Politics.
Goals and Overview.
The Heldannic Knight was created to further the ambitions of unruly and head-strong
Hattian knights who did not get along with their Thyatian overseers. Little more than a
band of armed hooligans, they flocked around an obscure clerical sect worshipping Vanya,
an Immortal Patron whose primary interest is war and conquests. They created an order of
knights and clerics with some degree of organisation. They grew out of hand very quickly
and presented a threat to Thyatis's imperial control of Hattias. To avoid a pointless
fight against the imperial legions, the order set sail to the nearest spot they thought
they could invade. They took over the Heldann Freeholds and began calling themselves the
Heldannic Knights. After a few generations, their order has grown into a highly organised
and experienced military machine capable of threatening other nations, and a financial
powerhouse. Lands that fall under their control are called the Heldannic Territories. At
first, other nations' rulers, including the emperor of Thyatis, considered the knights as
outlaws, but with their growing power they have been forced to deal with them. In the mean
time, ethnic tension with native Freeholders remains an everlasting thorn in the side of
the Order.
The goal of the Order before its clash with the Davanian simbasta was essentially to
conquer
anything conquerable. The order preyed on weak nations, unclaimed communities unable to
repeal a major invasion, and wilderness territories. So far, their gains include coastal
lands of Norwold, from Landfall to Oceansend. Outposts in faraway places were created and
lost over the years.
Goals of the Order after the war of invasion from Myoshima were redefined to heal a
dangerous schism that split the Order apart. Now, the Heldannic Knights' target is what
they call Spawns of Chaos threatening the established order in their area of the world.
These are in particular creatures from the Abyss, undead, and other powers of darkness.
Ironically, the Order also considers "outlaw" nations as Spawns of Chaos. The
Order is making it known to other rulers that its knights may be able to help against
aggressions from Chaos, in exchange for some territory which would be donated ad eternam
to the Order, or for the liberty to conduct legal, non-covert banking operations on their
lands. The lawful character of the Order stands as credible warranty that financial
transactions are secure and legitimate. A goal of the Order is to develop banking
operations enough to influence international politics. Another is to rely on this income
to finance the needs of its growing military apparatus, war and conquest remaining the
ultimate quest. Fortunately, this arrangement protects many of the nations in the Known
World from potential Heldannic aggression.
A growing and mutual enmity separates the Order and the Principalities of Glantri. With
good cause, the Order perceives Glantri as a harbinger of chaos, while the Glantrian
wizards resent the looming threat of a clerical hegemony in the region. The Heldannic
Knights concern themselves with concepts of Law - but not those of Good or Bad, although
improvements are forthcoming in this area, at least for the sake of diplomatic relations
with the rest of the Known World.
The Heldannic Order breaks down into four main branches: one military branch which is the
tool of Heldannic territorial expansion, and three clerical branches. They are the Voice
of Vanya handling general administration, the Hammer of Vanya responsible for enforcing
the Order's laws and ensuring orthodoxy among the military, and the Heart of Vanya whose
role is to create and interpret the Order's laws.
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The Priesthood
The Heldannic Order breaks down into four main branches: one military branch which is the
tool of Heldannic territorial expansion, and three clerical branches. They are the Voice
of Vanya handling general administration, the Hammer of Vanya responsible for enforcing
the Order's laws and ensuring orthodoxy among the military, and the Heart of Vanya whose
role is to create and interpret the Order's laws.
Voice of Vanya: The Grand Master also heads this branch. It handles the administration of
the
Order, which includes especially finances, acquisitions and management of property,
diplomacy with foreign powers, and overall decision-making for the Order. The Voice of
Vanya runs substantial banking operations under assumed names in Thyatis, Darokin and in
the Isle of Dawn which funds the Order's activities. It also manages these funds and any
taxes collected from occupied lands. The Voice of Vanya resides mostly in Freiburg.
Several members of this branch are also present at the main garrison (Oceansend, Landfall,
the Holy Citadel, etc.) All important garrison commanders and a great many of the
high-ranking commanders in the military branch come from the Voice of Vanya. These
garrisons remain under a Grand Knight's direct authority, including any ships based there.
Overall, the influence of this branch among the entire Order is considerable.
