(!) Erected beside each publicly available notice board across the Seneschalty, is a moderately well-crafted (Thoughtboard) - A Thick plank of wood for bearing a notice at the top and plenty of space and paper with which to pin replies, opinions and statements!
(!) Instructions are written at the top:
The following is an edited proposal I wish to submit to the Council, I am curious as to everyone's thoughts about such an initiative at this time. Please feel free to leave your thoughts here or come find me at the Town Hall to discuss any part of my proposal! (Discord Rp or DM me to set up a time to rp! c: )
signed; Iselle Song
Envoy to the esteemed Council of the Seneschalty
Understudy to the Chancellor of the Seneschalty
Squire to Ser Maliketh, Knight of Rulan and of the Lady of the Lake
(!) the proposal is attached henceforth:
Subject: Noble Duty, Knighthood.
The following proposal is submitted for consideration in the interest of the Southern Reach, its citizens, and the continued stability of the Spire.
Preamble
In recent years, the Southern Reach has seen the arrival of many who bear the mantle of knighthood - wandering hedge-knights, former retainers of distant realms, oathbound warriors without banner, and even established chapters of foreign orders seeking purpose, refuge, or service within the Spire and its surrounding lands. Their presence has in many cases, brought strength, protection, and stability to a frontier that has long endured hardship.
The Seneschalty has welcomed these banners so long as they remain dutiful, responsible, and respectful of the laws and people of the Reach. Yet as their numbers continue to grow, so too does the need for structure, accountability, and common purpose. Knights are not merely armed individuals, but figures of visible authority whose actions reflect upon the lands they stand or the banners they fly.
This proposal seeks to establish a unified framework through which knights residing or operating within the Southern Reach may be better organized, entrusted with responsibilities befitting their station, and held to clear standards of conduct and service. Furthermore, it seeks to create a formal avenue through which worthy aspirants - whether squires, aides, apprentices, or proven citizens of the Reach - may pursue the path of knighthood under proper guidance, witness, and judgment.
Through this, it is hoped that the Reach may both host and cultivate Knights - fostering a body of honorable protectors bound by shared virtue, duty, and service to the people of the Southern Reach.
the Keep of the High Table.
This is to serve as the literal seat and formal structure of this Knightly collective here in the Southern reach.
In its literal sense, the Keep is to be a gathering place for knights, aides, and sworn orders operating under the recognition of the Seneschalty.
In its organizational sense, the Keep of the High Table represents the order’s internal framework. It is the means by which knights of differing origins, creeds, and banners may be seated together without surrendering the traditions that made them. Foreign knights, hedge-knights, distant chapters, and local aspirants may all stand before the High Table and by embodying its virtues, may they be awarded a seat.
Proposed Structure.
The High Table will recognize three stations within its order. Those who have a Seat. Those who are being raised towards a seat. And, those who have begun their trials to earn their seat.
Knight Banneret (a.k.a Banneret, Knight - of - Standing, Seated Knight)They are fully recognized by the collective and the Seneschalty. Their deeds up to that moment are committed to record, so that those who come after may know who stood before them and by what works they earned their place.Upon the knight’s death, a second and final record is made, recounting the deeds they performed in office until their last breath. |
SquiresSquires are aides, students, and future knights placed under the guidance of Seated Knights. They may serve as attendants, apprentices, shield-bearers, field assistants, or pupils in matters of arms, law, oath, and conduct. Their role is not merely to carry gear or follow commands, but to learn what it means to bear responsibility before they are permitted to bear authority. A squire’s path is shaped by service and witness. Through their knight, they learn the demands of the High Table: restraint before violence, courage before fear, honesty before pride, and duty before comfort. In time, a worthy squire may be elevated to the path of the oathseeker, there to be judged by deed and virtue. Until then, they remain under the care, discipline, and instruction of their seated patron. |
OathseekerThey stand before the High Table. This station may include aspirants, Hedge-knights, wandering knights, or foreign knights who have willingly submitted themselves to the judgment of the High Table. They may already bear arms, titles, or oaths from elsewhere, but within the Southern Reach, they must prove that their deeds, discipline, and character are befitting of a seat. They may be given duties, trials, or a formal Quest by which their worth is measured. |
Path of the Oathseekers,
Not all oathseekers undertake a Quest but it is the most common path to prove themselves deserving befitting a Seat at the High Table.
