Viridian Order

Viridian Order
Order
Pronunciation	Vee-ree-dee-an
Origins	City of Regalia
Grandmaster	Bohemund II von Drachenburg
Symbols	Unionist eye, Sword and Shield, Knight on Horseback
Colors	White, Black and all shades of Green

The Viridian Order is a Knightly Order with a long and troubled history within the Regalian Empire. The Viridian Order started in the early days of the Empire, acting (at the time) as the Regalian Guard, the Imperial Guard, and the leading military officers of the Regalian soldier levies at the same time. Over a century down the line, the Viridians were implicated in a coup against the Regalian Emperor, and had their power severely restricted. Over time, their reputation rebuilt, and they are now known as the Knights who ensure the status of Knighthood across the Empire, though many remain wary of any political or military power they may be given, due to the history of the Order, and the fact that many of them are Nobles, and already predisposed to political intrigue. At the same time, the Regalian Empire does not go to war without the verdant feathers and capes of the Viridian Knights leading the charge in the frontlines, emboldening the spirits and morale of the soldiers who follow into battle. Viridians remain very much the ideal picture of the chivalrous Knight, cut from a different cloth and with the approval of the Emperor's benediction and blessing.

Design

The Viridian Order brings the aesthetic of the honor-bound state-enforcer, a Knight cut from a different cloth to all other Orders that takes chivalry to a much greater height. Viridian Knights have history and legacy, with a particular respect enjoyed among the aristocrats of the Regalian Empire, but equally thought of as pompous and out of touch by the common people they are meant to protect. To have a Viridian in the family is a hallmark achievement, and one all Noble Families strive towards as a sign of obedience to the Empire and respectability. The Viridian Order permits Ailor and Urlan into their ranks, as well as Eronidas and Fin'ullen or Solvaan, if they were born in the Regalian Archipelago. The Viridian Order does not permit the non-Mundane to join, though will make an exception on occasion for Unionist God-Magic using Paladins. Viridians Knights mostly fight with sword and shield, or with lance on horseback, they never use Magic or Ranged Weapons.

Why Play a Knight

Knighthood is a good way to get involved in pre-existing groups and activities. Since it guarantees roleplay, a group, and a reason to log on, it is appealing for everyone from new players to veterans. Knight groups organize their own internal social roleplay and are usually well-received by the player base as pleasant spaces. Knighthood also grants a unique ranking system for Characters to progress up the ladder of their Order and gain privileges for honesty and effectiveness in their Code. Knight roleplay requires reading, however, as Knight characters must follow their Codes or risk expulsion. Viridian Knighthood is recommended for players who are invested in making disciplined stickers for rules and regulations, for state-loyal chivalrous and aristocratic-oriented soldiers. Their aesthetics pair well with the traditional French or German Medieval Knight.

Knights Code

Common Knights Code

All Knights of all Orders are beholden to this Knights Code.

Loyalty to the Emperor of Regalia, and the Regalian State is required.
Knights are disallowed from attacking unarmed or defenseless people.
Knights are disallowed from degrading themselves or their Order.
Knights are allowed to enforce Regalian Law, but must abide by it.
Knights may not lie, or deceive, but needn't always say everything.
Knights are expected to give alms to the poor and protect the weak.

Specific Order Code

The following Knights Code applies only to the Viridian Order.

Viridian Knights must extoll the virtues of the Emperor, and teach others reasons to adore him.
Viridian Knights must police the other Knight Orders and compile reports on Code violations.
Viridian Knights must protect the Aristocrats of the Empire from (social) harm, including self-inflicted.
Viridian Knights must hunt down Imperial Profaners who blaspheme against the Emperor and teach them a lesson.
Viridian Knights must protect Government Officials to the highest degree, including Court Officials.
Viridian Knights must protect and chaperone foreign dignitaries and state guests in Regalia.
Viridian Knights must protect Calendar Events so long as they do not have their own guard and are legal.
Viridian Knights must accept Bodyguard status to a Titled Noble when requested (with OOC Consent from the Knight).
Viridian Knights must act as a conduit for communication to the Palace, and to liaison with the Princes.
Viridian Knights must act as petty grievance courts between Aristocrats to resolve matters between them.
Viridian Knights must liaison with Neighborhood Militias, and offer them strategy training and discipline.
Viridian Knights must respond to Imperial Investigation requests passed down by the Princes and complete them.

