Castle Athylas, Headquarters of the Didymian Order

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Abbey; Residence of Thomas Malet and Gregory Opus

Currently present:
(Priest, Grand Marshall)Thomas Malet
(Order Member, Officer) Gregory Opus "The Black Monk"

Currently absent:

Demesne upgrades.

None

Conversion

Conversion: At start of 1204 A.D.: 0% +4% from buildings +% from preaching Conversion at end of 1204 A.D.: 4%

Men-under-arms for

none

Thomas Malet

History
None given, specifically that he seems to have joined in order to turn a new leaf. His past is as shady as the man himself.

Age: 30
Possessions:
none

Gregory Opus

History
A monk from Ireland. He is wrongly accused of murder of a maiden from Cork who had perished while traveling with him to deliver vegetables from the monastery to market. He carries with him a large staff, ostensibly used for walking, but doubling as protection for any who might see him brought to 'justice.' He is not a particularly hunted man, but he is always on the lookout for any who might recognize him. His desire to remain disguised has given rise to his popular nickname: the black monk.

Age: 28
Possessions:
none

Malet's income

Starting balance: 0 Income: 2,500 ducats (priest rank) Total income: 2,500 ducats. Expenditure: Balance: ducats.

Gregory's income

Starting balance: 0 Income: 1,500 ducats (priest rank) Total income: 1,500 ducats. Expenditure: Balance: ducats.

Household and retainers

none

Vassals.
None

Men under arms.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Militant Order of Didymus
Founded 1204 Anno Domini
"But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11"


Founded by Father Thomas Malet

Mission

To purge the new Latin Empire of the east of heresy of any sort, to make safe and pure those ancient sanctuaries of Christ and return them to the pious, true pratcice of the Roman Rite. The old rifts must be healed in order to move forward by conversion and re-education. No enemy of the spiritual of martial sort must stand in the way of the reconciliation of the eastern church with the west. The decree of Pope Innocentius III provides the charter, the mission, and the directive of this fraternal brotherhood. The intellectual inspiration for the order, as well as its proposed patron saint, is Saint Didymus the Blind, a man renowned for his imminent blindness, and also his spiritual character and intelligence. He did not shirk from conflict, but sought to educate with either a firm or soft hand. He also stood against eastern heresies at a time that they posed a severe threat to the stability of the Mother Church

Oath

I, ____, being of sound spiritual standing, do hereby bind myself to the Didymian Order and pledge to support its mission, uphold its tenets, and give my life to see its holy destiny fulfilled. I testify that i believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic church. I reject satan and all messengers of evil. I pledge my support and my fealty to the Grand Marshall of this Order as my spiritual director and my superior. I shall respect vows of charity, of poverty, and of chastity. I pledge to draw my sword only to smite the wicked, and I shall treat charitably any innocent soul, even unbelievers, who seek my protection. Additional Strictures I. Members must tithe annually II. Members shall not engage in any unsanctioned military action. III. Sanctioned military action is defined as follows: Any military action ordained and approved by any member holding the rank of Marshall or higher, or any action taken in the defense of clergy, laymen, or the Church and her possessions. IV. members will observe vows of chastity, honor, and povery (excepting in cases where the financial wellbeing of the Order is concerned) V. Supporters of the Order will be granted a title of Guarantor for providing financial or military assistance, and shall be the recipient of daily prayers from the brothers and protection as considered appropriate by the proper authorities

Heirarchy

Grand Marshall: This office was for life, and the Grand Master was in charge of the entire Order, worldwide. Throughout history, a couple of men retired from the position of Grand Master, with the pope's permission, but for the most part, dying was the only way out of the job. Marshall: The Marshal was in charge of all arms, as well as all horses. He was very much a military man Turcopolier: This officer was the third in line militarily. He was in command of the light cavalry and the Sergeant brothers Under-Marshall: The first officer under the Marshal, the Under-Marshal was in charge of the lesser equipment, bridles, padding for saddles, barrels of water, and other supply problems. He held a very important position in battle because he held the piebald banner, a flag at the head of all, to keep stragglers together. Knight: The knight was the backbone of the battlefield. Knights were the equivalent of the cavalry. A small force of knights was very powerful, skilled in warfare, clad in armor, able to take on a large number of foot soldiers. Only a man whose father and grandfather both had been knights could become one, and if he were caught lying about his lineage, the penalty was severe. Sergeant: Usually from a lower social class than the more noble knights, the Sergeant was still a light cavalry officer, the chief support officer for the knight. Squire: Squires were the young men who were there to assist the knight in any way possible, from polishing his weapons to feeding his horses. Squires were there specifically to test themselves and their mettle and to climb to the order of Knight. Partial Membership Any that provide monetary or military contribution, as needed, shall become provisional members under article V of the Order Strictures.

