Introduction
Dear fellow defenders of Solamnia,
Within these covers lie the regulations which keep the Knighthood strong.
It is the responsibility of every Knight to understand the meaning of
Honor, and with this in mind; King Vinas Solamnus put forth a series of
guidelines by which to live. Since that time, that work, called the
'Measure', has been revised, edited, added too, and cut. It now covers 37
large volumes, hardy what one can consider convenient.
With that in mind, I've sat down to write what will be, in comparison, a
handbook of a Knight of Solamnia. Herein lay those things that are most
important to a Knight of Solamnia, albeit, it is advised for every Knight
to understand the Measure in its entirety
I believe the words contained within these pages will help the Knight
understand his responsibility in this world, and what it is he strives for.
Est Solarus Oth Mithas
My Honor is my Life
Lord High Justice Cormac Stormguard di Solanthus, Order of the Rose
(OOC Credits and bibliography)
A multitude of sources went into this work. I derived information for this
text from numerous sourcebooks including the World Book of Krynn, the Book
of the Fifth Age, and The Complete Book of Paladins. Various novels were
also used, including The Legend of Huma, The Oath and the Measure, Dragons
of Summer Flame, and Morte D'Arthur
Were I too thank all the authors who put their heart and soul into these
works I would be writing all day. So basically, I'll simply say that too
everyone who has ever written a story or work on either Dragonlance or
Knights in general, thank you for enriching my life.
And of course, my father, Leslie Wolfswinkel, the most honorable man I ever knew.
A.J. Dembroski
Grandfather Clause
This document contains rules that did not exist in the previous
installment. In a case where a knight holds a rank he is not eligible for,
these new rules do not apply for the duration of the knight holding said
rank. If a knight somehow leaves the position he holds due to the
grandfather clause, he may not again attain the position without meeting
these restrictions.
Some requirements are flagged as "NO GRANDFATHER CLAUSE". In this case, all
knights are required to meet the requirement with all haste or risk losing
the status he has not met the requirement for.
A Note about ColorsScattered throughout this work the reader will encounter text like this.
This practice denotes that the information is presented Out of Character.
Whenever game stats, such as level or class, are discussed, this color will
be used. This text should not be quoted in character.Admission RequirementsLevel: 15
Class: Warrior, Paladin, Cleric, Templar, Ranger
Race: Human or Half-Elf
Background:
Petitioners are required to write a background description on storyboard.
At minimum, this note should establish the character's bloodline and
nationality, but should contain as much information as possible. A
background must be approved by a Solamnic immortal (Kiri-Jolith, Habbakuk,
Shinare or Paladine) before the page can be inducted as a squire. If no
Solamnic Immortal rules on a background within 1 week of its posting,
another Immortal approved by an Implementer may judge the background.
NOTE: Those petitioners whose backgrounds do not establish them as of
Solamnic blood will not be permitted to join the Order of the Sword. Those
petitioners whose backgrounds do not establish them as Nobility will not be
permitted to join the Order of the Rose. If a petitioner writes a
background that restricts them from an Order, the individual should be
informed and permitted the opportunity to rewrite his background if he so
chooses.
Description:
A character's description should include basic details such as hair color
and style, eye color, build, height, and clothing. This must be approved by
a Solamnic Immortal.
Regarding Knighthood:
In order to be considered full members of the Solamnic clan, members must
be knighted. Prior to Knighting, the entrant is considered a squire and is
subject to discharge without trial. Further, the squire may request a
discharge and be granted one without question. Upon being knighted, the
clan member is entitled to a trial before discharge, and has made a
lifetime commitment to the Order and will not be discharged unless proven
guilty of a transgression against the Measure.
History of the Knighthood
The Knights of Solamnia arose during the Age of Dreams, more than two
millennia before the War of Souls. The three Orders of Knighthood emerged
from the remnants of the tyrannical Ergothian Empire to become the most
enduring force for good on Ansalon.
The beginnings of the Knighthood lay with a noble of the oppressive and
wicked court of the Emperor of Ergoth in the year 1801 PC. Vinas Solamnus,
the Praetor of the Imperial Armies, Cavalier of Ergoth, was dispatched to
crush a rebellion in the eastern province of Vingaard. For nearly a year,
Solamnus delivered defeat upon defeat to the under equipped rebels, but
winter brought his campaign to a halt. During this lull he began to examine
the cause of the rebellion and came to empathize with the rebels. Vinas
delivered a rousing speech to his army, and turned their swords on the
Empire.
Solamnus launched a series of campaigns that came to be known as the War of
Ice Tears. The peasant rebels became the bulk of his army, with his
original Ergothian soldiers as the backbone. The rebel army pierced deep
into the heart of the Empire and laid siege to the capital city of
Daltigoth.
Solamnus was able to infiltrate the city and turn the populace against the
Empire, forcing him to sue for peace. The province of Vingaard gained its
independence, and would from then forth be known as Solamnia, for its new
king.
Over the years, yet more people threw off the yoke of Ergothian rule and
wished to join the young nation. Vinas saw this as impossible, the customs
and ideals of the various peoples being too different. With no common
ground on which to unite his new kingdom, Solamnus embarked on what would
come to be known the Quest of Honor.
After weeks of wandering, sailing, and wandering some more, King Solamnus
found himself in a small glade occupied by a great block of black granite.
Solamnus collapsed in a heap, exhausted and near starved from his long
trek. He prayed to Paladine for an answer as tears rolled down his cheeks.
It was then that they Triumvirate revealed themselves. The gods Paladine,
Kiri-Jolith, and Habbakuk gave King Solamnus a vision of the three orders
of knights, each sponsored by one of the Triumvirate. From Habbakuk came
the Order of the Crown, dedicated to the virtues of loyalty and obedience.
From Kiri-Jolith came the Order of the Sword, Knights of great courage and
heroism. From Paladine came the Order of the Rose, dedicated to justice and
honor guided by wisdom. These knights would unite all of the northern lands
with the eastern Solamnic provinces into one great people.
During the vision sent to Vinas Solamnus, the gods of the Triumvirate
changed the piece of black granite into a pillar of pure white crystal.
This blessed and sanctified the glade, sealing the godsâ pact to watch over
the Knighthood. The Whitestone Glade is now the most sacred sight of the
Solamnic Knighthood.