Knight Police

Knight policing is difficult because most players who play Knights will avoid breaking the Code on purpose. Knight Policing does not involve engaging in mental gymnastics to find fault where there likely is none, a good rule of thumb is that if none of the Order's fellow Knights criticize a Knight for violating their Order Code, they probably didn't violate the Code and any claim to that effect is false. Viridians can however police Knights on good conduct as honorable warriors of the Empire, especially if they are making a public mockery of themselves, or are embarrassing their order with their actions. In the (rare) circumstance of a Knight violating their Code, Viridians are meant to compile a report on the wrongdoings including evidence, attach a recommendation, and then send it up to the relevant Orders. Obedience to the enforcement of Viridian Knights is recommended for other Orders, as violating Knightly conduct and being indignant to Viridians meant to enforce the Codes, may result in demotion.

Palace Conduit

There is no way to formally contact the Imperial Palace outside of the Palace Courtiers themselves, who are specifically not allowed to pass communication up from others. The only way for outsiders of the Imperial Court to communicate with the Princes is by passing said communication through the Viridians. Viridians are intended to read and reflect on this communication, and then meet to discuss whether they wish to bar this communication, or send it on. Finally, Knights may also in agreement in a meeting, request the appearance of a specified named Imperial Prince to their private meetings, or to meet a specific person who has requested that they arrange a meeting. They are responsible for the safety of the Prince(ss) in such an instance.

Petty Courts

While most crimes are resolved by the Metropolitan (NPC Guards), the Petty Grievances Court is a Court specifically designed for Viridian Knights to circumvent having an aristocrat be clapped in chains and brought before the Metro. It allows the Knights to find a more flexible tailor-made solution to end a grievance between two Aristocratic families who are feuding over small things like verbal insults, or big matters like attempted murder. Viridians are expected to meet and compromise on which Viridian should act as Judge (or a panel of 3 Judges) and are responsible for setting a date and time and process for the Trial. Viridian Judges have the freedom to dictate a trial verdict without Lore Staff intervention, so long as the outcome is pro-RP, and isn't unreasonable like execution or dismemberment or making someone go bankrupt.

Guard Duties

While the concept of Guarding Nobles, Government Officials, and Foreign Dignitaries is pretty obvious, it bears mentioning that this is a very opt-in and pro-active arrangement, not one where Viridians should wait to be invited. Players organically roleplay, so if the intention of a Viridian Player is to do this guarding duty, it is necessary for the player OOC to self-inform about Event times and log-on times, or communicate with the players they intend to guard outside of roleplay to set up good rapport and communication. Care should be taken not to simply impose on other players, but to cooperate when and where they are comfortable with you being present with them.

Structure

The Viridian Order has a hierarchical structure that defines ranks within the Order:

The Grandmaster (NPC) is the highest leader of the Viridian Order.
The High Council (NPC) are the elders and mentors and teachers of the Order.
The Reikguard-Knights (Player) are the highest attainable rank of Knight of high prestige and esteem.
The Paladin-Knights (Player) are well respected Knights with great sway in the Order.
The Major-Knight (Player) are the esteemed warriors sent on difficult tasks for the Order.
The Captain-Knights (Player) are the formal rank of Knights who get sent on missions.
The Rank-Knight (Player) are the lowest rank of just-graduated Knight in the Order.
The Squires (Player) are pre-graduation. Recommended for trying out, with less obligations.

Privileges

Privileges are a set of unlockable rewards that can be attained each time a Knight ranks up. The rank up process is evaluated by Lore Staff based on a combination of: adherence to the lore, adherence to the knight's code, activity, consistent character portrayal, good engagement and in some of the higher ranks, leadership. When a rank up is granted, players may choose one of these privileges (each only once) to apply to that rank up, ensuring that the appropriate reward is granted for each milestone. Being expelled from the Order causes the loss of all Privileges, and in some cases, Privileges may also be revoked if a Character is punished by the order for misdeeds, or disciplined by staff for Server Rule breaking.

Privilege 1 The Knight in question gains Persuasion Dice Rolls at /dice Constitution+Wisdom (see Abilities Page for more information).
Privilege 2 The Knight in question is granted a rent-free Knight's Estate in the Knight Quarter with Staff decoration.
Privilege 3 The Knight in question may multi-class as Tyrian Knight, donning Imperial colors and becoming a Pseudo-Imperial Guard.
Privilege 4 The Knight in question may consult the Tyrian Archive and Imperial Family archive of Noble/State Knowledge.
Privilege 5 The Knight in question receives an Artifact designed for their Character that cannot be taken from them.

Note: Due to the sensitivity of playing a Tyrian Knight, this option is only recommended for players who feel comfortable in deeply understanding both the lore of the Imperial House, and have impeccable obedience to the lore, as well as good rapport with the person(s) playing Imperial Family Characters, since a lot of it will involve guarding for their characters or being assigned to duties by these characters. Please consult in a ticket where you request this Privilege for viability.