Members

Grand Marshall: Father Thomas Malet Turcopolier: Gregory Opus

Order Manpower

300 Squires of the Order 300 Armored Sergeants of the Order 200 Order Archers 100 Dismounted Order Knights 100 Mounted Order Knights 50 Armed Pilgrims

Headquarters Details

The Castle of Athyras +2 defense rolls A Holy Shrine converts the populace to Christianity at a rate of 4% per year and generates a site that pilgrims find attractive. It generates 50 Armed Pilgrims annually. The Castle of Neapolis +2 defense rolls no upgrades

Order Treasury

Income: 24,800 Expenes: 18,000 Gross Total: 6,800

[Lucius Malfoy]

Freshly from the harbor, a young man approaches the headquarters of the The Militant Order of Didymus. He examined the nearby structure that served as its headquarters for a moment. The newly arrived Knight had heard murmurs of its approval and establishment within the Latin Empire. He cautiously approached the door and knocked a couple times. Perhaps joining this order would give him some fortune. Amaury had always wanted to join the Templars after all, but they were too prestigious for him to achieve any sort of status among their ranks

[Pontifex Maximus]

The man is led into a thin tower that now served as the temporary headquarters of the Order until new arrangements could be made. Up a flight of thin steps he was led until he came to a room lit by candlelight that afforded a great view of the city. Inside were the only two officers of the Order.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Amaury followed up the tall tower into a large office. He adjusted his eyes slightly from the blazing sun outside to the dimmer atmosphere on the inside. The Frank glanced around before approaching the two officers.

​Amaury of Ibelin wishes to seek employment with your Order.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gregory turned around, the junior officer had apparently recognized the name.

"Amaury of Ibelin, you say? That is a proud name, to say the least. Although I must warn you, seeking employment and seeking membership are two different things entirely."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Gregory turned around, the junior officer had apparently recognized the name.

"Amaury of Ibelin, you say? That is a proud name, to say the least. Although I must warn you, seeking employment and seeking membership are two different things entirely."

Well I am looking for both. Becoming a member gives me a job to do...and that is to not only represent the chivalric and holy image of the Order, but expand the Order's power in the name of God. For the good of the Church and the Empire.

Amaury bowed his head to the two officers before speaking further.

I am the younger brother of John of Ibelin and grandson of Balian who served in the Third Crusade by his youngest son, Philip. I pledge my skills to the Order so that I may serve God in a greater way.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Grand Master rose.

"Gregory, begin preparations to move to our castle in Athylas."

After the Black Mink had left, Malet turned to the young man "I accept your services, and I trust you are aware of our vows? You must be prepared to take them. if you are to join us. Many find them too...ecclesiastical for their tastes. I find it builds character."

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

Godfrey stepped into the chapel, still dressed in chainmail and armour since the events from the throne room, he gazed around at the light that trickled in from the leadlight windows and at the figure portrayed in them. It reminded him of the Chapel of St. Michael and St. Goedele in Brussels, where he had spent the night before receiving his knighthood

[Lucius Malfoy]

The Grand Master rose.

"Gregory, begin preparations to move to our castle in Athylas."

After the Black Mink had left, Malet turned to the young man "I accept your services, and I trust you are aware of our vows? You must be prepared to take them. if you are to join us. Many find them too...ecclesiastical for their tastes. I find it builds character."

If one is not prepared to take an oath to serve God's earthly plans, then one is not prepared to see God nor his judgment when taken to Heaven. If this oath is to help one recognize God's plans through the Order's efforts, then he will enjoy the light of God upon him. I am more then prepared, sir. My elder brother inherited everything and I was unlucky to be born second. I give my life and services to the Order and God so that I may leave a great legacy behind me when the Lord accepts me into Heaven.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Thomas looked up as Godfrey entered.

