The Path of the Holy Warrior

believe it cannot be said better than Lady Gwynn Struan, Abbott of the Church of Austinian, Colonel of the Crown, scribed:It is often said that a paladin is not made that he or she is born. I believe that in truth both of these notions are correct for one can be born and never make use of God given gifts.

To become the warrior of your God takes a great deal of dedication, patience and effort. One can be born to it and yet fail, one can work for it and yet fail. To be blessed by a God and accepted as His holy warrior culminates a lifetime of striving yet marks only the beginning of the true journey. To serve.

Before one can aspire to the right to earn the mantle of the Holy Warrior, first, their devotion and commitment to this Keep must be proven. This must be seen in the day to day activities of the individuals measured according to the guidelines below. These guidelines have their origins in the proud history of this Keep, our thanks to Colonel Aenarion dePayens of the Crown, Justice of Nadrik and Colonel Leumas Circe of the Crown, Champion of Austinian their part in drawing these guidelines:

• Must be fully trained in the chosen class and Knighted and begun their career either in the Lance, Shield Clerists or Shield Guardians.
• Must be a dedicated, consistent member of the Keep displaying a productive amount of time on duty. Sitting at the pews, praying and or meditating, while productive personally, does not qualify as productive in this instance.
• Must be efficient and skillful at combat.
• Must have excellent general knowledge and willing to instruct anyone who requires it.
• Dress, bearing and conduct must be exemplary.
• Must always follow Nadrik's lessons.
• Must have attended at least half of all sermons given by the High Clerist, and attended confessional regularly to ensure their appropriate development spiritually within the Keep. This must be certified by the High Clerist in writing.
• Must be extremely pious, and faithful, further they must also acknowledge and worship Nadrik, as it is from Him that they will gain their holy powers.
• Must at all times strive to epitomize that which is a knight, noble bearing, honor, faith, valor, honesty, humility, justice, service, compassion and duty. To be lax and generally thoughtless in conduct and deed will indicate the applicant is not a desirable candidate.
• Must be extremely ready to sacrifice themselves for other members of the clan. For those aspiring to the mantle, self comes last.
• Must have completed and documented ten service hours to the kingdom of Althainia. Alternatively, the candidate may donate coin to Althainia or another charitable organization of good in the amount of 2 eggs.
• Must have written ten journal entries in sufficient length and content to be shared with those of the Keep and their God.

The Colonels of each Order will be required to continually review the eligible knights of the Keep for those suitable for the path of the Holy Warrior.

It is our duty to grow our knights in the faith and service of the Keep. The path of the Holy Warrior is the highest calling of the Keep, save those who are sworn as priests of the Light.

Those knights identified as fulfilling the requirements stated above, may be nominated by any officer at Colonel rank or senior for review by the Council of Selection.

A Council of Selection convened under the Lord Crown, consisting of Generals of the Orders of the Lance and Shield and and the Crown Colonel designated as High Justice of the Keep, will review those nominated.

At least three approving votes will be required for a nominated knight to be allowed on the path of the Holy Warrior.

• On receipt of written confirmation to undertake the path of the Holy Warrior, the applicant will enter a copy of this missive in a journal in which they will record all tasks and learnings.
• Each candidate will be assigned a Paladin mentor.
• The candidate will complete any tasks his or her mentor requires. The mentoring paladin's opinion of the candidate will weigh heavily with the Generals decision.
• All tasks assigned must be recorded in the journal.
• Must successfully complete a quest given by the Lord Knight and pass an interview with each General.
• Candidates will be accepted or rejected based upon a vote of the three Generals, with a majority vote needed of two.

Those who are rejected will be given a report explaining why and encouraged to reapply.

Gwaine d'Aggravaine. Crown.

Champion of Nadrik.