Handbook of the Union Knights

The Nation of Union Library of Law

Union Knights' Library

HANDBOOK of the UNION/TERRAN KNIGHTS

~ Portal Runes to the Union Knights' Keep ~

This is the basic text and is required reading of all Union Knights. Union Knights represent the military elite of our realm and command the respect of all our members, clients, supporters, allies and visitors. As such, all Union Knights should be knowledgeable in Union law, religion, history and current affairs.

I: Union Knights Codes of Conduct

In addition to the Codes of Conduct decreed for all Union Members and Visitors our Knights must also adhere to these as well:

1. Union Knights will show respect for all superior Union Knight Officers, Union Council Members and Lord Sovereign by a salute upon said superior's entry and exit from any area which brings them in contact with said Knights. The Union salute is performed by raising the left arm bent to a horizontal position over the chest followed by a quick strike to the chest, returning the arm immediately to the side. Bowing is never required in Union but is a sign of greatest personal respect and is used at each individual's discretion.

2. Union Knights will show respect for all our members, clients, supporters, allies and visitors. This above all is how a Union Knight demonstrates our honor: by demonstrating honor for others. A Union Knight will walk away from trouble whenever possible but will not abide the harassment of others or other violations Union Law. Still, any altercation should be handled with the greatest constraint possible and reported to your next in command as soon as possible with whatever supporting documents are available.

3. A Union Knight will always positively portray the Knights and Nation of Union and do his utmost to perform any duties for the Knights' benefit and the benefit of Union as a whole. While duties are never required they are necessary for promotion. Some means of gaining rank will be described in Chapter III of this text.

4. At all public functions a Union Knight should try to appear in uniform. This is basically portrayed as a blue cloak with gold trim as are the colors of this page. Battle dress will be decided by the Commander based on the needs of the situation.

5. While a Union Knight may be of any alignment it is required that each and every Union Knight be LAWFUL and follow ALL Union Laws to the letter. Immediate expulsion from ALL Union functions may result without trial or warning if sufficient evidence is presented a Knight has broken ANY Union Universal or Criminal Law.

II: Ranks of the Union Knights: Enlisted

Below are the Enlisted Ranks of our Knights and includes suggested limits to the number of men or units they may command. Note that in any Union command it is the responsibility of the Commander to maintain contact with and provide training and missions for his/her troops. Taking a command is not required for advancement in the Knights.

/ Private (PV): The entry rank for most Knights of Union, given on swear of allegiance to the Knights of Union and promise to abide by all Union Law.

// Corporal (CP): The rank at which a Knight may lead up to five men. This group is referred to as a unit.

/// Sargeant (SG): The rank at which a Knight may lead up to five units or 25 men. This group is referred to as a formation.

///\ Master Sargeant (MS): The rank at which a Knight may lead up to two formations or 50 men. This group is referred to as a division.

///\\ Command Sargeant (CS): The rank at which a Knight may lead up to two divisions or 100 men. This group is referred to as a battalion.

///\\\ Sargeant Major (SM): The rank at which a Knight may lead up to five battalions or 500 men. This group is referred to by a title given it by said SM approved by Council and/or Lord Sovereign.

III: Advancement of the Union Knights: Enlisted

Notwithstanding promotions given at the discretion of Lord Sovereign, Council Command and those of the rank of Command Sargeant or above, here is a list of some means of gaining rank and how it is tallied. Those listed with no further information will be updated as soon as possible.

1. The Union Point (pt) System is a unified and generalized system that allows fair distribution of rank for myriad activities and RPG systems.

a. Below are points needed to increase in rank and may be combined with all Union systems as a means to gain said rank:

PV to CP: 5 pts.

CP to SG: 25 pts.

SG to MS: 250 pts.

MS to CS: 1000 pts.

CS to SM: 10,000 pts.

b. Points will 'roll-over' if more are earned than needed to increase to the next rank.

