Core Beliefs

Oaths & Values

Morals

The Wyvern's Watch is a heavily principled group, its morals have been guided over many years of history for it to become what it is today. Members of the Watch today follow many of the classic Wintermark beliefs such as a high regard for heroism and its importance to the skein, they also value loyalty to one's hall and courage at all times. They also adhere to the religious doctrines of the empire with members often adopting personal creeds from the teachings of the empire.

The Oath

Most importantly Watchers adhere to their sacred oath. Binding words to which all its members are sworn to. This code is perhaps the most important value to a Watcher's life. The oath is as follows:

"I stand here. By my fellow brothers, sisters and hunters, to be true to the virtues and the people around me, to fight when I'm needed and when I'm not, with or without help, against the few or the many.

I hereby swear to defend the people from the dire beasts that trouble them, and to stand by those in need. I stand here with the Wyverns Watch."

To the untrained eye the Oath of the Watch seems like a simple speech to be recited at ceremonies. The Watcher knows better. Each segment outlines a core belief of the Watch:

"I stand here.". Short but important, this line signifies that the oath is binding, that it is to be recited aloud, so that all can hear the seriousness of the words. It also highlights the importance of Courage within the Watch; a refusal to back down, especially when scared.
"By my fellow brothers, sisters and hunters,". This line is a declaration of kinship. A Watcher proclaims here that all members of the Watch are their family and thus they owe them eternal loyalty. This is crucial to the Watch as many a time in our history has infighting brought us asunder - loyalty is the first virtue of the Watch. Of course this line also contains the word "Hunter" throwing a nod to the work that a member is expected to carry out.
"to be true to the virtues and the people around me,". To some this may seem like a line that carries a similar meaning to the last as it is about truth. Truth, in this sense, refers to the active refusal to engage in any wilful perversion of imperial virtue, be it fostering heresy or adopting false virtue. Truth also refers to the importance of being honest in the Watch; a Watcher should be open about their thoughts even if it may lead to controversy, a Watcher must never attempt to manipulate their fellow kin.
"to fight when I'm needed and when I'm not,". Perhaps one of the more obscure lines in the oath, it seems to imply the Watch should force its services on people. This is not the case. When the first Watch was formed people were sceptical of its use, after all many great hunters live in Wintermark with no affiliation to the Watch. Why should the Watch take all the glory? So many refused our services. However, from then till now, the Watch has never been about the pursuit of great deeds, for that is mere glory; a Watcher knows true Heroism comes from sacrifice. A Watcher must remain vigilant for eternity, even if the world scorns them, even if every door is closed to them, for Wintermark is proud and often does not know what it needs. The line also refers to the personal struggle a Watcher must endure through their lives, rigorous training, exposure to the elements can all take a toll, a watcher must fight on until the bitter end.
"with or without help, against the few or the many.". By contrast one of the more simple lines of the oath. A Watcher must be courageous, willing to fight alone, against insurmountable odds. There is a hidden meaning to this line; a Watcher must also look to their pride. No task is unworthy of the Watch's attention; all calls must be answered, even those against the few.
"I hereby swear to defend the people from the dire beasts that trouble them,". A direct line that calls us to a specific purpose. Our primary purpose is to defend the Empire from terrifying beasts that trouble the world. It is important to note that it applies to all those the watch declare loyalty to, not just the Mark or the human race but the entire empire, Orcs included.
"and to stand by those in need.". A line that outlines our secondary purpose. The watch has, for a long time, been more than just a hall of hunters; we are a military force. Our mandate is not limited to that which is bestial but to any conflict in which the needy are being threatened.
"I stand here with the Wyverns Watch.". The final line. It is with this sentence that a recruit accepts the words of our oath and declares themselves a member for the rest of their life; that they will stand with the watch until the bitter end.

This is what the Watch Oath means, a recruit should review this oath before they join and ensure their beliefs align. In times of strife, when all else is abandoned a Watcher may look to this code and know who they are.

Customs & Traditions

The Great Enemy

The Great Enemy, of course, refers to the Wyvern, a creature the Watch holds with the utmost contempt. The Wyverns were war beasts for the Trolls, they chose their side and now they must pay the price. They are the last remnant of the old war.

Many see the Wyverns as no more dangerous than the common Dire Beasts, but the Watch know that Wyverns are smart. Wyverns are deceptive and cunning and given their way would wipe out the world, Orc and Human alike. If the Watch allows them to prevail then the world will surely fall.

To kill a Wyvern is the greatest accolade in the watch. A Watcher will enter a near berserk rage when confronting a Wyvern and will be unable to detach themselves from the fight. This may be a side-affect from the mind altering drugs and dark rituals which a Watcher engages in.

Blood-letting

It does not take a genius to see that humans are physically weak. We have great minds but our bodies are not equals. However many beasts that roam the world possess immense strength running through their veins. Strength that is just waiting to be...consumed...

Started in the reign of Allaya Wyvernsblood the tradition of consuming the blood of animals has been integral to the Watch's identity. We are superior hunters because the blood of the beasts runs through our veins. It is so integral that the benefits of this practice are a closely guarded secret of the watch and not for outsider ears. Drinking Wyvern's blood has become part of Wyvern's Watch initiation; it is believed members can only match a beast's strength if its blood flows through their veins. To not partake or divulge the secret would be a grave and often fatal insult.

