Category:Shepherd Knights of the Silver Staff

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Coat of Arms

The Shepherd Knights' coat-of-arms is a silver shepherd's crook, wreathed in green ivy that sprouts off into leaves at the top, centered upon a black shield. The shield is flanked by upright red wolves that face the staff and is topped by a red eagle whose wings are raised and who bears a silver crown. When displayed on a tabard or such the emblem is simplified to merely the vine-entwined staff upon a black shield. Below the shield, on a long banner, reads: Tharos, Timei, Sophia.

Purpose

The Shepherd Knights of the Silver Staff were formed for the purpose of serving to defend the people of the Amasynian Provincial Region from threats that are magical, mundane and militaristic. While first and foremost an order of combatants and defenders the knighthood also exists to serve the public good through shepherding, protecting and guiding the people through hardship (and prosperity) by strength of the arm, courage of the heart, and the example of one's life. While not a religious order the knighthood is avowed in its attempt to exemplify and master courage, honor and wisdom as guided by compassion.

Organization

Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea serves as the Grand Master of the knightly order. The Grand Master is the ultimate voice of the knighthood in dealing with all secular, political or religious entities and organizations. He is also to serve as judge for all major grievances within the knighthood and may be held personally accountable to the King for all knighthood actions and decrees. The Grand Master reserves the power to call the knighthood into military action against enemies of the people; promote, demote and punish all staff and knights; and otherwise uphold the motto of the knighthood as is required.

Below him will serve three Huioi, or "sons" of the three virtues that make up the knighthood's motto: courage, honor and wisdom (Huios Tharros, Huios Timei, and Huios Sophia respectively). These Huioi are to embody their respectively virtues that others may live by their example. They also govern the training regimen of the remaining knights and serve as arbiters in small disputes. Any of the Huioi may be called upon to serve the knighthood as a diplomat, dignitary, or any other office as the Grand Master deems necessary.

Below the Sons will be the rank-and-file of the remaining knights. All of these are required to serve in the farm fields and share in the labor with the farming staff that supports the order that each knight may learn humility and patience. Such knights may be recognized for their skill or ability in a given area, leading to such titles and offices as "Quartermaster," "Master of Horse," as each knight proves himself in light of such positions being necessary and available. All knights are trained in ranged, unarmed and melee combat as well as rigorously exercised to develop excellent stamina, strength, agility and mental fortitude. Training also incorporates basic magical theory and, perhaps in the future, practice, as funds and space permit.

Each knight is required to fulfill his, or her, service as a squire. To become a squire one must petition the knighthood itself to obtain permission to seek out a knight in good standing and make a personal request of said knight. Should the knight's answer be in the affirmative, and there be no objection from those of higher rank, the person is taken on as a squire. Squires see to many numerous, small tasks that their knights require of them which may vary somewhat depending upon the knight in question. Common tasks include caring for a knight's weapons and armor, standing in for the knight's share of farm labor, etc.

At the bottom of the hierarchy, but no less important, are the non combative staff who ensure the bulk of the day-to-day chores that the knighthood requires in order to fully function. Farming, heavy labor, blacksmithing, carpentry and other jobs make up the list of fundamental positions upon which the knighthood stands.

The Knight-House

The knighthood dwells in a heavily reconstructed farmstead. An enormous wooden barn has been remodeled into a serviceable, if somewhat crowded, keep. There are future plans to surround most of the farmstead within a wooden wall as well as to enlarge the stables and smithy.

The farmstead, formerly belonging to one Thomas Aikman, lies halfway between the towns of Myrken Wood and Foggy Bottom, a short distance west of the North Passage Down. The banner of the knighthood flies from the single tower of the keep.