The following is a work in progress guild book for the Knights of Solamnia guild. It will be posted here in sections within this thread. As usual, the staff or our guild DM's should feel free to slap me if something is grossly wrong here. Keep in mind, it is a work in progress, I know it is not yet complete.

The Knights of Solamnia arose during the Age of Dreams. The three Orders of Knighthood emerged from the remnants of the tyrannical Ergothian Empire to become the most enduring force for good on the continent of Ansalon.

The beginnings of the Knighthood lay with a noble of the oppressive and wicked court of the Emperor of Ergoth, in the year 1801 PC. Vinas Solamnus, the Praetor of the Imperial Armies, was dispatched to crush a rebellion in the eastern province of Vingaard. For nearly a year, Solamnus delivered defeat upon defeat to the under equipped rebels, but winter brought his campaign to a halt. During this lull he began to examine the cause of the rebellion and came to empathize with the rebels. Vinas delivered a rousing speech to his army, and turned their swords on the Empire.

Solamnus launched a series of campaigns that came to be known as the War of Ice Tears. The peasant rebels became the bulk of his army, with his original
Ergothian soldiers as the backbone. The rebel army pierced deep into the heart of the Empire and laid siege to the capital city of Daltigoth. Solamnus was able to infiltrate the city and turn the populace against the Empire, forcing them to sue for peace. The province of Vingaard gained its independence, and would from then forth be known as Solamnia, in honor of its new king.

Over the years, yet more people threw off the yoke of Ergothian rule and wished to join the young Solamnic nation. Vinas saw this as impossible since the customs and ideals of the various peoples were too different. With no common ground on which to unite his new kingdom, Solamnus embarked on what would come to be known the Quest of Honor. After weeks of wandering and sailing, Vinas found himself in a small glade occupied by a great block of black granite. Vinas collapsed in a heap, exhausted and near starved from his long trek. He prayed to Paladine for an answer as tears rolled down his cheeks. It was then that they Triumvirate revealed themselves. The gods Paladine, Kiri-Jolith, and Habbakuk gave Vinas a vision of the three orders of knights, each sponsored by one of the Triumvirate. From Habbakuk came the Order of the Crown, dedicated to the virtues of loyalty and obedience. From Kiri-Jolith came the Order of the Sword, Knights of great courage and heroism. From Paladine came the Order of the Rose, dedicated to justice and honor guided by wisdom. These knights would unite all of the northern lands with the eastern Solamnic provinces into one great people.

During the vision sent to Vinas, the gods of the Triumvirate changed the piece of black granite into a pillar of pure white crystal. This blessed and sanctified the glade, sealing the gods’ pact to watch over the Knighthood.
The Whitestone Glade is now the most sacred sight of the Solamnic Knighthood.

The Knights of Solamnia are now the oldest and most revered order of chivalry that has ever existed on Krynn. The oath of a Solamnic knight, "My Honor is My Life", is well known from Sancrist to Mithas. The oath is that which a knight is born for, lives for, and eventually dies for. It is a birthright, and was once the knighthood's sole guide. Though most know of the oath, few know much about that which defines it, The Measure. Often thought of as useless dusty tomes to those who don't know better, this definition of honor is a sacred text to the Knights of Solamnia, as indispensable as the oath or a good stout shield.

"Est Solarus oth Mithas", or "My Honor is my Life", is the Oath that is the foundation of knighthood. It is the guiding light for all Knights, an Oath so simple, yet so all encompassing so as to provide a path in any conceivable situation. The Virtues of Knighthood, as laid forth by the Measure, are the foundation of honor.

As the measure eventually grew in size and complexity, many knights became so caught up in regulations and laws that the spirit of the Oath was lost, replaced by an obsession with keeping to the precise word of the Measure.

