How to Advance in the Ranks

[claireducky]

 

Depending on your path within the Children, there are multiple ways for you to advance your rank.  When you join the Children, the group leader will create a thread for you on the Progress Report board. It is up to you to reply to that thread when you have fulfilled requirements, with links to your completed threads.

 

Unless you are taking advantage of the Amnesty, your character will begin as a Recruit. This initial period of training allows your Character to be sure joining the Children is for him before taking his Oaths and becoming an Anointed Child of the Light.

 

Recruit - A newly recruited member to our glorious order must first go through a training period, to be sure his heart is true before taking our Oaths. Oaths are for life, and this initial period is for the benefit of both the Recruit and the Children, to ensure they are serious about our Vows. Once the Oaths are taken and they are Anointed in the Dome of Truth, they become consecrated Children of the Light and choose their path: Army of the Light, Hand of the Light, or Eyes of the Light. They wear a plain white cloak with no Sunburst.

 

 

 

Recruit to Child, Seeker, or Scout:

1. Must have an approved Bio.

2. Orientation (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will be in an Orientation class, with other recruits. He will learn about the three divisions within the Children and our history.

3. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose.

4. Anointation – (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will take our Oaths and be Anointed in the Light with his peers. Upon taking the Oaths, he will choose a division to join within the Children, and receive a cloak with the Sunburst of the Children if you choose the Eyes of the Light or the Army of the Light, and a cloak with the Sunburst overlaid with a red shepherd’s crook if you choose the Hand of the Light.

Once you have graduated from recruit, your path will go one of three ways: Army of the Light, Hand of the Light, or Eyes of the Light.

 

Click on any of the links below to learn more about that Division and it's advancement system (all divisions have identical posting requirements, but each focuses on different topics.)

 

Army of the Light

Hand of the Light

Eyes of the Light

 

Leadership

Edited January 28, 2013 by claireducky

[claireducky]

Army of the Light

 

This is our main military force, and comprises 80% of our total membership. Like most military organizations, there are many opportunities for variety in the Army of the Light. We have units of lancers, swordsmen, bowmen, crossbowmen, and more. Want to handle horses, be a cook, or make armor? The Army of the Light is for you. The Legions of the Army of the Light frequently roam abroad, spreading the Light where they go. Soldiers of the Army may also serve at the Fortress of Light for periods of time. The Lords Captain are the leaders of the Army of the Light.

 

 

Child (1st Tier) - A standard soldier of the Army of the Light. He may be a lancer, bowman, farrier, or any other role. He holds rank above no one except recruits and servants. All Children of the 1st tier have a Sunburst emblazoned on the left breast of their cloak.

 

Other 1st Tier Ranks (Optional) –  A Child may advance through ranks within the first tier, giving him some more responsibility over others before promotion to officer. These first tier ranks are (from lowest to highest): File Leader, Second Squadman, Squadman, Second Bannerman and Bannerman. It is not necessary for a Child to proceed directly through this order of ranks, and may be advanced or demoted between any of them based on his deeds.

 

Hundredman (2nd Tier) - This is the rank of lower officers within the Army of the Light. As the name suggests, the Hundredman leads up to 100 of his fellow Children. Hundredmen may be leaders of lancers, swordsmen, bowmen or crossbowmen. A hundredman and other ranks of the 2nd tier have a silver lightning bolt added below the Sunburst on the left breast of his cloak.

 

Other 2nd Tier Ranks (Optional) - Like the other 1st tier ranks, a Hundredman may advance further within the 2nd tier of Children, adding responsibility and more Children to his charge. These second tier ranks are (from lowest to highest):  Under-Lieutenant, Lieutenant, and Senior Lieutenant. It is not necessary for a Child to proceed directly through this order of ranks, and may be advanced or demoted between any of them based on his deeds. Only in extreme circumstances will a Child of the second tier be demoted lower than a Hundredman.

 

Captain (3rd Tier) - This is the highest rank of regular officers among the Children. A Captain can expect to command up to half a Legion, or as many as 1,000 Children. Captains are expected to be experts in warfare, and should know everything about the duties of the soldiers who serve them. The Captains are the pool from which Lords Captain are selected. They should be elite soldiers in every way, and prime examples of the Children of the Light. A Captain may be demoted back to 2nd tier, although this is infrequent. While possible, it is almost unheard of for a Captain to be demoted back to any 1st tier rank. A Captain will have a single golden knot below the Sunburst on the left breast of his cloak.

 

Lord Captain (4th Tier) - These fine soldiers are the leaders of the Children. Their number is limited to 13. The Lords Captain each command up to a Legion of Children (2,000 soldiers). When a vacancy in their number arises, a new Lord Captain is carefully chosen from the pool of Captains by the Lord Captain Commander and the other Lords Captain. Along with the Lord Captain Commander, the High Inquisitor and the Lords Captain sit on the Council of the Anointed, which may be called to convene on policy, warfare, or other pressing issues of import to the Children. The Lords Captain have two golden knots below the Sunburst on the left breast of their cloaks.