The Knights of Solamnia are now the oldest and most revered order of
chivalry that has ever existed on Krynn. They sprang from humble
beginnings: a couple dozen poor noblemen who helped protect the young
Solamnian nation. In just 20 years time, the order grew to over 700 full
knights, plus thousands of peasant footmen and squires.
The oath of a Solamnic knight, "My Honor is My Life", is well known from
Sancrist to Mithas. The oath is that which a knight is born for, lives for,
and eventually dies for. It is a birthright, and was once the knighthood's
sole guide.
Though most know of the oath, few know much about that which defines it:
The Measure. Often thought of as useless dusty tomes to those who don't
know better, this definition of honor is a sacred text to the Knights of
Solamnia, as indispensable as the oath or a good stout shield.
The Oath
"Est Solarus oth Mithas", or "My Honor is my Life", is the Oath that is the
foundation of knighthood. It is the guiding light for all Knights, an Oath
so simple, yet so all encompassing so as to provide a path in any
conceivable situation. The Virtues of Knighthood, as laid forth by the
Measure, are the foundation of honor.
The Primitive Measure
The first writings that would become "The Solamnic Measure of Knightly
Conduct", or simply 'the Measure', occurred in 1770 PC, about 5 years after
the formation of the Knights of Solamnia. Vinas Solamnus and his knights
agreed that a formal rule must be written to define the behavior of a
knight of Solamnia. Solamnus assembled the highest ranking knights, priests
of the Holy Order of the Stars, and much of the highest echelon of
Solamnian nobility. All met in Jansburg, a small fishing village on the
banks of the Vingaard River. The Grand Master, Lord Fredrick di Lytburg,
had suggested the location due to its seclusion, to assist in keeping the
council on task.
That committee, known as the Jansburg Council, spent 6 miserable days
locked in a cramped room at a local inn. What was actually said is lost,
because no formal transcript was kept. Only the product of the council,
known as the Primitive Measure of Knightly Conduct, can tell us of the
results. The document numbered 74 pages total, and covered such topics as
courtly etiquette, the habit of a knight, and the original virtues of
Knighthood.
Evolution of the Measure
Subsequent generations of Emperors, Churches, and Knightly Councils amended
and added to the original document. At first, the process was slow.
Solamnus and his successors did not take amending the Measure lightly, and
felt that much of a knight's actions should be influenced by his dedication
to Paladine and the gods of good, not the writings of men.
When Emperor Vinas Arianus uth Malik abdicated and abolished the Solamnian
throne the Knighthood was granted autonomy from the general nobility.
Changes to the Measure occurred more frequently under the High Council's
authority. When a new question of honor was presented, the Council would
add its new ruling to the Measure. Whenever a knight required the proper
interpretation of a passage in the Measure, the Council would attempt to
'clarify' the passage by adding to it. Eventually such additions succeeded
not in clarifying, but in confusing future Councils.
By the War of the Lance, the Measure had grown to 37 thick, hardbound
volumes. Every conceivable aspect of the life of a knight was detailed,
including 75 pages devoted to how to properly saddle a horse, and an entire
chapter regarding proper care for one's sword. Clearly, this was too much
instruction for any knight to follow in its entirety.
The Oath Forgotten
So caught up in these rules and laws did the knighthood become that the
spirit of the Oath was lost, replaced by an obsession with keeping to the
precise word of the Measure. Nobody could hope to assimilate all of the
strictures set forth, yet all Knights were expected adhere to them. Prior
to the War of the Lance, most of the elder knights had become convinced
that it was the proper image that would restore the knighthoods glory. In
the minds of these Knights, the Order had to present an outward appearance
of absolute perfection in manor... immaculate courtly grace and flawless
presentation. Through acts of propriety the Knight would shine so brightly
that the people would be blinded to the past, and forget their hatred.
Instead, such strict adherence to the written law created only an unbending
Order, incapable of adapting to new times.
There were other contributions to the downfall of the Oath. During the
turmoil following the War of the Lance, many knights went into hiding, and
many forswore the knighthood altogether. Some of these turned to banditry,
others simply slipped away to start new lives elsewhere. Even to their
families, these men rarely mentioned their former life.
Meanwhile, the knighthood itself continued to crumble from within. When
rules became more important than honor, rank became more important than
duty. Power struggles erupted among the knights, creating factions that did
little but bicker and scheme. It took the ultimate sacrifice by Sir Sturm
Brightblade to quell the internal strife.
Pages
A page is any petitioner to the order who has not yet achieved the
necessary requirements for entry, but has the potential to do so. This
includes those who have yet to display requisite martial skill (level
), complete a formal faith conversion to an appropriate religion (god
change if the petitioner does not worship one of the Triumvirate ), or
have not followed the appropriate path of training
(need to recreate as a permitted class ).
Pages are expected to live up to the same standards as squires in respect
to obedience, but most commands should be intended to guide the page in the
appropriate direction in training.
Pages should be equipped as soon as possible, taught how to level properly,
and informed of what the requirements for entering the knighthood are. Any
page that is unlikely, for any reason, not to qualify to enter the order as
a squire should be asked to remake and provided with everything he needs to
start his journey toward knighthood as soon as possible.Squires and Patrons
Among the most important elements of the Knighthood are its squires.
Squires represent the future of the Order, and need be given full attention
at all times.
Upon entry into the Order, any person joining begins his career as a Squire
of the Crown. They are assigned a Patron Knight, whose responsibility it is
to see that the squire is well trained.
The Patron Knight trains the Squire in all aspects of Knighthood; including
combat, the Measure, upkeep, organization, religion, honor, etc.
In return for this training, the squire owes ultimate fealty to the Patron.
The squire will unquestioningly obey the command of the Patron, and serve
him with loyalty. The squire may be assigned to quite a bit of drudgery
work, but this will serve to install the proper work ethic in the Squire.
It is the Patron's word that makes the Squire a Knight. The Patron shall,
when the squire has completed training, petition a Knightly Council for
knighthood for his squire. The Council will present the squire to the
Knighthood, asking for objections. Should no objections arise, the Squire
is knighted. If there are objections, a trial is held to answer those
charges.
All training is overseen by the High Warrior. He is the only knight
permitted to override a Patron's order, and the only knight permitted to
petition a knightly council without the patron's approval.
