Lord Henry takes a seat and calls the meeting to order.

"So far, everyone who is a member of the order has spent some time exploring, clearing and winning new lands  to help expand and strengthen our grim on Midmarch, Tusk and the new holding of Old Keep, and all of you have directly contracted with me for that purpose.

However, it has come to my attention that there are others, who have not directly contracted with me, who have helped increase our grip on the land that we claim but who have contracted with others.  For Example, the Paladin Jensen has contracted with Lord Cass and has  accompanied him on  many of his journeys.  Barbatus, Sir Domitous's squire has done the same.  Should we offer them membership of the Chapter in their own right?

What about Lutz Stigmar?  He hasn't been on any scouting or clearance mission, but he has contracted with Lord Marik, and has helped to establish an influx of skilled Dwarves and really brought the worship of Torag to Southern.

And then there are the Roth's and House Yitis.  Both have helped us establish commercial and financial security faster than we might have done.  Should  one, or more, of their members be considered for membership of the order?"

OOC:  A discussion  suitable for all  PCs no matter how long they have been here.

"Maril, Yolen, Helga?"

The bishop thought about Henry's question for a minute or two before replying.

"Lord Henry, I would have no objection to opening membership up to anyone you wish to invite. Anyone you think has contributed sufficiently to be rewarded that way. Of those you mentioned, all have made this their home, except House Yitis. They have a presence here, to be sure, but it is essentially just a business arrangement. Should we really assume their allegiance is with us? As Officers and Knights of the Southern Chapter of the Brevic Knights we have accepted a responsibility to help defend these lands and uphold the laws that apply here. That might be too much to ask of a trading partner based outside of Midmarch, Tusk or Old Keep."

Henry pauses for a moment as he considers the bankers point.

"My own family has branches based in Restov and Brundeston, each with a small military force of their own.  Nothing particularly significant, to be sure, but when there was a threat of war, they sent their troops along with the local army, something that was agreed before they were given permission to arm themselves.  A good decision, as it to help protect their own resources and homes.

House Solanus is heavily associated to their parent house in Restov, as is Lady Vallani who drew on family resources to help build her canals.  Both followed our decisions when the threat of war came.  Although I understand that it was difficult for Lord Domitous.  He is to be commended for that."  He pauses for a moment to nod towards both Dom and Safiya.

"Bothers Fiddler and Lutz came here to further their religious principles, as did you my Lord Bishop, while Lutz and the Silverhammers are part funded by the Dwarven community and their own clans - both based in Brundeston."  Again he pauses, before continuing, "If we don't give people an opportunity to express loyalty to us and our principles, how will we know their intent?

Of course, every candidate would be required to turn their resources to the common cause, if required, and to uphold our laws, without that they can't join the Southern Chapter.  They would also  have to accept that we are a part of Brevoy, and respect the King.  In the same way as we do."  However, a small smile plays across his lips as he delivers the last few words.

"The main privileges of The Chapter are the right to recruit troops and the right to own land, everyone else is a tenant of some sort.  The responsibilities are to uphold the law and to defend the region, when required.  Both knights and officers, have those responsibilities, and are required to demand the same of anyone they take into their service.  As Lord Marik has done with Clan Stigmar.

Perhaps we could add a third category of membership to the order that has fewer rights and responsibilities.  We could just designate it as Member of the Order and give them the right to recruit a limited number of troops, perhaps one or two units,  and settle a small amount of land.  Perhaps a single village or a hamlet?  The responsibilities would be to obey the law, support the Chapter and deploy  their troops with the army as required?"
This message was last updated by the player at 06:46, Fri 02 July 2021.

Any more views on this?

Andalon nodded thoughtfully.

"That might be a very good idea, Lord Henry. A new entry-level grade of Member of the Southern Chapter would allow us to show our appreciation for the contribution made by people like those you mentioned. It could act as a stepping stone toward higher levels of membership, too, encouraging them to participate even more directly if they seek the greater rights afforded to Officers and Knights of the Southern Chapter."

Domitius sat and stroked his beard in thought before speaking "I think there will come a time when Barbatius will come to lead men in the service of the chapter, it would be appropriate for him to hold a suitable rank to do so.  As for the others mentioned I believe they too could in time be accepted within the order.  My Lord I trust your judgement in this matter."

OOC Am I correct in assuming that these titles could be granted to Entourage/Cousins and other ELEVATED NPCs as well?

In reply to Adoven Lodovka-Sud (msg # 8):

Yes. Although, in my head, that doesn't include Entourage-Assistants.  I am thinking more of people such as Abbess Beatrix and the Roths - my NPCs.:)

Having been invited to attend this meeting to represent House Roth by Percy Arndell, Companion of the Mark, and forewarned by that gentleman, Berta was not surprised when the Lord Warden broached the matter of special membership for various parties, including her brothers and herself.

But it took not-so-subtle prompting from her host to bring the warrior-woman to her feet to speak (and from her discomfort in this regard, it's quite obvious she'd much rather be wrestling an Owlbear):

"My Lord ...  members of the Chapter ... speaking on behalf of one those businesses who have arrived much more recently and were not part of the original expedition ... while it is true that our ties are predominantly commercial, we too are proud and pleased to call these lands our home."

"We of House Roth have asked permission," she glares at Percy who had convinced her and her brothers that they 'couldn't just go ahead and do it', "to establish a body of men and women to ensure the safety and security of some of our outlying interests and those good folk who work there."  Apparently they couldn't just borrow any of Tusk's militia either.

She chews on her lip for a moment and abandons her brave attempt to stay on script.

"Look, while we're not sworn Officers of the Order or the like, this is our home too and we're happy here.  Anyone bringing war to these lands will have me and my blades to reckon with too !"

