Promotion Ceremonies
BRING OUT THE BUCKET O’ EARS!!!
Ceremonies & Oaths
Ceremonies are typically embellished for flair or entertainment value when appropriate.
Officiants may add to the ceremony if they like, but they may not subtract any language.
Induction, also known as “Squiring” – this ceremony marks the acceptance of a candidate-recruit as a full member of NOR and is when they receive their “Jacket”.
Jacket Creed
The NOR “Jacket” is defined as the specific tool used in each realm branch to identify a character as a member of New OutRiders. This is also referred to as a “tag”. The ”Jacket” is an imaginary badge of membership that is directly attached to the name of a member.
“I promise to wear the NOR name with pride. While wearing it, I will bring no shame or dishonor to NOR in word or deed. I will defend it and anyone else who wears it to the uttermost limits of my ability.”
Squiring Script:
- “Recruit [Name], do you wish to become a member of NOR, yea or nay?”
a. Response: “Yea.” - “Very well, [Name], please come forward and kneel.”
- “Do you promise to protect the weak and defend the innocent?”
- “Do you swear to abide and uphold the Charter of the guild of the New OutRiders?”
- As our Jacket Creed states, do you “promise to wear the NOR name with pride. While wearing it, I will bring no shame or dishonor to NOR in word or deed. I will defend it and anyone else who wears it to the uttermost limits of my ability.”
- “And do you all here, bearing witness to these oaths, reaffirm your own fealty and promise to aid this member in the keeping of their vows?”
a. Response: “We do!” - [Mutilate the recruit’s ear in some grotesque fashion];
- “Then by the power vested in me by … [Rank and Name of superior officer, if applicable]
and … the High Council of NOR, I dub you Squire [Name]; - “Arise Squire [Name] and be greeted by your guild.”;
Promotion:
- “[Rank][Name], you are being honored with the promotion of [New Rank], please come forward and kneel.”
- “Do you promise to protect the weak and defend the innocent?”
- “Do you swear to abide and uphold the Charter of the guild of the New OutRiders?”
- “Do you reaffirm the Jacket Creed?”
- (If Officer) Ask: “Do you swear to carry out the duties of your new rank?”
- “And do you all here, bearing witness to these oaths, reaffirm your own fealty and
promise to aid this member in the keeping of their vows?”
a. Response: “We do!” - [Mutilate the member’s remaining ear in some grotesque fashion … again];
- “Then, by the power vested in me by … [Rank and Name of superior officer, if applicable]
and … the High Council of NOR, I hereby promote you to the rank of [Rank], with all of
its attendant privileges and responsibilities; - “Arise [Rank][Name] and be greeted by your guild.”;
Roster
Even though our online roster is still not working it is important for us to track your Squirings and Promotions so after you have done a promotion…. be sure to:
- Notify your fellow officers of the change.
- Notify your Herald of the change so they can note their spreadsheet or document of the DATE and NEW RANK. (also tell Tundrra so he can update the out of game roster)
- Announce the new promotion in Discord.
- PLEASE NOTE: THE RIGHT TO SQUIRE [and for that matter promote] MUST be granted by your Duke/Duchess or realm leader.
Ranks
Each member of NOR is assigned a rank, starting with Recruit until their induction into the guild as a full member at the rank of Squire. Members may thereafter advance in rank in accordance with their own merit and at the discretion of their officers.
A Recruit is not officially a member of NOR until Squired.
Former officers are granted the honorific of “Grandee”, but they hold no authority.
Former HC members granted the honorific of Emeritus hold no authority beyond the courtesy extended to someone of that rank, nor have they a vote on the HC.
All ranks enjoy mutual reciprocity on all Realms of NOR. This means one’s rank on one realm is the same as the rank on another, with all of the attendant privileges and responsibilities.
The current ranks of NOR are, in ascending order:
- Recruit
- Squire
- Knight
- Champion
- Grandee (Retired Baron/Count/Duke)
- Baron or Baroness
- Count or Countess
- Duke or Duchess
- Lord or Lady
a. Emeritus (Retired Lords)
