Military Ranks in the Legions of Alterra

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When you first join Alterra, you will be considered a recruit. After you have gone through the Recruit’s Briefing and have paid dues, you will have obtained your first rank: the rank of page. While you are a page you may become an apprentice to a knight. If you choose this path, you will be required to practice regularly with your master and will be required to help him/her in putting on their armor and other such tasks. If you choose not to become an apprentice, however, you can practice on your own time until you are ready to take the test for squireship.

Squire
To become a squire, you must do one of two things: pass the combat test and read the Manual of Arms, or have your master vouch that you are proficient enough to be a squire. A squire is considered to have a mediocre fighting ability and has read the rules at least once. To pass the combat test you must fight and defeat one squire in a duel. The squire must be approved by one of the Grandmasters or the Commander. In the duel, each fighter will fight with a weapon of similar size and type (such as a single blue or a single red of the same or close length). Neither combatant is required to own the used weapon (this applies to squire tests only). You must have also read the rules and have shown proficiency in large battles. When you have completed the two requirements or have had your Knight vouch for you, you will be awarded the rank of squire.

Knight
A knight is a fully-trained warrior of Alterra who has been courageous in battle and has been fair and honorable. To attain this rank, you must pass the following requirements, even if you are still apprenticed to a knight:

1. The combat test consists of three separate Simultaneous Duels, where the squire must fight a different knight in each. The knights and equipment must be approved by one of the Grandmasters or the Commander. (The rules for a simultaneous duel are found below the rules to attaining knighthood.) As with all combat tests, these duels can only be attempted once per practice and most likely will happen over a long period of time (they cannot all be conducted in the same day).

2. The squire must donate one Standard Alterran Blade (dimensions found at the Forge of Imladris) or two tabards. The tabards must either be black (for new members) or yellow (for heralds). The squire must ask the Grandmasters or Commander which is needed more. In addition, the squire is responsible for upkeep of the donated item(s).  Note: the squire can donate something different with consent of one of the Grandmasters or their Commander.

3. The squire must show that they have a very good understanding of the Manual of Arms by taking a verbal test with a Grandmaster or Commander.

4. The squire must possess Alterran garb. Alterran garb is defined as Dagorhir-legal garb of which the main colors are black and green (both of these colors must be present). The presence of the Signum Astri (the five-pointed Alterran star) is encouraged. Other colors and insignias are allowed as long as they do not detract from the Alterran garb. This garb must be approved by a Grandmaster or Commander.

5. The squire must stand before the Local Council (unless the National Council requests otherwise), who will decide whether or not the squire has upheld the Knights' Code and fought fair, honorably, and valiantly. If this is failed, the squire must try to improve his or her lifestyle and can then appeal again to the Council in one month's time (this time subject to change at the Council's discretion). This requirement must be completed last.

When one achieves knighthood, he or she shall swear (unless they have sound reason not to, such as religious beliefs) the Knights' Code to a Grandmaster at the next opportunity (usually a feast or event). A knight should henceforth be referred to with the title of Sir, Lord, or Lady.

Orders of Knighthood
Once a warrior reaches knighthood, he can then advance through the Orders of Knighthood. There are three orders: The Order of the Oak, the Order of the Raven, and the Order of the Star. To attain a new order, the knight must pass the tests and requirements; if he or she fails, the knight cannot attempt the test until at least two weeks have passed. The test for each order is different; the Order of the Oak, being the first, is the easiest of the three to attain. The Order of the Star is the last and hardest order of Knighthood.

The Order of the Oak
1. The knight must have been a knight for at least three practices before he or she can attempt the duels to become a Knight of the Oak.

2. The knight must fight and win against two other knights at the same time. The duels will be conducted in the Simultaneous Duel fashion.

3. The knight must defeat, in two separate Simultaneous Duels, two different Knights of the Oak.

4. The knight must present one piece of armor that he or she owns and passes the requirements listed in the MoA to a Grandmaster or Commander. This armor cannot have been used to complete a requirement for another rank (excluding those for smithing).

5. The knight must also show proficiency and fairness in battle and uphold the Knight's Code. This will be reviewed by the Council and is the final requirement to Knight of the Oak.

