Prowess: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a knight, martial
and otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement.
Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal
interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy. If the
'right' you see rings agrees with others, and you seek it out without bending to the temptation for expediency, then you will
earn renown beyond measure.
Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you
choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not amongst them.
Defense: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and
those who depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your family, and those to whom you believe worthy of loyalty.
Courage: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the
personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the precepts and people you value. At the
same time, a knight should seek wisdom to see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the side of
truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice
with mercy, or the pure truth can bring grief.
Faith: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and
gives hope against the despair that human failings create.
Humility: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your
own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully
earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle
spoken of but also all who call themselves knights.
Largesse: Be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used
in this way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult decision of justice is required.
Nobility: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and
duties of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the
spirit, growing the character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering
a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness.
Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as
possible, not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world,
but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will
be well remembered for your quality and virtue.