knightsoflegend | squiring ♔ virtue is the truest nobility

♬ Troy - James Horner

WHO || Wynn, Brantley River, Attica Arakhan, Astrid Madchen, Taradiddle Gezuntheit, Sebastian Trevethor, Bambi Dalton, current Knights attending the ceremony
WHAT || September Squiring Ceremony
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Great Hall
WHEN || September 1st, 2013, 6:00PM
HOW || Actionspam

The impressively large Great Hall of the castle could easily pass as a royal throne room, with its length and the red carpet leading up to a set of steps. However, there is no throne set at the top of them, and the Hall is wide enough to accommodate hundreds of Knights. And indeed, several hundred Knights stand in ranks on either side of the wide stretch of red, each wearing the traditional set of ceremonial armor in their possession.

The new squires are fitted to their armor after meeting with Wynn, and it's traditional for each to appear for the first time before the Knighthood wearing it. Each new member is assured that only a very small number of the Knights make use of their armor for other circumstances, but it does create an intimidating sense of unity as they stand shoulder to shoulder in rank and file to receive their newest pledges.

The squires are ushered in together, with a flair of orchestral music that fills the hall with as much pomp as possible. It's a lot like that last scene in A New Hope. Yeah, you thought I was going to get through an entire post being all serious, didn't you.

At the top of the steps, Wynn waits, wearing a sword on his belt that canny eyes† might recognize as familiar.

It's one hell of a long walk past all those staring, curious eyes. Luckily, it's a long musical number.

For additional dice rolling fun (optional):

† Roll or randomize a d20. Those who roll a 15 or above can spot the sword for being the exact same sword that was suspended in the statue above the Round Table, when they met with Wynn in the Prologue.
† Roll a d20 dexterity check. If your character rolls a 2 or 3, at some point during their walk they're bound to stumble. A critical fail will lead to an epic faceplant ... or worse.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Optionally play out your character's WALK OF DESTINY down the red carpet, and people in the crowd can judge them / encourage them / gawk ]

[ attica's clearly not used to the armor and it changes her walk, making it far more clunky and awkward than she usually is, but she does manage to keep from tripping or falling over (dex 11) ]

[At the walk, Brantley really feels excited. He walks the red carpet as if he is the owner of the place, but you know what they say about overconfidence. Yup, in the midst of the grand ceremony, he is tripped by his own foot and falls to the ground.(dex 2)]

Edited 2013-09-01 20:35 (UTC)

[Bambi is completely awkward in her armor and just hobbles along with as much poise and grace as a baby penguin, because god she doesn't want to trip... but at least she's not... that guy. (dex 8)]

[stand aside, peasants. astrid is apparently the most graceful one here. flying like an eagle ... to the sea ... (dex 17)]

[ Sebastian walked with confidence. He knew that being nervous would do him no good. So he stepped forward following the others forward, head held high. (Dex 14)]

[Apparently Taradiddle is SUPER DEXTROUS even though she prefers lighter armor. But she just prances down the aisle gracefully (dex 18). Take that Astrid.]

Edited 2013-09-11 02:33 (UTC)

[ When they have arrived at the far end of the carpet and stand before him beside each other, Wynn addresses both would-be squires solemnly by name. ]

Brantley River. Attica Arakhan. Astrid Madchen. Taradiddle Gezuntheit. Sebastian Trevethor. Bambi Dalton.

Kneel. And repeat this oath.

[Each line is spoken separately as a call and respond.]

"I swear to defend the Knighthood."

"I swear that I shall protect all weaknesses and shall constitute myself the defender of them."

"I shall not recoil before mine Enemy."

"I shall make war against injustice, without cessation and without mercy."

"I shall never lie, and shall remain faithful to my pledged word."

"I shall be generous, and listen to and respect all."

[And finally, in ringing tones:]

"I shall be everywhere and always the champion of the right and the good against injustice and evil."

[optional rolling; roll a D20 Wisdom check in order to see if your Knight can remember the phrases properly or not so much.]

[ with a wisdom check of 9, attica is decidedly paraphrasing. because fuck all that old english bullshit ok it's the 21st century get over yourself, wynn. ]

I swear to protect and defend the Knighthood, as well as the weak who can't defend themselves. I don't run from anybody; I'll fight injustice, and I won't stop, because there is no white flag. I'll keep my promises, and I'll listen to the people who earn my respect. I'll champion the Knights and what they stand for. [ because she ... doesn't really stand for those things and she sure as hell ain't their champion. so. there have some honesty. because her bluff was also 9 so she just doesn't have it in her to actually recite the exact words and be a big liar face. should ... also make it easier to keep her oaths/promises. ]

[After ruining the walk of honor, Brantley wants to redeem himself by saying the pledge perfectly. Well, at least that is what he intents to do.(wis 8)]

I swear to defend the Knighthood. I swear to protect weakness. what was that again? I shall make war... without cessation? Ah.. I shall never lies and be faithful to my words. I shall always be a champion of right and good against injustice and evil.

[Oh well, at least he didn't fail completely.]

[Bambi got an 18, which is legit because she's got a memory like a steep trap. She recites the words correctly, although... a little bit monotone and bored, because her cha was like... a seven.]

[remember the time astrid recited the oath to wynn almost perfectly despite only seeing it five seconds beforehand and it was hella awesome and sexy? well that ... is not happening today. (wis 5) SHE GOT STAGE FRIGHT, OKAY. 8( so she ends up muttering quietly to hide the parts she forgot. it's precious in an awful way.]

I swear to defend the Knighthood. I swear that I shall protect all weaker and shall try myself the defender of them. [ He forgot a couple words so, he tried to make due.] I shall not recoil before my Enemy. I shall make war against injustice, without cessation and without mercy. I shall [ A brief pause, riiiight. ( Bluff check 15) ] ...never lie, and shall remain faithful to my pledged word. I shall be generous, and listen to and respect all. I shall be everywhere and always the champion of the right and the good against injustice and evil. (Wis 11)

[T-Diddle's so proud of all her graceful walking apparently that she just blanks for the first half of it. (wis 5)]

Um, wait-- could you-- um. [She mumbles a bit.] Constituate... recoil.... [She goes on sort of... half saying the words with other people.] I shall... something something... pledged word... generous... good against evil!

[Good... enough...?]

[With a beautiful sching noise, Wynn draws the oh so shiny sword from its sheath. One by one he lays the flat of the blade upon the squires' right shoulder, then raises it gently above their head to place it upon their left. When he is finished with each of them in turn, he returns to his place at the top of the steps, and announces:]

You may rise: Sir Brantley River. Sir Attica Arakhan. Sir Astrid Madchen. Sir Taradiddle Gezuntheit. Sir Sebastian Trevethor. Sir Bambi Dalton.

[The moment the squires begin to rise, the entire hall bursts into a frenzy of cheers, applause, hoots and hollering that's practically deafening. It quiets a bit when Wynn speaks again.]

We ask you to join us tonight in celebration of our newest members in the ballroom.

Edited 2013-09-01 20:00 (UTC)

[ Standing to his feet standing looking at Wynn, trying to hide the shock that was starting to set in. He was really doing this.]

[Man, Taradiddle'd kind of hoped he'd laugh or at least smirk or something when he said her name. She's kind of impressed! Still, she stands up and looks around, beaming.]

[ALL THE GOSSIP. Anyone in the crowd can make threads here to talk amongst yourselves.]

squiring ♔ virtue is the truest nobility

The Walk

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The Ceremony

The Pledge

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Dubbing

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The Peanut Gallery