Any petitioner must have reached 100% in all of his class's key skills,
while reaching at least 85% in all secondary skills, in order to be
knighted. He must also have his class's minimum natural hit points per
level. Though the High Warrior or patron knight may ask more of the squire
to attain knighthood, a Knightly Council may not approve any squire for
knighthood who has not met these requirements.Knighting Ceremony
In order to attain knighthood a squire must have completed all required
tasks set by the Measure and his patron. The patron (or the High Warrior in
his stead) must submit a petition for knighthood to the High Council. Upon
the Council's next meeting, they will decide the young knight's fitness for
Knighthood.
Prior to Knighting, the Council shall permit an opportunity for anyone who
has reason for the squire not to be knighted to come forth. If no questions
are raised, and the petitioner has met all requirements of squirehood, he
is inducted into the Order of the Crown, granted ennoblement, and given the
rank of Knight Postulant.
All squires shall be knighted at a properly sanctified place, such as the
Whitestone Glade, a temple of one of the Triumvirate, or the chapel. If the
Council is held in the meeting hall, the knightings shall be conducted
after all other business is completed and the congregated have been moved
to the chapel.
Proper knighting ceremony begins with a prayer by the ranking Knight
Clerist present, calling upon the Triumvirate to bless the proceedings. The
highest ranking knight present will conduct the ceremony further, asking
that all of the squires kneel. The squires will be asked to then to draw
their swords.
While still kneeling, but with head up, each squire shall draw his sword
and hold it in his right hand with the hilt over the heart and the blade
vertical. The presiding knight will then lead the squires in the Oath of
Ennoblement, as follows:
"I do hereby pledge to honor the strictures of this sacred heritage and
promise by my faith to be loyal to the Holy Brotherhood of Solamnic
Knights, maintaining my devotion against all persons without deception or
forethought. Further, I vow to uphold the principles of loyalty, obedience,
courage, heroism, justice, and honor and to solemnly and faithfully follow
the edicts of the Triumvirate. I take this pledge freely, without coercion
or expectation of reward, sworn in this holy place before our lords
Paladine, Kiri-Jolith, and Habbakuk, and in blessed memory of those who
have given their lives to this noble cause. Est Solarus oth Mithas, sifat."
Each squire shall then bow their head and hold their sword by the blade
with the hilt offered toward the presiding knight. The presiding knight, if
a practical number of squires are present, takes each squire's sword and
taps him on each shoulder with the blade. If too many squires are present
to permit this, the presiding knight may use his own sword, or request that
the squires hold a formal salute to the holy symbol of Paladine.
The presiding knight then directs the squires to rise as Knights of
Solamnia. This concludes the ceremony.
Orders of Knighthood
The Solamnic Knighthood is divided into three Orders, each of which has its
own role and purpose. Contrary to popular belief, no Order outranks
another, though a knight of a higher order who holds the equivalent rank
does hold sway when necessary. For example, while a Sergeant of the Sword
(clan level 4) outranks a Sergeant of the Crown (clan level 4),
Steward of the Crown (clan level 5) still outranks that Sergeant of
the Sword (again, clan 4). This means that order, as applied to rank,
is nothing more than a tie breaker, and even then that does not apply in
the case of High Knights, who are considered equals.
Knights of the Crown
All Knights begin their careers in the Order of the Crown. Crown Knights
emphasize the virtues of Loyalty and Obedience (see "virtues"). They are
often used as home guards and standing armies, while other Orders have
responsibilities that require them to spend a good deal of time away from
combat. A Knight of the Crown should be always ready to fight, never
letting down their guard. It is left to other orders to see to the
administration, foreign affairs, and more mundane aspects of Knighthood.
When the Knighthood meets and marches, the Order of the Crown takes its
place on the left of any formation, signifying its place as the Shield of
the Knighthood.
Defenders of the Crown
Defenders of the Crown are those knights who have dedicated themselves to
the Order of the Crown. These Knights commit to remain faithful to the
Order and not seek membership in any higher order, and thus have special
duties and responsibilities.
In peacetime, a Defender acts as constabulary within Solamnic lands. He is
investigator and law enforcer, tracking criminals and bringing them to
justice. For minor crimes that he witnesses, or can otherwise prove, he is
trusted to act as judge, jury, and executioner.
In wartime, the Defenders act as garrison troops in the Solamnic homeland.
While the knighthood is multinational, spanning the breadth of Ansalon, the
Defenders have taken solemn oaths to defend Solamnia first and foremost.
A Defender of the Crown must be a Warrior, Monk, or Ranger. By joining
the order, he immediately gains a 1 rank promotion and outranks all
non-defender Crown Knights of the same clan level. Becoming a Defender is a
lifetime commitment and no Defender may petition for entry into the Order
of the Sword.
Note that the above class restrictions apply only to the Defenders of the
Crown, not to the Order of the Crown as a whole. Any class permitted into
the Knighthood may remain in the Order of the Crown.Knights of the Sword
When the Knighthood goes to war, it is the Order of the Sword who leads the
assault on foreign lands. Knights of the Sword are most active in seeking
out evil, confronting it where it lives, and destroying it. Where as Crown
Knights focus on defending Solamnic territories, the Sword Knights focus on
freeing other people from the grips of tyrannical rule.
When the Knighthood meets or marches, the Order of the Sword takes its
place on the right side of the formation, signifying its place as the sword
arm of the Knighthood.
The Order of Clerists
Knight Clerists are those Knights of the Sword who have dedicated
themselves to the spiritual growth of the Knighthood. The most pious of
Knights join this order, and foreswear any right to petition for
advancement into the Order of the Rose. They are Clerists for life.
In peacetime, a Knight Clerist acts as priest to the Knighthood, and the
martial arm of the Holy Order of Light.
In wartime, Knight Clerists take up the role of Hospitaller, caring for the
infirm and those knights and soldiers who have taken wounds on the
battlefield.
A Knight Clerist must be a Cleric, Paladin, or Templar. By joining the
order, he immediately gains a 1 rank promotion and outranks all non-Clerist
Sword Knights of the same clan level. Becoming a Clerist is a lifetime
commitment and no Clerist may petition for entry into the Order of the Rose
or be nominated to hold the rank of High Warrior. The High Clerist must be
drawn from the Order of Clerists.
Note that the above class restrictions apply only to the Order of Clerists,
not to the Order of the Sword as a whole. Any class permitted into the
Knighthood may petition to join the Order of the Sword.Knights of the Rose
Knights of the Rose are rare, and are often the elders of the knighthood.
