Founding Ratification 11/7/96
Recent ratification 3/18/98
Recent reordering 8/20/99

(Our Ideals) (Guild Organization) (Requirements/Responsibilities) (Punishments) (Miscellaneous)

The following paragraphs illustrate the idealist views of the Holy Cross Defenders and Its sub-Guild, the Teutonic Knights. Also the structure of the Holy Cross Defenders is outlined. What one will find in these pages is the heart of our Guild and what it means to be a member.

The Holy Cross Defender pledges him or herself to the highest standard of chivalry, lawfulness, honor, and commitment. These ideals should not just be words spoken at induction but lived and cultivated throughout a lifetime of service to the Guild. The protection of the Holy Relic is the most important responsibility of the Holy Cross Defenders. Although destruction of evil is one of the powerful motivations which drives the Guild, protection of the Holy Relic is of prime importance. Protection of the honor of the Holy Cross Defenders is also a responsibility and involves defense of others in need through the use of your sword and shield. Let nothing stand in the way of your duty!

The Guild is organized into the following hierarchy. Advancement in position will be determined by the Holy Grand Master with the advice of the Grand Council. Advancement will be determined by merit of both skill and character. Any who believe that a member is worthy of promotion should write a letter of recommendation to the Holy Grand Master. Rank will not be official until bestowed upon the petitioner by a member assigned to do so by the Holy Grand Master. Those empowered to elevate members are the Holy Grand Master, game Preceptors, House Heads and members of the Chivalry (in cases of Initiates). All members begin their careers at the rank of Initiate. A character should consider this a time of initiation as the title denotes. Initiates receive the most help of all the classes by other members in an effort to prepare them for the violent nature of their chosen careers. After an appropriate trial period, Initiates may seek the sponsorship of one of the Great Houses. If accepted, they will be elevated to Adept at that time. Upon elevation, the Adept will be required to speak a Vow of Allegiance to the Guild.

Those of the rank of Knight or higher are required by their oath to take on Squires. In addition to their oaths to the Guild, Squires also bind themselves to their Knights during their elevations. The elevation of these Squires to the Order of Chivalry shall be done only when the squire's Knight feels it is appropriate, and by direct command of the Holy Grand Master. Those who are granted title have the right to request their title be used or not as they see fit and as is appropriate. In the absence of the Holy Grand Master, those of the rank of Knight or higher may elevate Defenders to the rank of Initiate.

The rank of Holy Master is reserved for those who have done extreme service to the Guild before our arrival in Britannia. Without the contribution of these people, our Guild would not exist today. Therefore, it is wise and just that they should be held in our highest esteem. This Order is closed and no new members will be inducted into this rank.

The Order of Chivalry is the foundation of our Guild. Men and women who are entered into this August body are of the highest caliber in skill, virtue, and character. No person shall become a Knight who is not of these characteristics. Only the Holy Grand Master may give this rank unto a Defender. Those who would be a Knight must swear not only to defend the Cross but to follow the orders of the Holy Grand Master and the Grand Council. Upon the decision of the Holy Grand Master and the Grand Council to elevate a Defender to the rank of Knight, that person is required to take Vigil. As a part of this vigil, the candidate will be required to talk to the other members of the Chivalry and discuss what it is to be a Knight of the Holy Cross. Said candidate will also spend at least 15 minutes (actual time) at the foot of the Holy Cross (ingame) in contemplation of It's virtue. At the end of this vigil, the candidate will be brought before the Grand Council and state whether or not they wish to become a Knight. If it is amenable to the candidate then the bond between Knight and Squire is replaced with the bond of Brethren of the Chivalry.

In the event that the Holy Grand Master should either be unable or unwilling to continue on as the chosen leader of the Guild the following procedures shall be enacted: The Holy Grand Master shall choose a Regent who will  act in his place until a replacement is chosen. This Regent will have all powers inherent to the Holy Grand Master position and act upon them with wisdom and prudence as the Regent sees fit. After the placement of the the Regent a guild wide meeting will be held at the soon as possible to discuss a new Holy Grand Master under the guidance of the most Holy Cross. The Regent will then announce and install the new Holy Grand Master.

The Grand Council will include all pledged members of the Holy Cross Defenders with the rank of Knight or higher. The Grand Council will meet regularly to discuss the happenings in the various locations of the Guild, discuss elevations and punishments, and advise the Holy Grand Master in making needed decisions. It may be called in cases of emergency, or for critical decisions. Any resolutions that are revisions of the Charter require unanimous support throughout the Council and a quorum or ¾ of the members. Any member has the right to call together the Grand Council. Attendance is optional but highly recommended! No Knight within the Council shall be above another as all have gifts to give within It's halls. Due to previous versions of this charter, the terms Great Council and Holy Council may still be used to refer to this body.

