BmZuzu
Member
Sons and daughters of crown, and common man alike.
I pledge discipline, Loyalty, and my very own blood.
To lands neglected. There I shall purify all in Alder’s name.
- The Dedicant Creed
I pledge discipline, Loyalty, and my very own blood.
To lands neglected. There I shall purify all in Alder’s name.
- The Dedicant Creed
The First Chapter of the Ordo Dedicant is a brotherhood of Clerics devoted to the teachings of Rosatia, Salvor and Elric. They serve as exemplars for all other clerics to follow and serve the devotees of Alder with passion and humility. As the primary arm of the temple their duties encompass:
- Teaching of the Faith.
To this end every chapter Paladin must be well educated in the teachings of the sentinels before they are dubbed and often undergo trials and exams to prove their pool of knowledge. - To be Watchers.
While on assignment in varying provinces or lands, they are to be watchful eyes and ears against any trace of heresy such as voidal occurrences. - To be stalwart Shields.
They are to be defenders of the people and of the faith in whatever capacity they can, giving their lives if they must.
Initiation into the Order
The Order is open to all followers of the Alderist faith, regardless of age, history or gender so long as they are willing to bear the Dedicant Creed. No individual may be pressured or bribed into the Ordo Dedicant nor can its ranks be entered as punishment or as a rite of penance. Only those who are wholeheartedly willing to bear the Dedicant Creed are accepted into the Order.
Thus, Initiation then begins at any temple that is presided over by a chapter Paladin. Any individual who expresses interest will first be asked if they have already completed their first devotion (a rite many Attians undergo upon reaching adulthood and choosing their Sentinel). Those who have not undergone their first devotion are first initiated into the cult of Alder and only then may they be considered a disciple of the Ordo Dedicant.
Discipleship is a period of humility and study. The Disciple is not assigned to any particular paladin but taught by any and every chapter paladin in a variety of topics including History (of Attia, Hadriana and more), The Sentinels (and their teachings) as well as a number of other subjects that ultimately result in a deeply educated individual. During this period, the disciple will also be treated almost similarly to a servant, also undertaking mundane tasks and chores so as to learn humility and learn of a chapter paladin’s role as a servant of the people rather than a step above.
At the end of this period and having proven themselves dedicated to the faith and to study, the disciple must make a choice - To continue and bear the dedicant creed for life or to leave and be ordained as a formal Cleric. Anyone may undergo a period of discipleship to become a formally ordained Cleric to oversee simple rites and rituals in a particular province.
If the Disciple wishes to further their learning and become a true member of the Ordo Dedicant, they must seek out a chapter Paladin that will be willing to mentor them further. Any chapter Paladin may be a mentor however each chapter Paladin may only have a total of two Acolytes at a time. The Disciple will then take the Dedicant Creed before the three Sentinels Salvor, Elric and Rosatia while overseen by their mentor.
An acolyte is formally recognised as a brother or sister of the Order however they do not hold the same responsibilities as the chapter Paladins. Instead they are to assist their mentor with their tasks and learn while doing so. Additionally, they will be subject to examinations and trials that will determine the extent of their knowledge and experience. Once a Mentor is satisfied with their Acolyte’s progress, they will write to the Vater or Erzbishop of the region and request a Final Trial.
The Final Trial’s contents must remain unknown to the Acolyte until the day it is to be undertaken; and afterwards, the Trial must never be discussed again by the acolyte or now to-be chapter Paladin. As a result, the Final Trial is often rumoured to differ from Acolyte to Acolyte but due to the ban on discussing such, the truth remains veiled.
Thus, Initiation then begins at any temple that is presided over by a chapter Paladin. Any individual who expresses interest will first be asked if they have already completed their first devotion (a rite many Attians undergo upon reaching adulthood and choosing their Sentinel). Those who have not undergone their first devotion are first initiated into the cult of Alder and only then may they be considered a disciple of the Ordo Dedicant.
- Discipleship
At the end of this period and having proven themselves dedicated to the faith and to study, the disciple must make a choice - To continue and bear the dedicant creed for life or to leave and be ordained as a formal Cleric. Anyone may undergo a period of discipleship to become a formally ordained Cleric to oversee simple rites and rituals in a particular province.
- Apprenticeship (Acolytes of the Order)
An acolyte is formally recognised as a brother or sister of the Order however they do not hold the same responsibilities as the chapter Paladins. Instead they are to assist their mentor with their tasks and learn while doing so. Additionally, they will be subject to examinations and trials that will determine the extent of their knowledge and experience. Once a Mentor is satisfied with their Acolyte’s progress, they will write to the Vater or Erzbishop of the region and request a Final Trial.
