Sentinels of Equilibrium
The Solemn Keepers of Balance
What the Sentinels stand for:
The Sentinels are a neutral organization of like-minded individuals, and our mission is to uphold balance in the realm of Anthos. Our goals are clear, we strive to level the scales of good and evil, maintaining good for peace, prosperity, and longevity, whilst maintaining evil for evolution, progress, and ambition. As the Sentinels we stand on our own, by ourselves, because as an organization of neutrality we are destined to work alone. Alliances are out of our reach, but we may seal pacts, as it is in our best interests to keep the order alive whilst advocating and defending the idea of balance. As Sentinels we do not abstain from change, but in fact encourage it as with change arises new opportunity. Because to achieve balance we must forge the world of our visions, a world where stability, ingenuity, and economic relations reign as opposed to destruction and chaos, or light and order. It is a primal requirement of the world to maintain power in measure, the powerful must shed their strength to allow the weak to possess it. It is the way in which we mortals work that none of the primal races have the responsibility required to manage great power, therefore they will fall to corruption, lust for ascendancy and superiority.
Neutrality is our ultimate and undeniable future, and to maintain the forthcoming generations of our realm we must take action now, brothers and sisters. The prospective future is a world of Equilibrium, a world where neither the benevolent nor iniquitous rule our lands. It is the time of the Sentinels.
What is a Sentinel:
A Sentinel, be it man or woman, are those who respect and value the meaning of true balance. We are all Sentinels at heart, even in our darkest of times when we stray far from our true neutrality we are the holders of balance. Not all who are Sentinels are yet enlightened in the ways of the superlative being, and require guidance from us. We must share our knowledge and our ways and help those who are lost or unaware realize their true mission in life. A true Sentinel is one who puts themselves below the needs of the realm, and realize that their actions no matter of severity have great consequence. A Sentinel values life over death, yet balance over life, therefore when the time comes to choose, they shall not hesitate to perform the deeds of the realm.
The Order
Ranking Structure
==LEADERSHIP==
The Vision - whilst not formally an ‘individual’, The Vision is ultimately the highest superior of the Sentinels. Those who have chosen the balance as their way, will one day encounter their vision.
Exalted Speaker - the interpreter and communicator of the visions. The Speaker relays information to the officers, and passes judgement with the visions as a basis.
Realm Adjucant - regional overseers, they are appointed specific locations of the world to overlook. It is their job to learn of political status and ongoings of their appointed jurisdiction, and they are given the forces to do so. Realm Adjucants are tasked with preserving the balance of their location, and heavily communicate with the Speaker.
==OFFICERS==
The Officers of the Sentinels are the first rank which gets a taste of command. Generally they are tasked with operations in local areas, but can be re-assigned depending on a Realm Adjucant’s or the Exalted Speaker’s wishes.
--Peacekeeper Caste--
Mediator - These officers are tasked with leading peace task groups which are assigned to solve conflicts and resolve difficult situations without the necessity of combat. It is their job to speak to figures of significance and to help their Realm Adjucant influence nations and factions. They may command a small guard force to accompany them on their missions.
--Military Caste--
Vanguard - The job of a vanguard is to keep troops in good shape and make sure they are ready for action at any given time. The commandant is tasked with making sure the soldiers are loyal, honest, and devoted.
==OPERATIONS CASTE==
These are the more highly trusted members of the Order, and are skilled in the art of deceit, deception and stealth. An alias is required for members in the operations branch.
Eclipse - The Eclipse are veteran Operations members who have proven themselves to be efficient at operating in the shadows, unseen and unheard. They are most likely to be chosen for the more difficult missions, as these personnel are able to infiltrate and spy efficiently. They are also the same rank as officers and are expected to coordinate the operations on a global scale.
Shade - Those who have shown promise in the art of stealth. Shades will perform minor operations regarding eavesdropping and basic rank infiltration into other organizations. They are also expected to coordinate lower ranking operations members on a regional scale.
==SUBORDINATE==
Subordinates can be viewed as vice-officers, whilst not commanding the same authority, they do hold edge over standard members. Subordinates are chosen for their bravery, skill, loyalty, and ability to serve their commanding officers efficiently.