Heart of Vanya: This branch is responsible for the communion with Vanya, which includes
religious services at the temples, studying holy scriptures and other sources of
knowledge, interpreting the will of Vanya through omens and meditation, defining what
constitutes heretical behaviour, creating and maintaining the Order's internal laws and
the laws of the land, and providing magistrates to settle internal and external issues.
Priests of this branch are the scholars of the Order and also provide battlefield healers.
The Heart of Vanya is based at the Holy Citadel, but the branch maintains an important
presence at Freiburg. Priest of the Heart are also assigned to major garrisons. The Voice
of Vanya does not control activities at the Heart of Vanya but may veto new laws it may
come up with. If so, a council is called upon to resolve deadlocks, which requires the
participation of all available Grand Knights and Abbots in the Order. Everyone has one
vote, with a simple majority deciding the council's outcome.
Hammer of Vanya: It is this branch that gets the work done. An autonomous branch of the
Order, it works with the Heart of Vanya from which it receives said laws and whose
decisions it applies. The Hammer primarily enforces Heldannic Laws. Religious
indoctrination among common soldiers in the military branch comes from the Hammer which
also watches for unorthodox thinking in the Order. It is directly involved with rooting
out heretical behaviour and directs the conversion of non- believers to the ways of the
Order's Immortal Patron.
The Hammer controls the screening and recruitment of new soldiers among native population,
either volunteers desiring to join the Order, or natives called upon to serve under the
Heldannic banner. In the latter case, all households settled in Heldannic Territories and
with more than one child, must provide one adult person, male or female, capable of
bearing arms. Indentured service is mandatory and lasts ten years. The Hammer also
reserves the right to elevate lay brethren to the rank of knight and accept acolytes among
the clerical branches. Indentured soldiers cannot rise among the Order until they make an
Oath of Service. Joining the Order is a life-long affair ending either with the knight's
death in the service of Vanya or a banishment from the Order following a disgrace.
The Hammer maintains an important presence among the military, as each fighting unit has
at least one Chaplain. In addition to the above duties, the Chaplain provides clerical
magic during battles. A priest of the Hammer is present in each Company or Lance, in
addition to secular troops. In general, priests of the Hammer of Vanya are experienced
with combat and well equipped. They normally fight with a war hammer, a symbol that they
use generously to expound the concepts and benefits of their faith. They are physically
fit for warfare and often display a natural fire and brimstone leadership style. When
serving a high-ranking priest, Sergeant-at-Arms may be chosen among Chaplains of the
Hammer. Together with the Heart of Vanya, priests of the Hammer can balance out the power
of the Voice during times of crisis. The sect of the Southern Star that guards Vanya's
mortal remains at the Holy Citadel and her artifact, the Star of Vanya, is composed solely
of priests of the Hammer.
It is possible for priests to transfer from one branch to another, depending on their
experience and abilities. Priests of the Hammer who are too old to bear arms generally
join the Heart of Vanya. Secular knights may become priests later in their career and join
any of the three clerical branches, depending on their abilities.
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The Military
The Military: The Grand Master of the Order is the supreme commander of the military
apparatus.Either he or one of the two clerical Primates can lead an army. The main
subdivisions of an army on a battlefield or in a major garrison require a Grand Knight.
The Grand Master of the Order, the Primates, and Grand Knights are entitled a retinue of
body guards, called Sergeants-at-Arms whose responsibilities include the safety of their
commander and to see that orders are carried through.Sergeants-at-Arms are mounted,
armoured knights.
Any land force fielded by the Order breaks down into one Vaward, one Main Battle, and one
Rearward. Before combat the Vaward normally holds the left wing, the Main Battle the
centre, and the Rearward the right flank. These three main combat units break down into
Chapters of about 100 to 500 similar troops under the command of a Knight Banneret.
Chapters break down into infantry Companies and cavalry Lances, usually ten to a Chapter.
A
company includes either 20-30 men-at-arms, or 40-60 archers, crossbowmen, or pikemen. A
Lance includes about ten armoured knights. A Knight Bachelor commands individual Companies
and Lances. All knights of the order are entitled to a squire attending to their needs and
safety. A sergeant usually helps command infantry troops and provides combat training,
usually one for every ten soldier in a company.
A number of combat units are predefined before a battle as being part of a rear guard.
