Charter of the Order of the Sword

== == The Order of the Sword Charter ==

Code of Brethren - The Charter

Preamble
We, the sovereign nations of The Order of the Sword (OTS), in order to further the interests of brotherhood, cooperation, and strength, do join and establish this Charter for The Order of the Sword. With full acknowledgment of the separation of national and international responsibilities, this body shall promote peaceful relations, common defence, and commerce amongst its members.

Article I – Rules of Application
All those who wish to join the Order are obliged to fulfil the following set of rules.

- All applicants must set their Alliance Affiliation to ‘Order of the Sword’. - An Applicant at war with an Aligned Nation, be it offensive or defensive, will not be granted membership.

Article II - Team Colour
The Order is mainly related to the blue team, but people from all teams will be accepted in to ranks. Members who do change to blue will be rewarded accordingly.

Article III - Brotherhood
The Order of the Sword's main objective is to form a strong brotherhood. Therefore all members should treat each other with the appropriate amount of respect and dignity. Members who fail to do so will lose their titles and may be expelled.

Article IV - Activity
All members of the first and second class are required to have IRC, and to be on our channel at least once a week. Government members are required to be on the forums and IRC channel daily. Failing to do so will block any possibility of requiring an official function and promotion.

Article V - Obedience
We demand that all members will obey their superiors, regardless of their personal views. Failing to do so will result in a punishment, left to the discretion of the Official in charge. Members who have complaints or questions, are obliged to ask to Grand Chairman of the Code for advice.

Article VI – Aid
No member of the alliance is forced to send aid. We do, however, expect that you answer to a call of help from an alliance member. Sending aid speaks of devotion, and loyalty to the alliance and fellow members. If noticed, this may result in promotion.

Article VII – Defense
Everyone is responsible for the common defense of the alliance. When a member attacked, the rest must be ready to defend him once the order has been given. Do not however, take rules into your own hands. Wait for the military command to issue such orders.

Article VIII - Rules of War
No member of the alliance is allowed to attack a member of another alliance. Our members do have the freedom to raid unaligned nations. At all times, The Rules of Engagement must be honoured. Failing to do so will result in expulsion.

== Article IX - Terms of Resignation ==

It is not allowed to leave the alliance if; - the alliance is at war. - if the nation in question took a large amount of aid from the alliance.

B - Government & Official
Article X – Order Hierarchy The Office of Grand Master is the highest sovereign body in the Order, he is assisted by the High Council. The High council is the assembly of the 4 High Offices. The lower ranks are commanded by these High Offices, and are expected to put policies and decree's of the Order into practice. Legislative, Judicial, Executive Powers are held by the Grand Master stated by Law, guarded by the Juridical Council. All Powers devolved from the Grand Master are with his permission; they can be recalled at any time.

Article XI – Councils
The Order is divided into several Councils and Departments under control of one of the High Offices, all with their own responsibilities. Members to it are appointed and removed at the discretion of the Grand Master.

Note: All mentioned in Article X & XI, such as the structure of these Councils, the various offices included, their functions and powers, are all specifically described in Part II of the Grand Code.

Article XII - Treaties
The Order will accept treaties with other alliance, in case our independence & integrity are maintained.

Article XIII - Amendments
All Amendments and Clauses to Part I, and Part II of the must be presented to the Knights Assembly to be voted on.