The Code of Twelve
Equality, Philanthropy, Integrity

The original code of The Twelve was drawn up by the second Armourer, Kathuur, in the seasons following the great victory over the Papacy. After the end of the Great War against Karatath, and the recovery of the Orb of Wisdom, the Armourer, Maldris, revised the Code to make it more relevant to a world that no longer included an Elessenia. However, Maldris was a student of history and he remained true to the teachings of Azygous, Davidian and the Chamalaeic monks of old.

Equality, Philanthropy and Integrity remain the three guiding principles of The Twelve. If the cause is just and they can help, then they will help. Davidian said that The Twelve must never rest as long as evil persists in the world, thus they have never rested.

However, The Twelve are more than simply a bunch of do-gooders. They are a holy order of knights. They draw their power directly from Azygous, and it is to Azygous that they owe their fealty, their loyalty and their lives. Unlike other orders of paladins (notably the Saldarím) The Twelve hold themselves to the highest possible standards. They believe that only by being above reproach themselves can they show the way to others. The Twelve set out to lead a blameless and sinless life. It is a rare paladin that can live up to these demands.

The Calling

Only three paladins in the history of The Twelve have ever retired. Every other member has met their end in battle, or (on occasion) has passed of old age while still in the saddle. When a new member of The Twelve needs to be selected, the Armourer communes with the Orb of Wisdom, calling upon the thoughts and opinions of the Armourers of ages past. It is the Armourer's responsibility to find eleven suitable candidates from throughout the world of Iourn.

The candidates are always high-level paladins who have been extremely pious and worthy in their duty. Many paladins aspire all their lives to be asked to join The Twelve, but die without their dream being fulfilled. These candidates are each approached by a member of The Twelve who explains the Code, and exactly what becoming part of The Twelve will entail. If they agree to these terms they are transported to a secret location. There the Armourer and the other members of The Twelve will judge the contenders in a tournament. The most worthy - perhaps more than one if more than one space is to be filled - is then chosen to join The Twelve. The others are thanked and returned to their homes.

The one that succeeds then goes through a long ceremony of consecration in the monastery of Saint Vyvian. During the ceremony the spirit of Azygous descends from the heavens and imbues the candidate with the strength and the skill needed to be a member of The Twelve. They don the mystical armour created by Davidian for the first time. Then under the gaze of the Armourer, the priests, The Twelve and Azygous himself they must swear the oath.

The Oath was written by Maldris shortly after he became Armourer. It encapsulates what being a member of The Twelve is all about without labouring on for hours and hours. The previous oath, originally devised by Kathuur, called upon the prospective knight to recite the entire Code. Needless to say the new version is more popular. This is the oath taken by the current Knight Commander, Phidelius Verne, on 16 Blacknight 196 PL:

There have been many occasions over the years when there hasn't been time to go through the entire selection process. Sometimes a crisis arises and The Twelve simply cannot be around to judge the worthiness of a new member. On these occasions, the Armourer acts alone. Sometimes only a single paladin of great worth and renown will be asked to join The Twelve, and there will be no tournament. This is not The Twelve dispensing with their rules - they have long and exacting contingency plans written on miles and miles of scrolls at their monastery.

Law and Good

At the heart of the beliefs and the Code of The Twelve are two desires. On the one hand, The Twelve adamantly believe in the need for law and order in society. Only in an ordered society can thinking creatures thrive and rise to fulfil their greatest potential. Only in an ordered society are the weak protected and the sick cared for. On the other hand The Twelve are here to do Good. They have been tasked to seek out evil and destroy it. Sadly, sometimes Law and Good are mutually exclusive commodities. Paladins do not cope well with moral dilemmas and The Twelve are no exception.

The Twelve see the twin forces of Chaos and Evil as real and tangible entities. They are tempters that continuously act through intermediaries to subvert and destroy the mortal soul. Like many of their kind, The Twelve tend to be guilty of seeing a polarised view of the world. The Heavenly Realm is Good. The Great Dark is Evil. Just and noble rulers are Lawful. Wanderers and revolutionaries breed Chaos. But The Twelve are not stupid. They are among the most highly educated and astute mortals on all of Iourn.

They know that when dealing with the mortal mind, great ethical debates become blurred. They know that the murderer may have some good in him, and may be redeemed. They know that some threats are greater than others. Many times over the centuries have The Twelve been forced to concede a small victory for Evil in order to halt the advance of Chaos, or to indulge Chaos to prevent the triumph of Evil. The Twelve do not compromise their beliefs, but they do prioritise them.

The Code of Twelve lists all their tenants of in order of their importance. But remember that the entire Code is holy to them. They would sooner cut off all their toes with a blunt potato-peeler than willing ignore anything that is written within it.

The Code of The Twelve

The Code is broken down into four cantos. Technically each canto is more important that the succeeding one, and takes precedence over it in matters of deliberation. In practice any member of The Twelve would be incredibly loathe to turn his back on any of these guiding principles. As a group they are extremely fair minded, and are keen that the letter of the their law is never used to defeat the spirit of their law. Their conscience is often their guide.