These are experienced troops whose responsibility is to cover the army's retreat from a
battlefield (a rear guard is not necessarily part of the Rearward).
All member of the Order below the rank of knight (except novice priests) are referred to
as lay
brethren. They receive a small monthly pay which is normally sent directly to their
families and serve a ten year term. All other members of the Order receive no pay and
serve for life.
Generally-speaking, the proportion between knights and lay brethren is about ten for every
single knight.
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Ranks & Forms of Address
Military Ranks: Grand Master of the Order, Grand Knight, Knight Banneret, Knight Bachelor,
the common knight, and the sergeant in decreasing order of importance. All soldiers
beneath the rank of knight are addressed as "Brother" followed by their name. A
common knight is called "Brother Knight" or "Brother" followed with
the knight's name. When addressing any other knight, one uses the term "Sir",
"Sire", "Herr", "Lady" or "Dame" as the case may
be. When addressing the Grand Master, one uses the term "My Lord" or
"Meinherr" (The Grand Master title pertains to both the military and clerical
branches). Squire and Sergeant- at-Arms aren't military ranks but functions. One of the
Sergeant-at-Arms should be a Grand Knight or a Knight Banneret who will act as the
commander's seneschal. The seneschal replaces an army commander in his absence. A squire
is equivalent to a common sergeant, but unlike the latter, squires have taken their Oath
of Service to the Order.
Clerical Ranks: The head of each clerical branch has the title of Primate, which
automatically confers the rank of Grand Knight. A Primate stands between a Grand Knight
and the Grand Master of the Order as far as personal authority is concerned. Serving a
Primate are Abbots, considered equivalent to Knights Banneret. Serving an Abbot (or
Abbess) are Priors, equivalent to common knights. Under a Prior (or Prioress) toil Serving
Brethren, standing between indentured soldiers and sergeants; they are addressed as
"Brother" followed by their names. Among the Hammer of Vanya, Priors are called
Chaplains. Priors and Abbots are referred to as "Reverend Father (or
Mother)".The Primate of the Heart is called "Your Eminence", while the
Primate of the Hammer is called "Your Grace".
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Joining the Order
One 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.
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Code of Conduct
Heldannic Discipline
Discipline in the Order is notorious throughout the Mystara's Known World. It is based
upon a code of conduct that applies to all members of the Order, including indentured
soldiers. Articles of the code are listed in decreasing order of importance and priority.
1. Devotion: A brother must honour Our Lady Vanya and none other than Our Most Gracious
Guide, and in every way support Her Purpose. Brother knights and brother priests must
display Her Symbol at all times, clearly and unequivocally.
2. Order: A brother must abjure and shun all portents and cohorts of Chaos, and cleanse
the Order from its baneful corruption.
3 Obedience: A brother must obey Commanders of the Order immediately and without question
so long as the Devotion to Our Lady Vanya and the Order are preserved.
4. Loyalty: A brother must hold fidelity to the Order above and beyond his own life and
well-being. A brother must never permit harm to come directly or indirectly to a fellow
brother and the Order.
5. Discipline: A brother must never break rank or abandon a post, or cause harm to the
Brotherhood through lack of attention or dereliction of duty.
6. Bravery: A brother must endeavour to show courage and boldness in combat, so long as
Obedience and Discipline are preserved.
7. Respect: A brother must show all due reference to commanders, to companions, and to The
Law, in words and behaviour, and shun any and all profanity.
8. Self-sacrifice: A brother must entrust his life and well-being to Our Most Gracious
Guide to protect the Order, a fellow brother, and the honour of Our Lady Vanya's name.
9. Humility: A brother must show humbleness in words and behaviour to all in the Order,
for no mortal is fully worthy in the eyes of Our Lady Vanya.
10. Virtue: A brother must never envy, cheat, lie to, or steal from a fellow brother,
wager, play games of chance, or pursue frivolous goals.
11. Cleanness: A brother must endeavour to remain clean, in body, in, clothing, and in
arms so as not to soil or damage the Order's property and symbols.
12. Achievement: A brother must never offer or accept material goods or services in order
to gain or entitle another brother to a greater standing in the Order.
13. Poverty: A brother must neither seek nor conceal from the Order any material wealth.
Temporal goods must be conferred to the Order for the benefit of all.
