CHARTER

(SIC) Second In Command	It the highest position under the Royal Family itself and one of the most trusted. It is your responsibility to keep on top of all matters possible in the castle and the members there. To help make decisions of grave importance in castle matters. To report any concerns or information gathered of importance that would apply to the castle and it's continued well-being. To organize the commands below you along with the Queen and King so that they continue doing their jobs properly. To have them report to you of their activities and the ones they are in charge of, then reporting back to the Duke and Duchess on these matters.
(TIC) Third In Command	It is the second highest position under the Royal Family itself. Your duties are similar to the SIC by working hand in hand with them. In the absence of the SIC it is your place to take over their duties until they return.
Champions	This is the highest position of a Knight - Protector. Those most skilled in combat and conduct become also the personal bodyguards of the Queen and her family. It is expected that you be always ready to defend, by moving to the side of the Queen - foremost or Member that is being accosted, hand on weapon but not drawn unless the offender draws theirs. They can be called upon to represent her personally in tournaments and accompany her and her family as needed outside of the Tri-Castle lands. They can also be called upon to spar candidates for position of Knight to test their ability to the fullest. In times of needed protection, all are to follow your decisions without question, all knights are under your command at such times. The only one that can overrule is the Queen herself.
Ambassadors	To promote good will with other castles and to assist in treaties with prospective castles, giving the Queen and King advice on the proceedings and decisions.
Advisors-Notary	To gather information that they feel is important to the welfare of Heathfield, reporting to the Queen, King and upper command on their findings, giving advice.
Knights/Mages	It is expected that you be always ready to defend, by moving to the side of the Queen or Lady that is being accosted, hand on weapon but not drawn unless the offender draws theirs. Help all others in the art of combat ~ it is advised to practice these arts in the spar hall with other members so that both may hone their skills.
1st Knight	You are responsible for all the knights under you, seeing that they are trained not only in combat skills but in their responsibilities and actions in the castle. You are to immediately proceed to the Queen's side when she is in the castle until dismissed, for her protection, always ready to defend. To always be ready to be called upon, coming to her aid if you are in the lands but not in the castle. To have the skills to organize the other knights under you in time of battle so that the situation is kept in hand, this requires one that is level headed and can make good choices in any given situation, to defend the castle but first by means that are peaceful only resorting to violence if necessary. You are to seek the advice of those over you (Champions - Queen/King) if they are present, following their orders without hesitation and only acting on your own if they are not in making decisions in a matter of grave importance. You may assign other knights to the knights below you in having them train, overseeing that it is properly done. ie: having the third knight assigned to help a particular 7th knight be trained, and reporting back to you on the progress of this training. You are to hold Knights meetings to ensure all know the rules and procedures, and to organize events to further their training such as a tournament with date and time approved by the Queen and King so that events will not collide with each other, and all may attend who are in the lands. Your position does not include treating those under you as "slaves" nor disrespect.
2nd Knight	In the absence of the 1st knight in a time of need, their duties fall upon you in making decisions and taking command. You are to move to the other side of the Queen when in the castle and to defend her if necessary. Be alert and follow the commands of those above you without hesitation. You are to help the 1st knight in his duties of training the other knights below you.
3rd Knight	Is to help the 1st and 2nd knights as needed and is in charge of the squires assigning them to other knights so that they may learn to be a knight.
4th-7th Knight	To follow the commands of those above them and continue with their training. When in the castle the highest ranking knight is to move to the Queen's side if others are not presence in their absence. Their should be one on either side at all times for her protection unless another is attacked they are to move to immediately help them, or unless dismissed from their duty of being stationed by her side.
Mages	You are to use your skills in the protection of the members of the castle, staying more aloft but alert and ready to battle if necessary. The head Mage is responsible for the training of the mages below him/her and to report back to the Queen and King on their progress. He can also assign Mages that have progress to train others then so that they learn to take on this responsibility.
Ladies	The responsibility of greeting guests and offering them food and/or drink relies mostly on you. To be cheerful and talkative so that all will feel welcomed and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere for their visit there, reflecting upon Heathfield and its members in a good way. To be alert of any danger at which time, moving to one of the knights or mages for protection. It is also advise that you learn the art of combat so that if necessary you can defend yourself and other members in a time of need.
1st Lady	Is responsible for all the ladies under her, assigning duties, giving all a chance to learn or show their skills, having Ladies Meetings to ensure all are trained properly in these duties, and to organize events/functions for the enjoyment of Heathfield's family. To report to the Queen directly in all matters of concern and events to be run so that everything is approved and coordinated with her. To give out pins/badges as skills are learned and demonstrated.
2nd Lady	To assist the 1st lady in these matters, working hand in hand with her, and to take the responsibilities of her position in her absence.
3rd Lady	To assist the 1st and 2nd ladies, and is in charge of the Ladies-In-Waiting and maidens, in that they are trained properly in their duties so that they may become a Lady.
4th-7th Lady	To help the ladies above them and to hone their skills.
Royal Bodyguards	To protect the person assigned to them with their life, always alert and ready to be called upon in a time of danger or suspected danger to that person, working hand in hand with the knights and mages in this protection. To keep tabs on their assigned, checking on them to make sure they are safe, and letting them know that they are in the lands thru an IM if they are not in the same area as their assigned.
Royal Navy	To ensure that the ships are in proper working condition, organizing events and excursions out onto the high seas. To recruit members to help with this upkeep and to man them, training them in these skills. (more will be added as this div grows as far as positions and responsibilities)
Rangers	To keep the boarders safe of the Tri-Castle lands. Gather information and report back of anything of importance.
Priest/Clergy	Will take care of all duties such as performing weddings, burials and even counseling of those who need help. Will and observe members and if he/she feels they need consultation to approach them, but always respecting their wishes.