The Final Trial’s contents must remain unknown to the Acolyte until the day it is to be undertaken; and afterwards, the Trial must never be discussed again by the acolyte or now to-be chapter Paladin. As a result, the Final Trial is often rumoured to differ from Acolyte to Acolyte but due to the ban on discussing such, the truth remains veiled.
Organisation of the Ordo Dedicant
(Rank: 1) Acolytes
Are the newest brothers and sisters of the Ordo Dedicant and are undergoing an apprenticeship under a chapter Paladin. They are looked upon strictly by all other paladins, including their mentor however are usually treated quite well as they too have taken the Dedicant Creed and are now a brother or sister for life.
(Rank: 2) Chapter Paladins
Are those who have completed their apprenticeship and passed the Final Trial. These are seniors of the Order and act independently to fulfill any assignments or together with fellow chapter Paladins to determine the direction of the Order.
(Rank: 2) Templar Paladins
Are those who have been assigned to preside over a specific province’s temple and are generally tasked with preaching and guiding the local populace as well as maintaining the temple and shrines in the area.
(Rank: 2.1) High Warden(s)
The shields of the temple, The High Warden is a chapter Paladin tasked with protecting the highest members of the clergy (Vater and the Erzbishops) and is often seen as the closest confidante(s) to the Vater. They are the primary bridge between the Highest Clergy and the Order.
(Rank: 2.1) The Choirmaster
The Choirmaster is a chapter Paladin responsible for the Order and Temple’s Publications as well as ensuring proper sermons and preaching is being held among the Temples of the Empire.
Chain of Command
The Dedicant Paladins and Acolytes are ultimately citizens of the Hadrian Empire and follow the Alderist Tenets and so bear allegiance to the Sitting Emperor first and foremost. They do not hold authority to command any citizens or nobles of the empire however may at times request cooperation and assistance but not force or command it. Any authority bestowed upon them must come in the form of a formal writ either by the Vater in matters of Inquisition or by the presiding government body.
Within the Order itself, All chapter Paladins have equal vote and work with Higher Clergy (Vater and Erzbishops) in deciding the direction of the order.
Acolytes have no true vote however their opinions and ideas are always welcome.
Rites and Symbolism
Adoubement of the Paladin
The Rite of Adoubement is the ceremony in which an Acolyte is elevated to the rank of chapter Paladin. In any Temple of Alder, the ceremony is conducted by the presiding Vater or Erzbishop under the oversight of the Acolyte’s Mentor. As the proceedings begin:
- The Acolyte is called in, they are to be dressed in simple white robes and will stand before a table upon which sits pieces of armor - the Dedicant Paladin’s armor.
- They will once again say the words of the Dedicant Creed then take their vows to serve the realm and its citizens faithfully.
- Upon finishing their vows, The Acolyte’s family or friends will come forward and don the pieces of armor onto the Acolyte’s body, drabing them in the uniform of a chapter Paladin - This serves as a representation of the last act of service the Acolyte receives as once they begin their path as a chapter Paladin, they commit themselves finally to a lifetime of service onto others. (A cloak may be pinned onto the armor to signify a higher position among clergy as well)
- Fully donned in the armor of the Paladin, they will Kneel and bare their sword to their Mentor. The mentor will then take the sword and slide it into a custom made sheath with a strap that buckles the sword into place. When the Paladin next draws their sword, they will find the strap prevents it - signifying that when a Paladin draws a sword - that is the decision they have come to with intent and careful deliberation.
- The Ceremony ends as the sword is affixed to the Armor and the now risen Paladin repeats their creed once more for all to hear.
Crest of the Templar Order
The first chapter of the Ordo Dedicant is a reformation of the Templar order, thus they have inherited the Crest of the Templar Order for any formal communications and publications. The physical Seal is kept by the Choirmaster and they are responsible for its safeguarding.
Sigil of the Ordo Dedicant
The sigil of the Ordo Dedicant. Alder’s chosen power, bequeathed to him in the form of a Zweihander. The Iron cross follows the form of the fabled sword, the vertical arm intersected by two others as the crossguard and parrying hooks the blade bears.
Each Arm of the cross represents the three Sentinels the Order dedicates itself to - Rosatia, Elric and Salvor. The circle represents the union of the sentinels in their guidance and teaching as each Dedicant Knight knows a single devotion is not truly following in Alder’s steps, every sentinel has a lesson that must be upheld. Finally, Each nail represents each of Dolus’ greatest victories towards steering the world to Chaos - Alder’s fall as a mortal and the fall of Magna Attia. Events that no faithful wishes to see repeated.
This sigil is found on all uniforms of Acolytes and Paladins. Additionally it may be found as a pin on a paladin’s civilian wear or pinning their cloaks in place.
The tendency of our world is shifting. With every action by we who inhabit it. Will Order prevail?