Knights Codex: Code of Honor

BE IT KNOWN

We hereby proclaim that with the grace this company shall endeavor to increase, advance, and uphold the banner of chivalry as it was practiced by our noble ancestors, and swearing to do the same do we hereby ordain these maintenances:

As Knights we shall strive through speech, manner, and appearance to present forth the very mirror and example of a Gentleperson of the Church of Seven Planes.

Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy. If the 'right' you see rings agrees with others, and you seek it out without bending to the temptation for expediency, then you will earn renown beyond measure.

Loyalty: A Knight shall be known for unwavering commitment to the people, to the Church, their Clan, their nation, and ideals you choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not amongst them.

Courage: A Knight shall not recoil before the enemy except if the enemy is armed in a superior fashion or has a distinct positional and/or numberical advantage and never show cowardice.

Faith: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives hope against the despair that human failings create.

Humility: A Knight values first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who call themselves knights.

Largesse: A Knight shall be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used in this way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult decision of justice is required.

Nobility: A Knight must ALWAYS seek to be NOBLE. Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness. The hallmarks of Nobility are: Compassion, Mercifulness, Humbleness, Self Discipline, Rightness, and Faithfulness.

Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as possible, not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well remembered for your quality and virtue.

Respect: A knight shall respect other Knights and the codes of other Churches, Orders, and Realms unless they shall prove unworthy. A Knight shall also pay courtesy and respect to all regardless of race, religion, sex, or social standing.

Justice: A Knight shall always obey all laws set by God and humankind and be the Champion of the Right and Good, and the foe of injustice and evil.

Prowness & Defense: A Knight shall train in many forms of combat and not only physical forms. A Knight shall defend the weak, the marginalized, and the less fortunate in the cause of justice.

The Knights shall gather when and wherever possible to commune with each other and to feast together.

The Knights shall be known by the red garter worn above the left elbow bearing the OSM motto, "Courage, Strength, Integrity", and a black cloak bearing a badge of the same garter worn upon the left breast.

This shall be the Codex for all Knights & Members of the Order of St. Michael of the Church of Seven Planes.