The Patrons of Knighthood

On the Chapel of Paladins

When the Temple of Nadrik and the Chapel of Paladins was built in Gareth Keep the first lasting sign of our patron gods was built in the stained-glass windows of the Chapel alluding to the Austinian for as the patron of the Crown, Nadrik for the patron of the Lance and Paladins, and Siccara for the matron of the Shield.

Firstly concerns were raised of having to pay homage to the patron god of your order if it was not your deity, and secondly if there was any validity if there were patron gods of the orders.

A knight need not pray to a God that he does not worship, but to respect the Gods for what they are and to live by the virtues. Lord Nadrik is also the patron of paladins, but those who follow those other than Nadrik are still able to become paladins and Nadrik himself does not have any durastiction on the paladins as Knighthood's holy warriors so this is regarded to be in name only.

While Knighthood has been honour based, the order very much belongs to Austinian. Nadrik has always been well represented as knights have historically held their honourable code dear, and indeed Nadrik has had a very dominant presence within Gareth Keep. Siccara has usually been under represented but certainly part of the trinity which has come to pass within the Chapel of Paladins. It is thought that early discussions from Lord Circe and Lord LaFortinas propogated this train of thought, as it was not original to the Code or to the Keep itself although Lord Circe would go on to translate what might be the Vision of Tesalon Gareth which alludes to the Trinity.

There is no active representation of this view before the Chapel of Paladins was consecrated in Gareth Keep in early modern history. Knights who have noticed this fact have followed in this path, but to those who have never seen the Chapel of Paladins will not have had direct access to its wisdom, so differing views remain, and it has certainly had more influence on some than others. Since the rebuilding, the association was built into the Chapel of Fallen Heroes.

Most recently, the patrons of Knighthood appeared in Trinity to inaugurate Gwaine d'Aggravaine as the new Lord Knight.

An Essay on the Trinity

Sir Draven instructed me to read the Tenets of Siccara, Nadrik, and

Austinian before speaking with him on the Task of Spirituality, so that I

might better understand their influence on we, those of Gareth's, and why

each represents their respective branch of service.

Siccara and the Shield Knights

"Wisdom, Scholarship, Knowledge, Magic"

It is stated that the Order of the Shield is the "lowest rank in

Knighthood," but this makes it no more or less important than any other

branch within the Keep, for we all rely upon one another equally.

"Knights of the Shield tend to be the younger knights, and they make up the

bulk of Knighthood. It is at this time they are taught to be loyal and

honorable, and also they are taught to serve the gods of good and to further

their cause. They are also taught obedience to their superiors. An ideal

Knight of the Shield is humble."

The most apparent link between Siccara and the Shield Knights is the healing

aspect, as the vast majority of the Keep's healers find themselves in this

branch. Beyond this, however, the Shield Knight is expected to be tempered

and wise, protective and just. The Shield is also comprised of scholars:

historians, poets, sages...

Siccara's healing powers extend beyond the physical aspect: "Not restricted

to malady and physical hurt, one can be healed of mental, social,

psychological and any other number of problems. Family feuds, unforgiven

angers, political chaos and unvirtuous acts. All can be soothed with any

matter of healing of which Siccara is the Mistress."

And so it is to the Shield that Gareth turns to for guidance, healing, and

understanding.

Nadrik and the Lance Knights

"Honor, Nobility, Chivalry, Sacrifice"

It is a most common misunderstanding that Nadrik is the patron God of the

Lance solely because of the combat prowess associated with both. This is

only partially true. While the prior statement does hold weight, as both

are the warrior elite against the forces of Darkness, Nadrik's other

teachings must also be kept in mind. It is important that while we fight

evil, we must do so in such a way that we retain our virtues of honor,

chivalry, justice, humility, and respect.

How we present and conduct ourselves both on and off the battlefield is what

separates us from the Wrath of Justice and the Shadow Knights of Storm Keep.

We fight not with vengeance in our hearts, nor do we operate on a "the ends

justify the means" principle. We must be fierce, but also merciful and

patient. We must be witty, but not underhanded or deceitful. We must be

skillful, but not overly proud of our prowess.

It is for these reasons that Nadrik represents the Lance. The Knight's

weapon is not an implement of death and destruction, but a tool of justice,

protection, and a means to rid the world of evil.

Austinian and the Crown Knights

"Service, Loyalty, Dedication, Denial."

As with Nadrik and the Lance Knights, Austinian is the patron of the Crown

because, not only are both the ultimate leaders of the Light, but the father

of Goodness demonstrates how to properly lead. As the Crown Knights,

Austinian encompasses the strength and honor of Nadrik and the Lance and the

wisdom and temperance of Siccara and the Shield.

