Knights of Volterra Kodanza

I pledge my sword, my heart, and my essence to the eternal service of my land and the guardianship of my brethren. As a beacon of hope, I shall stand firm against all threats, a bastion of strength for the present and a legacy for generations yet to come. I solemnly swear to be a steadfast shield, defending the innocent and the vulnerable, be they near or far, from the tides of adversity. With a fair hand and a just heart, I shall champion the rights of all, treading the path of honor, justice, and mercy. In the face of adversity, I shall not falter. With a dragon's courage coursing through my veins, I shall lead the charge against the darkness and stand unyielding in the tempest's fury. I am a seeker of knowledge, a humble disciple in the vast expanse of wisdom. My journey is one of perpetual growth and teaching. In the footsteps of Volterra Kodanza, I pledge to shape my life, to walk the path of righteousness, and to safeguard the honor of this sacred order. Through all seasons, in peace and in war, my loyalty shall stand unswerving, a pillar of strength for my brethren. I am a Knight of Volterra Kodanza.

— Oath of the Lance

Joining the Knights

Prospective Members

Individuals interested in joining the Knights must meet the following criteria:

1. The individual must be a current commissioned officer of at least Captain (army), Captain (navy), Lieutenant (artillery, engineers), Commander (auxiliary).
2. The individual must be nominated by a current member of at least the rank Knight.
3. The individual must be vouched for by at least three current members, one of whom must be of at least the rank Knight Elevated.

Upon qualification, a prospective member's name is submitted to a Magister. A formal background check will be conducted. There will be a minimum two major cycle review by a Commander. Prospective members may be disqualified for the following reasons:

1. Court martial conviction for improper conduct or gross negligence.
2. Ongoing investigation for improper conduct. Standard investigations for loss of ship, battle, supplies during war, personnel reduction excused.
3. Filed accusations of treason or cowardice.
4. Known affiliations with hostile intelligence services or geopolitical entities.
5. Accusations of abuse of power from at least four subordinates.
6. Accusations of infidelity with spouses of other officers or nobles.
7. Membership in another holy order.
8. Member of civil government or priesthood.
9. Substantiated objection from a Magister or Grand Magister.
10. Substantiated accusation of violation of the Oath of the Lance.

Induction Ceremony

The Induction ceremony is performed by a Magister, Commander, and the three sponsors. The prospective member must recite the Oath of the Lance while holding his hand over a lit brazier before the Magister. The current members renew their vows and recite the oath after the prospective member. The Commander vows to lead and guide the prospective member on his journey. The three sponsors vow to live and guide by example the values of the order. The Magister commands the prospective member to kneel. He clothes the prospective members with a robe bearing the crest of the black dragon holding a lance. The Magister commands the individual to rise and proclaims him a Companion of the Knights of Volterra Kodanza and names his Commander. Thus ends the ceremony, and the Companion removes the robe. Commanders and sponsors may celebrate the successful induction in any way they see fit.

Honorary Membership

Amendment 12

During times of war, the Grand Magister with the support of at least two Magisters may induct an officer of any rank to the position of Honorary Knight. This is to be reserved for great examples of leadership and courage befitting the virtues and expectations of a Knight. The Honorary Knight is given all the social privileges of a Knight but lacks the ability to advance in rank, vote, or be nominated for an administrative leadership role. Honorary Knights are expected to uphold the values of the Oath of the Lance. Failure to do so many result in having the title revoked. It is a great honor to become an Honorary Knight and should be treated as such. Honorary members do not receive a formal induction ceremony but may wear the appropriate decoration.