 

 

How to Advance in the Army of the Light

 

Child to Hundredman:

1. Rotation 1 Basic Weapon Skills (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will be trained in a weapon of his choice – sword, lance, bow or crossbow. Your Weapon Score may or may not increase after this training, based on your writing and current WS.

2. Rotation 2 Basic Soldiering (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn the basics of life in the field, and military units– from digging latrines, to staking tents and sentry duty.

3. Rotation 3 The Light (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn more about the mission of the Children, and the teachings of Lothair Mantelar.

4. Mission (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character (and others) will be given a mission to carry out. The Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon the actions of the group, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose. 

6. Consecration (3 Posts of 200 Words) – Your character will spend the night in the Dome of Truth in vigil, prayer and contemplation of the Light and Lothair’s teachings. At sunrise, you will be relieved of your vigil and raised to Hundredman, and given a cloak with a silver lightning bolt below the Sunburst.

 

Hundredman to Captain:

1. Advanced Weapon Skills 1 (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will continue to advance his skills with his chosen weapon. Your Weapon Score may or may not increase after this training, based on your writing and current WS.

2. Secondary Weapon Skills (4 Posts of 200 Words) – Officers are expected to know and be familiar with all the weapons used by the Children. In this thread, your character will pick a secondary weapon to learn and begin training with it. Your Weapon Score may or may not increase after this training, based on your writing and current WS.

3. Military Doctrine (4 Posts of 200 Words) – If you wish to lead in the field, you must learn how. In this thread, you will learn about battles and battle formations on a large scale, and be tested on your knowledge.

4. Mission (4 Posts of 200 Words) - In this thread, your character (and others) will be given a mission to carry out. Your character will be expected to lead the others on the mission. The RP Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon the actions of the group, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose.

6. Dedication (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will write a “Letter” to Lothair Mantelar, explaining how his teachings have affected your life and why you have dedicated yourself to the Children. No one will read the letter but your character; and after it is complete, he must burn it within the Dome of Truth. Upon completion of this, your character will be raised to Captain and given a cloak with a single golden knot below the Sunburst, as well as a copy of Lothair Mantelar’s Way of The Light.

 

Captain to Lord Captain:

Lords Captain are limited to 13 (all 13 spots currently vacant). There is currently no set way to advance from Captain to Lord Captain, please contact the RP Group Leader if you wish to discuss plans on how to do so.

Edited January 28, 2013 by claireducky

[claireducky]

Hand of the Light

Hand of the Light - Known derogatorily as “Questioners”, this branch of the Children dedicates itself to seeking and spreading Truth. They are experts at interrogation and dissemination. They hold inquests and judge disputes. They are the law of the Children, and of the Light. Those who serve the Hand of the Light are frequently stationed at the Fortress of Light, but most Legions of the Army of the Light will travel with at least one Inquisitor with them. The High Inquisitor is the leader of the Hand of the Light.

 

Seeker (1st Tier) - The first rank within the Hand of the Light, equivalent to a Child in the Army of the Light. The Seeker holds no rank over others, and exists to learn from his superiors about the mysteries of Truth. He will spend much of his time studying the words of Lothair Mantelar, and assisting officers within the Hand of the Light with interrogations, judgments, and punishments. In order to ensure Children of the Hand get a well-rounded training, he will be expected to spend time not only in the Fortress, but assigned with a detachment of the Army. The Seeker can be marked by a red shepherd’s crook overlaid on the Sunburst upon the left breast of his cloak.

 

Arbiter (2nd Tier) - The second rank within the Hand of the Light, equivalent to a Hundredman in the Army of the Light. An Arbiter of the Light expands his knowledge of the Light, the Shadow, the Law, and Truth. He is put in charge of Seekers, leads interrogations, gives judgments, and declares punishments. Like a Seeker, an Arbiter will spend time both in the Fortress and assigned with detachments of the Army. The Arbiter will have the red shepherd’s crook overlaid on the Sunburst upon the left breast of his cloak, and his tunic will have bands of red cloth upon his upper arms.

 

Inquisitor (3rd Tier) - The third rank within the Hand of the Light, equivalent to a Captain in the Army of the Light. An Inquisitor of the Light is considered an expert of his trade, able to bring even the most Shadow-entrenched souls back to the Light through his arts of interrogation. He will be expected to interrogate those who have defied the efforts of Arbiters, or preside in high-profile questionings, trials and judgments. When Vacant, the position of High Inquisitor is chosen from among the Inquisitors, by a vote of their number. An Inquisitor will have the red shepherd’s crook overlaid on the Sunburst upon the left breast of his cloak, and his tunic will have a band of red cloth upon both his upper arms and forearms.