14. Abstinence: A brother must steer clear of the tyranny of hard beverages and unhealthy
substances corrupting the body and the mind.
15. Frugality: A brother must shun gluttony and all excesses so body and mind remain
healthy, robust, and alert as shown by Our Most Gracious Guide.
16. Hardwork: A brother must labour at all times for the benefit of all, for it is through
one's hardship that spring forth power and prosperity.
17. Chastity: A brother knight or a brother priest must resist the temptation of mortal
flesh for it engenders Chaos and peril to the Order.
18. Celibacy: A brother must devote his time, thoughts, and efforts on this mortal world
to Our Lady of Vanya, and shun matrimony and affairs of the heart.
19. Restraint: A brother must not act in anger, or in revenge, or in provocation for
therein lie the seeds of Chaos and Destruction.
20. Duty to the People: A brother must protect any and all subjects of the Heldannic
Territories in danger of falling before Spawns of Chaos.
Punishment: Different penalties apply depending on which rule was broken. They are listed
below in decreasing order of severity. Magistrates from the Heart may at their discretion
upgrade or downgrade penalties one level to reflect circumstances. For the sake of
expediency, garrison commanders may apply sentences requiring Atonement and Hardship
directly without the presence of a magistrate of the Heart.
Rules 1-4: Loss of the House - banishment from the Order and its lands; confiscation of
arms and clothing bearing the mark of the Order or of Vanya; branding in the forehead. The
Order and subjects of the Heldannic Territories may not harbour, help, or consort in any
way with a branded criminal. The penalty may be upgraded to a death sentence in case of
extreme and damaging cowardice, treachery, or heresy.
Rules 5-8: Loss of the Robe - the brother is permanently condemned to wear the brown robe
of the Serving Brother; 1-10 years hard labour in an abbey of the Hammer, depending on the
gravity of the damage to the Order.
Rules 9-12: Temporary Loss of the Robe - the brother is condemned to wear the brown robe
of the Serving Brother for one to three years; the brother must regain status and rank as
a newcomer.Penalties for simony or murder of a brother are automatically upgraded.
Rules 13-20: Atonement and Hardship - 6-24 lashes; fasting and praying before the altar
until collapse. The punishment may be downgraded to 1-6 weeks at an abbey of the Heart to
pray, meditate, and repent, especially for elder, frail, or unhealthy brethren.
In case of multiple crimes, 6-24 lashes are sometimes added in addition to possible
upgrading for the worst offence.
Customs: Following a battle, brother knights serving in the same Lance often seal their
companionship by sharing their blood. They cut open their forearms and apply the wounds
together.Although tolerated among the military, the practice is frowned upon among the
priesthood as it is thought to conflict with some aspects rules 2 and 3. The fear is that
fraternal loyalty may supersede faithfulness to the Order and obedience to its commanders.
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Amendments to the Code of Conduct
During the decades following the new Heldannic Code of Conduct, The Heart and the Voice
have enacted amendments essentially to reflect practical issues.
1st Amendment - Devotion: Indentured brothers in arms of another faith than Vanya are
tolerated, but must keep their faith discreet and to themselves.
2nd Amendment - Respect: A brother must take meals in silence as the Holy Scriptures are
read by the brother chaplain.
3rd Amendment - Cleanness: A brother must endeavour to wear appropriate and complete
attire at all times.
4th Amendment - Achievement: The Order may reward a returning brother with items of magic
as appropriate to rank and achievement.
5th Amendment - Poverty: A brother is entitled to a stipend to cover minor personal costs
when involved outside the Order.
6th Amendment - Celibacy: Indentured brothers in arms may take a spouse but must keep
matrimonial life discreet and to themselves.
7th Amendment - Restraint: A brother must forego undue cruelty to people and animals, and respect the property of Heldannic subjects and the Order.
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Heldannic Knight -- Later Reforms to
the Law
This is an update to the original Code of Conduct
Later Reforms
Married Knights (AC 1016): One of the major changes among both the knighthood and
priesthood was to allow married candidates in a first move, and in a later move existing
members to take a spouse in our out of the Order. This naturally implies they may have
legitimate progeny. These changes to Heldannic Law came at a time when the Order needed
even more recruits and desired to relax some of the older laws to adapt to the challenges
of the day. There are, however, conditions to the above.