History

The Viridian Order is the second oldest Knightly Order in the Empire, and largely the grandfather of both the Bloodcast and the Reliquary Orders. Only the Aelrrigan Order is older than the Viridian Order, predating the founding of the Regalian Empire. The Viridian Order was founded by loyalists under the Five Families during the Five Family Rebellion, acting as the first Imperial Guard for the Ivrae dynasty, the Regalian Guard (for the capital), and the leading officers and commanders of the Regalian Military. This arrangement worked well for several decades, until it became common practice for the upper classes of the Empire to send their sons to the Viridian Order for training.

With the sharp increase of noble inclined members of the order, scheming and noble plotting became part of the daily activities of the Knights. Many Knights went on to become courtiers and Dukes in their own right, and many noble recruits brought politics into the hallowed halls of the Viridian Castles, which set in a slow but insidious moral rot. The honor guiding principles established by the first Grandmaster slowly eroded for the idea that Viridians were somehow better than everyone else, and also more suitable in keeping a strangle-hold on military power. As the Empire grew and annexed more territories, the Viridians were always on the front line establishing military governors in the early absence of proper annexation, allowing them first pickings in looting or establishing power in an area long before the government could grant the land to loyal Dukes.

While no hard evidence has ever been found, the Viridians were implicated in a variety of assassinations at the Imperial Court, beginning with the death of Emperor Henri I, which was immediately followed by the Years of the Three Emperors. These Emperors were so short-lived, and died under such odd circumstances, while Viridian power at court was paramount, that the accusation quickly fell on them as kingmakers. Indeed, the suspicion seemed confirmed when Leomar I became Emperor, who was a great supporter of the Viridians, and a period of peace followed, only to be succeeded by more chaos when Leomar died and was succeeded by people who quarreled with the Viridians, before Henri II restored things to a more peaceful paradigm (though giving the Viridians all they wanted).

Henri III was the first to take drastic actions, removing many of the Viridian powers in 122 AC, intent on reforming them. It is known at this point that many of the Elders conspired against the Empire’s top leadership, intent on imprisoning the Emperor if not outright forcing abdication, and establishing a military junta under their leadership. Despite his loyalty to the Emperor, Grandmaster de Montverrat could not stop this plot, and fell on his own sword in atonement for his crime. This was the closest the Empire ever came to losing the Imperial system, as the Knights nearly succeeded, but five Knights in their ranks betrayed the Order and warned the Emperor, who was able to maneuver his supporters to outdo the Viridians who were rounded up and executed.

When the Order was remade under the new Grandmaster personally appointed by Henri III after the Viridian Coup Attempt, it was stripped of the vast majority of its power, having Henri III establish the Tyrian Order which would later become the Imperial Guard, and the Violet Order, which would later become the Regalian Guard and State Metropolitan subsequently. With the power of the Viridians largely neutered, they spent the next 100 years re-establishing and re-branding themselves, though they could never quite get away from the stain of nearly ending the Empire so soon. It was Grandmaster de Chattelois who re-established the order with dignity and respect, and was able to bring them back into the graces of the nobility, once-more resulting in a large flow of cash and recruits into the order.

In 198 AC, with the death of Grand Marshal Marianne Cadar, the question of Viridian chauvinism became a hot topic of debate, because the order was all-male up until that time. The order eventually opted to allow women into the Order, ostensibly as gate-guards for their castles, but eventually as full members, who took on a more specific role of protecting the honor and sanctity of women across the Empire, a matter that had largely been ignored in the many paternalistic cultures within the Empire. This culminated in the first (and only) female Grandmaster of the Viridian Order, d’Arcoulais, who is remembered for penning many notable treatises on the role of women in the Regalian Military.

The Viridian Order took a great deal of damage during the Lo Occupation, which saw both the Viridian Castles demolished, and many of the Knights perish as a particular target from Freya Lo. Nearly all the Elders and the Grandmaster died, with only many of the younger recruits and Knights who happened to be outside of the capital at the time surviving, some speculate as few as 30% of the total Knights before the Lo Occupation. This resulted in the Cedromarite reforms under Emperor Cedromar I, who appointed himself co-Grandmaster with a relative of von Drachenburg, the family whose crest the Order also currently uses, changing up aspects of the honor code and modernizing many of the functions and roles within the Order.

Trivia

Nobles who are Viridians permitted to hold a title, but must always be referred to as Lord-Protectors instead of any other titles.
Unionism is not required for Viridian membership, but 95% of all Viridians are devout Unionists, of either Emended or Dogmatic beliefs. Evintarian Unionists do not exist in the Order.

Accreditation

Writers	MonMarty
Artists	MonMarty
Processors	HydraLana

Last Editor	HydraLana on 09/30/2023.

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