Rose Knights take up many of the more mundane duties of Knighthood, such as
managing land, taxing its residents, and hearing civil dispute. Rose
Knights participate in world affairs, diplomacy, and make up the advisory
council to the High Council. Considering this important role, it's no
wonder most believe that it is the Rose Knights who lead all other Orders.
When the Knighthood meets or marches, the Order of the Rose aligns itself
at the center of the formation, signifying its role as the heart of the
Order.
The Rose Knight's Council
While the High Council is, indeed, the supreme governing body of the
Knighthood, the authors of the Measure saw it as prudent that the writers
of the rule not be the same as the appliers of the law, and hence
established the Rose Knight's council. Members of the Rose Knight's Council
have dedicated themselves to the Order of the Rose and the Virtue of
Justice.
In peacetime, the Rose Knight's Council oversees trial and discipline both
within the Knighthood and within the nation of Solamnia. They act as the
judicial branch of the Solamnian governing body.
In Wartime, the Rose Knight's Council manages relations with foreign
powers, negotiating treaties, alliances, and advising the High Council on
matters of war.
A Council member must be a Paladin or Templar. By joining the order, he
immediately gains a 1 rank promotion and outranks all non-Councilor Rose
Knights of the same clan level. Becoming a Councilor is a lifetime
commitment and no Councilor may be nominated to hold the rank of High
Warrior or High Clerist.
Note that the above class restrictions apply only to the Rose Knight's
Council, not to the Order of the Rose as a whole. Any class permitted into
the Knighthood may petition to join the Order of the Rose.Rank and Promotion
The rank structure of the Knights of Solamnia remains unchanged since the
time of Vinas Solamnus. He laid down the ranks of the three Orders and
based them loosely on the hierarchy of the Cavaliers of Ergoth, the order
from which Solamnus himself came. The hierarchy of the Knighthood is
unofficially divided into three groups: novitiate, those who are new to an
Order; officers, those who directly command troops in battle; and lord
officers, the generals and strategists of the Knighthood. A squire of the
Crown is not officially considered part of the Knighthood and therefore
does not hold a military rank among the Knights.
Novitiates are those who are generally new to an Order. A novitiate may be
an experienced knight, such as one who has recently become a Rose Knight,
but he is still learning his new role. The first rank held by a Knight of
the Crown is that of Knight Postulant. No other Order has this rank, as a
postulant is newly knighted and, while he has proven himself worthy of
Knighthood, has yet to serve in any significant manor. Postulant is a rank
rarely held for long, as most soon prove themselves worthy of promotion.
Some knights never hold this rank, proving themselves while still squires.
Above Crown Postulant is the rank of Knight. This is the first rank held in
all three Orders. Knights are the backbone of the Knighthood and the
largest percentage of Solamnic Knights hold this rank. The rank of Knight
Officer is the rank at which a Knight is first placed in a leadership role.
He is typically placed in a company as second-in-command. A Knight Officer
is called a Sergeant of his Order.
When a knight becomes an officer, he has proven himself capable of leading
others. A Knight's first real command is held at the rank of Subcaptain.
Subcaptains are called Stewards of their Order. A steward is given command
of a company, usually made up of 1 knight and 5 men-at-arms. If a Knight
wishes to advance from the Order of the Crown to the Order of the Sword, or
from the Order of the Sword to the Order of the Rose, it is usually done
before advancing beyond Steward. Once a Knight reaches the rank of Captain,
he has usually decided to stay in the Order he currently serves. A Knight
who holds the rank of captain is called a Captain of his Order, and is
placed in command of a regiment, which is usually 5 companies, around
thirty men. A compgroup is made up of seven regiments, which is around 210
men, and is led by a Knight with the rank of Commander. A Commander is
known as a Warden of his Order.
Once a Knight is raised in rank above Warden, he is a lord officer. It is
at these ranks where a Knight is placed in command of thousands of Knights
and leaders whole armies on the field of battle. The lowest of the lord
officer ranks is that of Warrior Lord. A warrior lord is called a Marshal
of his Order. A marshal usually leads a shield, or five compgroups, more
than 1,000 men. A Lord Knight, called a Lord of his Order, commands a
quadron, made up of four shields, or more than 4,000 men. There are only a
handful of Lord Knights at any one time, depending on the strength of the
Knighthood. Above the Lord Knights are the three High Knights. The High
Warrior commands the Knights of the Crown, The Knights of the Sword are
lead by the High Clerist, and the Rose Knights are lead by the High
Justice. Each High Knight commands the army of his Order. At full strength,
each army consists of 6 quadrons (24,000 men); however, the Knighthood has
not been at full strength since before the Cataclysm.
At the head of the Knighthood is the Grand Master, who personally commands
the Grand Circle of Knights on Sancrist. He is also the supreme military
commander of the Knights, leading all three armies through the High
Knights.
Promotion is handled by the High Knights alone, and only within their
order. No other knight is authorized to promote other knights without the
express permission of their High Knight.
High Knights may issue standing orders that their recruiters may promote
within the order, or may authorize a certain specific recruiter to handle
promotions, but this will vary from High Knight to High Knight and that
decision is reserved for the High Knight alone.
Note of etiquette: It is considered extremely bad form to ask for or demand
a promotion, even if "only joking". Doing so will likely slow your progress
through the ranks. A few have even been expelled from the Knighthood for
this.
The Grand Master may promote within any order, though common usage of this
right is discouraged.
Occasionally, a knight might be charged with the position of "acting" high
knight or Grand Master. This is always when there is a vacancy and the
order is unable to fulfill the minimum number of votes for a legal
election. The acting High Knight has all of the authority of a real High
Knight except that he can be overruled within his order by either both
other real high knights or the Grand Master. An Acting Grand Master may not
promote within any order except his own, and does not hold veto power over
the High Council.Advancement
"Advancement" as opposed to "promotion" is going from one Order to the
next, rather than from rank to rank. Not every knight has the goal of
achieving the level of Knight of the Rose, but with advancement comes
prestige, and a change in role.
For a Knight to be able to advance through the Orders of Knighthood, from
Crown Knight to Sword Knight or Sword Knight to Rose Knight, the Measure
states that he must undertake a quest to prove himself worthy. This is
known as the Quest of Virtue. During the quest, the knight must uphold the
virtues espoused by the Knights of Solamnia (see "virtues").