--Peacekeeper Caste--
Orator - A member who has shown an aptitude for speech and diplomacy, yet lacks experience and conviction. Orators act as assistants to Mediators and can also receive mentorship from them.
--Military Caste--
Vicar - A member who has shown combat expertise and a willingness to share and teach their combat techniques, yet lacks battle planning and strategy. This subordinate focuses on training individual members for combat, rather than an entire squad.
==MEMBERS==
Members are the largest part of the organization; the basic Sentinels that are yet to prove their higher worth. They believe in upholding balance and equilibrium but are yet to prove undying loyalty and cooperation with the motives in the Order.
--Peacekeeper Caste--
Liberator -These are the last rankings before becoming a subordinate. They are to do less building and other tasks and more tagging along with Mediators and Orators. However, this does not exclude them from following orders.
Constructor - This rank is aimed at construction, farming, and other menial tasks. If something involving upkeep or construction is not getting done around the Sentinels, the task automatically falls to the constructors to begin work without being ordered to.
Artisan - A worker who can be relied on to construct, demolish, and make improvements in structures. Artisans also include cooks, alchemists, lumberjacks, miners, and so on.
--Military Caste--
Protectorate - These warriors are usually dedicated to protecting Mediators and Commandants. They are most often brought on escort missions. They are expected to put their escorts lives before their own and are meant to sacrifice their own lives while the officer escapes.
Keeper - These are honorary Sentinels who have shown greater proficiency than regular soldiers in fighting. They offer advice and are expected to assist in one on one training with regular Sentinels.
Sentinel - Basic operating unit of the Order. Sentinels can be deployed for basic missions by their superiors. For a Sentinel to engage in combat missions, they must have the right mind place and ability to coordinate themselves with relative efficiency in battle. Every rank excluding recruits and leadership are Sentinels at heart, and must show undying loyalty and support to the Order.
Recruit - Newly recruited member, these are the people that are just getting started and are yet to figure out where they would fit in best. Recruits are people yet to be enlightened in the ways of the Order, and require briefing and support but generally advance a few days after initiation.
Policies and Culture
==Customary Greetings between Sentinels==
-Within Sentinel Grounds-
Sentinels of equal standing may show respect to one another by making eye contact and shaking hands upon visit. Sentinels of high standing are not required to return gestures to lower ranked members but may give a slight nod to acknowledge their presence.
However, it is required to greet superior officers based upon what caste the superior belongs to.
Whilst performing a gesture to greet a superior officer, Sentinels may also greet verbally. When addressing a superior officer directly you must use “Sir” for males and “Ma’am” for females.
When greeting a Mediator, you must bow.
When greeting a Commandant, you must salute.
When greeting an Operations rank member, you must bow your head.
When greeting a Realm Adjucant, you may simply shake hands.
The Exalted Speaker must be greeted with a fist over the heart and a bow.
The Vision is received by bowing down upon one knee.
If not listed, you are not required to make a gesture to the Order member. A handshake is a customary method of greeting, however.
-Outside Sentinel Grounds-
Sentinels greet each other by using nicknames/names. Titles are not used outside of Sentinel grounds so as to preserve the confidentiality and solitude of the Order. A formal greeting or sign of respect is not necessary unless the persons involved are meeting each other for the first time.
==Customary Greetings between Sentinels and non-Sentinels==
Unless otherwise required by circumstance, a Sentinel must greet non-Sentinels with a simple “Hello” as it indicates neutrality, and approachability. If the non-Sentinel makes a sign of respect such as saluting or shaking hands, Sentinels are required to return it as such, unless there is suspicion that the non-Sentinel will do something either dangerous or generally unsociable.
==Preserving the Culture==
A Sentinel must abide by the policies, but if they are not disciplined in them well enough, they may be mentored by a superior or be demoted.
Preeminent Scroll of Sentinel Precepts
Internal Edict
The internal edict details interaction between Sentinels, the essential edict of the Order.
Superiors must be obeyed, if contradicting orders are given from those of the same ranking the first order is followed. Higher ranking officers can override orders.
Do not question orders. You are given tasks for a reason, but it may not be time yet for you to know why. If the superior thinks you need to know, they will tell you.
