by Unforseen Sat Jun 16, 2012 2:30 am
Ranks and Uniforms
- Spoiler:
The brotherhood is split into 2 groups. First is the lower group, the watchers. This consists of the initiates, blood brothers and knights brothers. These knights are attached to knightly orders all throughout Astora, sent to watch for signs of corruption. During this time these knights practice their stealth abilities and train with the knights they are watching. These knights receive their orders publicly from the lord knights, in order to confirm with the knightly orders that they are indeed under the protection of the brotherhood. Woe betide the order who eliminates a brother, for the entire force of the blades does descend to cleanse them of their corruption.
Knights of the rank blade or higher form the second group, the enforcers. These are the knights that are sent in to kill and eliminate targets once the watchers have found corruption. Despite the dangerous nature of their work there extreme training and skill allow many missions to be completed without any unnecessary life loss and often the blade is gone before the order even notices a member is dead. Despite this all blades fight honourably, challenging their foes to duel, not stabbing them in the back. They cannot enforce honour if they themselves are not honourable. The blades receive their missions personally from the grandmaster. They are not known publicly, for that would jeopardise the mission.
Above the blades is the highblades. These 4 warriors are each at the pinnacle of their skills. They each specialise differently and only take on the hardest missions. They are the ones called in when even a blade could not complete the kill. Each of them wears a mask to obscure their identity. Not even the lord knights know who each highblade is.
The 2 lord knights are the second highest ranked people in the covenant. They are in charge of the watchers, issuing their missions and directing their actions. Just like the high blades they too wear masks obscuring their image. Only the grandmaster knows these 2.
The grandmaster, the only publicly known high ranked member of the brotherhood. Sen is the man who organises it all. He directs his blades with the skill born of climbing the ranks of the brotherhood. Under him the blades mortality rate is lower than ever, even with the Lordran detachment.
- Excerpt from Farel Gharllen’s “A look into Honour”
Ranks
Initiate- A new recruit who is interested in joining the Brotherhood, these members are awaiting to take the Rite of Passage.
Blood Brother-a member who has taken in the Rite of passage and has shared their blood with the Brotherhood.
Brother Knight- A former blood brother who has ranked up and serves the Brotherhood in combat.
Blade- Elite knights who have once again shown their worth to the Brotherhood. They have passed the trial of combat and proved they are worthy to become enforces.
HighBlade- The highblades consist of four; Highblade of Wisdom, Might, Honor, and faith. They are the councilmen of the Brotherhood and wear the Thief's mask with either knights or elite knights. Each specialises in one field, intelligence, strength, dexterity and faith. In order to become one you must show your specialization in this field.
Lord Knight- One per system, these members are the commanding members of the Brotherhood, only answering to the Grandmaster.
Grandmaster- The Head of the Brotherhood.
Rite of Passage
“You who stand before me are initiates, not yet true brothers. If you want to join us truly you must learn to bleed, and make those you fight bleed too. The ritual of blood and battle confirms you as one of us. When you bleed for us and I bleed for you then you will become a knight of the brotherhood. A blood brother, part of our family.”
- Lord Knight Eidolas
The rite of passage involves a combat test against either the lord commander or the grandmaster. The 2 fight until they are both below 25% health, which indicates they are bleeding. They then press their arms together, thus the new recruited is blooded and becomes one with the brotherhood.
Trial of Combat
The trial of combat is a test to prove whether the watcher is ready to become an enforcer. They must fight 2 opponents at once, and win, in order to pass. The 2 fighters will be appointed by the grandmaster before the duel. This test may only be taken 2 weeks after joining the brotherhood, in order to show your dedication.
Last edited by Unforseen on Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:30 pm; edited 2 times in total