[Organization] The Order of the Silver Heart

The Order of the Silver Heart

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The Order of the Silver Heart is the prototype for eventual "Knightly" Orders, and fits into the role of female "romantic heroes" who are not amazons and fit more of the "noble" archetype.

The Order of the Silver Heart itself has some reknown, but lacks the size that other Orders will achieve because of the very tough nature of being selected, and then even advancing into the order.

Unlike the Legion of Remia, or the Samurai of the East, the Order of the Silver Heart does not enforce the word of a greater power such as the Gods, or a governing body such as the Emperor or Senate. Instead, the Order is dedicated to the code of conduct presented to them by Elven social convention, or the teachings of the Gods. When an Initiate becomes a Poor Maiden, she makes the following Oath:

"I swear I shall protect the weak. I shall show mercy to a defenseless foe, keep guard against treason in my own heart and in the harts of others. I shall hold a passion for justice in my heart, show humility before the Gods and their work, and give aid to any man, woman, or child, friend or enemy, without thought to reward or compensation."

Courage, justice, generosity, mercy, modesty, and temperance are all virtues a Maiden strives to uphold. If a local law inteferes with any of these noble activities, most Maidens will not hesitate in bending, if not breaking, it for the greater good. The needs of the living spirit supercede the needs of secular law, and no Maiden will knowingly allow evil to prosper behind a veil of edicts and regulations. The Maidens are dedicated to justice and hope.

The most important thing a Maiden of the Silver Heart can do is set a heroic example. The order is dedicated to inspiring and enriching the soul of all living beings. While a Maiden's martial prowess makes him a force to be reckoned with, it is her virtuous heart that truly sets her apart. This is the esoteric secret that the Order has tried for so long to bring to light. The concept of "The Silver Heart" that lies at the cornerstone of the Order's philosophy is very similar to some other beliefs.

Duties
The Order of the Silver Heart is dedicated to serving an ideal. They believe that, by providing a heroic example to the people of the Empire, they can inspire and uplift them to do great things in their own lives. They are paragons of honor, loyalty and strength, seeking out evil and making sure justice prevails, Whether contacted at a chapter house by a person in diestress or discovering trouble on their own, Maidens of the Order are always seeking situations where they can be of help. Thwaterting the wicked is their primary concern, but Maidens are also known to aid in other circumstances, from natural disasters to penning escaped livestock.

In addition, Maidens are honor-bound to help patrons of the Order, men and women who have acquired honorary membership by donating funds or performing other services. An annual donation of an agreed-upon amount allows a patron to wear the seal, and in keeping with her vows, a Maiden must safeguard them. Sometimes a patron will sponsor an individual as opposed to an entire chapterhouse. The Maidens call these patrons "roses" and, when speaking of them, refer to their patron as "my rose." Patrons must be warned that Maidens will not perform decidedly illegal actions, nor are they retainers. Those few patrons that do cross the line quickly find themselves without support or favor.

Organization
The Order of the Silver Heart is thought of well in the Empire, particularly in Sylvania, although their influence is much less than those of the Legion and other organizations. And while the Order does not discriminate on grounds of nationality, it has yet to bring any from the farther lands of the Empire.

Despite the danger and violence the Order encounters, their membership has remained relatively stable, if small, over time. They number about 70 active. This tally does not include their support or patrons, however. Indeed, patronage in the Empire has declined quite a bit since the Order's inception, as the Order has seemingly closed itself off to much of the outside world.

Actvie members are divided into seven known ranks. Initiate, Poor Maiden, Wandering Maiden, Sergeant Maiden, Adept Maiden, Senior Maiden, and Matron.

All Active Maidens wear a tabard whose color indicates rank within the Order. Poor Maidens are clad in red, while Wanderers and Sergeants wear the iconic blue tabard. The highest-ranking members are the only ones allowed to wear black. All tabards are trimmed with gold and boldly display the Seal of the Silver Heart in the center.

The Life
To even hope of becoming a member of the Order of the Silver Heart, an individual must come to the attention of a unicorn, to which the Order and their members have become intertwined. No one is sure how this is done, but only those maidens who are purehearted are ever selected. Publically, the Order maintains that membership is by invitation only, but many patrons sponsor the order in the false hopes that they or their daughters may be noticed for membership.

Once a person has become an initiate, they are subjected to up to 18 months of intense physical and spiritual training, pushing their body, mind, and soul past exhaustion on a daily basis. A large number of potentials quit within three days, but those who persist are rewarded by promotion to Poor Maiden.

The first step of being a Poor Maiden, is the ritual of the vows, where an initiate is led into a chamber deep within the Chapterhouse. Surrounded by other Maidens, she kneels upon the great Seal of the Order. She is approached by the Senior Maiden who places a sword with its point at her heart and asks, "Will you protect those who cannot protect themselves?"

The initiate responds, "So I vow."

The Senior Maiden then places the sword at the initiate's throat and asks, "Will you bring justice to the unjust?"

Again the initiate responds, "So I vow." Satisfied, the Senior Maiden holds out the sword in both hands and asks, "Will you serve the Order and those who bear the Silver Heart?"

The initiate responds, "So I vow" for the third time and takes the sword by the blade into both his hands, usually drawing blood. A bowl of water is then emptied over the initiate's head and the Senior gives her a name that is only known to other Maidens. She is then given her tabard and told she may keep and name the sword for her own use. Initiates are given the distinct impression that if the Senior views their vow as false, the sword will be plunged into her heart. No one knows of any Initiate who has died in the ceremony, but the story persists among the lower ranks.

The ceremony concludes with the Senior Maiden announcing to everyone assembled that a new Maiden is among them, at which point the Maiden announces her name. She keeps her weapon of choice private. She is then given apprenticeship to another Maiden, who acts as her field instructor, mentor, and advisor for the next two to three years.

After the apprenticeship is finished, the Poor Maiden is initiated into the second rank and admitted into the Order as a true Maiden. Again kneeling in a circle of Maidens, the Poor Maiden removes her tabard and is told of the Order's ancient history. When it is over, the Poor Maiden repeats her vows. From that point on, when the Maiden makes a Vow, that is a promise based on the three Vows from her initiation, it will come to pass as a Wandering Maiden.

Once she becomes a Wandering Maiden, a Maiden lives the life of a wayward adventurer, traveling across the continent in search of wrongs to right and noble deeds to perform. She has no permanent residence, resting and resupplying at Chapterhouses and homes of patrons. It is not an easy existence, but most Maidens agree that they have never been more satisfied.

Adept Maidens are presented with a whole new set of challenges. Chapterhouses must constantly be maintained, initiates must be trained, and communal ties must be maintained. In addition to performing the tasks of their ranks, these Maidens also spend time in daily meditation.

A Maiden's career typically ends one of three ways: they are slain, they marry, or they retire. A fallen Maiden is buried with a somber ceremony, laid to rest with her tabard and sword. Most chapterhouses maintain private cemetaries that are closely guarded, and only a Maiden may be buried there. If a Maiden decides to leave the order, it is usually to marry and settle down with a family. In that case, they surrender their title and are wed within the chapterhouse. The Maiden is no longer an active member of the Order, the other members will now refer to them as a "Sister." If a Maiden is fortunate enough to survive to an age to retire, they are given a ceremony similar to the Ritual of Vows. The retiring Maiden is asked three questions - "What was your greatest victory?", "What was your greatest regreat?" and "What do you wish to leave the Order?" They are then baptized once more by a bowl of water being emptied over the head and earn the same title as a married Maiden, that of "Sister."