Berta glares again at Percy pulling urgently on her tunic.  "What ?!! Oh ..."

"Ah, sorry my Lord, everyone ... just wanted to speak up to let you know that we're all part of this too and would be honoured to be Members of the Order as my Lord has suggested."

"Thank you !"

Berta sits down heavily, relieved that her ordeal is over, turning to smile at Percy, whispering in his ear "I think that went well !"


OOC: speaking in support of Henry's suggestion to establish third category of membership designated as 'Member of the Order' with the right to recruit a limited number of troops, etc.  :>

"Excellent." Henry responds to Berta's, not so carefully prepared speech.  "Brother Bartholomew has told me that you have some experience of working with guards before, and he also e believes you were also knighted before you came here.  So, Dame Berta, I take it from your recent comments, that you will happily agree to the terms associated with membership of the  Southern Chapter.

I have heard from the Bishop-Treasurer of Tusk, as well as from interested members of the Chapter, who all seem to favour the proposal, and have not heard a voice against the concept.  Consequently, I shall instigate the new class of Membership, and will arrange for Dame Berta Roth to be the first inductee."

Then, with a grin, he adds "I am sorry that I am not in a position to induct you into the order in a class that you may think you are entitled.  However, there will be, I am sure, opportunities to earn promotion later."

The young noble winced and frowned through most of Berta's 'speech' and listens to Henry's response with some trepidation ...

... that turns to relief at the Lord Warden's words, upon conclusion of which he smiles and looks at first expectantly to the aforementioned Dame, then more pointedly.

A briefly whispered exchange later ("what does he mean 'class' ?"" and "I don't even like the title I've got now !") and Berta rises to her feet once more.

"Ah, thank you my Lord - I am honoured and grateful," Berta lowers her head in respectful acknowledgment.

"They'll be well trained, mark my words, my Lord.  You'll have no complaint of my guards for which they'll not have already answered to me !" she grins at the Viscount Midmarch.

"Excellent." Henry grins back,

Henry confers with Brother Bart for a moment or two and then says "I shall instigate the new class of membership and approach the following members of the community.

• Beatrix leMaistre – Pharasman Abbess from Tusk
• Jensen the Paladin – Associate and confident of Lord Mordane
• Gabriel The Ranger – Associate and confident of Lord Aeris
• Barbatius Scaurus – Associate and confident of Sir Domitius
• Pemar deleMaistre – Governor of Wyvern Bridge
• Sveltlana Leverson – Governor of Oston
• Loy Rezbin - Governor of Tatzleford.
• Lutz Stigmar, Priest of Torag
• Maril Green - long-standing servant of Midmarch
• Helga of Mivon - long-standing servant of Midmarch
• Yolen the Reformed – long-standing servant of Midmarch
• Berta Roth – Business Woman

Are there other who should be approached?

This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Sun 04 July 2021.

Adoven ventures "as head of both the Sword School and the Military Academy here in Tusk, I believe Robert Samuels might be considered for such a membership." True, it was self-serving, but Robert had applied himself to developing a great deal of Tusk's defensive capabilities,  and deserved the recognition.

"Indeed.  That is a good suggestion Adoven.  I will add Robert to the list."  He pauses for a moment, before adding "And Gandred of Ringbridge.  Not only is he an established priest of Torag, but a long-standing servant of Lord Cyrus."


Robert Samuels - Master of the Lodkova Military Academy in Tusk
Gandred of Ringbridge - Priest and  Bailiff of Ringbridge.

---

Eligibility for membership

1. Unattached NPCs who have a significant economic / social Influence (Beatrix, Yitis, Roth)  (Taxes of about 1bp, cross borders, significant position)
   
2. Unattached NPCs who have travelled with adventurers
   
3. Attached NPCs who have travelled with adventurers (Cohorts, Squires)
   
4. Entourage Cousins/Allies with significant positions.

Thoughts on this?

Is there some criterion about minimum level of experience before they would be proposed as a Member?

What would you suggest?  L4,  L5?

We have L7 as minimum level for promotion to Officer of the Order  (If they haven't been active in the field)

I don't know the level of most of the NPCs you have listed above as potential candidates, so I can't really suggest a suitable level. We would probably want at least half of those NPCs to be eligible.

Barbatius is currently L3 -  but will be L4 soon.

Everyone else is L4, over half are L5, a couple higher.  :)

For comparison - Most established NPCs are L3, L4 is leader, L5 unusual.

So L4 then?

Yes, level 4 makes sense.

Once the criteria for acceptance into the Chapter had been finalised, Henry asks, "And what about Yasmin Yitis?  She is a part of House Yitis-Aldori of Mivon, but they have established themselves in Tusk.  And, as far as I am aware, they have contributed consistently to the social and community structure of the city.

While we have spoken of Members of the chapter being able to recruit a limited number of House Troops, that is always subject to approval from the appropriate authorities.  Myself, in Midmarch and the Council in Tusk.  One of the basic requirements of anyone joining the Chapter, be they Knights, Officers or Members, is that they must make a commitment to the security and defence, and to help maintain law and order.  While members won't be expected to take the field themselves, it is expected that they provide what support they can - although that could take a variety of forms.

So what are your thoughts on Yasmin Yitis?  Shall I offer her mebership, and the opportunity to develop a junior house here in The southern Region?"

---

Membership Requirements

Minimum  L4 - and notable involvement in Southern Region.

For independent NPCs Examples include financial or social investment (cross region, hold office, 3+bp/yr income etc) or travelled (more than once) with a party in a non-combat role.

For an Entourage Cousin, Entourage Ally a named 'Position'  (Moderator, Steward, College Principle etc)

For a Cohort - travelled in a combat situation with a PC party.

That all looks good.

I won't object to Yasmin Yitis becoming a Member of the Southern Chapter.