The first writings that would become "The Solamnic Measure of Knightly Conduct", or simply 'the Measure', occurred in 1770 PC, about 5 years after the formation of the Knights of Solamnia. Vinas Solamnus and his knights agreed that a formal rule must be written to define the behavior of a knight of Solamnia. Solamnus assembled the highest ranking knights, priests of the Holy Order of the Stars, and much of the highest echelon of Solamnic nobility. All met in Jansburg, a small fishing village on the banks of the Vingaard River. The Grand Master, Lord Fredrick di Lytburg, had suggested the location due to its seclusion, to assist in keeping the council on task. That committee, known as the Jansburg Council, spent 6 miserable days locked in a cramped room at a local inn. What was actually said is lost, because no formal transcript was kept. Only the product of the council, known as the Measure of Knightly Conduct, can tell us of the results. The document numbered 74 pages total, and covered such topics as courtly etiquette, the habit of a knight, and the original virtues of Knighthood.

Subsequent generations of emperors, churches, and knightly councils amended and added to the original document. At first, the process was slow. Solamnus and his successors did not take amending the Measure lightly, and felt that much of a knight's actions should be influenced by his dedication to Paladine and the gods of good, not the writings of men.

When Emperor Vinas Arianus uth Malik abdicated and abolished the Solamnic throne, the Knighthood was granted autonomy from the general nobility. Changes to the Measure occurred more frequently under the High Council's authority.
When a new question of honor was presented, the Council would add its’ new ruling to the Measure. Whenever a knight required the proper interpretation of a passage in the Measure, the Council would attempt to 'clarify' the passage by adding to it. Eventually such additions succeeded not in clarifying, but in confusing future Councils. As a result of such changes, the Measure has grown to 37 volumes thick. Every conceivable aspect of the life of a knight was detailed, including 75 pages devoted to how to properly saddle a horse, and an entire chapter regarding proper care for one's sword.

No Knight could possibly hope to assimilate all of the strictures and edicts set forth, yet all Knights were expected adhere to them. To this end, many knights, particularly the most senior and elder, had become convinced that it was the proper image that would restore the knighthood to glory that was lost in the cataclysm. In the minds of these Knights, the knighthood had to present an outward appearance of absolute perfection in manor, immaculate courtly grace and flawless presentation. Through acts of propriety the Knight would shine so brightly that the people would be blinded to the past, and forget their hatred. Instead, such strict adherence to the written law created only an unbending Order, incapable of adapting to new times. What’s more, the attempts at perfecting a flawless outward image only fostered an atmosphere of arrogance and condescension within the knighthood.

The Solamnic Knighthood is divided into three Orders, each of which has its own role and purpose. Contrary to popular belief, no Order out ranks another, though a knight of a higher order who holds equivalent rank does hold sway when necessary. This means that order, as applied to rank, is nothing more than a tie breaker, and even then that does not apply in the case of Council Knights, who are considered equals.

In addition to the three orders of knights, there are two distinct, and smaller, sub orders within both the Sword and Rose orders. These suborders, the order of Clerists (drawn from the Knights of the Sword) and the order of Roses (commonly called the Rose Knight’s Council and drawn from the Knights of the Rose) assume specific responsibilities that extend beyond their own orders, in service to the Knighthood as a whole.

A squire is subject to discharge from the knighthood without trial. Further, the squire may request a discharge and be granted one without question. Once knighted, however, the knight is entitled to a trial before discharge, and has made a lifetime commitment to the Order and will not be discharged unless proven guilty of a transgression against the Measure.

The knighthood has always been divided up into circles. These circles are in short, the local organised units of the knighthood. The Solamnics have circles in most regions of Ansalon, and in some parts that are not friendly to their cause, they have clandestine circles. The average Solamnic circle has between 40-80 members, but this is dependant on the area's population and local support. The circles are led by the most senior-ranked knight in the area. Open circles usually aid adventurers and protect the general populace. They are also large recruiters for the knighthood. Clandestine circles rarely recruit outsiders, and work on covert operations to subvert the evil forces at work

All Knights begin their careers in the Order of the Crown. Crown Knights emphasize the virtues of Loyalty and Obedience. They are often used as guards and standing armies, while other Orders have responsibilities that require them to spend a good deal of time away from combat. A Knight of the Crown should be always ready to fight, never letting down their guard. It is left to other orders to see to the administration, foreign affairs, and more mundane aspects of Knighthood.