When a Knight wishes to advance, he must first reach the appropriate level
of martial skill (level 50 to advance from Crown to Sword, 75 to advance
from Sword to Rose), then present himself before a knightly council. If
advancing to the Order of the Sword, the council must include at least one
Knight Marshal of the Sword and Crown or higher (i.e. recruiters). If
advancing to the Order of the Rose, the council must include at least one
Knight Marshal of the Rose and Sword or higher. If the council does not
have the proper membership, the Knight must wait until the council contains
the proper representation.
The knightly council reviews the candidate's actions during his time in the
knighthood. If his actions are found acceptable, the Knight is given a
quest. If the Knight feels he was misrepresented or unjustly found wanting
in his actions, he may take up the matter before the council. The Knight's
quest will not be given until the matter is resolved.
The quest is the final determining factor in whether the knight will be
advanced. According to the Measure, the quest is a witnessed deed of
heroism and valor that upholds the virtues of Knighthood. When the Knight
has completed his quest, he returns to the knightly council with evidence
that his trial has been a success. If the quest is not witnessed and there
is not irrefutable evidence, the knight's advancement is denied.
Advancement will also be denied if witnesses report the Knight did not act
according to the virtues of knighthood. As always, the Knight has the right
to answer his accusers before the Council.
The quest itself is at the discretion of the presiding council, but usually
includes one major goal along with three minor goals. Minor goals are
usually broad, such as uphold the Virtue of Courage, and it is left to the
Knight to judge what fulfills that goal.
The major goal will always involve a journey of some kind, just as Vinas
Solamnus and Huma Dragonbane both traveled far in search of their quarry.
At the end of this trek, there will be some challenge, such as defeating a
Knight of Neraka in single combat, rescuing a kidnapped child from the lair
of a chromatic dragon, or freeing a town from the grips of a despotic
ruler.
When the Knight presents his case before the Council, and all witnesses
have been heard and evidence presented, the Council shall discuss, in
private, the fate of the knight. If the knight meets the prowess
requirements (level), then he must only gain approval from the
representative of his Order and the Order he seeks to enter. However, a
unanimous vote from all three Order representatives and the Grand Master
can override this requirement (allowing someone who does not meet level
requirements to advance).
Should the council unanimously find that some deeds done prior to the
Knight petitioning for advancement fulfill all requirements for the Quest
of Virtue, the assigned quest can be waived and the Council may proceed to
voting on the Knight's acceptance into the new order.
Virtues
Virtues are traits that exemplify the highest standards of morality,
decency and duty. They comprise the Knight's personal code.
Though all Knights adhere to all of the virtues described below, the
Measure is split into three sections, each Order concentrating on a
particular section. Some virtues are not tied to an Order at all; those
appear at the end of this list
- The Measure of the Crown: Loyalty and Obedience
Loyalty and Obedience epitomize the Knights of the Crown.
Loyalty is unquestioning faithfulness to the cause of a higher power.
Knights of the Crown view loyalty as a tribute to be justly and voluntarily
rendered.
The Order of the Crown renders loyalty to the order's founding god
Habbakuk, to those who, by decree of the Knightly Council, deserve the
knight's protection, and to those who suffer under Evil's weight.
Obedience is the practical manifestation of Loyalty. A Knight of the Crown
unquestioningly obeys those on the List of Loyalty, a list of rulers
compiled by the Knightly Council who deserve the loyalty and obedience of
the Knighthood.
The specific responsibilities of a Knight of the Crown include tithing
income, aiding any knight who requires help, and service to the nations and
leaders on the List of Loyalty.
- The Measure of the Sword: Courage and Heroism
Knights of the Sword act as warriors for the gods of Good, upholding the
purest ideals of heroism and courage.
Heroism is the self-sacrificial fight for the cause of Good. Heroic deeds
include strengthening the weak, enriching the poor, freeing the enslaved,
exonerating the falsely accused, championing the defenseless, and aiding
fellow knights in need.
Courage is the readiness to die honorably in the fight for Good. Courageous
acts include facing evil fearlessly, defending the honor of the knighthood,
defending the honor of a fellow knight, and protecting the defenseless and
weak.
A Knight of the Sword must surrender all personal wealth to the Knightly
Coffers (save what is needed for upkeep), pay homage to Kiri-Jolith and the
gods of Good each day, eagerly engage evil opponents in combat (not
retreating regardless of the enemy's strength), protecting the weak and
defenseless, and forswear use of knightly powers for unrighteous reasons.
- The Measure of the Rose: Honor, Justice, and Wisdom
The Order of the Rose embraces honor guided by justice and wisdom.
Honor is the allegiance to one's Oath to defend the cause of Good.
Honorable deeds include sacrificing oneself for the sake of others,
refusing to surrender to, or ally with, an evil foe, defending the
knighthood to death, protecting the lives of fellow knights, and living
true to the Oath in all matters.
Justice is the heart of the Measure, and the soul of a Rose Knight: to
render to everyone- creature, person, or god- his or her due. Just acts
include aiding those who are less fortunate, donating all wealth to the
Knightly coffers (save that which is needed for personal upkeep),
worshipping and obeying Paladine and the gods of Good, fighting injustice
with courage and commitment, and seeing no life is wasted or sacrificed in
vain.
Wisdom is the prudent use of one's abilities and resources to uphold honor
and render justice.
- Courtesy
To a Knight, courtesy involves more than merely following the rules of
etiquette. It's also an attitude, a way of presenting himself to the world.
A Knight carries himself proudly, maintains self-control, and accepts ill-
mannered behavior with grace. He follows social customs to the best of his
ability. He is polite and deferential to friends and strangers alike.
- Generosity
The Knight gladly shares his meager funds and belongings with anyone in
need. If he owns two swords and an elderly hunter has none, the Knight
offers one as a gift. He will give his last crust of bread to a hungry
child, even if he must go without food for the rest of the day. He is also
generous of spirit, always willing to lend an ear to a troubled companion
or acknowledge a friend's accomplishments with lavish praise.
- Industry
The Knight engages in productive activity at all times. He works diligently
and hard until he completes the job at hand. When not working, he studies,
exercises, or practices his combat skills. He considers leisure activities,
small talk, and vacations to be time-wasting folly.
The Knight will not, however, work himself do death. Rest is essential to
continued productivity, and with such in mind, the Knight shall take time
out of each week in which to relax and rest his body and mind.
