Ducal Decree #5--Concerning Hierarchy, Chastity, and Poverty

[Philip Locke]

FROMThe Ducal Chambers,Soyoth o'Leber in Vanam.The hierarchy of the Volsaarn Order of Paladins shall hereby be as follows:Terminus- The supreme commander of the Order, the terminus must be a man with both physical and spiritual strength. A master of the mind through meditation and a master of the body through regular sessions of intense mixed martial arts, the terminus' will is final within the rank of the Order. Only a senior official of Hyperborea or Shireroth can override his commands. He is usually proficient in the art of swordplay and a student of both military strategy and philosophy. Must termine are first lotters.Lotter- A paladin chosen by the terminus to act as a captain. A lotter usually controls one hundred paladins, a squad of technicians, and a number of squires. Some are appointed the heads of a fort and its garrison. A lot is the standard division of the Order and is the root of the office's title. Lotters are usually distinguished warriors who have extensive knowledge of strategy and are often known for their proficiency in the arts of meditation and martial arts. Every lotter has an aid-de-camp and a small council of advisors.Paladin- The average member of the Order, paladins are the most skilled and the most elite warriors in all of Hyperborea. To become a member of the Volsaarn order, the applicant must prove himself or herself to be an excellent warrior, a dedicated martial artist, and an intelligent student who has recieved much higher education (preferably in the fields of military strategy, psychology, and some forms of philosophy).Secundus- A man or woman attached to the Order who is being trained as a paladin but has not yet been given the afore mentioned rank. Secunde must serve as the servants of a paladin for several years before they are allowed to enter into the basic training program at the mother barracks in Vanam. They are usually young men or women who have just graduated (with flying colors) from a Hyperborean university. It is as in this stage that future paladins learn to be stoic, loyal, dogged, and chivalrous.Most members of the Order are unmarried and many are chaste. The vast majority forsake the pursuit of worldy goods before being granted the status of paladin. Members of the Order are forbidden to loot or plunder. While serving in the Volsaarns, one is allowed only the most necessary clothes, the standard issue weapons, and a small assortment of personal items. The terminus is the only person vested with the power to promote members of the Order to higher ranks. Similarly, he is the only one with the power to dismiss or degrade members.DATEDThe sixtieth of summer in the year 5900.Signed, Locke
Borelít o'Volus