The specific responsibilities of a Knight of the Crown include, but are not limited to, aiding any knight who requires help, and service to the nations and leaders on the List of Loyalty.

When the Knighthood meets and marches, the Order of the Crown takes its place on the left of any formation, signifying its place as the Shield of the Knighthood.

When the Knighthood goes to war, it is the Order of the Sword who leads the assault on foreign lands. Knights of the Sword are most active in seeking out evil, confronting it where it lives, and destroying it where it exists. Whereas Crown Knights focus on defending the Solamnic territories and its people, the Sword Knights focus on freeing other people from the grips of tyrannical rule.

A Knight of the Sword must surrender all personal wealth to the Knightly Coffers (save what is needed for upkeep), pay homage to Kiri-Jolith and the gods of Good each day, eagerly engage evil opponents in combat (not retreating regardless of the enemy's strength), protecting the weak and defenseless, and forswear use of their divine favor for unrighteous reasons.

When the Knighthood meets or marches, the Order of the Sword takes its place on the right side of the formation, signifying its place as the sword arm of the Knighthood.

Knights of the Rose are rare, and are often the elders of the knighthood. Rose
Knights take up many of the more mundane duties of Knighthood, such as managing land, taxing its residents, and hearing civil dispute. Rose Knights participate in world affairs, diplomacy, and make up the advisory council to the High Council. Considering this important role, it's no wonder most believe that it is the Rose Knights who lead all other Orders.

The Order of the Rose is the highest and most selective Order of the Knights of Solamnia. Only the most noble, experienced, and wise can ascend to its ranks. Wisdom and justice, prudence and moderation, compassion and fearless valor, outstanding morality: these are the least requirements, other than ancient nobility.

Legends hold that, at the end of his Quest of Honor, Vinas Solamnus knelt in the Whitestone Glade, on Sancrist, and received the investiture by the three gods of the Knighthood, Paladine, Kiri-Jolith and Habbakhuk. When he raised himself, he saw a beautiful rose of gold blowing in the spot he had been kneeling. He so decided to name the highest Order of the knighthood in this way, to remind Solamnia of this sign of divine favor: and so Paladine took the golden rose, and gave it to King Vinas, who embossed it on his ancient plate armor, over his heart. From then on, the Grand Plate of the Rose has been the armor rightfully owned by the High Justice of the Order; sadly, in the days following the Cataclysm, it was lost.

When the Knighthood meets or marches, the Order of the Rose aligns itself at the center of the formation, signifying its role as the heart of the Order.

Knight Clerists are those Knights of the Sword who have dedicated themselves to the spiritual growth of the Knighthood. The most pious of Knights join this order, and foreswear any right to petition for advancement into the Order of the Rose. They are Clerists for life. In peacetime, a Knight Clerist acts as priest to the Knighthood, and the martial arm of the Holy Order of Light.

In wartime, Knight Clerists take up the role of Hospitaller, caring for the infirm and those knights and soldiers who have taken wounds on the battlefield. The High Clerist, who is drawn from within this order, serves as its leader, as well as the larger Sword Order.

While the High Council is, indeed, the supreme governing body of the Knighthood, the authors of the Measure saw it as prudent that the writers of the rule not be the same as the appliers of the law, and hence established the Rose Knight's council. Members of the Rose Knight's Council have dedicated themselves to the Order of the Rose and the Virtue of Justice. As such, members of the Rose Knight’s council may not leave the council to serve as High Warrior. (Note: Serving as High Clerist requires commitment to the order of clerists, preventing such a knight from ever sitting on the Rose Knight’s Council.) In peacetime, the Rose Knight's Council oversees trial and discipline both within the Knighthood and within the nation of Solamnia. They act as the “judicial” branch of the Solamnic governing body. In Wartime, the Rose Knight's Council manages relations with foreign powers, negotiating treaties, alliances, and advising the High Council on matters of war. The High Justice, who is drawn from within this order, serves as its leader, as well as the larger Rose Order

The term Knightly Council refers to any body of knights authorized to oversee trials, tests, and questions of knighthood or honor, as a judgmental body. It is important to understand the difference between a Knightly Council, the Whitestone Council, and the Rose Knight's Council.

