"1312. We were betrayed and burned by Pope Clement V. That day, he betrayed God, too. We were hunted, burned, and supressed. They thought we were done, and they were wrong ! After the old world burns, our order rises up from the ashes again. We are Crusaders, Templars, and we won't be destroyed again !"

- Grandmaster Zakary Bellerose

The Crusader Order

File 1 : Location and ranking (Highest to lowest)

Location

The Crusader Order main force is located in Canada, mainly Québec where the Order rules it. They did expand à bit in all of Canada, but their main concern is the defense of Quebec and its imhabitants

Ranking

Grandmaster

Holy Crusaders (only 10 at the time)

Crusaders master

Crusaders senior

Crusaders

Crusaders squires

Knight masters

Knight seniors

Knight

Squires

Aspirant

File 2 : Values and ruling

Values

The Crusader Order values selflessness, discipline, religion even if that's not necessary, bravery, courage, honor, protection of the weak, boldness and chivalrous manners and feats They act more as protectors of the people than overlords, meaning they don't ask for tribute, BUT they accept donations for people as long as they do it from their own free will.

Ruling

The Crusader Order rule itself based on the hierarchy they have. You must obey at all ranks above you. If two people give you an order and they're contradictory or you wonder which one must be done first, you obey the higher. For example, if a Crusader and a Senior knight give you an order, you obey the Crusader first. If the orders were contradictory, you obey the Crusader only. They also rule themselves with a Christian Theocracy, the Bible being not only the sacred text of the order but also a part of the text of law. Also, they accept both men and women, and they are treated as equals. There isn't a gender above the other. As said, you don't have to be Christian or even religious, but it would help for sure (as of now, there are only Christians and non-religious people). Every Knights and Crusaders and Knights seniors is given a squire to train. They only become Knight master and Crusader master when their squire becomes a Knight. Why is the squire needed for Crusader ? To prove that he can still use his privileges responsibly, handle the responsibilities, and still raise another squire at the same time. Proving he's deserving.

File 3 : Laws and punishments

Laws

You shall not kill without good cause

You shall not steal

You shall not burn

You shall not rape

You shall not be selfish

You shall not be cruel

You shall not enjoy your opponent's pain

You shall shall show mercy when deserved and needed

You shall be loyal to the Order, and all it defends

You shall be brave

You shall be honorable

You shall be bold

You shall protect your brother and sisters

You shall obey the Bible

You shall put others before you

You shall be selfless

You shall help people redempt if they wish to be redeemed

You shall be humble

You shall be comionate

You shall protect the people

You shall be generous

(I do believe you now know the ideology with the laws. If you want, I'll add an ideology file)

Punishments

Of course, the punishments will vary depending on the rule that was broken. It can be simple chores like cleaning the castle or repairing weapons and armors. It can be a physical punishment such as extra training. You may also have the confessed depending on the crimes. For really bad crimes such as murder, rape, cruelty, etc. It can be exile or execution. Those who are exiled are named "The Fallens" but through heavy acts of faith, they can be redeemed. (Civilians who have sin and wish to confessed and be forgiven, redeemed can go see them too).

File 4 : Headquarters

This Château Frontenac. The castle that is in Québec City is one of the oldest buildings and most robust. The Crusader Order took it for the Order and turned it into their HQ, making renovations if and when needed. Did some redecorating by hanging their banners, black banners with a red cross. They also made some cannons and trebuchets as siege engine both for attack and defense. Those engines are inside the castle

File 5 : Weapons and armors

Weapons

Aspirant and squires are trained to use spears, quarterstaff swords, and maces. They need to be well-versed in the art of combat. When they reach the rank of Knight, they can choose which weapons they bring with them, mainly 2 mostly, some bring 3

Armors

Aspirants and squires are issued a standard leather armor with road leather with a red cross insignia on it so people they know they are part of the order. When they reach Knight, they get issued a standard metal armor that they can modify to their liking. When they reach Crusader, they get issued a heavy complete metal armor again that they can modify to their liking

File 6 : Education and maintenance

Education

The Crusader Order can recruit anyone from 9 years old and up. Unless they already know how to read, write, and count (which is rare to know is the post-war world), the Order teach their recruits. When they're aspirants, everyone pitch in, but when the Aspirant become a Squire, their education becomes part of the knight's duty or Crusader's duty to teach everything he needs to know. Both mentally, academically, and physically. Taking on the training too, therefore training their squires.

Maintenance

Many of the order learn blacksmithing armoring, carpenting, farming, minors, etc. Some lean more than just one, so they all have duties inside the HQ and smaller bases around Canada to make sure, armor, weapons, siege engines, and building can stand and resist elements and attacks, therefore they aren't just warriors, they're also workers. Every squire must at least learn one of those. It's mandatory, orders from the Grandmaster

Final file : Backstory

The Crusader Order was created by Zakary Bellerose after the death of his family. (Read Zakary Bellerose wiki for more details). At first, he was just fighting like a knight and helping people with his sword and making armors, helping repair, etc. With time, people started to him and his cause, and months after month. Most were farmers, carpenter, and other type of workers who fought with farm tools until Zak could make them decent weapon since Zakary knows blacksmithing, armoring, and carpentinh. They grew into a faction and decided they needed to establish themselves as such. That's when they took Québec City by killing all raiders there, at least those who didn't surrender and took Castle Frontenac. At that point, they grew even more and decided to protect people by expanding to the whole province of Québec. They don't act as overlord but protectors. They live with the food they produce, the minerals and metals they mine, and donation from the people, but those donation are done willingly, and nobody is forced to donate. They do send recon squad around Canada and into the United States, too. Yes, they can settle at some places, but they are mainly here to help and protect not influence people and power. They live by their ideology, hierarchy, laws, bond, religion and code. (W.I.P)

"WE ARE CRUSADERS AND WE WILL BE ED!"