"Patience is a part of humility for one must be humble to wait. Compassion

mirrors our virtue. Forgiveness stems from justice to know that one has

done wrong and spirituality to ask for redemption. Wisdom stems from

Justice to show that one has considered carefully, humility to give the time

to consideration and honesty to pursue truth. Strength stems from valor and

the resolve to act within ones power when necessary. Kindness stems from

compassion to understand others and sacrifice to give of ones self."

- Clerist Acre St John, Theology of Algoron

A leader must be all that Austinian's mantra dictates: patient,

compassionate, forgiving, wise, strong, and kind. They must be firm enough

to keep order, yet gentle enough to steward peace. As Austinian is the

epitome of good, the Crown is the epitome of Knighthood, and we are taught

that all should strive to be like they.

Austinian tells us that there are three things we must never do: lie, cheat,

or steal.

"The sins that bring disfavor to Austinian are exactly the same as those

which Necrucifer allows his Knights to perform in the service of a prophecy.

Such premises are the antithesis of law and virtue's honor. Those who would

not sin in these three way has easy command of the moral high ground,

whereas those who will covet and perform these anti-virtues cannot be

trusted in any way." - Clerist Acre St John, Theology of Algoron

It is by maintaining our integrity as honest men that we retain the respect

of our fellows and adhere to the code which Austinian has set forth before

us. The mantra of Austinian is thus:

Be patient, for in patience shall we find our true path.

Be compassionate, for in compassion shall we find true forgiveness.

Be forgiving, for in forgiving shall we find the way out of darkness.

Be wise, for the thoughtless deeds and actions of one can bring about the fall of many.

Be strong, for the weak and needy lest we fall for lack of strength in the one.

Show kindness, for through kindness shall we find the way to His light.

-Squire Ramias Thurazindall

A Sermon on the Tenets of the Trinity

I am to speak of the tenets of the Trinity of the Keep, Austinian,

Nadrik, and Siccara. I could focus on each of the tenets and tell all of

you each and everyone of them, but that would take far to long then I am

sure you all would wish to read.

Instead, I will focus on what the Trinity have in common. It is what they

have in common that united us all together under one ideal that is the Keep

of Knighthood.

Austinian teaches to speak no falsehood, to always tell truths allowing his

followers to represent him in their every day lives. Nadrik also speaks of

the ideal of telling truths in his second tenet. Speak truth in your every

word, no matter what consequences may follow. Before making an oath, ensure

that it is one that you can keep, for breaking your word is as telling a

falsehood, both tarnish your honor. While each has different reasons for

over it, the idea is still the same, to tell the truth is something that we

must all do, especially as Knights of the Keep.

These help us define the virtue of Honesty, something that all Knights are

familiar with.

Nadrik also teaches you may have pride in yourself and your actions, but

mind that pride does not ever become arrogance. In the same token Siccara

speaks of pride as well in Her tenet, Do not let pride overcome thy good

intentions. It is not our duty to make people listen, to make them see even

if they choose not to see and hear. Pride can lead many of us astray from

the path of the light, and these tenets are meant to help keep us on the

path of righteousness.

This is how we gain one of our own virtues of the Keep, humility.

Siccara's fourth tenet says, She does not seek thy faith in suffering.

Suffer not the self imposed rigors of fasting or other bodily harms in the

name of the Goddess. Treat thy body as a temple to Her and in all things do

thy utmost to treat it as She might. For Austinian his first tenet is that

of Temperance, seek not the extremes of pleasure in drink, gambling, and the

like. Theses tenets are similar in that if we can not respect ourselves and

our bodies, then others will not respect us. We Knights are to stand as a

shining example of what the Light in our words, actions, and as well as how

we care for our own self.

While they do not speak for a virtue of the Keep outright, it is also a form

of Honor, honor to yourself.

In fact all of the virtues of the Keep can be traced back to all of the

tenets of the trinity, these are just examples of how they can be found.

The others can be found as well with only a little dedication. The Trinity

has given us the path to lead the Light with the tenets, it was us that

created the Virtues of the Keep. So in a way, they themselves helped up to

create them. I hope that this helped to give us all a greater understanding

of the Trinity as they make their will known to the Keep.

Sir Regus Draven, Knight of the Shield

Note: You may read the tenets of our gods from the scroll: Theology of Algoron. More on the virtues of the Knighthood may be found on the scroll "The Eight Virtues" in the Theology and Philosophy section of the Library.