- Honesty
A Knight always tells the truth as he knows it. He may decline to speak or
choose to withhold information, but he will never intentionally mislead
anyone, even his enemies. He may ask permission not to answer a direct
question, but if pressed, he'll tell the truth (however, he may frame his
answers in a way as to withhold vital information if necessary). Though a
Knight doesn't make promises lightly, once he gives his word, he always
keeps it.
Strictures
Of chief importance to a Knight of Solamnia are his strictures, a set of
inviolable rules that the Knight must follow at all times.
- Ethos
A Knight must maintain standing in the eyes of Paladine and the gods of
Good. This requirement means that a Knight is sworn to promote and exhibit
Goodness and Order in all facets of his life.
The heart of this ethos is the belief in a system of laws that promotes the
welfare of all members of society, ensures their safety, and guarantees
justice.
- Magic
A Knight rejects the unholy magic of the mage: That which is exhibited by
those of the robed orders of the Conclave, and those that said conclave
calls 'Renegades'. A Knight is not to be outright cruel to such
individuals, but is advised to avoid contact with such persons. Sometimes
contact is unavoidable, and this should be judged on a case by case basis.
- Wealth
A Knight has no interest in wealth for its own sake. He seeks spiritual
rather than material satisfaction, derived from serving his faith and his
Order to the best of his ability.
Still, the Knight recognizes that a certain amount of money is necessary to
survive. Rather than forego money altogether, he retains enough wealth to
meet his worldly obligations and sustain a modest lifestyle.
Edicts
Edicts include commands, instructions, and traditions a Knight is pledged
to obey.
A Knight doesn't choose which edicts to follow; rather, he pledges to
follow any and all edicts issued by the Knighthood and his patron Knight.
- Religion
A Knight of Solamnia is the mortal representation of Paladine, Kiri-Jolith,
and Habbakuk. As such, a Knight acts in a way that honors the triumvirate,
and all of the gods of Good.
A Knight acts to defend the faith in the gods of Good, defending their
values, and acting as the military branch of the church.
- Patrons and Squires
Knights who have been assigned a Patron Knight owe fealty to that patron.
In return, the Patron Knight owes responsibility toward to Squire.
A Patron Knight may assign regular tests to measure the squire's
intelligence, integrity, or skill at arms.
The Squire is responsible for care of the Patron in old age.
The bond between Patron and Squire never ends, and the relationship between
these two is of utmost importance. This bond should never be betrayed.
- Order
A Knight of Solamnia has pledged fealty to the Knighthood as a whole, and
must follow the Order's edicts.
A Knight performs military service when he is called upon.
A Knight donates the use of his stronghold for any legitimate purpose.
This includes, but is not limited to, housing soldiers, entertaining
government guests, storing supplies, and military purposes.
Temporarily loan hired help and servitors
Knightly Council
The term Knightly Council refers to any body of knights authorized to
oversee trials, tests, and questions of knighthood or honor, as a
judgmental body. It is important to understand the difference between a
Knightly Council, the Whitestone Council, and the Rose Knight's Council.
A Knightly Council can be formed to hear a knight's trial. A council is
made up of three members, one from each Order, all of at least the rank of
Marshal (clan level 8). If necessary, a High Knight may appoint a knight
not of Lord Knight to act in a Lord Knight's stead. Even then, the knight
must have attained the rank of Captain (clan level 6).
Knightly Councils generally oversee mundane operations of knightly circles
on a day to day basis. Most trials are conducted by Knightly Councils,
while the most contentious are often appealed to the Rose Knight's Council.
The Whitestone Council
The Whitestone Council is not a judiciary body, like the Rose Knight's
Council and most Knightly Councils. Also, unlike Knightly Councils, they
are not temporary bodies brought together for a specific purpose. The
Whitestone Council is the administrative and legislative branch of the
Solamnic Knighthood.
The Whitestone Council is sometimes referred too as the Council of Four,
the Knightly High Council, or the Grand Circle. Its members are the High
Knights of each Order plus the Grand Master of the Solamnic Knighthood.
The Whitestone Council oversees advancement between orders, and knighting,
as well as changes in law, and amendments to the Measure. The council can
convene as a judicial body because, minus the Grand Master, it does qualify
as a Knightly Council.
Whitestone Elections
Elections can be called for by any Lord Knight when a Whitestone Council
position (High Warrior, High Clerist, High Justice, or Grand Master) is
open. The Lord Knight need not be in the same Order as the opening. It is
the responsibility of the Lord Knight to inform the electorate of every
Knight eligible for election to the position.
While any active Knight may attain the position of Grand Master, there are
certain requirements in the other Orders. First, a Knight must have been or
currently be a member of the Order he or she wishes to lead. A Sword
Knight, for example, may not become High Justice, but may accept the
position of High Warrior.
An active knight is one who has maintained an average of no less than 4
hours per week over the course the two months prior to the election. Should
any knight be absent for 30 consecutive days prior to be elected but before
being declared High Knight, his election is declared invalid and a new
election may be held.
In all elections, there must be at least a period of one week permitted for
voting, although the period may be longer. No Knight may claim victory in
an election until at least one week has passed.
An election is not considered valid unless a quorum has been reached. The
quorum is 3 votes for any High Knight position, and 9 votes for the
position of Grand Master.
All positions on the Whitestone Council are held for life, unless the
entire Council save the member in question votes to replace the Knight.
The Knighthood's immortals reserve the right to declare a Council member
inactive, by the above definition, and call for a new election. However, if
no election can be held for whatever reason, the inactive knight officially
holds the position until a knight can be elected to replace him.High Warrior
The High Warrior is the commander of the Order of the Crown. He is
responsible for promotions within that order, and must approve of any
knight's petition to advance out of the Order and into the Order of the
Sword.
The High Warrior's primary responsibilities include oversight of squires
and training, planning and preparations against any possible invasions of
the Solamnic homeland, and leadership against invading armies.
The High Warrior is elected by the Order of the Crown. At least three votes
must be received, and squires may not vote. Any Knight who is or has been a
member of the Order of the Crown may be elected High Warrior except those
who have committed themselves to the Order of Clerists or Rose Knight's
Council. The position is held for life, or until the entire Whitestone
Council agrees that the position must be refilled.
High Clerist
The High Clerist is the commander of the Order of the Sword. He is
responsible for promotions within that order and must approve of any
knight's petition to advance into the Order of the Sword from the Order of
the Crown, or any knight's petition to advance out of the Order of the
Sword into the Order of the Rose.
The High Clerist must be drawn from the Order of Clerists.
