Order of the Silver Fist.


Purpose: A military order in Onoir, whose primary purpose is the training to attain the rank of Guardian of the Talismans. Some would say fanatical in their beliefs, they strive to become masters of combat. Forging themselves into the perfect weapon is what the followers of Kai strive for. Honor, Faith, Valor, Hope, Despair, Strength, Defeat, Friendship, all of these we hold true. Secondary goal of the Order is to promote the belief in, or general knowledge of the populace concerning Kai and his Talismans.

Requirements: All members must be followers of Kai, and members of Voln. All squires must demonstrate a rudimentary knowledge of the Talismans of Kai and the history of Kai, and all Silver Fist members must master the path of Voln before reaching Guardian rank. While they are not all warriors, they are all expected to have the "warrior" spirit of any fervent follower of Kai. All Silver Fist members must show proficiency with at least one weapon type.

Restrictions: Only followers of Kai may join this Order. Any member may have squires. This order is limited to 15 full members, or 10% of the house membership. Whichever is greater. Upon the acceptance to full membership status of the 16th member, the order must be split within one month. The new order may be formed of up to 5 members of this order, or 33% of the membership, whichever is greater. Members may only belong to one military order in Onoir.


Finances: All taxes required by the house of this order are the equal responsibility of the orders membership as a whole. Masters of squires are required to pay all expenses thier squires encure in serving this house and order, up to the time they are promoted to full membership status. Master apprentices who join from within the house are expected to pay their own expenses.

Duties: As with any fuedal order, they are required by their oaths to respond to their Liege Lords call in time of conflict. Strict followers of Kai, some would say fanatical, they spend their time perfecting their combat abilities against any and all opponents. They report to the Lord Paladin.

Leadership: All Guardians of the Talismans sit on the council. The council votes for acceptance of Pages into the Order and for advancement through the ranks of the Order. In order for a vote to pass, majority of Paladins present must approve. Final votes and decisions may be vetoed by the Lord Guardian.

Symbol: The symbol of Kai is a clenched silver fist.

Titles:

Lord Guardian

Leader of the Order

Guardian of the Talismans (Sir)

Council Member

Paladin of the Fist (Sir)

Full Member of the Order

Squire

Master Squire of the Silver Fist

Page

Page of the Silver Fist



Acceptance: Must be accepted as a page by a Paladin or Guardian who is willing to train the applicant. Applicants are accepted when/if they receive a majority vote of the council on their behalf.

Training of Squires/Pages/Paladins: Paladins of the Fist may take on a total of 2 squires and/or pages. A Guardian of the Talismans may take on a maximum of 2 Paladins to be trained for Guardianship <Note: This is intended so that Paladins may instruct Squires/Pages alone on the lesser tasks, allowing the Guardians more time to instruct the paladins on their tasks for Guardianship, should they wish to be tested.> Both Paladins and Guardians may question Squires and Pages for progression of ranks, however, only Council members may question for the rank of Paladin. Also, the test for the rank of Paladin will be closed except for Paladins and Guardians.

Ranks:

Page:
1. Must acquire one Crimson Surcoat
2. Must be able to recite the Talismans of Kai and the Onoir Codes of Honor and Chivalry. This will be performed before the Council, and or Paladins present.

Squire:
1. To become a squire, one must demonstrate ability in at least one weapon type.
2. The Squire must physically dispatch a creature of similar train using nothing but their own physical abilities.
3. The squire must also have a sound knowledge of all the Codes of Onoir. They must explain all of the Codes, their purpose, and personal meaning. This will be demonstrated to the Lord Guardian and the Council.

Paladin of the Fist:
1. A Paladin of the Fist must be a full member in good standing within this order.
2. He or she will exhibit a thorough knowledge of the history of Kai, the Talismans of Kai, and their meaning.
3. Paladins must have reached the eighth step on the path of Voln, and wrestled Kai for his favor.
4. Paladins will demonstrate a proficiency in weapon skills suitable to a knight of their age, and physically dispatch a creature of similar train using nothing but their own physical abilities.
5. Must proficiently and safely lead a group hunt (at least five people) in an invasion simulation.

Guardian of the Talismans:
1. Must have achieved the rank of Paladin and to have been a full member in good standing within this order for at least three months.
2. A Guardian of the Talismans must have mastered the path of Voln.
3. A Guardian of the Talismans must have at least begun to single train in Brawling.
4. Also, must lead an open invitation (1)prayer service, and (2)discussion session, in Kai's name. All of this will be done in front of the Lord Guardian and the Council. Must give notice to the public and via Onoir messenger service.


Surcoat: A status symbol of membership in the Order. Once given the status of Page of the Order of the Fist, one must wear the Surcoat during Onoir Meetings, Order of the Fist meetings, and any formal functions in which one represents House Onoir.

Page: Crimson Surcoat
Squire: Crimson Surcoat with a Silver Sash.
Paladin: Crimson Surcoat with a Gold Sash
Guardian: Crimson Surcoat with a Kai Sash

<Note that these surcoats and sashes may be altered, but may not display any colors other then those specified as they signify rank within the order. You may, for instance, have the sash altered to be “pin” or shoulder worn, or you may add a show that describes how well made they are, or from what material, etc, but they always must adhere to the colors of the rank aquired. The only exception is the Kai sash, which can be any color, but must but always be a “Kai” sash.>