only too late as they realize the trap they're in. The Knights of Oren suddenly assault the hostile force from both sides. As soon as this is done, the Center army and the Sariants charge as well. Jonathan is one of the first in the battle. He almost jumps into the fray, stabbing his sword forward. It is blocked by a shield, and he is rewarded with a barely hit slash from a blade; he feels only a dull tinge of pain and fights on until the battle is over. ________________________________________________________________ Jonathan joins the other Sariants at a campfire after having his wounds attended to slightly; multiple bandages cover him. They seem like mostly minor wounds and bruises, but there's certainly a great number of them. His armor is unequipped and is back at his tent; instead, he is wearing some traveling leather, along with a Teutonic Order tabard. He smiles a bit at the other Sariants as he eats some warm stew. "That -was- a battle. There's nothing like being in the front of it all."

It could, potentially, but I see a lot of issues with it. Decided to add more to the post.

One thing I'd like to see is the concept of one or more staff members going 'Undercover'. What would this mean? It would be a staff member fundamentally becoming a new player again. They would obtain a new MC account, a voice modifier for Teamspeak if needed, and they would start from square one. Preferably, not even the other staff would know who this person was, and in turn the undercover individual would not be allowed to talk to the staff/go into their channels as their undercover persona. This person would have to start from the beginning; they would have to make an application, get accepted to the server, and just go from there. Act like a -normal- player; no getting special preference from GM's for /modreqs, no spawned items, etc. I feel like this would help give the staff insight into what it is like for the players, even moreso when they join a guild and get their opinions on things. This is a pretty outlandish idea, and I can hardly see it working, however. Maybe in a far off, distant world where admins and GM's have time on their hands. Mogroka has the right idea, as usual, but interaction with players and staff is the most important thing. If you don't talk then you don't -understand-, and that is what is important. However, again, the idea of getting hostility and hatred away from the staff and player relationship is a great one; I've heard many stories about the whole 'You disagree with me, thusly you disrespect me, thusly you're banned.' issue; I'd so as far to say that staff who have done this excessively in the past should be demoted... But I don't know enough about it to make an actual judgment, that's just what I think if the stories are true. There's a few other things I have on my mind, as well; players should -generally- be given the benefit of the doubt in regard to bans. The word of a GM or Admin alone should absolutely NEVER be enough to get a player banned. Evidence must be present.

Do not like; the least you could've done is wrote lore for it to have been in Asulon. Can't play my character. :(

My character was... not around in Aegis. Kinda pointless. =/

Jonathan points his blade at the heretic. The message is clear. "Doesn't change a thing. It's either a painful death or a slow one; you choose."

"Silence with your lies." He begins attempting to drag him into the Embassy. "You managed to -escape- by the most petty, idiotic method I could've imagined. Last time I checked, those keys actually did work. Doesn't matter now; you're going to be dead in a few seconds. I have a good idea for that."

"You're a damn heretic and you will die like one!" Jonathan attempts to throw a punch; after doing so, he would attempt to grab ahold of the heretic. "Resist, and I'll make sure it's worse."