Shield of the Order

The Shield of the Crimson Order is the highest-ranking official within the Order and the city of Medua. The Shield is the highest-ranking military official in the city of Medua and controls the military in the surrounding area as well.

Qualifications

Though there are no formal qualifications to be named Shield, Lex Gerus is the first member to be elevated to the rank of Shield while holding the rank of sergeant-at-arms. However, the members of the Crimson Order would likely consider it heresy for any member to be named Shield if they hadn't first earned their Order name and become a full-fledged soldier. The Shield is typically the most powerful member of the Order, though that power may manifest itself in a number of ways including arcane power, physical strength, and tactical and intellectual prowess.

Appointment

A member is declared the Shield of the Order by an assembly of all members. Typically, the highest-ranking member in attendance will call the assembly to order and will put forth a candidate for consideration. Members then submit their vote by assuming the salute for their preferred candidate, and members are typically assembled by their lance. Captains will take a tally and report up to Lieutenants who submit their tallies to Major Generals, and ultimately to the highest ranking officer be that the Captain of the Guard or a retiring Shield.

Duties

The Shield manages the entirety of the Crimson Order and is expected to conduct daily meetings with their council consisting of the Captain of the Guard and the four Major Generals. The Shield has additional duties that occur several times a year, such as beginning ceremonies at festivals during the year and hosting feasts for the country folk during these festivals. Finally, the Shield is infrequently dispatched to deal with significant threats to the region and undergoes a lengthy ceremony to prepare them for the journey and the challenges that they will face ahead.

Benefits

Typically, the Shield enjoys extensive benefits as befits the leader of a highly-organized, well-resourced militia group. However, since the Fall of Medua things have not been the same. Traditionally, the Shield is given a salary of 300 gold pieces per year, allowing them to live comfortably for Meduan standards. Shields also do enjoy a formal political rank, and have in the past been invited to parlay in the Meduan political assembly.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Shieldsring

The Shieldsring is a legendary magical artifact created by Laafz Abreezz, a goblin craftswoman. Tabard Firstshield commissioned the creation of these rings to ensure the future of the Crimson Order, and they are imbued with significant magical properties. These rings do not confer the same powers and capabilities to every user as they are specifically designed to read the wearer's energies and come to them in a time of need.

The Shield's Armor

The Shield's Armor is a style of armor more than it is a specific set of armor. This armor is styled in the traditional deep crimson of the Order and is formed from scraps of metal from every member of the Order's gear. The armor is forged in a ceremonial fashion where each member brings their offering to the forge and drops it in while the blacksmith keeps the flames billowing and white hot. Once the metal has reached the desired molten state it is poured into a special mold that is in the style of the Order's armor but that has the Crimson Order's insignia surrounded by an octagonal shield.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Removal from the rank of Shield is possible when the Shield wishes to retire or when the Order holds a vote of no confidence in them. Though serving as the Shield is typically a lifelong commitment, there are a number of circumstances that have ended in the retirement of a Shield before they have died. Some Shields have simply wished to retire to a simpler life and continued to serve the Order in advisory roles after assuming their previous rank. A number of Shields that have retired have dropped down to the rank of Tactician to great effect, allowing them to shed the pressure of being Shield while still assisting the Order. Others have been voted out of the rank and those have left the Order out of shame of doing a disservice to their comrades.

Form of Address

Shield

Source of Authority

Members of the Crimson Order

Length of Term

Indefinite

First Holder

Tabard Firstshield

Past Holders

• Gorzon, Shield of Shame
• Niopet, Shield of Stone

Related Locations

• Medua

Related Organizations

• Crimson Order