"Naith Kansel, know you stand before the eyes of the gods. Do you swear to serve the people of the city, protect the innocent from the guilty, and lay your life for either if necessary? If so, kneel and swear the oath inscribed on the flagstone before you. May the gods hear your words and know the truth of your convictions. If not... you may still yet walk away."
— Grand Master Joriah Florian
The Knightly Order of Delos served as protectors of Parseil, the Moonlight City, before it fell into ruin. In order to become a sworn brother of the Delian Knights, it was necessary for a candidate to prove their worthiness. Usually this was done by some great deed to show devotion to the same ideals the Order carried at heart, which could be easily seen to serve the citizens of Parseil. Most often, these candidates have acted in the capacity of a squire to one of the Knights for several years to prove their worth. However, in rare cases this initial part may be waived through three statements from sworn brothers who can personally attest to the moral quality of the candidate. This is, however, only the step needed to start the initiation trials.
The Trials
There are three trials which the Grand Master sets before candidates who wish to join: the Trial of Spirit, the Trial of Body, and the Trial of Service. Each of these trials must be completed before a candidate may finish their initiation, though they can be completed in an order which suits the candidate.
The Trial of Spirit: The candidate is expected to remain at a vigil at the tomb of the Order's founder from the last moment of sunset until the first ray of the rising sun. They are not permitted food or drink when at the vigil, and must remain awake during this time. In order to test whether a candidate is awake, an uninitiated person is sent to check up on the candidate and possibly challenge the 'sentinel' standing vigil. Failure to recall this individual when reporting back shows a failure of the trial, and thus the candidate must wait another year to be chosen as a viable candidate. In the case of a a truly egregious breach of the trial's rules, the Grand Master has been known to deny the candidacy for future attempts.
The Trial of Body: The candidate is put through physical stress to test their devotion to the cause. The exact nature of the stress varies, and depends on the capabilities of the individual. What is consistent is the repeated offerings of an escape for the candidate - a chance to seek respite from the constant testing, and to rest their body. Taking this offer is a clear failure of the trial, but failing to stand up to the stress is not always counted as a failure. There is considerable latitude allowed for candidates who refuse to take the easy way out and show mettle enough to last beyond the expected threshold. And sometimes the trial is cut short if there is a case of life-threatening danger due to the physical nature of the trials. Ultimately, the say on whether the candidate passes the trial is up to the Grand Master.
The Trial of Service: The candidate is issued one task which is meant to be in service to the citizens of Parseil. This trial is one of the few expected to be variable, depending on what the Grand Master knows is needed at the time. Most Trials of Service are merely to act as a guard or escort for people within the city, or to serve alongside the city guard. Should there be any known dangers beyond the city walls which fall within the candidate's power to deal with, they may be used as a Trial of Service.
Only after all three trials have been judged to be completed may a candidate be brought to the Grand Master and be made a sworn brother of the Knightly Order.
The Knighting
At the Great Hall of Delos, the Grand Master summons their inner circle of knights along with the candidate who will be sworn into the Knightly Order. A traditional oath has been carved into the floor, and it must be sworn to before the candidate can be accepted as a new knight. Following this, the new knight is given a mentor and a room in the bunks to sleep. A feast is held the following night, at which the new knight is welcomed warmly by those within the city at the time, and the knighting is officially complete. During times of conflict or great need, the ceremony is shortened and the feast is skipped over. Only the swearing of the oath is performed after the trials have been passed, and it is expected the feast will be held once everything has stabilized.
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