Order of St. Jude

Charter of The Most Holy Order of St. Jude
Established 1183 Anno Domini
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From Tbilisi, you set out eastward. On the main road you encounter carts laden with the wealth of the Caucases: ores, precious stones, and spices from the east. All that and more trickles through these mountain thouroughfares. However, your path does not lead you long among these merchants. Instead, you follow a small mountain trail to the north. The ascent is steep and soon you find yourself alone except for the nimble mouflon and soaring eagles. At last you find what you are looking for. Nestled into the mountainside stands the Monastery of St. Jude. Two halberd-weilding guards stand vigil beneath the shadow of its austere walls, yet they hardly look up as you walk by. They know that only men with purpose journey this far up into the mountains.

Once inside you are surprised to find a warm and comforting atmosphere. The walls are draped with expensive silk and the chairs embossed with polished silver. A friar politely offers you roast game and you happily accept. The expensive taste of cinnamon is not lost on your famished tongue.

At last you are directed to the heart of the monastery, the map room, where plans of conquest are duly underway. There you find pinned to the wall, the charter of the house.

Quote:

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I The order is named after St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the patron saint of lost and desperate causes. He was also the first missionary to Armenia, where the house will be located.

II The order will be headed by a Soter, the most qualified of the landed members. (ooc: qualification=command stars+Chivalry). The Soter will be placed at the top of the feudal chain.

III The second spot in the feudal chain will be occupied by a Consul. The position of Consul will be determined by a majority vote immediately following any regular Magnaura session. Any member of the Order may become Consul. The Consul will act as head of the house if the Soter is unable to perform his duties. In the event of the Death or Expulsion of the Consul, the Soter will name a replacement until the next regularly scheduled Consul vote.

IV Membership is decided by the consent of the Soter and the lowest member of the feudal chain(ooc: because he will receive the oath)

V Any member may be expelled from the order by a simple 2/3 vote

VI Land will be given out according to the wishes of the Soter. If a member is given land, he is encouraged to give it back as a sign of gratitude if he is ever to leave the order.

VII All members must strive to protect each other, to promote trade, and to promote the military capabilities of the Order.

VIII No settlements taken by members may be exterminated. Sacking is permissible.

IX Military decisions such as the treatment of prisoners will be left up to the discretion of the commander of the army.

X All changes to the charter must be by unanimous consent.

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Members
Domestikos Andronikos Komnenos
Comes Nikitas Moschos

Lands
Tbilisi
Yerevan
Baku
Trebizond
Amina

This House is in rebellion against the Empire

I, Arintheos Voutoumatis, swear an oath of fealty to Andronikos Komnenos.

I accept your oath, and bestow up on you the province of Trebizond.

May your campaign against the Venetians be swift and fruitfull.

I thank you, Andronikos Komnenos. I will endeavor to represent the House properly in my battles against the Venetians.

I swear an oath of fealty to Arintheos Voutoumatis!

I accept Nikitas Moschos' Oath