The Dragonguard Charter
The Charter for the Establishment of the Honourable Order of the Dragonguard, often shortened to Dragonguard Charter, was written and passed by the Council of Aldermen of the free city of Kilhorn. It was originally created in response to the good deeds of Otori and his companions since the Night of Winged Fire and the resulting flight to Emanys.
Background
To honor all the companions of Otori had done since the Night of Winged Fire, including avenging the townsfolk by slaying Vorlgodax, on the 14th of Late Summer 958 SA 5, the Council of Aldermen of Kilhorn passed a proposal that had been in the works for several months. This proposal, which chartered an order of knights to defend Kilhorn and the Frore Highlands from dragon attack and charged them with obstructing the Cult of the Chromatic Dragon.Initially, the only members inducted were Otori Sepret, Takahashi Sukutto, Valec, and Carric autem Cerlorn, who had slain Vorlgodax and each been awarded accordingly with the rank of Free Warden and title of Dragonslayer. Otori, as a paladin sworn to oppose the Chromatic Dragon's cult, was named the Master Warden of the order. Thereafter, membership would be granted only to proven heroes and adventurers, including future companions of Otori. However, years later the council posthumously inducted Grigori Stonewall to the Order.
Ranks and Titles
The charter organized the Dragonguard into ranks, and gave provisions for a set of supplementary or honorary titles. Though all of the initial members were granted Free Warden status and became the de facto "Errant Dragonguard," by which is meant the Dragonguard who traveled with Otori, candidates for membership had to prove themselves capable in the use of martial or arcane arts. Even from the beginning, the final say in recruitment was up to the Council and the highest ranked members of the order.- Squire: An apprentice, youth-in-training, or initiate into the order.
- Man-at-arms: A fighter who has proven themselves capable. A spellcaster with this rank was called a Mage-at-arms.
- Knight: A sworn knight of the order. One had to already have been knighted elsewhere or work their way up from the lower ranks.
- Knight-Sergeant: A sworn knight of the order who has a measure of authority.
- Knight-Baronet: A sworn knight of the order who has earned a place among the higher ranked members and can begin to give recommendations for recruitment.
- Knight-Warden: A high-ranking sworn knight of the order. The first rank with the power of veto for recruitment.
- Knight-Champion: The highest-ranking sworn knight of the order other than the Master Warden. Have the power of veto for recruitment.
- Master Warden: Master of the Order. Can only be passed down from master to master and is subject to review by the Council of Aldermen.
The supplementary and honorary titles are as follows:
- Free Warden: A title carrying rank with equivalent to that of a Knight-Baronet. This rank cannot be earned, only dispensed directly by the Council of Aldermen. In addition, this title grants a measure of authority over the Militia of Rangers.
- Dragonslayer: A knight who has slain a dragon may claim this title. This also grants the power of veto for recruitment if not otherwise gained by holding an appropriate rank.
- Merchant-Knight: A member of the order who provides mercantile or financial services in place of combative skill. This is equivalent in privilege and responsibility to Man-at-arms in rank.
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