Ranks

Rank	Decoration	Description
Grand Magister	Metal star with a black dragon holding a lance	The Grand Magister is the highest rank within the Order. There is only one Grand Magister at a time. His identity is known only to the Magisters. He also serves as the conduit between Volterra Kodanza and the rest of the Order. The Grand Magister serves for life.
Magister	Metal star with a black dragon	Magisters form the highest level of leadership within the Order. There is always an odd number excluding the Grand Magister. Each Magister is responsible for several Commanders and aren't restricted by geography. They are also considered members of clergy at the shrines to Volterra Kodanza.
Commander	Metal star	The Commander oversees a local chapter of the Order. He is responsible for all the Knights and Companions in his area. He organizes events and tends to the needs of his chapter. He answers to a regional Magister.
Knight Elevated	Lance with a tassel	Knights who exemplify the Order's values may be promoted to Knight Elevated. It is the highest honor one can receive within the Order, and he is treated with distinction at social events. He is the role model all should strive for.
Knight	Lance	The Knight is the core rank of the Order. At this level, a member is expected to embody the values of the Oath of the Lance. He has full social privileges and may be eligible for further promotion. He reports to a local Commander.
Companion	No decoration	All begin at the rank of Companion upon first joining the Order. Companions are granted some social privileges but are not expected to pay dues during the first year of membership. A Companion is a student of the order and learns from his Commander and fellow Knights the values and conduct of Volterra Kodanza. He is selected to join the Order because he already demonstrates the values. Further teaching is to entrench those values and teach the best practices.

Promotion

Companion to Knight

Qualifications to be promoted to Knight:

• A Companion for at least a year prior to nomination
• A written report from a Commander detailing how the Companion has lived up to the order's values
• A reference letter from a Commander detailing why the Companion would be a good Knight

Process to promote a Companion to Knight:

1. A Commander nominates a qualified Companion to his Magister.
2. The Magisters review all nominations.
3. Only the fifty best candidates are selected to be promoted in honor of Volterra Kodanza's fifty soldiers when he slew the dragon.
4. On Black Dragon Day, the selected Companions are knighted in front of the rest of the order and awarded the decoration.

Knight to Knight Elevated

Qualifications to be nominated for Knight Elevated:

• Be "mentioned with distinction" in dispatches by another officer.
• Be an officer in good standing with the Order.
• Be free from investigation due to improper conduct or gross negligence.
• Be free from accusations of abuse of power by subordinates.
• Be free from accusations of violation of the Oath of the Lance.
• A written report from a Commander detailing why the Knight is an example of the order's values.
• A reference letter from a Commander of the Knight's character.

Process to raise a Knight to Knight Elevated:

1. A Commander nominates a qualified Knight to his Magister.
2. The Magisters review all nominations.
3. The Magisters must reach a consensus agreement to raise the Knight.
4. Declinations are issued to the Commander with reasoning for refusal. Knights may be renominated after one year unless otherwise stated.
5. On Black Dragon Day, the Knight is announced as being raised to Knight Elevated in front of the order and awarded with a new decoration.

Knight (Elevated) to Commander

Qualifications to be nominated for Commander:

• A Knight for at least five years.
• Be an officer in good standing with the Order.
• Be free from investigation due to improper conduct or gross negligence.
• Be free from accusations of abuse of power by subordinates.
• Be free from accusations of violation of the Oath of the Lance.
• A written report from a Magister detailing why the Knight is an example of the order's values.
• A reference letter from a Magister of the Knight's character.

Process to promote a Knight to Commander:

1. A Magister nominates a qualified Knight to the Grand Magister.
2. The Grand Magister and Magisters review the nomination.
3. The Magisters must reach a 3/4 majority agreement and approval from the Grand Magister.
4. The Knight is summoned to Headquarters. All Magisters and the Grand Magister are present.
5. The Knight kneels before the Grand Magister who places a crown made from the dragon's hoard and claws on the Knight's head.
6. The Knight recites the Oath of the Lance.
7. The Magisters are given a final chance to raise any objections to the promotion.
8. The Grand Magister commands the Knight to rise and declares him as a Commander of the order.
9. The Grand Magister presents the new Commander with the new decoration.

Commander to Magister

Qualifications to be nominated for Magister:

• A vacant Magister seat due to death or abdication from duties.
• Be at least a brigadier general (army), rear admiral (navy), Commodore (artillery, engineers, auxiliary).
• Be mentioned in dispatches within the past two years.
• Be in good standing with the Order.
• Be free from investigation due to improper conduct or gross negligence.
• Be free from accusations of abuse of power by subordinates.
• Be free from accusations of violation of the Oath of the Lance.