Meritocracy

Not a unique practice to the watch but an important one considering our early history. The Watch has had issues with hereditary rule and popularity votes in the past; as such all Watchers carry a vote where they may elect people to positions of power. However it is expected all characters vote worthy people into place, not people of specific bloodlines or those who are politically savvy.

Hazing

The life of a Watcher is far from cosy. It is a life of rigorous training, discipline, exposure to the elements and tough fighting. All of these require strong character. Whilst Watchers are expected to treat everyone with respect - even our enemies - the wheat must be separated from the chaff. Shieldbearers play a vital role instilling discipline and endurance into their charges.

Recruits can expect a healthy dose of banter, challenges and training to be thrown their way. All are free to quit but those that stay must tough it out. The storm cannot break us.

Oath of Character

The Watch often has to deal with multiple recruits at a time, and as such has developed into an elite unit through the use of the oaths of character. Recruits are expected to spend time with the watch learning our customs and histories and become a true Watcher. The Watch retains the right to refuse anyone the right to join our ranks and it is only through a recommendation that a recruit can become a Watcher.

The objective of a recruit is to prove themselves worthy to any member of the watch and then convince that person to take an oath of character to the leaders of the Watch. This oath is when a Watcher swears that they believe a recruit to be of sound character and are worthy to join the watch. It means the Watcher will be responsible for the behaviour of that recruit and look after the recruit's well being thereafter. It is not an oath to be taken lightly. After the Oath recruits will be taken to a secret ceremony and initiated.

Patrols

The Watch has held the tradition of patrols as sacred. Patrols are hunting and combat groups. There is one for each territory of the Mark: Hahnmark, Sermersuaq, Kallavesa and formally Skarsind. These patrols will, eat, sleep, fight and die together. The patrols range across the mark territories, helping Winterfolk deal with bestial threats. Patrols will go on a hunt every season for two months before returning to Dire Keep to rest, recover strength and share glories. Some members have long term commitments to the keep or other communities and often may have to miss seasons; this is an unfortunate but forgivable grievance and must often work extra hard at Anvil to prove their worth.

When a recruit joins the Watch they will be assigned to a patrol by the military leadership. They will serve directly under a Shieldbearer and will be expected to follow orders. In return, the Shieldbearer will provide guidance, moulding the recruit into a potential Watcher.

Rangers

If Watchers are wolves then Rangers are lions. Rangers are the best of the Watch; they are those recognised as great warriors and have proven themselves by the completion of the three challenges:

The challenge of strength: This is the Thane's challenge. To complete this, a Watcher has to prove themselves a formidable warrior or hunter, capable of besting many and/or great foes. If the Thane sees such feats he may bestow a Watcher with a bone of strength.
The challenge of kinship: The Housecarl's challenge. A test to see whether an individual is selfish or selfless. The Watch know the lone wolf does not fare well, but in a pack it is strong. To complete this challenge a Watcher must prove themselves truly willing to sacrifice for others. Be it risking ones life to save a fellow watch member, never refusing a call to arms or going above and beyond to aid an ally. Should the Housecarl witness such noble actions he may grant a red rune of honour.
The challenge of heart: The Chainbreaker's challenge is to prove that one's moral code is indistinguishable from the values of the watch. A hero is strong, a hero is brave and selfless but above all a hero is incorruptible. It is all very well to prove oneself formidably but such skills in the hands of the wrong person can spell doom. The watch has had too many fallen heroes. To complete this challenge a Watcher must prove to the Chainbreaker that they understand the history of the watch, the mistakes and successes of the past. They must prove they know their Oath and that they would rather die than abandon it. They must participate in all the traditions and advocate their use. Only then may the Chainbreaker give them the burned mark to be wrapped in black cloth and serve as a covenant.

Rangers, in addition to being recognised warriors, are likely candidates for Shieldbearers and leadership positions. Rangers are often chosen to participate in the most deadly missions and represent the hall, alone at times if needs be. It is not a position earned lightly.

Hallsmeet

It is customary for the hall to convene to discuss important matters, such as the appointing of titles, the instituting of new laws and the inducting of new recruits. The watch believes every member has the right to consultancy on important matters which hearkens from the Watch's value of honesty. Most the year Hallmeets are rare as the thane and the various Watch leaders handle the day to day running of the hall, there is usually only one a year in downtime. At Anvil however this is a different story. Information moves quickly and so members must be updated constantly because of this the Watch convenes three times during the summit. Once at 5pm on Friday another time at 12pm on Saturday and a final meet at 12pm on Sunday. These tend to be critical to disseminating the interests of the Watch to it's members; failing to attend is considered extremely rude and a stroke of dishonour.

Cloths of War

Perhaps one of the more recent traditions of the watch. It has become a great ambition of the watch to bring back a cloth of a fallen enemy from each tribe of the attacking barbarians. Not to be confused with maggotry; this is to be a sign of great respect to our enemies and all claims must be brought to the Thane for approval. No ordinary kill can suffice, only a confrontation of epic proportions, a heroic deed or a prophesied kill with a legendary blade can be considered worthy of taking a cloth. A hero may then chose to keep the cloth as a badge of honour or to dedicate it to the hall to inspire others.

The Blue Cloth of the Thule

The Red Cloth of the Jotun

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