When these terms have been achieved, the knight is awarded with the Order of the Oak, and is referred to as (name), Knight of the Oak.  (Only applies in formal activities, such as feasts; otherwise, they are still entitled as a knight.)

The Order of the Raven
A Raven Knight is a knight who is cunning and powerful, though he is never dishonorable in his tactics. He or she uses his intelligence combined with his fighting prowess to defeat his enemy. To show this, the Knight of the Oak must pass these tests:

1. He or she must fight against, and defeat, two other Knights of the Oak at the same time. In this duel, however, each knight may choose their own equipment. The two knights choose their equipment, and then the one being tested chooses. The two knights must be approved by a Commander or Grandmaster.
2. The Knight of the Oak must also defeat three Raven Knights in three separate Simultaneous Duels. These Raven Knights must be approved by a Commander or Grandmaster.

3. The Knight of the Oak must present one piece of armor that he or she owns and passes the requirements listed in the MoA to a Grandmaster. This armor cannot have been used to complete a requirement for another rank (with the exception of smithing ranks).

4. The knight achieves the Order of the Raven when he has passed all other requirements, has shown proficiency in battle, and has upheld the Knight's Code as approved by the Council.

A knight who has obtained this order is referred to as (name), Raven-Knight of Alterra, or (name), Knight of the Raven.  (Only applies to formal activities, such as feasts; in other activities, such as practices, they are titled as "Sir".)

The Order of the Star
The Order of the Star is the final order of knighthood. A Knight of the Star should be one of the most powerful warriors on the battlefield, a legend in and of himself. The obtainment of this rank is among the highest of honors a legionnaire can obtain. As such, it is also comprised of the hardest tests. In addition, all combat requirements must be performed in the presence of a Grandmaster (or, if the Grandmaster wishes, the test can be videotaped and sent to the Grandmaster for review).

1. The Raven Knight must duel and defeat four regular knights at once. These knights must be approved by the Grandmaster. The fighters choose their equipment in the Simultaneous fashion described below.

2. The Raven Knight must duel and defeat three Knights of the Oak at once. These knights must be approved by the Grandmaster. The fighters choose their equipment in the Simultaneous fashion described below.

3. The Raven Knight must duel and defeat two Raven Knights at once. These knights must be approved by the Grandmaster. The fighters choose their equipment in the Simultaneous fashion described below.

4. The Raven Knight must duel and defeat a knight, a Knight of the Oak, and a Raven-Knight at once in the Simultaneous Duel fashion. All opponents must be approved by a Grandmaster.

5. The Raven Knight must defeat an Alterran Knight of the Star in a duel where both fighters are equally equipped.

6. The Raven Knight must defeat another Knight of the Star in the simultaneous duel.

7. The Raven Knight must present one piece of armor that he or she owns and passes the requirements listed in the MoA to a Grandmaster. This armor cannot have been used to complete a requirement for another rank (excluding smithing ranks).

8. The Raven Knight must have outstanding garb that perfectly reflects the colors and insignias of Alterra.

9. When all of these tests have been passed, the Raven Knight will be brought before the High Conclave, where he will recite the Knights Code and be tried.  The High Conclave will then vote upon whether or not the Raven-Knight has upheld the Knight's Code, shown proficiency in battle, and is the very essence of a true warrior of Alterra. If the conclave votes in favor of the knight, he is awarded the Order of the Star.

An Alterran Knight of the Star will thenceforth be referred to as: (name), Knight of the Star (this only applies to formal activities, such as feasts; in other activities, such as practices, they are entitled as a knight.) In addition, any warrior who has obtained the Order of the Star will be given an official title (ex: "the Rising Star" or "the Evenstar" are both titles) as reward for their outstanding honor and valor.

The Knight's Code

Simultaneous Duel
In a Simultaneous Duel, there are a minimum of n+1 heralds, where n is equal to the number of combatants. Each combatant is assigned to him a herald whose duty it is to both watch for hits and to retrieve weaponry. At the beginning of the battle, the High Herald calls for each other herald to inquire of their warrior what weapon they wish to use. When the herald has been told, he raises his hand. When all heralds have given the ready signal, they simultaneously retrieve the weapons and give them to the combatants. Between each round of every duel, a combatant can call for a change in armaments and the process is started from the beginning.