The High Clerist is the spiritual leader of the Solamnic Knighthood and is
responsible for the oversight of all religious ceremony conducted by the
Knighthood. Further, he is the commander of all offensive assaults into
foreign territory.
The High Clerist is elected by the Order of the Sword. At least three votes
must be received. Any member of the Order of Clerists is eligible to be
elected High Clerist. The position is held for life, or until the entire
Whitestone Council agrees that the position must be refilled.
High Justice
The High Justice is the commander of the Order of the Rose. He is
responsible for promotions within that order and must approve of any
knight's petition to advance from the Order of the Sword into the Order of
the Rose.
The High Justice must be drawn from the Rose Knight's Council.
The High Justice is the supreme judge and lawyer in Solamnia and is
responsible for overseeing the disciplinary structure within the knighthood
as well as the legal system in Solamnia. He heads the Rose Knight's Council
and selects which justices will sit on which courts. Additionally, the High
Justice is the chief ambassador and diplomat for the Solamnic Knighthood.
The High Justice is elected by the Order of the Rose. At least three votes
must be received. Any member of the Rose Knight's Council is eligible to be
elected High Justice. The position is held for life, or until the entire
Whitestone Council agrees that the position must be refilled.
Grand Master
The Grand Master is the Commander-in-Chief of the Solamnic Knighthood and
supreme executive officer. He is responsible for oversight of the entire
knighthood and all operations there in. He is also the ruler of the nation
of Solamnia in the absence of a King.
The Grand Master is elected by the knighthood as a whole. At least nine
votes must be received. Any Knight of Solamnia is eligible to be elected
Grand Master. The position is held for life, or until the entire Whitestone
Council agrees that the position must be refilled.
Law and Amendment
Bills may be submitted to the Whitestone Council by any knight. The
Whitestone Council votes as a whole with the Grand Master acting as
speaker. The Grand Master has no vote, but has the option to veto any law
passed by the council unless the vote was unanimous.
Amendments to the Measure must be approved by a unanimous vote, and then
approved by at least 2/3rds of the knighthood as a whole. A minimum of 9
notes must be cast for this vote to be considered.
Overall, the Knighthood's leadership structure is very similar to that of
the United States federal government. The Whitestone Council acts as the
legislative branch, very similar to the role of Congress. The Grand Master
can be equated to the President, including his position as Commander in
Chief and veto power. The Rose Knight's Council acts as the Supreme Court,
where challenges to interpretations to the Measure are heard.List of Loyalty
The List of Loyalty, compiled by the Rose Knight's Council and approved by
the Whitestone Council, is a list of nations and organizations that the
Knighthood agrees to help protect. This is not a political process; these
groups must be viewed as good and in line with the values of the
Knighthood. Nations must treat their citizens with respect and permit
freedom. Organizations must be committed to a cause in line with the cause
of the Knighthood.
Members of the List of Loyalty owe no allegiance to the Knights of Solamnia
and do not necessarily have a military trespass treaty or formal alliance.
The High Council is not permitted to ask a nation a return favor for being
on the List of Loyalty.
When a member of a clan on the List of Loyalty is attacked, it is the
responsibility of the Knights of the Crown to drop anything they are doing
to help if at all possible, within Player Killing rules. Knights of the
Sword and Rose are encouraged to do the same, but are not required. In
wartime, Knights of the Crown who control units should make every effort to
ensure that regions within nations on the List of Loyalty do not fall into
enemy hands.List of Honor
The List of Honor is a list of Knights whose lives are an inspiration to
other Knights. Knights are added on an annual basis, and no more than 3
Knights may be added per year.
At the December monthly meeting, the council shall compile a list of
deserving ex members and submit the list to the mud as a whole. Each player
on the mud is permitted one ballot, on which he can list 3 choices. Any
knight who is both in the top three in total votes and appears on at least
60% of the total ballots is inducted onto the List of Honor. The deadline
for votes is the first day of the new year.
To remove a Knight from the List of Honor requires 4 votes from the High
Council and the approval of all Solamnic immortals. For this reason, the
Council is encouraged to focus on submitting the names of inactive or
retired Knights who hold little chance of being dishonored.
The Current List of Honor
Lord MacFie
Lord Bharish Merties
Lord Demilon
Role Play
Role play is an expected part of life as a Solamnic Knight on AnsalonMud.
Every character is expected to spend the majority of his or her time in
character, even if nothing extraordinary is occurring. Small talk and
everyday conversation is a great way to explore the depths of your and
other people's characters. As a ten year player on Ansalon, I have
harvested some of the greatest friendships I have via role play, with great
knights such as Demilon, MacFie, Bharish, Xenith, Xethan, and countless
others, all of which I came to know through in character interaction as
Denbrook and Dirketh.
This section is intended to help you better develop your character into his
own personae. While many players prefer to play characters as extensions of
themselves, the best role players are able to incorporate elements outside
of their own personalities to create truly unique characters that they grow
to cherish. I strive to inject something new into each of my characters,
and because of that, each of them have a special place in my heart, and I
remember them all fondly, but for different reasons. Dirketh, a wise and
grandfatherly old knight; his son Denbrook, a stern and commanding soldier;
Derrick, driven and ambitious; Thomas, light hearted and roguish; Drekar,
scheming and isolationist. Each of these characters were Knights of
Solamnia, and strove to live up the the Oath and the Measure, but each had
his own way of pursuing his goals.
In this section I will outline knightly archtypes and personality traits
that can be incorporated into a concept to create a more complete picture
in your mind. I will outline some of the more abstract aspects of how the
knighthood is run, and also explore some cultural aspects of the knighthood
and Solamnia in general. Please do not interpret this is as a how-to
section, none of this information is required or even all that important;
it is simply a place to start if you are hard pressed to find a direction
for your knight to take to make him or her stand out from the crowd.
Remember: the Knighthood is thousands strong, with tens of thousands of
Auxiliary members who don't even rank as squires. This fact alone
establishes you as something special. The very fact that you are a PC means
that your character is someone with the potential to be legendary. PCs make
up a tiny percentage of knights; the Sturm Brightblades, the Huma
Dragonbanes, the Vinas Solamnuses, and the Jaymes Markhams. Think big in
your goals, and establish a character with the drive accomplish them.