Process to promote a Commander to Magister:

1. The Grand Magister nominates a qualified Commander.
2. The current Magisters and Commanders have one major cycle to raise any objections to the appointment.
3. The Commander is summoned to Headquarters. All Magisters and the Grand Magister are present.
4. The Commander recites the Oath of the Lance and kisses the lance.
5. The Grand Magister commands the Commander to kneel, then taps him thrice with the lance on both shoulders and the head.
6. The Grand Magister commands him to rise and declares him a new Magister of the Order.
7. The Grand Magister presents the new Magister with the new decoration.

Magister to Grand Magister

Process to promote a Magister to Grand Magister:

1. The Grand Magister seat is empty due to death or abdication from duties.
2. Magisters convene at the Grand Hall for an emergency session.
3. Magisters nominate two names other than themselves for Grand Magister.
4. The Magister with the most nominations is elected Grand Magister.
5. In the event of a tie, any Magisters who didn't nominate one of the tied candidates resubmits a single name for nomination.
6. The new Grand Magister is presented with the and lance decoration to confirm the appointment to office.

Retirement

Members of the rank Commander or higher may elect to abdicate their duties. They retain membership in the order for life unless they commit a crime and are removed. Abdicated officers may not be eligible for promotion again. Written notice must be submitted to the Grand Magister at least one major cycle prior to effective abdication date. Notice of abdication cannot be refused under any circumstances. Abdicated officers may receive leniency on upholding member duties at the Grand Magister's discretion.

Social Life of a Knight

Black Dragon Day

Black Dragon Day is celebrated on 31 Dione's Month to commemorate the day when Volterra Kodanza slew the black dragon Naqirrus. Celebrations may be held anywhere by members, and the largest celebration is held at Headquarters. During the celebration, food is provided paid for by the Order. There shall be no admittance or registration fee to attend Black Dragon Day. There will be tests of skills and challenges. Games and matches may be held of the organizer's choosing. At Headquarters, after midday, fifty Companions will be promoted to Knight. Knights who are being raised to Knight Elevated will also be presented. The names of new Companions will be read out. New Commanders and Magisters will be introduced. Additional announcements for the year will be issued. The Grand Magister will present a speech commemorating the occasion. A priest of Volterra Kodanza will bless those gathered. In the evening, there will be a large dinner. At Headquarters, it is customary to serve Drake steaks on a golden platter. The organizer is responsible for ensuring that all attendees have lodging for the night. Attendees must not stay for more than two days after the celebration is concluded.

Seasonal Dinners

At least four times a year, Commanders and Magisters must host private dinners for the Knights and Companions under their command. The exact date is to be set by the host. There is no restriction on the maximum number of private social events that can be held. Knights are free to host private social events, but there is no requirement to do so. Invitations must be offered to all subordinate Order members. Knights must offer invitations to all other Knights under the same Commander. All members must attend at least four social events hosted by a Commander or Magister each year. Failure to do so is subject to punishment (see section Crime and Punishment below). Non-members are not permitted at social gatherings. This includes spouses, mistresses, children, extended family, caranthi, and personal attendants.
Members may be given leniency on event attendance at the discretion of the presiding Magister. Acceptable reasons not to attend the requisite number of events include and are not limited to times of war, overseas posting, serious illness or injury, and infirmity.

War Games

During the final minor cycle of summer (31-45 Qazakthein's Month) in years of peacetime, all officers are required to participate in war games. Exceptions are made for border and colonial postings. Personal assistants may attend and continue to perform ordinary duties, but may not partake in operations. Subordinates and junior officers may not partake in operations. The purpose of War Games is to strengthen officers' knowledge and ability to execute orders in a wide range of circumstances. Officers are divided into one of two teams, Attacker or Defender. Teams are awarded and deducted points based on performance. Magisters and the Grand Magister act as referees for the duration of the Games. Participants are expected to carry out all necessary duties including but not limited to, scavenging for supplies, partaking in reconnaissance exercises, loading and firing artillery, digging trenches, building and maintaining defensive structures, starting fires, and cleaning equipment.
Exercises are developed each year by the Magisters and may include outside advise. Exercises are designed to replicate hypothetical and real scenarios in war. At the end of the minor cycle, the team with the most points is declared the winner and receives a prize of the Grand Magister's choosing. The exercises and reports are published internally and kept for reference in subsequent years. These reports are made available to all participants. Members may request a copy of previous years' reports at any time.