2. Military Operations (MO): A Knight may gain rank for participation in Union sponsored MO's (all RPG's, BBRPG's, CCRPG's, etc.). Headings are links to current game listings.

a. BBRPG's: As PPRPG's in FFRPG and PPRPG in Union.

b. CCRPG's, Computer Games (one on one only, on or off line), Chess: One pt per game won, as per other Union Law (especially concerning forfeiture matches) and FFRPG exceptions as stated in FFRPG and PPRPG in Union. (Other board games may be adopted.)

c. FFRPG's: With ALL exceptions and ammendments herein, in Union Codes of Conduct and throughout Union Law, Union adopts the FFRPG Rules and Hit Point System of Rhydin as described by the Rhydin Council of Guilds. Refer also to the text FFRPG and PPRPG in Union for further information. Other such means may be created or adopted pending Lord Sovereign approval.

d. LARPG's: Normally for 'boffer weapon', 'water or paint gun' combat and battles, the rules for individual (man on man) bouts will be 1 pt per win with FFRPG exceptions as per FFRPG and PPRPG in Union. Group pts (as in 'Siege', 'Capture the Flag', etc.) will be awarded on a team and/or individual basis by a Union sponsored GM or Proctor.
PLEASE NOTE: Union does not promote or condone ANY real weapons used and will not grant rank for their use! 'Real steel' demonstrations should be choreographed and supervised by martial arts instructors or others specifically trained in such demonstrations ONLY!

e. MMRPG's: Due to the diversity of MMRPG's, point systems must be established for each as they are accepted in Union and will follow here as each is so established. (~ indicates a Fantasy MO, - a SFMO)

~ The Mystic Realm of Alhanzar will provide the participating Knight rank at the discretion of Lord Sovereign, Command Council and/or the Lord of War based on the Knight's performance. Download is free, play is free for 90 days and prices begin at $5/month thereafter.
- Diaspora will provide the participating Knight rank at the discretion of Lord Sovereign, Command Council and/or the Lord of War based on the Knight's performance. Download and play are free.
- Star Kingdoms will provide the participating Knight rank at the discretion of Lord Sovereign, Command Council and/or the Lord of War based on the Knight's performance. Download and play are free.

f. PbEMRPG's: Usually as per PPRPG's in FFRPG and PPRPG in Union.

g. PPRPG's: Refer to FFRPG and PPRPG in Union.

2. Recruitment (RC): A Knight may gain rank for recruiting to Union on the "point" system where said recruit returns an application to the Lord Sovereign and/or appropriate Council stating he/she was referred by said Knight. Points (pts) are awarded as such:
a. RC of a Member (non-Knight): 1 pt
b. RC of a Citizen (ie, joins as a Union mage, priest, etc.): 2 pts
c. RC of a Knight: 3 pts
d. RC of a Merchant (ie, creates and runs a Union chat): 4 pts
e. RC of a Knight under YOUR command: 5 pts
f. Other recruitments of members who have special abilities needed by Union will have rank awards bestowed at the discretion of Lord Sovereign, High Council and/or Command Council.

3. Operations Management (OM): A Knight may gain no less than 5 pts per hour tending a Union sponsored chat (such as the Magickal Tavern or Knight established chat) as directed by Lord Sovereign and/or appropriate Council.

4. Game Mastering/Proctoring (GM): A Knight may gain no less than 10 pts per hour mastering or proctoring a Union sponsored game as directed by Lord Sovereign and/or appropriate Council. Please note no further points may be awarded said Knight for participation and said participation must be limited to GM duties, such as providing Non-Player Characters (NPC's).

5. Operations Development (OD): A Knight may gain no less than 50 pts for creating and maintaining a Keep (chat) or MO (game) with the following requirements:

a. All above conditions are met.
b. No less than 5 Union members agree in writing to participate in said operation.
c. The operation is sanctioned by the Lord Sovereign and/or appropriate Council.
d. The operation will be used solely for Union events.

6. Courage/Leadership in Battle (CL): Pts may be awarded for exhibition of extreme courage, leadership and/or resourcefulness in any Union sponsored MO or other Union event. In addition to Lord Sovereign and appropriate Council, these may be awarded by Union Commanding Officers (CO's) and by commanding CS's (25 pts per Knight per MO maximum) and SM's (100 pts per Knight per MO maximum). While they should be used sparingly this allows Knights to be promoted on the battle field when deemed appropriate by their Commanders.

7. Miscellaneous (ML): With the limitations given in III6, rank may be awarded at any time for whatever reasons deemed appropriate by Lord Sovereign, Council and/or appropriate Commanders.

Keep always in mind that we are here for our mutual enjoyment and advancement. This is your kingdom too...make it the best you are able!