Alaundo's Library

Noteshdr.gif (2577 bytes)

The work contained on this page is the property and copyright of Rick Snider and is used with permission by Candlekeep.


The Code of The Purple Dragon Knights

By Rick Snider

 


The Code of the Purple Dragon Knights

 

Live to serve King and Country.

Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.

Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.

Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.

Never attack an unarmed foe.

Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.

Never attack from behind.

Avoid lying to your fellow man.

Avoid cheating.

Avoid torture.

Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.

Administer justice.

Protect the innocent.

Exhibit self control.

Show respect to authority.

Respect women.

Exhibit Courage in word and deed.

Defend the weak and innocent.

Fight evil in all of its monstrous forms.

Fight with honor.

Avenge the wronged.

Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.

Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry.

Die with valor.

Always keep one's word of honor.

Always maintain one's principles.

Never betray a confidence or comrade.

Avoid deception.

Respect life and freedom.

Die with honor.

Exhibit manners.

Be polite and attentive.

Be respectful of host, women, and honor.

Loyalty to country, King, honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry.

Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.

Music, dance, and art are the food of the noble knight .


The 12 Virtues of the Purple Dragon Knight

1. Always respect and obey the law unless the law is wrongful.

2. Always be kind and never cruel.

3. Give mercy to those that ask for it.

4. Always be truthful and never lie.

5. Defend the Law of Good and seek to stop injustice.

6. Have compassion to the weak, frail, and oppressed, and seek to help them in any way.

7. Be charitable to others and give to those in need.

8. Always succor women when they are in distress.

9. Love your country, family, religion, and uphold them in any way.

10.Always put the needs of other above the needs of yourself.

11.Live a pure and noble life.

12.Anger blinds, a cool head will win the day.


Orders of Conduct on the field of battle

In Battle take on enemies in this order

1. Enemy leader

2. Opponents of great renown, enemy flags and standards

3. Opponent Cavalry of Noble or Elite status

4. Other opponent Cavalry

5. Opponent elite footmen

6. Opponent camp and headquarters

7. Opponent melee troops

8. Levies or peasants


The Tournement Field (The showplace of Knightly Conduct)

1. Courtesy to your opponent at all times.

2. In combat, if you are uncertain of a blow take it.

3. Do not let anger control your actions.

4. Do not let the lack of Chivalry in others cause you to be unchivalrous.

5. If your opponent is your equal practice chivalric action.

6. If your opponent is your better give no quarter.

7. Remember your actions speak louder than words.


Prowess: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a knight, martial and

otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in

personal aggrandizement.

 

Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal

interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it

must be tempered by humanity and mercy. If the 'right' you see rings true, agrees with

others, and you seek it out without bending to the temptation for expediency,

then you will earn renown beyond measure.

 

Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you choose

to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not

amongst them.

 

Defense: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and those

who depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your family, and those

to whom you believe worthy of loyalty.

 

Courage: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the

personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of

the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a knight should seek wisdom

to see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the

side of truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the

truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, or the pure

truth can bring grief.

 

Faith: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives

hope against the despair that human failings create.

 

Humility: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own

accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before

your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In

this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only

the gentle spoken of but also all who call themselves knights.

 

Largesse: Be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used in this

way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a

difficult decision of justice is required.

 

Nobility: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties

of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of

striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust

towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others,

offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness.

 

Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as possible,

not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict

your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life

with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be

well remembered for your quality and virtue.

 


See also the Code of Torm, by Arravis

Return to Travelers Notebooks

Return to Alaundo's Library