Crime and Punishment

Minor Crimes

Minor crimes are defined as those transgressions which do not (1) invoke a court martial, (2) compromise or endanger the order or any member of the order, (3) violate the Oath of the Lance and (4) violate a civilian law which can result in imprisonment at minimum excepting public drunkeness.
The Commander is responsible for holding a hearing in which the accuser, accused, and witnesses may give testimony. Nonmember witnesses are permitted. If either the accused or accuser is a nonmember, the Commander must direct the dispute back to the proper chain of command. If the accused is deemed guilty, the Commander is responsible for issuing and enacting punishment. Committing the same crime more than twice causes subsequent hearings to be tried as Major crimes. Punishments may include and are not limited to, probation, fines not exceeding 50% annual salary, additional work duties, community service, whipping up to ten lashes, reduction of rations for up to four days, and loss of social privileges for up to two major cycles.

Major Crimes

Major crimes consist of all other crimes not considered Minor Crimes. Crimes committed by Commanders and Magisters regardless of severity are treated as Major crimes. Military and civilian law are expected to follow through with due process. If the accused is a Companion, his membership in the Order is revoked, and he becomes ineligible for reentry. If the accused is a Knight or higher, membership privileges may be suspended until the courts have finalized their decisions. Knights become ineligible for promotion. Commanders and Magisters may be demoted back to Knight. Punishment is enacted by the Grand Magister at his discretion. The death penalty is forbidden but may be executed by military and civilian courts. Fines must be in excess of 40% of the officer's annual salary. Further suspension of privileges must be longer than four continuous major cycles. Whipping may be between ten and fifty lashes. Probation must be longer than two years.

Lead with Honor and Courage

Type

Secret, Brotherhood

Alternative Names

Dragon Knights, The Order

Training Level

Professional

Veterancy Level

Experienced

Leader

Geles Hapturn

Leader Title

Grand Magister

Founders

• Volterra Kodanza

Deities

• Dione
• Volterra Kodanza

Current Headquarters

Novoli

Previous Headquarters

Lisavi

Current Members

Past Members

Worst Kept Secret

Within the Otorim military, the existince of the Knights is well known but never spoken about. The emperor tolerates their presence because many high ranking and popular officers are members of the order, but he makes no official comment on them or their operations. It's common knowledge among the rest of the officers that court martialled Knights receive lenient sentences, and being a knight often leads to easier and more lucrative promotions. Nobles dislike the way that commoners can rise to nobility through the order and see the practice of including commoners as a break of the natural order of the world. However, due to the Order's influence and status as a secret society, any comments or criticism have to be kept behind closed doors.

Main Duties of Knights

• Pay annual dues to the Order
• Attend yearly mandatory training exercises
• Abide by all laws of the Order

Religious Duties of Knights

• Donate 5% of annual salary to the shrines to Volterra Kodanza.
• Participate in rituals when requested
• Perform rituals upon request when no shrine is available

Charitable Duties of Knights

• Donate 3% of annual salary to benefits for veterans and wounded.
• Contribute at least six new books to the regimental library annually
• Contribute to at least two civilian charity events annually

Military Duties of Knights

• Promote continuing education for subordinates
• Hold cyclical training sessions for subordinates
• Obey orders from superior officers within and outside of the Order

VK Press

In an effort to promote continuing education for our officers, VK Press is hereby established for the purpose of publishing accurate and useful resources for military training. The press is informally affiliated with the Order and is open to contributions from all officers regardless of rank or membership status. It will be the preferred printing press of the Order. It will be run independently and in cooperation with the Printing Press Guild.