Any sitting member of the council, or any Seated Knight, may sponsor and elevate any aspirant to the rank of oathseeker and thereby mark the commencement of their Quest. However, Squires may only be elevated through the explicit recommendation of their Patron Knight.
Once elevated, the oathseeker is entrusted with the collective’s standard and sent forth to demonstrate that they embody the Virtues of the Shield, the Spear, and the Open Hand through witnessed deeds.
Quest of the Oathseekers
No single task defines the Quest. Rather, it is a period of action and judgment in which the Oathseeker must protect the innocent, confront corruption, uphold law, and act for the benefit of the Southern Reach.
Their deeds are weighed by witnesses and brought to the High Table. Should they prove worthy, they may be awarded a Seat. Should they fail the virtues they claim to bear, the Quest is forfeit and the sponsorship withdrawn.
A deed may be counted toward the Quest only if it meets the following conditions:
- It must be witnessed
- It must align with the three Virtues.
- It must be performed by the Oathseeker’s own hand, though not necessarily by that hand alone.
- It must benefit the occupants of the Southern Reach.
A Quest is considered failed or forfeit if the Oathseeker acts in direct opposition to the virtues, knowingly commits breach of law, threatens or harms the citizens of the Seneschalty, or willingly abandons the path placed before them.
The Three Virtues
The Shield
To protect the peace. They defend the innocent, preserve the well-being of the people, and act so that the citizens of the Southern Reach may live with safety, dignity, and joy.
The Spear
To pierce the darkness. They uproot corruption, stamp out evil, oppose cursed and profane forces, and seek, where possible, to bring salvation to the afflicted.
The Open Hand
To hold the faith and trust of - their fellows, the people of the Seneschalty, and the people of the Southern reach.
To hold themselves and their fellows accountable and from straying the righteous path.
To guide others in their noble journeys.
Responsibility, Duty and Privileges
A Banneret::
- May arrest or lead the guards to arrest a witnessed crime. (If they did not personally witness the crime, they must wait until a bounty mark is formally made)
- May receive witness testimony on any reported crime or start an inquiry into suspected crime.
- May represent the Seneschalty and her interests in the absence of other official representatives.
- May be called to represent the Seneschalty in a Duel to settle a dispute.
Should any Banneret be in opposition to the virtues, breaching the laws of the Seneschalty or should they willingly abandon the virtuous path, they may be stripped of their seat through Council Decree.
The Keep itself
In order for the Keep of the High Table to serve its intended purpose, it must be granted a proper physical place within the Southern Reach. This proposal therefore requests the allocation of suitable land, building funds, and sanctioned masons for the construction of the Keep.
The castle need not be extravagant, nor fashioned as a palace. It should be built as a fortified hall where knights may gather, oaths may be sworn, banners may be kept, tribunals may be heard, and records of service may be preserved. It must be strong enough to serve as a defensible refuge in times of crisis, yet open enough to stand as a visible symbol of lawful knightly service within the Reach.
The requested land should be sufficient to house a central hall, modest barracks, an armory, stables, training yard, records chamber, and quarters for visiting knights, squires, and envoys. Space should also be reserved for future expansion should the order grow in number or responsibility.
The requested funds would be used for the purchase and transport of stone, timber, iron fittings, roofing materials, tools, wages, and provisions for the workers. The use of skilled masons is essential, as the Keep is intended to stand not as a lasting institution of the Seneschalty.
The Castellan
An Aide or Deputy to the Constable, the Castellan shall serve as the appointed overseer of the Keep of the High table.
Their duties include the maintenance of the castle grounds, the management of stores and provisions, the oversight of servants, masons, guards, and stablehands, and the keeping of chambers prepared for knights, squires, envoys, and visiting orders. They are responsible for ensuring that the Keep remains functional, orderly, and ready to serve in times of counsel, training, refuge, or crisis.
The Castellan shall also maintain the formal records of the Keep, including the names of Seated Knights, Oathseekers, squires, active quests, tribunals, and sworn oaths made beneath the High Table.
Honorary Knights
They are knights recognised by but not sworn to the Seneschalty. They are allies and friends. They have a home in the Keep if they wish, and their advice, teachings and companionship are always valued. The only difference is that they cannot swear fealty to the Seneschalty so they are not charged with her Duty, nor will they be called upon to defend her.