Medieval Code of Chivalry

A knight must perform military service to his lord whenever asked and must show courage and enterprise when obeying his lord. This Medieval Code of Chivalry is the very heart of the feudal ideal, and forms the backbone of medieval military organization.

A knight regards war as the "flowering of chivalry" and, therefore, a noble enterprise. For the knight, battle is the test of manhood, and combat is glorious. A knight's first goal as a warrior, therefore, is the personal achievement of glory in battle. Without glorious deeds in times of war, a knight is considered to be nothing more than a fancy mercenary, having wasted years of his life training for ultimate failure.

A knight must show respect for all peers and equals, honor all those above his station. A knight does not aid the ill-mannered, the coarse, the crude. This applies to goods and services as well. A knight does not use equipment which is badly made or inferior, as he chooses to fight on foot before riding a nag.

A knight must show courtesy to all ladies. Women are to be protected. They are to be cherished and honored, watched from afar and never handled roughly.

Modern Code of Chivalry

Loyalty
A knight must be true to his country and his king. The entire kingdom would collapse should the oaths of fealty be dissolved. Be loyal to your lord, and your vassals will learn from your example. Be disloyal, and beware every time you turn your back.

Respect
A knight must be true to women or those who are less fortunate than himself, and honor those who have achieved greater glory for their god and country. Those who lie, cheat, and steal are beneath contempt as they are honorless cowards.

A knight must be true to women or those who are less fortunate than himself, and honor those who have achieved greater glory for their god and country. Those who lie, cheat, and steal are beneath contempt as they are honorless cowards.

Honor
A knight must be true to one's self. Only your god and you know if you have been truly honorable, and lying to one's self can only lead to the further corruption of lying to others. All lies, no matter for what cause they are told , are dishonorable. It is better to not provide an answer at all than it is to deceive anyone for any reason. This includes shading the truth or lies based on the omission of facts. Any intent to deceive is considered a lie.

Valor
A knight must be true to his profession. A warrior who is a coward is not a warrior at all, but a worthless retch in armor, preaching lies to all around him. You cannot earn respect in such a manner, and you cannot keep a clear conscious by retreating from glory. It is better to die for your cause than to surrender it. If a cause is not worth fighting for, then war is to no avail. A challenge, especially to single combat, is always the best way to achieve valor and glory for your cause.

Taken from the AD&D "The Castle Guide"
Note: this is the first Charter for Heathfield and will be revised as needed and as the castle grows warranting revisions.

Knight's Oath

A knight will hold to his heart that faith which we all know as the light and defend and observe the directions of that faith.

A knight shall respect the weaknesses of others and shall constitute themselves the defender of the weak.

A knight shall respect and honor the kingdom they serve and the country in which it resides.

A knight shall not retreat or stand down from an enemy unless they are directed by their king or the most ranking member above them.

