The Code of Twenty-Two
(Crossing, Zoluren: 340 Dolefaren 357)
Goodman Baresh! Chadatru’s honour upon thee and thy family and thy establishment. I must confess that I am not accustomed to frequenting such places of consumption, but I did think it meet to perhaps use thy prodigious means of communication to pass along the Code of Twenty-Two.
What is the Code? It is the code by which I have dedicated mine life to the Paladin cause and to the ways of chivalry and knightly conduct.
It is a sad fact goodman that many of those who are technically members of the guild of Paladins are actually mercenaries hired for defense of the Crossing during the recent wars, and such mercenaries do not always show the best side of our guild.
Here is the Code as I was taught as a page, and I do follow it as scrupulously as I am able:
1. Always put the interests of others before thyself
2. Protect the weak and the innocent
3. Punish evil-doers and deny them aid and comfort
4. Never lie and always keep thy word and bond
5. Tithe to charity (the empaths are acceptable) a percent of your wealth per circle you have obtained, but thou mayest always keep at least one-tenth of thy coin
6. Never flee from combat if others will be injured because of it
7. Never steal under any circumstances
8. Never hide from friends or foes
9. Obey all laws of the land unless unjust or unless a great evil will occur by complying
10. Give aid to the needy, unless they be doers of evil
11. Never engage in idle combat, for thy gifts are to be used in great need
12. Never engage in gossip, for idle gossip is as bad as a lie
13. Always be modest and humble, seek not fame nor fortune
14. Always extend courtesy to your elders, to healers, to priests, and to women
15. Never slay a creature that is fleeing from combat, unless there is a specific need
16. Never slay a foe who begs for mercy
17. Never attack a citizen without great cause
18. Never use any weapon which is not wielded by force of hand (crossbows, slings, and bows be not acceptable)
19. Never wait for thanks after helping another, for praise is not the cause of thy altruism
20. Never accept or expect reward for following thy code of honour unless doing so would insult the giver
21. Never take the name of Chadatru in vain
22. Always work to the honour of thy guild, thy country, and thy god
Well my friend, that is my code…and now I have matters to which I must attend. I thank thee for listening to me, and please pass on my words to others.
What sayest thee? A drink before I leave? Nay…thank thee for thy offer…for I am not one to imbibe upon thy potent potables.
Chadatru bless thee.
[Ed. Note: a discussion has started on Gilmain’s ideas presented here.]