Canto the First

Equality

• All creatures that have a soul are equal in the eyes of Azygous. Each has the same right to life, to respect and to his beliefs.
• The Twelve accept that in order for a Lawful society to exist, there have be rulers and there have to be followers. They acknowledge the right of kings and the nobility to rule, but they believe that rulers are as much the servants of the people, as they are served by the people. Kings must be just and fair in their dealings with all. All mortals are one day judged by the same criteria.
• The Twelve are not judgemental. They do not have any preconceived opinions about a particular race, gender or belief. Every ensouled being deserves the benefit of the doubt.
• Living creatures without a soul - such as animals and plants - do not require the same degree of attention. They are less than the ensouled, and may be exploited by them. However, there is no excuse for cruelty or wanton destruction of such creatures. How we treat those who are less than us, says much about our own nature.

Philanthropy

• It is the duty of every thinking being to render aid to those who require it.
• The Twelve recognise that the need of some is greater than the need of others, and it is within their conscience to prioritise their philanthropy for the greater good. No member of The Twelve would ignore a call for help, however, no matter how important the mission they were embarked upon.
• Philanthropy does not simply mean giving money, or embarking on heroic quests. A willing ear for others' problems or a strong pair of hands to aid a labourer is more often what is required.

Integrity

• Each member of The Twelve conducts himself with the utmost honour and integrity in all his dealings with all creatures - be they friend or foe.
• Once given, the word of a member of The Twelve is never broken. Only the death of the paladin would prevent him from fulfilling his promises.
• The Twelve do not lie. They will not dissemble, tell an untruth or utter even a white lie. They will not lie by omission. They may withhold information from their enemies, but they must do so openly.

Canto the Second

The Desire for Order

• The Twelve respects the laws of all lands and cultures.
• An ordered society is the most desirable of societies, and should be encouraged.
• The Twelve recognise that sometimes corrupt rulers can work great evil with foul laws, that attack every potential benefit of a lawful society. However, they will not interfere with the running of a Lawful and Evil society unless they are invited to do so. This invitation need not be extended by the government (and probably wouldn't be), but someone in the society, a subject or a slave, needs to ask for help before it can be given. One of the reasons for the existence of the Horn of Deliverance is to give the little people a chance to call The Twelve.
• Some laws exist for the best of reasons, but they have an evil or deleterious effect on an ordered and otherwise Good society. It is not for The Twelve to work against such laws unless deliberately called upon. They may encourage the native population to do so, however.
• A member of The Twelve would not raise his hand to stop a legal execution, as long as the punishment fitted the crime, and he considered that justice had been done.

The Will to do Good

• It is the responsibility of The Twelve to encourage the practice of goodness and virtue; to instil into others a little of the paladin's own resolve and morality.
• Doing Good does not simply mean opposing Evil. The paladin must actively seek to bring out the good in others. Each person the paladin meets must be left with a little more joy in their soul for the meeting.
• The Twelve understand that not all moral and virtuous individuals accept the benefit of Law as a means to spread such virtue around the world. The conscience of the paladin must decide if the goodness done in the name of Chaos has a benefit that outweighs any damage it may do to an ordered society.

Canto the Third

The Eradication of Evil

• It is the responsibility of The Twelve to face down Evil where they find it, and to place themselves between it and innocents.
• The Twelve do not suffer evil to exist. They may reasonably prioritise which evil is the most immediate threat, but all evil must be purged.
• Purging evil does not necessarily mean killing evil creatures. Redemption is far more desirable than death. The Twelve only kill as a last resort, when protecting innocents or defending their own life.
• The Twelve accept that some creatures are beyond redemption. Such creatures include demons, dark gods and the undead. However, the principle of Equality still applies to such creatures.
• The Twelve have been gifted with the ability to detect the presence of Evil, but its use is tempered by two factors. Their deep respect for the privacy of all living creatures dictates that they should only use this ability if they have justifiable suspicion that their target is Evil. They cannot go around scanning everyone; that is intrusive and wrong. Secondly, The Twelve understand that this power can be defeated by relatively common magicks, and therefore a positive result cannot be considered absolute proof of evil.

The Destruction of Chaos

• The Destruction of Chaos is as important as the Eradication of Evil to The Twelve. The conscience of an each paladin dictates their responses.
• Chaos is not as overt a foe as Evil. Many members of The Twelve find it more difficult to identify the cause of Chaos, and as such the need to do Good or oppose Evil often takes priority. Evil is often obviously threatening to the innocent and must be opposed or many will die. Chaos is seldom as immediate a threat, but no less serious.

Canto the Fourth

Bravery

• The Twelve are valorous to a fault. They display unyielding courage in the face of adversity. Such bravery is an inspiration to all others.
• A member of The Twelve will never retreat while innocents are imperilled. He would willingly lay down his life for them, even if such a gesture proved to be ultimately empty.
• A member of The Twelve may retreat when it is only his own life at stake, but he must be significantly out-numbered and there must be no conceivable chance of success. Members of The Twelve that stay and die in such situations are considered to have committed as gross a violation of their ethos than those who run away from an old man holding a plank with a nail in it.
• Being phenomenally brave does not make the paladin stupid and tactically-challenged. All members of The Twelve are trained soldiers. It is not a breach of their ethos to come up with a plan other than "Charge!"

