Tal, and greetings from Lord Nails, Leader of the Order of the Black Dagger, Recently there were several individuals in VP Gor bearing the name of the Order of the Black Dagger in their IDs. Although the situation has been resolved and no harm was done, I believe there are some things in need of clarification as far as the Black Dagger is concerned. Before I go into these I would like to publicly thank Lord Satan for his assistance in a timely resolution of the matter. I would also like to let those individuals who had mistakenly taken the Order's name know that there is no ill will between The Order and themselves. That said, allow me a moment to explain that there is a difference between a Caste and an Order for those who do not know. As you may know there are five High Castes on Gor.According to the books by John norman only one from one of these Castes may sit on a Council or have anything to do with the governing affairs of a city. The low Castes (including outlaws and Panther Girls) are restricted from being involved in the matters of ruling or delegating. The low castes may even be divided into seperate sections. For example:slavers, though they are slavers, belong to the Caste of Merchants. In the Low Castes exists the Caste of Assasins. Much of this Caste is unknown. Perhaps the books with the most information are The Assassin of Gor and the Palyers of Gor. However there are hints to their ways in some other books such as The Tarnsman of Gor. The Order of the Black Dagger is an Order. It's members are assassins banded together under one cause. When I first became Black Caste, I noticed there were a small number of Killers in VP Gor. These Caste Brothers were unorganized and for all practical purposes rouges. I personally did not consider myself a rouge having been on Gor for an extended period of time. What I saw were men and (sorry CoM) women of the Black Caste with no order, no leadership, and no codes to speak of. The reason and purpose behind the creation of the Order of the Black Dagger was to remedy this. The Black Dagger in not a ruling or administrative organization. We realize that we are of low caste and have no want or desire to participate in the governing of others. We keep our own councils. We answer to our own codes. The Order exists to give any of the Black Caste a sense of unity with those of the same caste. The Order strives to furnish codes and ideals that the assassin can live by. According to what I have read in VP (and I DO NOT recall reading it in any of the books) when one becomes a member of the Black, they give up all family and relationships. This said, there is nothing to prevent the fledgling Killer from making NEW friends or forging NEW relationships. The Ordeer is open to all of the Black Caste who wish to join. However, this is not to mean that anyone tired of what they are or angry or upset with any one person or group, may simply place the name of the Order in their ID and be of the Black Dagger. Once interest is shown by an individual in joining the Black Dagger, they will be watched for a length of time. Their honor may be tested or it may simply be evaluated. This period of observance may vary from a day to a month depending on circumstances or the individual being watched. Sometimes it may be an exagerated amount of time simply to test the person's desire to belong. When it is decided that the person is to be admitted to the Order, the person will be notified and The Oath will be given to that person. I hold the sole authority in performing the Oath. NO ONE else mat administer it. When The Oath is given, I strive to have another of the Order present. If this is not possible, it will be given in an open room with Gorean witnessess. After The Oath is given, the new member is subject to the codes and rules listed elsewhere on this site plus the "Hidden Codes"
