Students who think that they may be interested in becoming a member of the duelists should first be aware of the following things:
The duelists are as a family, and within that family are close knit groups called triads. That is, on joining the duelists you take an Oath with two others, where you are all as close as the closest of siblings. Duelists refer to each other as ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ and those in your triad are your Oathbrothers and/or Oathsisters. It is expected that you choose you Oathsiblings very carefully indeed, for it is a strong bond that will not do to be broken on a whim.
The duelist Senior Triad consists of ser Santilius, ser Dannion and ser Dionar. It is these three who should be contacted by the student if they have concerns or questions. It is also worth the student knowing the Duelist Elders, ser Trevayne and sera Allenya
Those aspiring to join the duellists should study and learn The Code Duello. Also, it is worth mentioning that the following books in the Library hold information on dueling: Combat, Theory and Practice, and Courtesy for Castle Marrach.
The student should also be informed that the Duelists and the Watch do not always get on with each other brilliantly well. This should not under any circumstances be used as an excuse to taunt the Watch or act irresponsibly
As a martial Guild whose members are allowed to wear swords legally, it should be noted that those of an irresponsible or criminal nature will certainly not be accepted into the Guild.
The Duelists put great store in Honour and Devotion. I believe that it cannot be explained better than in the words of ser Santilius:
"Also keep in mind that beyond Honour and Devotion, the Duelists preach to live life with PASSION and zest. To follow your heart at all times. Loyalty, Duty, Commitment and yet all actions must be tempered with Compassion. While the Duelists are NOT the Watch we expect every member to defend life if necessary and to aid and help protect the Denizens of the Castle. In this way all Duelists may be as examples of Honour to those around them."
When a student heads out onto the path of becoming a duelist they should do the following things:
Attend practices, the dates of which are:
Sun's Day: 12 early bells to 2 early bells with ser Santilius
Moon's Day: 12 early bells to 2 early bells with Squire Ghent
Tiu's Day: 10 late bells to 12 early bell with ser Dionar (Held in the Observation Deck)
Thor's Day: 1 late bell to 2 late bells with ser Caltos
Saturn's Day: 12 early bells to 2 early bells with ser Dannion
Also try to attend this meeting:
Thor’s day: Duelist Open Meeting at 10 late bells
All of the above practices and meetings are weekly.
(If the ‘beginners meetings’ go ahead, make note and put mention here along with it’s date time and occurrence.)
Make themselves familiar with The Code Duello so that they know well how to observe it when asked.
If your student does well they may be given the purple pouch that will mark them A Duelist Hopeful. You are not likely to see them become a Duelist proper while they are being mentored.
The attainment of the purple felt pouch of a duelist hopeful occurs when the hopeful feels they are ready to approach a Duelist they respect greatly to be their personal mentor and guide on the road to a becoming a Duelist. At this point, their chosen mentor for the next stage of their progression will likely replace you. To help get your student to this point you should encourage them to speak to and socialise with duelists, recogniseable by their cavalier hats and purple felt pouches.
On aspiring to join the Duelists, and more so if the student has been made a Hopeful, they will have to find at some point two suitable Oath siblings. The student should be counselled not to rush this decision just because they are impatient to become a full member of the Duelists. Finding two souls who are matched to theirs so well may take them a long time indeed, or they may be blessed with the fortune of finding them soon. It is for the student to decide whom they wish as an Oath sibling, no matter how highly you may regard other hopefuls that you have encountered.
It behoves the student to research Dueling, Honour and the sword in many forms, from reading past chronicles containing parts of Duelist history, reading missives on the bulletin board where people express their ideas of honour and reading missives where Duelists have felt the need to speak on matters that they deem important to sparring regularly to reading books and asking the opinions of their elders on matters.
Always remember, while you can help your student by suggesting all of these things, you cannot force them to attend meetings or do research. Some students learn and progress better in other ways. Each will come into their own in different ways.
A good exercise to give students is to assign them to find the names of the past Senior Triads and, if they can, of as many duellists who have gone on to a role within the Inner Bailey. This will help give them an understanding of the history of the Guild to which they aspire