General Organisation of the Order -- 4. Joining the Order
by Bruce HeardOne may wonder why would people
willingly join the Heldannic Order. By far the largest number of
volunteers comes from the humblest kind. Volunteers come from
native Heldann families but also from neighbouring countries.
Another important source of priests and knights are the countless
sergeants serving among the indentured soldiers, seeking to improve
their condition. To outsiders, the Order offers a number of
attractions ranging from food and shelter for the meekest, to
adventures in faraway lands, or even anonymity and a new life for
those on the run from debt or another land's law. All the Order
requires at first is that recruits adopt a new name, thereby
severing ties with their civilian life. Other than priests of other
faiths, one may find all sorts of people from every walk of life
among the Order, from runaway serfs to fallen nobility.
Serving Brethren: Those desiring to join the Order normally meet
Chaplains of the Hammer whose responsibility is to carefully
explain the conditions of life in the Order and its duties. Wealth
and personal freedom become a thing of the past. Instead, the new
brother is initiated to the hardships of the Order, its laws,
discipline, and the sense of belonging to a brotherhood lying above
one's own death. The newcomer is given the brown robe of the
Serving Brother. For a year, the newcomer experiences in particular
the austerity of his condition, handling all menial tasks for
priests and knights alike. Serving Brethren may be sent to abbeys
and other garrisons where their help may be needed, and report to
the local Chaplain. As Serving Brethren labour through their daily
chores, Chaplains begin their indoctrination and the evaluation of
their skills. The most fortunate are the ones with useful labour
skills acquired before they joined the Order. These include
blacksmiths, scribes, cooks, carpenters, and so on.
Novices: If after a year the Chaplains feel a Serving Brother does
not have what it takes to pursue life in the Order, they offer the
newcomer to remain a Serving Brother permanently or to leave the
Order. If the Brother's behaviour is deemed unacceptable, expulsion
occurs before the end of the year. If on the other hand, the
Serving Brother proves worthwhile and willing to remain, the
Chaplains hold the ceremony where one takes the Oath of Service.
The Chaplains then allow the newcomer to become a squire or a
novice priest. Noviciate goes on for an undetermined length of
time, depending on the novice's abilities. A squire may be required
to serve a brother knight for several years. In times of crisis,
talented squires may become Brother Knights in just a few months. A
novice priest may need several years as well to study theology and
master other aspects of the future Prior's area of devotion. When
complete, the new Brother Knight or the new Prior receive their
proper attire and equipment, and are transferred to their first
assignment, most likely a commanderie or an abbey. Priors join one
of the three clerical branches, depending on their skills.