Knightly Council
A Knightly Council can be formed to hear a knight's trial. A council is made up of three members, one from each Order, who holds a rank no less then that of Lord. If necessary, a High Knight may appoint a knight who is not a Lord Knight to act in a Lord Knight's stead. Knightly Councils generally oversee mundane operations of knightly circles on a day to day basis. Most trials are conducted by Knightly Councils, while the most contentious are often appealed to the Rose Knight's Council.

The Whitestone Council
The Whitestone Council is not a judiciary body, like the Rose Knight's Council and most Knightly Councils. Also, unlike Knightly Councils, they are not temporary bodies brought together for a specific purpose. The Whitestone Council is the administrative and “legislative” branch of the Solamnic Knighthood. The Whitestone Council is sometimes referred too as the Council of Four, the High Council, or the Grand Circle. Its members are the High Knights of each Order plus the Grand Master of the Solamnic Knighthood. The Whitestone Council oversees advancement between orders, and knighting, as well as changes in law, and amendments to the Measure. The council can convene as a judicial body because, minus the Grand Master, it does qualify as a Knightly Council.

Whitestone (High Council) Elections
Elections can be called for by any Lord Knight when a Whitestone Council position (High Warrior, High Clerist, High Justice, or Grand Master) is open.
The Lord Knight need not be in the same Order as the opening. It is the responsibility of the Lord Knight to inform the electorate of every Knight eligible for election to the position.

While any active Knight may attain the position of Grand Master, there are certain requirements in the other Orders. First, a Knight must have been or currently be a member of the Order he or she wishes to lead. A Sword Knight, for example, may not become High Justice, but may accept the position of High Warrior.

An election is not considered valid unless a quorum has been reached. The quorum is 3 votes for any High Knight position, and 9 votes for the position of Grand Master. All positions on the Whitestone Council are held for life, unless the entire Council, save the member in question, votes to replace the Knight.

When a position on the High Council is vacant, and a quorum can not be achieved, the remaining members of the council may elect a permanent or temporary knight to hold the position. In such a circumstance, a vote is required from all of the seated members of the council, including the Grand Master if one is currently seated.

Laws may be submitted to the Whitestone Council by any knight. The Whitestone
Council votes as a whole with the Grand Master acting as speaker. The Grand
Master has no vote, but has the option to veto any law passed by the council unless the vote was unanimous.

Amendments to the Measure must be approved by a unanimous vote, and then approved by at least 2/3rds of the knighthood as a whole. A minimum of 9 notes must be cast for this vote to be considered.

The List of Loyalty, compiled by the Rose Knight's Council and approved by the
Whitestone Council,is a list of nations and organizations that the Knighthood agrees to help protect. This is not a political process; these groups must be viewed as good and in line with the values of the Knighthood. Nations must treat their citizens with respect and permit freedom. Organizations must be committed to a cause in line with the cause of the Knighthood.

Members of the List of Loyalty owe no allegiance to the Knights of Solamnia and do not necessarily have a military trespass treaty or formal alliance. The High Council is not permitted to ask a nation a return favor for being on the List of Loyalty.

The High Warrior is the commander of the Order of the Crown. He or she is responsible for promotions within that order, and must approve of any knight's petition to advance out of the Order and into the Order of the Sword.

The High Warrior's primary responsibilities include oversight of squires and training, planning and preparations against any possible invasions of the Solamnic homeland, and leadership against invading armies.

The High Warrior is elected by the Order of the Crown. At least three votes must be received, and squires may not vote. Any Knight who is or has been a member of the Order of the Crown may be elected High Warrior except those who have committed themselves to the Order of Clerists or Rose Knight's Council. The position is held for life, or until the entire Whitestone Council agrees that the position must be refilled.