 

High Inquisitor (4th Tier) - The Highest of the Hand of the Light, he commands and controls all activities within this branch of the Children. He is answerable to no one except the Lord Commander himself (and nominally, at that.) The High Inquisitor is an experienced expert in his field, and is charged with bringing the Truth and the Light to the world. He sits upon the Council of the Anointed with the Lords Captain and the Lord Captain Commander. The High Inquisitor will have only the red shepherd’s crook upon the left breast of his cloak, with no Sunburst. His tunic’s forearms and upper arms will each have a band of red cloth.

 

 

How to Advance in the Hand of the Light

 

Seeker to Arbiter:

1. Rotation 1 Interrogation Skills (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will be trained in the ways of interrogation and seeking the Truth.

2. Rotation 2 Basic Soldiering (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn the basics of life in the field, and military units– from digging latrines, to staking tents and sentry duty.

3. Rotation 3 The Light (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn more about the mission of the Children, and the teachings of Lothair Mantelar.

4. Interrogation (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will carry out an interrogation of a suspect. The RP Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon your actions, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose. 

6. Consecration (3 Posts of 200 Words) – Your character will spend the night in the Dome of Truth in vigil, prayer and contemplation of the Light and Lothair’s teachings. At sunrise, you will be relieved of your vigil and raised to Arbiter, and given a tunic with red bands upon the upper arms.

 

Arbiter to Inquisitor:

1. Laws and Judgements (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn about the laws of the land, how disputes may be arbitrated, and the codes of the Children.

2. Basic Weapons (4 Posts of 200 Words) – Even a member of the Hand of the Light may be called upon to defend himself. You will learn basic weapons skills of a weapon of your choice. Your Weapon Score may or may not increase after this training, based on your writing and current WS.

3. Spreading the Light (4 Posts of 200 Words) – Not all duties of the Hand involve interrogation and torture. In this thread, you will attempt to spread the word of the Light to the unenlightened. This could involve preaching our ascetic beliefs in a village, attempting to dissuade someone from committing a crime, etc.

4. Crime and Punishment (4 Posts of 200 Words) - In this thread, your character (and others) will handle the conviction and punishment of a Darkfriend or other Criminal. Your character will be expected to lead Seekers throughout the thread. The RP Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon the actions of the group, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose.

6. Dedication (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will write a “Letter” to Lothair Mantelar, explaining how his teachings have affected your life and why you have dedicated yourself to the Children. No one will read the letter but your character; and after it is complete, he must burn it within the Dome of Truth. Upon completion of this, your character will be raised to Inquisitor and given a tunic with red bands upon both the upper and lower arms, as well as a copy of Lothair Mantelar’s Way of The Light.

 

Inquisitor to High Inquisitor:

In the interest of keeping the RP running smoothly, the position of High Inquisitor is currently an NSW Character. This is written by the staff of the RP Group. If you have successfully completed your training to Inquisitor and wish to apply to write as the NSW, please contact the Group Leader.

Edited January 28, 2013 by claireducky

[claireducky]

Eyes of the Light

If the other branches are our body and hands, then this branch is our eyes and ears. Those in the Eyes of the Light excel at going unnoticed, extracting information subtly from those they come in contact with casually. They are masters of stealth, disguise and conversation. Some serve as scouts in detachments of the Army of Light, bringing militarily useful information back to the Legion. Others travel far abroad, sometimes going undercover in an effort to gather information useful to the Children. They are led by the Spymaster, whose identity is a mystery to all but the Lord Captain Commander.

 

Scout (1st Tier) - This is the first rank within the Eyes of the Light, equivalent to a Child in the Army of the Light or a Seeker in the Hand of the Light. In addition to weaponry skills, the Scout will learn about information gathering, stealth, and military movements. He will be trained both at the Fortress of Light and by serving with a detachment of the Army of the Light. His duties will range widely depending on the type of information he is expected to gather, from troop movements to the intrigues of nobles. He may interface with both the common population and informers for the Light. Because the goal of the Eyes of the Light is to blend in and act with subtlety, his cloak is emblazoned simply with the Sunburst, like any regular Child of the Light.

 

Ranger (2nd Tier) - This is the second rank within the Eyes of the Light, equivalent to a Hundredman in the Army of the Light or an Arbiter in the Hand of the Light. In addition to improving his weapons skills, the Ranger will be expected to expand his learning to politics, court intrigue, cultures, disguises, and the Game of Houses. He frequently will be sent on his own on minor missions to gather information in situations that require difficult undercover work. He also is able to utilize Scouts to act on missions for him, if necessary. As with the Scout, a Ranger does not have any special denotation on the breast of his cloak.