There are no further restrictions on accepting new members married before seeking to join
the
Order, as long as the intent of the 6th Amendment is respected. Those members seeking
marriage while serving the Order have to go through a trial to determine whether the law
on Chastity was violated. If not, the wedding is approved. If not, the petitioner(s) may
be sentenced for breaking Heldannic Law.
The spouse cannot be a spell-caster other than a priest of Vanya. Members of the Heldannic
Order must vouch for the virtue and honour of their spouse, and bear responsibility for
the acts of said spouse. All progeny of the couple must be raised honouring Vanya.
Provided the couple has progeny capable of bearing arms, the couple must provide at least
one offspring to join the Order. Offspring may include any legitimate or adopted sons or
daughters (including of a prior marriage) with proper rearing in regards to Vanya's faith.
Land Grants (AC 1017): In order to make the Order a more attractive prospect to
experienced warriors - essentially members of Heldann or foreign nobility - The Order
began providing small dominions to certain knights and priests as a reward for exemplary
services. This was aimed in particular at the younger members of large warrior families
who expected to inherit very little. These warriors were needed because of their high
education crucial for their eventual gain of a higher rank among the Order. Most of these
high-born adventurers were married before they would join the Order, which explains why
the reform of AC 1016 on matrimonial laws was needed before land grants could be
considered. Naturally, the grant of property comes with several obligatory duties.
Use and occupation of the dominion is permanent so long as the family has a legitimate
heir. Lawful inheritors includes all living sons or daughters with direct blood lines to
the original grantee of the Heldannic dominion. Spouses of the grantee or of legitimate
heirs are not considered legitimate heirs themselves, but their progeny is (unless
adopted, illegitimate, or of a prior marriage). Spouses and illegitimate heirs may become
eligible if they are active members of the Heldannic Order who have taken the Oath of
Service, and are in good standing. Following the grantee's death, disability (either total
or temporary), or disappearance, the Order will appoint an administrator from The Voice as
Heldannic Regent if the legitimate heir is too young to take on the responsibilities of
rulership, usually less than fifteen-years-old. Should the grantee pass out without
acceptable inheritors, or repudiate the Order, the dominion immediately reverts to the
Order's ownership. The land and its buildings cannot be sold as a whole or in part, or
seized to fulfil debts.
The grantee or the later heir owes fealty to his/her liege, the Heldannic Order. The
grantee cannot have other lieges and remains under the jurisdiction of Heldannic Law.
Should a grantee or the lawful heir be tried for a crime and sentenced to Loss of the
House, the dominion is immediately seized and the whole family is expelled from the land.
Generally only the first four laws of the Heldannic Code of Conduct (Devotion, Order,
Obedience, and Loyalty), apply to a later heir of a dominion, especially if not a member
of the Order.
The grantee must pay a 20% tithe to the Order, or a set minimum determined when the land
is
granted. A specified number of good quality troops must be maintained on the grantee's
dominion, who should be made available to the Order in times of war (treated as
mercenaries or foreign volunteers). Although no one in the grantee's family may cast
spells granted by other than Vanya, spell-casting retainers may be employed.
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Bias & Prejudice
The Heldannic Knights do not favour one gender over another as far as functions, ranks,
and
statuses are involved. Separate barracks are otherwise designated for different genders to
avoid discipline problems. Members of the Heart are predominantly female. The main factor
influencing this tendency is Vanya's past existence as a warrior princess. All members of
the Order who have taken the Oath of Service must observe chastity, the others merely
celibacy. Disgrace and banishment awaits knights and priests breaking this rule. Lesser
members are severely punished but not released until the end of their term.
Over the decades of the Order's existence, its founders and those who were later permitted
to take the Oath of Service often harbour a dislike of races other than human. Prejudice
has more to do with the knights' own arrogance and ignorance of other peoples. The bias of
the knights' unfortunately goes further, although it is not openly admitted.
Discrimination has been directed toward any "brethren" unable to prove clear
Heldannic lineage (referring to Hattian origins). Some among the Heart have alluded to the
deplorable attitude as baseless and ill-serving the Ways of Vanya. The fear is that this
on-going hypocrisy not only deprives the Order of useful skills, but may also encourage
dangerous internal conflicts and threaten the whole Order's cohesion. A quiet struggle
goes on behind the Order's curtains.
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