When called to arms they shall immediately respond without hesitation. If they cannot be at the scene of a battle they shall inform their superior.

A knight shall, on his own, make war against any who attack the weak and the poor, without cessation and without mercy.

A knight shall forever be truthful, never lie, and shall remain faithful to their pledged word.

A knight shall, at all times and in all situations, be courteous to all members of the Castle and its guests as well as when outside visiting other realms.

A knight shall be generous and give from the purse as well as the heart to the poor.

A knight shall everywhere and always the champion of Right and Good against Injustice and Evil.

A knight shall in everyway be forbidden to harm a woman or child and shall champion the cause of women and children that are being abused by others.

A Story of "Honor"

Once there was a young man who inherited three treasures from his father--three treasures in three locked chests. The first chest was large and very heavy. It was marked "TALENTS,'' and it was filled with gold and platinum and electrum coins, a fortune that could buy him the world. The second chest was larger and heavier still. It was marked "COMPASSION," and it was filled with countless magic rings. Each ring let the wearer feel the emotions of one person or creature in the world. The third chest was the largest and heaviest of all. It was marked "HONOR," and what if held, not even the young man knew. You see, the young man had two keys, one for the box marked "TALENTS," and the other for the box marked "COMPASSION." But his father had not given him a key to the box marked "HONOR." His father had said that talents were meant to be used , and compassion was something meant always to be at hand and available in plenty.

But honor was a thing too easily squandered. To have it, the young man must find his own key to open the box. The young man took the large , heavy treasure chest of talents and carefully, wisely, spent it. For each talent he spent , he received title to a man's parcel of land. In so doing, he came to possess the world.. Then, the young man took the larger, heavier chest of compassion. One at a time, he placed each ring upon his finger so he could understand the hopes and fears of all the people and creatures in his world. When he was done, he loved them all, and became a great ruler , a champion of justice. He went out into his world, then, taking the final box with him and searching for a key to open it. Wherever he went, he commanded his people to bring every key they had and to try each in the lock. Many people offered to break the box open for him, but the young man refused, for violence could not be the key to honor.

In ten years, he crossed the whole world but did not find the key to honor. He thought, they are hiding it from me. I will find it yet. He went out into his world again, this time taking also his chest of compassion. When his people brought to him more keys, he found a ring for each person and slipped it on his finger, searching their hearts to see if they hid a special key from him. Many offered again to break the box open, but the aging man refused. In twenty years, he crossed his whole world twice but he did not find the key to honor. He thought, I own the world, and I own the hearts of all who dwell in it, and still I cannot find the key to honor? How can a man with no honor rule a world and all its hearts?

So he went out into his world again, this time taking along also his chest of talents, full of deeds. He called his people to him, one by one, and gave each of them the deed to a parcel of land and the ring to each to their hearts. And he said to them, "I have not found the key to honor, and I cannot rule this world or the hearts of her people if I have no honor." Many offered again to break the box open, but the old man refused. In forty years, he had gone through all the world three times, and by now was a very, very old man. Now, he had only three chests, two of which were empty, and the other, which could not be opened. He thought, once the world was mine, and all the creatures in it. Now, my talents are gone, my compassion spent, and I have nothing to give my son except this box I cannot open.

But when his hand touched the box it sprung open, and he saw that it held two locked chests, one marked "TALENTS" and the other "COMPASSION," and a key for each chest. He thought, now I understand. Honor is not something to be spent or used, but to be kept. The key to honor is to keep it, always, and pass it on as a heritage to one's son. How glad I am I never tired of the burden and broke the chest open! He carefully lifted out the large, heavy chest marked "TALENTS" and the larger, heavier chest marked "COMPASSION," so that the largest chest of all, "HONOR," was empty and terribly light. But when he closed the lid and locked it again , the chest was once again the heaviest of them all. Then he called his son and said to him, "Son, I am very old, and I want you to have these three treasure..."

An excerpt from "Vinas Solamnus"
Lost Legends • Volume 1
Written by: J. Robert King

Vinas Solamnus organized the renowned Knights of Solamnia
Perhaps ye have seen the saying "Est Sularus oth Mithas"
from time tae time throughout Rhydin.
It means "My honor is My Life"...now ye know who made that saying famous.
Commander Vinas

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