 

Spy (3rd Tier) - This is the third rank within the Eyes of the Light, equivalent to a Captain in the Army of the Light or an Inquisitor in the Hand of the Light. He will be an expert with his chosen weapon, a master of disguise, accents, intrigue and Daes Dae’mar. The Spy is elite at gathering information, and can operate deep undercover for months at a time, or control a network of Rangers and Scouts from the Fortress of Light. When vacant, the position of Spymaster is chosen from the ranks of the Spies. As with the Scout and Ranger, a Spy does not have any special markings on the breast of his cloak.

 

Spymaster (4th Tier) - This is the highest rank within the Eyes of the Light, equivalent to the Lords Captain or the High Inquisitor. The Spymaster is chosen by the Lord Captain Commander from the ranks of Spies. The Spymaster’s identity is known only to the Lord Captain Commander, and he controls the entire network of the Eye of the Light while continuing to pose as a 3rd Tier Spy. He serves as advisor and councilor to the Lord Captain Commander.

 

 

How to Advance in the Eyes of the Light

 

Scout to Ranger:

1. Rotation 1 Stealth and Information (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn about gathering information, sneaking, and going unnoticed.

2. Rotation 2 Basic Soldiering (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn the basics of life in the field, and military units– from digging latrines, to staking tents and sentry duty.

3. Rotation 3 The Light (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will learn more about the mission of the Children, and the teachings of Lothair Mantelar.

4. Mission (4 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will be given a scouting mission to carry out. The Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon the actions of your character, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose. 

6. Consecration (3 Posts of 200 Words) – Your character will spend the night in the Dome of Truth in vigil, prayer and contemplation of the Light and Lothair’s teachings. At sunrise, you will be relieved of your vigil and raised to Ranger, and given a personal cipher kit, with a cipher unique to your character.

 

Ranger to Spy:

1. Basic Weapon Skills  (4 Posts of 200 Words) - In this thread, your character will be trained in a weapon of his choice – sword, lance, bow or crossbow, or other (knives, etc). Your Weapon Score may or may not increase after this training, based on your writing and current WS.

2. Politics and Intrigue (4 Posts of 200 Words) – Your character will learn about the nations, their politics, and the basics of the Game of Houses.

3. Cultures and Disguises (4 Posts of 200 Words) – Your character will learn about the appearance, accents and habits of other cultures, and be tested on his knowledge.

4. Mission (4 Posts of 200 Words) - In this thread, your character (and others) will be given a political mission to carry out. Your character will be expected to lead Scouts on the mission. The RP Group Leader will guide the course of the RP based upon the actions of the group, and success is NOT a given (think Dungeons & Dragons or Choose Your Own Adventure style Roleplay).

5. Character Development (4 Posts of 200 Words) – This is a freeform RP in which you develop your character in any way that you choose.

6. Dedication (3 Posts of 200 Words) – In this thread, your character will write a “Letter” to Lothair Mantelar, explaining how his teachings have affected your life and why you have dedicated yourself to the Children. No one will read the letter but your character; and after it is complete, he must burn it within the Dome of Truth. Upon completion of this, your character will be raised to Spy and given lists to memorize, then destroy (all members of the Eye, all current informers for the Light and their location, and signals of the Eye), as well as a copy of Lothair Mantelar’s Way of The Light.

 

Spy to Spymaster: 

In the interest of keeping the RP running smoothly, the position of Spymaster is currently an NSW Character. This is written by the staff of the RP Group. If you have successfully completed your training to Spy and wish to apply to write as the NSW, please contact the Group Leader.

 

Edited January 28, 2013 by claireducky

[claireducky]

Leadership

 

The Lord Captain Commander - The Lord Captain Commander is chosen from among the ranks of Lords Captain, and serves as the titular leader of the Children of the Light. All within the organization must answer to him, even the High Inquisitor (though the Inquisitor may not admit it). None may enter his presence while wearing a sword. He is the supreme commander of the Army of the Light, and runs the Children on a day to day basis. Only on matters of great import and policy will he consult the Council of the Anointed.

 

Council of the Anointed - The Council is comprised of the 13 Lords Captain, the High Inquisitor, and the Lord Captain Commander. When a issue arises that is too large for the Lord Captain Commander to decide alone, the Council convenes in the Dome of Truth or the Lord Captain Commander’s chambers to decide the matter with a vote.  As many Lords Captain are afield most of the time, the law states that only 7 of the Lords Captain, the High Inquisitor and the Lord Captain Commander need be present for there to be a quorum. The Council discusses options for the issue, and a secret ballot is taken. The Lord Captain Commander usually abstains from voting, unless there arises a tie, in which case he will cast the deciding ballot.