Each game or server where we are represented shall have a designated leader known as a Preceptor. Said leader must be of the rank of Knight and therefore proven him or herself as a leader of men. The Preceptor shall be designated by the Holy Grand Master on advice from the Grand Council. The Preceptor shall see to it that all members of the Guild understand the ideals of the Guild, and the will of the Holy Grand Master and the Grand Council. The Preceptor shall also be in charge of maintaining and acquiring the property of the Guild. All property of the Guild is by default property of the Cross itself as our sole purpose is to serve It. The Preceptor will also speak on behalf of the Holy Grand Master on matters that affect the Guild, but shall only do so by direct command of the Holy Grand Master. The Preceptor shall not take any actions that are specifically designated to the Holy Grand Master such as elevation to Knighthood and approval of alliances.

The First Duty of the Holy Cross Defender is to protect the Holy Relic. Let no obstacle, situation or person come between him and his vows.

Initiates, Adepts, and Squires are prohibited from engaging in PvP (Player vs. Player) combat unless they are assaulted themselves or are given permission to engage by a member of the rank of Knight or higher.

All member of the Holy Cross Defenders will uphold the ideas set forth in Article I. They will not turn down a sincere request for help (even if it originates from an evil character) and will actively promote the Guild throughout all venues through their actions.

All members who pledge themselves to the Holy Cross should bear in mind at all times that we are always striving to increase our holdings and reputation.  The construction of buildings and the stocking of the Guild War Chest requires the concerted efforts of all members. To that end, Defenders are strongly encouraged to give a 10% tithe of their income, and whatever goods and armaments as they are able to the Guild Treasurer or Preceptor. These items will be placed in a Holy Cross Defender account for the construction of our castles, Guild functions, and the Guild War Chest. Donated money is not for the personal use of Guild members nor shall it be lent out, invested, nor shared without the approval of the Grand Council. This tithe may be waived in lieu of requests for lump sums at great distances to build specific structures.

All weapons captured, found or bought remain the sole property of the Defender in who's possession they exist. However, the Guild looks favorably upon donations of equipment. This equipment will be stored in the Guild War Chest.

All lawful orders given by a Holy Cross Defender of higher rank must be followed. A lawful command being one that conforms to the spirit of this charter.

All guild members are required to enjoy the game as a respectable Holy Cross Defender.

If a Holy Cross Defender revokes his vows or loses them due to censure, the Holy Cross Defender will lose all rights in the eyes of the Guild.

Members who are deemed to have violated their responsibility to the people of Britannia/Norrath/Derreth or the Guild will be brought before the Grand Council and explanation of their actions will be heard.

Actions deemed worthy will be rewarded with the presentation of an Award and induction into a Order of Merit by decree of the Holy Grand Master.  A member may belong to more than one Order of Merit. Orders of Merit do not confer rank other than that already stated. The Holy Grand Master with the advice of the Grand Council reserve the right to create new Orders as they see fit. Any Defender may be chosen to receive such an award. These are not awards to be striven for in themselves but rather, the recipients of said awards will be those who will be examples of the Virtue the Order commends. Recipients may bear the arms of the Order as is practical, and may mention it in their title as well.

This group includes the Holy Grand Master or his designated representative who confirm relations with other Guilds. These duties include the formation of alliances, declaration of war, trade, and settlement of disputes.  If an allied Guild wishes to send relics, currency, or messages to the Holy Cross Defenders, it should be through the ambassador to that Guild. Ambassadors from Guilds with alliances with the Holy Cross Defenders may be granted honorary rank in the Guild by the Holy Grand Master. Holy Cross Defenders can disregard any order from honorary members.

If a character holds a personal grudge against another character within the Guild or outside the Guild, The Holy Grand Master must be consulted for a resolution of the disagreement. If no agreement can be reached a character has the right to a settlement by swords, or to hire a Guild or outside assassin. If a Guild member wishes to become a Guild assassin he or she must petition the Holy Grand Master. Assassination orders will be determined during Grand Council meetings only. If a request for an assassination is received from other than the Holy Grand Master the assassin must consult the Grand Council before the assassination may be carried out. If the assassin fails to gain approval and performs the assassination, he or she will be censured from the Guild.

Elevations, changes in rank, and entry into Orders of Merit are accompanied by ceremonies. These are generally performed either ingame or at the monthly Guild Wide meetings. The ceremonial text is available via this link. All ceremonies should be witnessed by at least one person who is not a direct participant. In rare cases where a witness is not available, Initial Vows may be performed by a member of Knight rank or the Holy Grand Master.

Initial Vows: Entrance into rank of Initiate
Binding Vows: Entrance into the rank of Adept
Assignment: Entrance into the rank of Squire
Final Vows: Entrance into the rank of Knight.
Bestowments:  When the Holy Grand Master grants entry to an Order of Merit.
Purification Rights:  Punishments
Rights of Censure:  Expulsion from the Guild

There are names that members will be called by upon elevation to the Order of Chivalry. They may be used or not as the recipient sees fit. Each name will carry a history. A Knight may choose from the list of Guild names from the Guild History at his or her Final Vows, or may create a significant Guild name. No Guild member will carry a Guild name until he or she has taken final vows. On that moment, the Knight may proclaim which name he or she has chosen, and why it is significant. If the Knight cannot come to a conclusion as to which name he or she will take, he or she may defer to a later time, or The Holy Grand Master may choose a Guild name. Consider the Guild name to be like a new surname for your character.

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