THE RHYFODDYNION
“It sates itself on the life-blood of fated men, paints red the powers’ homes with crimson gore. Black become the sun’s beams in the summers that follow, weathers all treacherous. Do you still seek to know?”
There can be no chance for prosperity, for growth nor healing, when you are besieged and distressed; when you are hunted. The Southern Reach is a wild land, ruled not by golden crowns but by fangs and briars, an ancient rite that predates the greatest of kingdoms, of cities- of mortals. Without groups dedicated to ensuring the safety of the Spire, without those who might venture out beyond the inner yard into the uncharted wild to take the fight unto the shadows that would destroy what has been built, it can never be expected that such a refuge could ever prosper into its true potential.
Such is become the duty of the Rhyfoddynion, the Battleborn.
OVERVIEW
The Rhyfoddynion of the Spire is a newfound order dedicated towards the exploration of the Southern Reach, and the defense of its inhabitants. Despite the more bellicose origin of the guild, its members are not exclusively restricted to fighters- Scholars, craftsmen, healers, bards, there is a place at their great table in Cânarwyr for one and all, united by shared purpose.
Exclusive membership is not a requirement for those that would wish to join. The ability to follow your own path is a right of paramount importance, and while the guild’s members are expected to adhere to the organization’s bylaws, they are not expected to be dogmatic adherents bound only to this bond.
CYFRAITH RHYFODDYNION
The Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion are the laws and charter in which the guild founds itself upon, ensuring that throughout the lifetime of the guild, it adheres to its founding principles and purposes, whilst also giving it room to adapt and grow as the members of the order change and grow themselves. It is through this charter that the order outlines its delegation of authority, its rules for itself, and its expectations for how its members conduct themselves. These bylaws cannot be altered or revoked through any singular member's means, regardless of rank, and subsequently require a voting majority of at least sixty percent of all members in order to ratify or alter existing bylaws.
- ARTICLE I | The Rhyfoddynion, while existent as an order dedicated to the safety and well-being of the Spire, is not legally bound in any official capacity to the Spire nor the Circle of Four, unlike the Militia of the Spire or the Spire Guard. The Rhyfoddynion are an independent order that is politically neutral, unbeholden to any specific empire, nation, or faction otherwise.
- ARTICLE II | Any oathbound Rhyfoddyn is their own free man, and so long as they are in accordance with the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion, it is their right to refuse to partake in Grand Hunts, to vote in accordance with their own authority at Things, to take up contracts at their own discretion, and to join other guilds and charters at their behest. These rights cannot be revoked, even in instances of discipline.
- ARTICLE III | Decisions to be made that will affect the whole of the order at large, such as the acceptance of Grand Hunt contracts and the revision of the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion, must be brought before the entire guild at a Thing, wherein Rhyfoddyn will be allowed to voice their opinions and to vote in a poll of favor either for or against the motion. The Harbinger retains the ability to officiate decisions regardless of vote however, either in favor of or against motions save for motions of impeachment.
- ARTICLE IV | The Rhyfoddynion reserve the right to give away and withhold as much information as they wish to about ongoing contracts and efforts against adversaries of the Spire. In instances wherein multiple peoples are involved in a singular contract, then the allocation of information is decided by vote. In instances of a Grand Hunt, the allocation of information is decided by the Harbinger.
- ARTICLE V | It is the right of any Rhyfoddyn to make a motion at a Thing for an impeachment of the incumbent Harbinger. These motions cannot be passed or denied exclusively by the Harbinger, and instead require the participation by vote of all members of the Order within an allocated time span of one week. Akin to the requirements for passing new bylaws or revisions to the existing ones, a motion of impeachment requires at minimum sixty percent of the guild to vote in favor. Should an impeachment motion pass, then it should be immediately followed by another vote spanning a week's time for who will become the new Harbinger. Alternatively, a motion of dissolution of the position may be put forward at this time.
- ARTICLE VI | It is the right of the Rhyfoddynion, either through the decision of the Harbinger, or through the decision of a Thing, to punish members who are found guilty of violating the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion. A member can only be deemed guilty or innocent after the conclusion of a trial with notary witnesses, and these decisions cannot be challenged by means of combat. The punishment of a Rhyfoddyn cannot involve the revocation of their rights, however can include the barring of them from certain contracts (including Grand Hunts), the addition of duties to their person, fines or loss of shares from future contracts, the demotion of rank, and/or expulsion from the guild.
- ARTICLE VII | The Rhyfoddynion retains the right to pursue financial and commercial compensation for their efforts and work, so long as the scope of work, their obligations, and the rate of their pay is clearly and honestly discussed before any agreement is reached. Contract terms may be re-negotiated past their inception so long as both parties consent, or if the scope of work changes. These tenets stand for both individual contracts, and for larger scale hunts.
- ARTICLE VIII | The Rhyfoddynion promises fair pay amongst its members on larger contracts, with all full members taking equal partitions from all contracts that they participate in.
