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Order Hierarchy
The Viridian Order has a very strict hierarchy that enforces a chain of command as well as quality within the order itself. Members are usually ranked based on their skill in martial arts. Ranks are often decided in a tournament held every year, though the highest rank of Paladin is reserved only for the most talented. Additionally, the Elders and the Primae are selected from the Paladins, who are seated for life. The Grand Tournament is a tournament held at the Viridian Castle, where all Knights are required to participate. Failing to participate is considered dishonorable. The Knights are all faced against one another in one on one combat through three disciplines: the sword, halberd, and lance. Based on their performance in the three disciplines, Knights may be promoted in rank, and during every Tournament a single Paladin is chosen to join the elite few. While the Grand Tournament is the most common way to be promoted within the Order, the Elder Council also is able to grant ranks throughout the year.
The Regalian Emperor
A recent addition to the Order’s hierarchy since the Cedormarian Reform of 306 AC, the Regalian Emperor acts as the Divine Patron of the Viridian Order, which is the official head of the Viridian Order. The Emperor may oversee (or perform) the dubbing ceremony for the Squires if he so wishes, and consequently has direct control of the Order, though Alexander rarely involves himself in Viridian affairs, tasking the Primae to manage the Order in his stead. This makes the Divine Patron more of a ceremonial title than one with direct authority, though any Viridian Knight will gladly pledge their sword to the Emperor's cause at the drop of a glove.
The Primae
The Primae is the de facto head of the Viridian Order. He leads the various Elders and is chiefly considered the most respected and educated Knight in the order. The Primae is often very old due to the fact that he is chosen from among the older Elders. The Primae sets the rules and policies within the Knight’s order while also functioning as a representative. The Current Primae is Domenico Cavalcante, who is both the first Dressolini Primae, and the first to be elevated to Primae without being an Elder first. It is a position unofficially held by an Ithanian over the past years, owing largely to the former Imperial House, Ivrae de Sange, being of said Culture.
The Elders
The Elders are teachers and instructors at the Viridian Order. They are generally considered the most talented sword fighters and lancers in the realm, so they use their knowledge to train the next generations instead of using it in battle. Viridian Knights are lost each war, thus by preserving the most skilled, does the average skill of the order not diminish after a particularly bloody war. It is not unheard of for a knight to reject the Elder status because they would prefer to wage war, though many choose it purely because it offers a comfortable existence. The Elders are given leisure and luxury within the castle and are often afforded a minor estate with servants as well. There are twelve Elders that make up the Elder Council.
The Shieldmaidens
The Shieldmaidens are the only asset of the Viridian Order in which women may be trained, and function as guardians of the Castle. They are trained outside of the Viridian Castle in a smaller building called "Frauenhaus" (as they aren't actually permitted to enter the Castle.) The women here are trained in the use of the Cross-Shield, a massive shield almost as tall as the female themselves and wide enough to protect their entire body. Then they also train in swords, horse riding, and halberd usage. Women are permitted to join in the Grand Tournament, though are required to wear a helmet when competing to make them indistinguishable from their male counterparts. When not deployed at the castle, the Shieldmaidens may patrol the Imperial District in Regalia to guard the noble houses, or areas considered valuable to the Viridians. There is no formal method of combat deployment of the Shieldmaidens, except when the Elders go to war. Shieldmaidens then function as bodyguards to the Elders in battle. Despite their separation from the men in the Order, Shieldmaidens are still able to rise up and down the ranks as dictated by the Prime Protectress (following the same hierarchy below), who has sole power besides the Primae to do so.
The Paladins
The Paladins (or Protectress for Shieldmaidens) are the most talented and skilled warriors within the Viridian Order. These fighters will have mastered the art of horseback riding, sword fighting and halbard swinging to the point where only few could challenge them in single combat. Every Grand Tournament, a single Paladin is chosen to join the elite few. Paladins are revered across the Empire for being paragons and holy warriors of the Unionist faith even though they have no distinct religious backing or membership. Paladins often gain their own heraldry which they carry on banners into battle next to their family banner to identify a specific paladin. Paladins may transition to become Imperial Guards, which usually affords them the same kind of quality of living, but at the Imperial Palace and only at the behest of the Imperial Family. Many Paladins do transition to the Imperial Guard purely for the privileges.
The Sergeants
- First Sergeants (or First Maidens) are the highest rank any Knight can achieve before becoming a Paladin through winning a Grand Tournament. First Sergeants are among the most skilled of the Viridian Knights who are upgraded to this level for scoring many points during the Grand Tournament.
- Second Sergeants (or Second Maidens) are the middle rank any Knight can achieve. These are in the same league as the First Sergeants, but lack a certain finesse or skill required to become an all-rounder like their higher ups.
- Third Sergeants (or Third Maidens) are the lower rank any Knight can achieve. These are in the same league as the First and Second Sergeants, but lack refinement and dedication to become a Second Sergeant.
The Men-at-Arms
Men-at-Arms (or Dames-at-Arms) are the lowest rank any Knight is. They receive this rank when they finish their education at the Viridian Castle at the age of 21, and will remain such until they become Third Sergeant or above.
The Squires
Squires are the second step at becoming a full member of the Viridian Order. They receive this rank at 14 when they finish their service as a Page at the Viridian Castle, and will remain such until they graduate. Squires are tasked with taking care of their Mentors’ equipment and horses, while also carrying their standard on the battlefield or at Grand Tournaments. Squires accompany their Mentors into battle, acting as a bodyguard and assistant. This relationship allows the Squire to gain valuable first hand experience, allowing them to prove their loyalty to the Order. Once completed with this part of training, Squires return to the Viridian Castle the week before the Grand Tournament, where they participate in the dubbing ceremony that makes them a fully-fledged Viridian Knight.
The Pages
Pages are the first step in becoming a Viridian Knight, and are seen as the attendants to graduated Knights. Pages are allowed to enter the Viridian Castle at the age of 7, where they enter the service of a member of the Order who becomes their Mentor. Pages often spend their time running messages, cleaning equipment, and dressing and armoring their Mentors to learn humility. As a reward for these services, the Mentor and Elders instruct the Page on the Code of Ehrenhof, weapons training, and additional education such as writing, history, mathematics, and etiquette. While Pages also accompany their Mentors outside of the Viridian Castle, their role is limited to non combatant roles due to their inexperience.