Order of the Eagle

The Order of the Eagle is a quasi-religious Knightly Order within Teutonia who stand outside of the usual political and religious organisations of the Nation. It has been known by many names over the course of its existence and is served by a diverse group of Teutonians who have oathed themselves in service to the ideals of the Order.
The Order:

• Is pragmatic in pursuit of its duties,
• Tends towards lawful although there are those who would, in order to better serve Teutonia, 
• Step outside of the law, but only in dire need,
• Is unafraid to accept payment for their service but do not ask for it, 
• they are not mercenary in the service of Teutonia
• Stands for unity. In the current time this means unity with its allies, not just within Teutonia

History of the Order

The Order was founded over four hundred years ago (circa 690) in response to the start of the second Schlangenkrieg in 689. It is generally accepted that the first Grand Master received visions from his Goddess which prompted him to set up the Order, which may have begun as a group of questing Knights seeking her tower in the mountains. They gave themselves the name The Honourable Order of the Eagle and the Tower, taking inspiration from the visions they’d received to design their heraldry.
The founding principles of the Order were ones of unity, with the focus of its first Knights being protecting the smallfolk of Teutonia while the Vipers and Cobras fought for control of the kingdom. The Order has always promoted and idealised a united Teutonia, unburdened by the politics of the different snake factions.
It its early years, the Order was relatively small, with only a few Knights and their apprentices. Over time, the Order has grown until at its height there were over 100 members.
In the late 800s, during the third Schlangenkrieg, the order was gifted a castle in the Shetian Alps, in the mountain passes above the town of Essen. The noble family responsible for the gift, the Schwarzbars, became informal patrons of the Order and many of their children would become Knights, Aspirants and work for the Order in other ways over the years to come. Referred to as the Chapterhouse, the citadel became the permanent base for the Order.
In later years, the number of Knights and Aspirants has declined. Before the massacre of Odessa in 1118, there were less than 50 members.
The majority of the remaining Knights now travel with the Teutonian warhost, as the threat facing Teutonia can only be resolved with the combined might of the Allied Factions.

Structure of the Order

The Order is led by the Grand Master, a Knight who has been chosen to lead by the rest of the Order. Grand Masters are usually chosen from the ranks of the Masters.
Beneath him are the Masters, Knights who are appointed to their roles as experts within their field by the Grand Master. What the Knights are Masters of changes through the years as the requirements of the Order change. However, there are key roles which have always existed. These are the Master of Blades, the Master Arcane, the Master Cartographer and the Master of the Archives.
Beneath the Masters are the Knights of the Order. These are men and women who have sworn an oath and been declared a full Knight of the Order. Their oaths are written into the Knight’s Ledger and they are given permission to wear the heraldry of the Order on their tabards, surcoats, shields etc.
Beneath the Knights are the Aspirants of the Order. These are men and women who have felt the calling and are in training to become Knights. Aspirants usually take several years to gain their Knighthood, as they learn what it means to be a Knight and decide on the wording of their oaths.
Separate to the Knights and Aspirants, there is a host of support personnel who manage the day to day running of the Chapterhouse (think kitchen staff, blacksmiths, tailors, library assistants, cleaning staff, etc). These are people who wish to serve, but are not willing or able to take oaths and become Knights of the Order. Some Aspirants never make it to Knighthood, and may spend their lives in service to the Order in this way instead.

Oaths

Each oath sworn is unique to the individual. It can take many years for an Aspirant to decide on the exact wording of their oath. Members of the Order live by the wording of their oaths, unlike the Knights of other Nations.
Oaths are normally formed from three separate statements of intent.
Every oath sworn ends with the words -
Teutonia is her people. I will fight for them, no matter the cost.
Below is the wording of the oath of Master Heinrich Verfolgan -
I shall protect the weak and safeguard the helpless.
I will always fight with honour to show the strength of Teutonia.
May the Gods judge my actions, not empty words.
Teutonia is her people. I will fight for them, no matter the cost

Heinrich wears his oath upon the scabbard of his sword, so he is reminded of it every time he draws his blade. Other Knights of the Order may not wear their oath so openly, it is a personal decision. But each Knight should always strive to keep the words that they have sworn at the forefront of their minds

Teutonia is her people

Type

Civilian, Knightly Order

Location

The Chapter House

Notable Members

• Ser Heinrich Verfolgan

Related Historical Events

• 1119
  The Siege of Ravenburg
• 1118
  The Fall of Odessa