- ARTICLE IX | The Rhyfoddynion retains the right to accept donations from it's members, as well as charge a biweekly amount of dues to all full members of the guild. These dues must be utilized for the purpose of the guild, whether that be for paying rent, or for the purchase of better equipment and services for the Guild. It is the responsibility of the Harbinger to keep track of all donations and expenses, and to do so honestly.
- ARTICLE X | It is the duty of every Rhyfoddyn to maintain good standing with the people of the Spire, and to uphold the name and reputation of the guild with good conduct. It is to be understood and codified therefore that needless violence, the violation of the Spire's Laws, and the excessive antagonization of the Spire's inhabitants is prohibited by the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion. Both members of the guild and those outside of it are permitted to bring grievances or accusations of members violating this law to the Harbinger, wherein it becomes the accused's right to demand a trial by Thing, or a trial by the Harbinger.
- ARTICLE XI | It is the duty of every Rhyfoddyn to maintain good frith with their fellow shield-siblings, for the bond between one another is the bond of life and death in the shieldwall, the cornerstone and foundation upon which the guild is built upon. As a result, for matters of resolving disputes, members are encouraged to discuss with their fellows the nature of their issues, and to take them to the Harbinger or unto a Thing for arbitration. In instances wherein a party involved in the dispute refuses the decision of either the Harbinger, the Thing, a holmgang unto first blood may be issued, however it is the right of the party with either the Harbinger or the Thing's favor to deny the challenge. If a disputed party still challenges the results of all three opportunities for resolution, then that party may be subject to punishments as decided by either the Harbinger, or by the Thing. It should be noted that this does not mean members cannot spar, even till means of unconsciousness if they so wish, just that a member cannot force their will and ideology upon another by means of violent conflict.
- ARTICLE XII | It is the duty of every Rhyfoddyn to stand in the defense of their shield-siblings, and to watch their backs so long as they stand. To abandon any member in their time of need, either through means of being a bystander or through means of retreat, is a violation of the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion, and as such must be settled with a trial as either arbitrated by either the Harbinger, or by a Thing, regardless of the victim member's stance on the matter.
- ARTICLE XIII | It is the duty of every Rhyfoddyn to maintain proper understanding and knowledge on the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion, both in their state when that member swears their oath, and whenever any law is added, amended, or clarified in a Thing. Upon joining, it is expected that every member will sign their name into the charter.
HIERARCHY
The Rhyfoddynion utilize a pyramidal structure of authority, chiefly through delegating authority into positions of power to ensure that in times of crisis and need, clear decisions can be made right there in that moment by trusted individuals. It is only by the consent of the order at large that this structure reigns, and should these roles be abused, the order maintains the right to either remove those abusers of power from their places, as well as dissolve them entirely.
- HARBINGER | The Harbinger is the effective leader of the Rhyfoddynion, and it is their duty above all others’ to see the maintained prosperity of the guild and its members. They are a servant unto the order, despite the power delegated unto the position, and it is their responsibility to oversee Things, to lead grand campaigns and hunts, to arbitrate disputes between members, and to codify & enforce amendments unto the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion. At their core, the Harbinger is first and foremost a counselor unto their fellow Rhyfoddyn.
- THANE | Thanes within Cânarwyr are Rhyfoddyn who have showcased commendable ability, dedication to the guild, and the capacity to be trusted with the authority to lead their fellow warriors. A competent mind and the trust of their fellows are the foremost requirements of a Thane, and when one is appointed, it becomes expected of them to take charge of situations wherein it is necessary, and to help provide guidance for other members.
- RHYFODDYN | Anyone who has been accepted into the Rhyfoddynion in full is attributed to the rank of ‘Rhyfoddyn’, with it being the primary and most important caste in the Battleborn’s hierarchy. These are members of the guild who do not bear any additional responsibilities, other than what is expected of every member, either by their direct choice and volition, or simply because they have not been selected for such.
- ASPIRANT | Aspirants are the lowest rank within the Battleborn’s hierarchy, however it isn’t a rank explicitly designative of an individual’s experience, but rather of their commitment and seniority within the Rhyfoddynion. Aspirants are not full members of the guild, and therefore do not possess the ability to vote in Things, but are still expected to abide by the Cyfraith Rhyfoddynion all the same, in order to display that they both understand them and embody the spirit of the order.
RECRUITMENT
Recruitment into the Rhyfoddynion is a simple enough matter, with the matter of becoming an Aspirant to perform a simple feat of strength or other knowledge. The carrying of a heavy stone, to fight in a spar and perform well enough, to display sufficient knowledge of alchemy and beasts- all of these can be an acceptable means of displaying both capability and will to deserve to bunk in their mead hall. A letter to schedule such may be sent unto the Harbinger.
OUT OF CHARACTER
TL;DR- The Rhyfoddynion are a guild oriented around monster hunting, mercenary work, and generalized protection of the Spire’s inhabitants by seeking out dangers where they nest in the wilds. If you have any interest in joining, feel free to DM me via discord @Gwylgi or shoot me a message in game!