Celibacy

• Members of The Twelve may not marry, not even within the group. By denying themselves this basic right they find greater focus in the pursuit of their goals, and a greater closeness to Azygous.
• Prospective candidates who are married must end that union on becoming a member of The Twelve. They must say good-bye to their wife and their family and never see them again. This is the hardest part of the Code for any paladin to follow. His love of justice and of doing good must be greater than the love he feels for his family.
• It is believed that the existence of a wife (or husband) and family outside The Twelve gives their enemies (and there are many!) a chance to strike at a soft target. The Twelve must have no weaknesses.

Chastity

• The Twelve do not engage in casual sex to fulfil their physical desires. They do not part with monies for such activities.
• Sex that transcends physical need has the same problems and fears attached to it as a member of The Twelve having a spouse. The Twelve cannot afford to love someone outside the order. They could all too easily be used against them.

Clarity

• The Twelve are not a bunch of joyless wonders. They refrain from marriage and from sex, but they appreciate the need to relax and the pleasure that can come from comradeship, humour and song.
• However, they always retain their sense of perspective. The Twelve do not act inappropriately in any social situation. They do not embarrass, they do not slander. They always remember who they are and where they are.
• The Twelve do not take perverse enjoyment in telling the peasantry of the evils of the world just to scare them. If there is a dire supernatural threat that needs to be communicated they will do so with tact and judgement.
• To maintain their clarity, members of The Twelve do not indulge themselves to excess. They may drink alcohol, but never so much that it dulls their senses. They may eat rich food, but never so much that it lessens their readiness.
• The Twelve maintain the secrets and the mystery of The Twelve. They do not explain the nature of the organisation, the location of their monastery or their remit to all and sundry. Such information could be used against them.

Courtesy

• The Twelve are always polite to everyone they meet. Even to their direst enemies, and forces of elemental evil.
• The Twelve do not swear, curse or hurl hurtful insults. Any exclamations or epithets must be wholly accurate. For example "You Fiend!" is acceptable, while "You Crap-Bastard Packet of Pus!" is not.
• In social situations, The Twelve never give offence. Before entering the court of the highest king, or a home of the lowliest peasant, they will make sure they know what social mores they must obey. They perform any such rituals faultlessly.

Familiarity

• The Twelve may not associate with creatures of Chaos and Evil.
• Temporary alliances may be formed with such creatures for the greater good, but they must only be temporary. This is very dodgy ground for any paladin, but particularly The Twelve.
• Friendships between members of The Twelve and those outside the order and the church are discouraged. Such friendships cause dependencies that can be exploited by enemies of The Twelve.

Generosity

• The Twelve are generous to a fault. They would give their last morsel of food to another and go hungry themselves if it was demanded of them.
• They are also generous with their time, their belongings and their wisdom.
• They are not generous with their opinions, and tend not to offer one that will give offence unless pressed. Equally, they are not generous with the holy armour and sword created by Davidian.

Humility

• The Twelve do not seek fame or adulation. It rather embarrasses them.
• The Twelve are modest of their deeds, despite that fact that no other living creature cold have accomplished them.
• They tend to refuse awards and titles bestowed upon them. But they will try not to give offence, and so may accept some.
• The Twelve know where to draw the line between humility and lying. Often saying "I only did what anyone would have done," is blatantly untrue.

Industry

• The Twelve are never off-duty.
• Evil never rests and neither do The Twelve. Any time of the day or night, regardless of the fact they have not had any time to themselves in a month, The Twelve must be ready to ride into action.
• They are never idle. They are always battling evil and chaos, tending to their mounts, composing poetry… but they recognise that sometimes rest and relaxation is the activity that is most needed.

Loyalty

• The Twelve swear fealty to Azygous and Azygous alone.
• Any gods they previously worshipped are no longer venerated by members of The Twelve. They may still respect their old deity and see some connection between it and Azygous, but it is to Azygous they turn. A Norandon paladin would no longer venerate Terranor, for example.

Poverty

• The Twelve do what they do for the good of the world, and not for material gain. They do not expect, or except, gifts of magic or monies from those they serve. They are not mercenaries.
• However, there have been times over the years when The Twelve have been offered, or discovered, vast wealth and magical items. In these cases they will debate the best thing to do with these new resources. In the event that they decide to keep all or a portion of their discovery, it is turned over to the Order of Saint Vyvian.
• The Twelve have no real need of wealth. They don't need to buy magical items or spells as they can get these for free from the Armourer.
• They do carry a little money on them (the equivalent of a few hundred crowns) for philanthropic purposes. The love and dependence on money is an invitation for the forces of Evil and they try to have as little to do with it as possible. However, they do see the value of commerce in an ordered society.

See Also:

• History of the Twelve
• Timeline of the Twelve