"Godfrey, good that you're here. We are moving out immediately for Athylas, and from there you may continue to your castle and establish an Order chapterhouse there. Amaury, meet Godfrey. Like yourself he is about to take his vows for the Order. For now, let us ride. We can discuss business along the way."

Thomas rose, his black robes only partially concealing the light blade that hung by his side. He motioned for the pair to follow him into the dusty streets of the capitol.

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

Godfrey put out his hand towards Amaury
"Another believer in the cause, I presume? We're in need of fine men to help bolster our ranks"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Indeed he is, a man of no uncertain military quality. He shall be of great use to us.."

At that moment Gregory threw the door open, he had several squires with horses standing by. "If we don't leave now it will be dark by the time we arrive."

There was a column of three dozen men waiting outside, some already bore the black cross of the Order on their breast and shields, others were dressed in black robes.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Godfrey put out his hand towards Amaury
"Another believer in the cause, I presume? We're in need of fine men to help bolster our ranks"

As Amaury walked with Thomas Malet, he was introduced to another of their ranks. He reached over, shaking the noble's hand.

Thank you, sir. Jerusalem offered me no fortune, I only hope that God gives me better fortune in this growing Empire.

The Levantine Frank walked out to see a group of soldiers ready to escort them.

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

Godfrey followed the monks as they headed outside, he was rather surprised to already see so many men for an order that was pretty much newborn
"I guess those called to God feel no hesitation, even in such chaotic times"
He spoke as he followed the others and inspected the men.

(OOC: what are our colours, btw? I had already pre-prepared a black field with a red cross (as it is the only unused combination in line with the other orders) for my personal crest)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Their banner unfurled before Godfrey's eyes, a black cross in a field of yellow. Dust Kicked up as the party began to head for the gates of the city, out onto the road towards Athylas. The summer heat was unforgiving in this part of the world.

Malet turned to Godfrey "I shall name you Under-Marshall and attach you to our lands in Neapolis. I shall task you with building up our chapter there as you see fit. I would prefer to keep our military arrangement whole, instead of fragmented, as it comes to the projection of force. In terms of self defense you shall have your entire garrison at your disposal, 500 men, unless they are direly needed elsewhere. When we march as a unified force, you shall have control over all the Order's cavalry, and the Turcopolier shall control the infantry. Administration and relations with the church shall be my field. As for finances, the Order will require half of Neapolis' incomes. The other half shall be yours to spend as you will. An additional stipend shall be allocated to you. You should have about 6,500 ducats annually at your disposal, though the Mother Chapter will send a figure of donations to you from time to time. You will begin collecting your incomes starting next year (on Friday). An additional stipend of 2,000 Ducats will be granted to you."

During this conversation, the Turcopolier Gregory Opus struck up a conversation with Amaury "You shall likely be a knight in the order placed under the service of the Grand Master himself, given your background. Should you prove yourself, there will be opportunity for advancement. Have you any questions."

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

(OOC: I think it's currently still April. Also, deducing from the hierarchy in the OP: isn't the marshall head of cavalry? since the turkopol is head of infantry)

Godfrey listened with interest as they rode along
"I am most gratefull, my lord. I will make haste to build up our strenght in Neapolis, but before I can do as such, we will need to organize an expedition to disperse, or even destroy the remnants of the Greek forces that still linger in our holdings, ere we can secure them for our own purposes. Have any plans yet been thought of for an expedition to the West?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: my understanding is that our castles are vacant, according to LM

Thomas continued riding westward as the conversation continued "Our castles are secure, for now, which is why we ride with all haste."

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

(OOC:The titles are vacant, because we denounce those of the Greeks)

"I'm confident the local lords have already fled, yet we will be the first crusaders to directly approach Neapolis. I have 50 Flemish knights at my disposal, all battle-hardened which I intend to use as my own guards, yet I fear I will need about 200 more men to ensure that our claim is recognised. I will send them back as soon as this has happened, of course."

[Lucius Malfoy]

(Ritter, the titles that I gave you guys are vacant and in our realm of control. The only people who have to fight for their land are the ones that need to go to Adrianople and beyond. So you guys just need to walk in with your troops and establish your control.)