Naming Conventions
Traditionally, Solamnic names are very simple, though widely varied. The
lands of Solamnia are vast, occupying a full quarter of the entire
continent of Ansalon. Thus, names very by region. So don't be too concerned
about what kind of first name you give a character. Chances are it will
make sense somewhere in Solamnia. I like to stick to traditional English
and French names, which have a sort of knightly ring to them (Reynald,
Jacques, Thomas, Stephan, Duncan). Irish and Scottish names also sound very
good with the Sir prefix (Connel, Cormac, Tristan, William). Indeed, any
western European name is very well suited.
The difficult part begins after that; the surname. There are traditionally
four forms of surnames in Solamnia: those that indicate lineage, those that
indicate origin, those that indicate occupation, and those that are simply
nicknames.
The first, and most common, is simply the use of the prefix 'uth'. Uthâ
translates directly from old Solamnic to "Son Of" but has come to mean
"daughter of" or "ancestor of" as well. While usually uth precedes the name
of a knight's father, a particularly prominent name might be passed down
for several generations, or even made the family's permanent surname, as in
the uth Wistan family. While Stephen's son Jeffrey might introduce himself
as "Jeffrey uth Stephan", if Jeffrey's grandfather Tristan was a high
ranking and highly respected Knight of the Rose, Jeffrey may chose to
continue the use of that surname, "Jeffrey uth Tristan". In formal writing
knights will often call back two generations, and Jeffrey would sign his
name "Sir Jeffrey uth Stephan uth Tristan". Note that knights of Ergothian
lineage might use the apâ prefix rather than uth. Additionally, a family
who chooses to adopt a member's name as a permanent surname for all
ancestors to adopt may change uthâ to the traditional, Mar, meaning "of the
house of", so "Jeffrey MarStephan" would be "Jeffrey of the house of
Stephan", or simply, "of House Stephan". By contrast, many families drop
the prefix altogether, simply adopting the surname, such as in Jaymes
Markham.
The second manor of surnaming indicates place of origin. The place can be
specific, such as di Solanthusâ, indicating a specific city, or general, as
in di Heartlundâ, indicating an entire province. It can also indicate a
landmark, castle, or even something vague, such as "of the hills". If it is
a specific place, such as a castle, city, or province, the prefix "di"
(meaning 'of' or 'from') is often used. The "di" is dropped if the
individual is of the area's ruling family (the duke of Solanthus would
simply be called "Solanthus", not "di Solanthus", while other knights from
that town would retain the "di". This applies to those knights who either
rule the designated area, or are in direct lineage of the ruler, such as a
son or grandson, but not family members who are not potential heirs, like
cousins or uncles).
The third manor of naming is less common among knights than it is among the
general populace, and that is using occupation. Often it is translated into
Old Solamnic, ancient Ergot, or ancient Istarian, but the meaning still
relays the same message. Many surnames, such as Porter (one who transports
goods), Smith (one who forges things from metal), and Thatcher (one who
repairs thatch roofs) sometimes make their way into the Knighthood, but few
remain there long before one of the other naming conventions supplant it.
The final, and often most prestigious, manor of gaining a surname is
through nicknames. Often a nickname will remain with a family for many
generations, eventually being adopted as a permanent surname. Tallbow,
Brightblade, Stormguard, Pathwarden and other names that seem to bare some
special meaning fall into this category. Sometimes, such as in the case of
Aaron Tallbow, and exceptional archer who was killed when he accompanied
the Heroes of the Lance in recovering the Dragon Orb at the Ice Wall, are
only around for a single generation as a nickname for that knight alone.
Others, such as in the case of the Brightblades, are earned by one member,
and passed on to a deserving heir. If a third generation also earns the
nickname, it can be expected to remain for quite some time in honor of the
family's honored past. Other nicknames are simply matters of convenience.
If two John's grow up in the same village, the village will attempt to
differentiate between the two by granting one or both a nickname. This is
usually a very simple name, such as "Big John" and "Little John", or "John
the Tall" and "John the Short".
Sources and Credits
This document is researched and compiled by A.J. Dembroski (Kiri-Jolith)
with contributions from Mike Kelly (Saige).
Many sources went into the creation of this document, many of them things I
referenced from my own head. Some of the above is referenced verbatim from
the source, but most is either revised or original words. Many events,
histories, added details, etc. are places were I took the liberty of
expanding on the written material where gaps existed, notably the History
of the Measure, which is a completely original article (that was once
featured on dragonlance.com and dl3e.com until they started requiring
precise references due to Wizards of the Coast's policy toward fanfic).
Nevertheless, there are those sources I can directly credit, and shall here
with title and author where available.
"Knightly Orders of Ansalon", D&D v.3.5 sourcebook, published by Sovereign
Press, written by Sean Everette, Nicole Harsch, Clark Valentine, and
Trampas Whiteman
"Dragonlance Campaign Setting", D&D v.3.5 sourcebook, published by Wizards
of the Coast, written by Margaret Weis, Don Perrin, Jamie Chambers, and
Christopher Coyle
"The Complete Paladin's Handbook", AD&D 2nd Edition rule supplement,
published by TSR, written by Rick Swan
"World Book of Ansalon" from the "Tales of the Lance" boxed set, AD&D 2nd
edition campaign setting, published by TSR, written by John Terra and
Harold Johnson
"Dragonlance Adventures", AD&D campaign sourcebook, published by TSR,
written by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis
"Le Morte dâArthur", the original legends of King Arthur and Camalot,
written by Sir Thomas Malory
Much of the inspiration for this document comes from "The Primitive French
Rule", which was the real world version of the Measure, written by various
Catholic Church leaders to guide the Knights of the Temple, or Templars.
Version History
v 1.0: Original online version of the Measure
v 2.0: Complete rewrite
v 2.01: Minor spelling correction
v 2.1: Several spelling corrections, some parsing issues, clarifying history
v 2.11: Minor spelling corrections, several updated passages, removed out-of-place
lines, reworded several confusing passages (Thanks Chemosh). Added version history
directly to document, added color and bold parsing for website.
Changed "High Council" to "Whitestone Council" for ease and clarity.
Added future plans section
v 2.12: Added more parsing
v 2.13: Added intro and naming conventions to RP section, moved that section
to the end of the document
v 2.2 Added Whitestone Elections section
Future Plans
Not by priority
Complete knight's RP guide
Add transgression and penalty section for trials
Reorganize for ease of reference
Add table of contents
Once a fairly complete, add to mud as object
Add "Dragon Rider" stuff
Add specific list of HP standards and what skills are primary and secondary for each class
