The Eight Virtues
Derived from the three principles of Truth, Love and Courage, the eight virtues are an embodiment of the code that each knight strives to follow.
Honesty is respect for Truth
A dishonest life brings unto thee a temporary gain, but forsakes the permanent.
Honesty and Integrity are key in the life of a Knight. This much can be
taken from our sworn oath, (A knight knows only virtue, his words speak only
the truth.) Honesty however, is not only given in words, Honesty to ones
self, and to one's heart are important as well. A knight must follow the
correct and righteous course of action in all his deeds. This also means
that if A knight should have a problem, he or she should express as such,
keeping true and honest to his heart and mind. While this may not change
what the knight has a problem with, he has been true to himself and all
others involved.
A knight wields honesty in his endeavors across the land, as the beacon to
light his path.
Compassion is Love of others
Only a detested life owes its pleasures to another's pain.
A knight must always use compassion as a gauge to judge his actions.
Enemies may repent, and allies may need patience, or to be saved. It is
important that the Knight remembers that no mortal is perfect, by nature, we
will make mistakes. A knight must always gauge his actions, and incorporate
compassion into his decisions. While a foe that chooses to combat a knight,
shows he has accepted the consequence of his actions, one who is engaged
first by the knight should be shown the chance for repentance.
A knight is compassionate in all his dealings, and as such, is a guiding
force for the Light.
Valour is Courage to stand up against risk
Those who fear to try, know not their limits and thus know not themselves.
A knight stands up for what he believes in at all times, even should he be
standing alone. The Valor of the knight is well known across the land, and
should always be maintained. To be valiant, is to stride forth and stand
boldly for your belief in the Light, using Justice, Honor, Compassion, and
Honesty in equal parts. A knight does not necessarilly need to succeed to
show Valor, but can not trully succeed without showing valor. The code of
the Knighthood forever shines, so long as the Valiant remain to hold it in
their hearts.
A knight uses Valor in his stance against all that oppose him.
Justice is Truth, tempered by Love
Those who inflict injustice upon others, cannot expect fair treatment unto themselves.
A knight rides out into the land, ever searching to bring Justice to those
who serve malevolence. (His wrath undoes the wicked). Justice should
always be what the Knight seeks when he rides out into Algoron. At all
times the knight is required to be fair and just in his servitude to the
Light. When going into battle, a knight must serve Justice, not vengeance,
or hatred. Though our battle are tough, we fight because we mean to bring
justice, not because we mean to slay or maim our foes. A repented enemy is
far greater than a slain one, in any case. A Knight uses justice as the tool of
his Lord or Ladies will. With it he strikes fear into his enemies, and hope
into those he serves.
Sacrifice is Courage to give oneself in the name of Love
None live alone, save they who will not share their fortune with those around them.
A knight knows Sacrifice more than most others in the realm. A knight is
ready and willing to give up all he has for the one war in which we serve.
A knight must be prepared to give even his life, as Sir Gunnar did to seal
the rift. Sacrifice comes not to please those it is given for, it is meant
to show that the knight values what he is doing, more than what he has, and
is willing to give what he has, to further what he is doing. A knight can
speak about how he is willing to serve and give himself, but as is the case
with all things, actions speak louder than words.
A knight sacrifices all that he has to better the one, true war.
Honour is Courage to seek and uphold the Truth
It is the guilt, not the guillotine, that constitutes the shame.
Honor is perhaps one of the single most important thing a Knight must
maintain in his actions. (To be noble in word and deed, to be a Champion) A
knight's Honor should be the single greatest thing he is known for. A
success in combat is not a success if it is attained through dishonorable
means, nor is any success for that matter. A knight must consistantly
maintain his honor in all things. Everything from tactics in combat, to
dealing with others throughout the land. A knight who takes shortcuts does
not only undercut himself, but those he serves as well. Honor comes from
within the knight, and it is not something to be adhered to, it is something
that must be lived. If a knight has trouble with finding Honor, he should
look to his peers, for it is always strong there. A knight with Honor will
not gloat, or brag over his successes, but instead realizes he has been
gifted success by the Family he serves, and will work to continue to enact
Their will.
A knight uses Honor not only as his armor against deciet and trickery, but
as his weapon against it, and his sustenance in life as well.
Spirituality is to seek Truth, Love and Courage from one's own self and the world around
To forsake one's inner being is to abandon thy hopes for thyself and thy world.
Our spirituality is our driving force in all we do. Our very charge is to
serve the Gods and Goddesses of light. Our faith shall forever carry us
through our challenges, so long as we remain faithful to those we serve. A
knight should always follow the teachings of his or her chosen Diety, and
remain faithful to that Diety in all their dealings. If a knight loses
touch with his spirituality, he loses touch with his oaths and
responsibilities, and then has lost touch completely.
No said faith is more important than another, as all of the Holy Family
enact their will through us, and they should all equally be served by their
followers. One who does not serve their Diety, will find their Deity not
serving them.
Our shield against all harm comes in the way of Spirituality, to quench the
flaming arrows of malevolence, vengeance, murder, darkness, and rage.
Humility is the opposite of Pride - the absence of Truth, Love or Courage
Pride is a vice, which Pride itself inclines one to find in others, and overlook in oneself.
We as knights must always remain humble. We must always remember we are
here to serve a purpose much greater than ourselves. We serve the Lords and
Ladies of the Pantheon of Light, and without their grace and gifts, we would
not exist as we do. Though we act as vessels for Their will, we are just
that, the tools that enact the will of the Holy Family. To hold ourselves
in higher regard than those we serve, is a sin against that which we are
tought.
A knight uses Humility as a shield against pride, and a bar to hold him on
his righteous path.
An essay on the virtues of Gareth, by Mercerion Mamoritai, Captain of the
Lance, with headers by Sehvelarious.