Do not damage Sentinel property, or property of Sentinel members unless ordered otherwise by Officer ranking personnel.
Do not harm a fellow Sentinel, directly or indirectly unless ordered to from Leadership rank personnel.
A Sentinel may not access another Sentinels room or chest without explicit permission from that Sentinel. However, leadership personnel may bestow permission at any time for any reason at which point you are required to cooperate.
When greeting a fellow Sentinel it is required that you adopt the correct greeting form.
Your possessions when you are part of the order, regardless of where, are subject to searching at any time by Leadership personnel. Compliance to the search is mandatory and you must declare all hidden chests. All information gathered from these searches will be kept confidential unless such knowledge is dangerous or otherwise valuable.
Threats towards any fellow Sentinel, regardless of severity or humor intended is unacceptable. This includes physical, verbal, and psychological threats.
You must report insubordinate behaviour or any breach of the rules by a fellow Sentinel to a superior officer. If a Sentinel fails to do such they will penalized to the fullest extent.
When entering the office of a Sentinel officer, the Sentinel must knock first, and pause before receiving an invitation to enter. If no response is given, the door may be opened. However you are forbidden passage into the threshold unless permission was granted.
Missions or operations may be written up at any time by any member in the Sentinels except for the rank of recruit. However, they must contain all necessary prerequisites and must be approved by Leadership rank personnel before the operation can commence.
Possessions may be confisticated at any time by a superior officer if deemed necessary.
Sentinels are not to use another person's horses unless given express permission
Sentinels are not to use horses without first consulting a subordinate or higher rank.
Uniforms are to be worn at all times. Operations members do not need uniforms.
External Edict
The external edict details interaction outside the Order.
You are not allowed to reveal any information about the Order unless authorized by an Officer.
A Sentinel must never draw their weapon in public unless it is necessary, such as having one's or someone else's life being in danger.
Armour must not be worn or carried around on a Sentinel’s person without a direct order from Subordinate ranking personnel or higher.
A Sentinel must never draw attention to self by performing actions against the regional laws unless ordered to by Officer ranking personnel or higher.
You must place the life of another above their death, unless such is in conflict with the balance or ordered to by Officer ranking personnel or higher.
When on a raid or otherwise attacking an area, Sentinels must be hooded and masked, as to hide their identity. They must also create and speak with aliases. A change of clothing is recommended.
Friendly horses are to be protected at all costs.
Sentinels may not bring a stranger into the base or base area without permission from an officer.
Miscellaneous Edict
The edict that details behaviour outside of the first two edicts, the extras.
A Sentinel must never be captured. You either die fighting or escape.
Changes can be applied to the precepts at any time, and are active in the moment of their addition. Sentinels are required to abide by all future precepts. Only the Exalted Speaker may change the edicts by the will of the Vision.
Be aware of allies and neutral races towards us. Do not provoke them.
Sentinels are not to force their beliefs upon non-Sentinels.
=Relations=
Current Relations
Orcs: Neutral
Dwarves: Neutral
Humans:Neutral
Elves: Neutral
Kha: Good
Halflings: Great
Order of St. Lucien: Excellent
=Application form=
((OOC:
Don't be discouraged if you think your character seems less influential, we consider everyone equally, and everyone can have a place in the Sentinels.
Minecraft Name:
Do you have Skype(Y/N):
How long have you played upon the server:
Ban Reports/Strike Reports made upon you(if any):
IC))
Name(or current alias):
Age(years):
Gender:
Skills and specialities:
Previous organizations(if any):
Desired Position:
Are you willing to take an oath(Yes/No):
Give a small summary upon what you define as balance:
Do you have any specific morals you will not go against:
Choose two traits which you value the most, and detail why. Add a third trait of your own from the list that you value as well.
Honesty, Respect, Honour, Intelligence, Courage, Responsibility,Tenacity
Joining in Person
Anyone may join directly by scheduling a meeting with Exalted Speaker Aret or Realm Adjucant Faiz Kharadeen if they do not wish to fill out a form. A bird is the primary method of contact. However, joining through a meeting requires the agreement of 50% + 1 of all officers within the Sentinels for the decision.
((Either IG bird or a message over the forums will do.))
((Edits: