ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP
Ranks of the Fellowship
Currently, there are four ranks within the Fellowship:
Recruits are candidate members to the Fellowship, usually for 1-2 weeks.
Soldiers are full members of the Fellowship with intermediate skills.
Knights are accomplished members of the Fellowship.
Elder Knights are long-term, dedicated and experienced members of the Fellowship.

Joining the Fellowship
Joining the guild is a simple process, but becoming a full-fledged member guild is a test of courage, character and dedication. Candidates must have positive karma and cannot be a thief or murderer since those who partake in such things have forsaken the Virtues.

Recruits
Prospective guild members are added to the guildstone by request and with the sponsorship of a current full guild member. They are considered candidate members and begin as a Recruit. In essence, misdeeds of the candidate will fall to the feet of their sponsor to a certain degree. There are no pre-requisites for becoming a Recruit, but if they are new to the realm they are expected to have at least a fundamental understanding of the realm and it's customs as well as a willingness to learn.

In this introductory period lasting 1-2 weeks, the candidate member will be watched by the guild. Things such as the candidate’s character, willingness to work as a member of a team, honesty and courage will be made note of. While having an impressive level of skill in combat or magery is admirable, any person may gain skill over time. The guild seeks to enjoin people who are fair of heart and brave in their own weaknesses, who are helpful to their fellow humans and honorable in all their actions. Likewise, the candidate is expected to be essentially self-sufficient and to be able to provide for themself. The guild is more than happy to train and assist it's members, but should not be seen as a caretaker. Being candidate members, Recruits are not permitted to vote on guild law or policy changes.

Soldiers
After the introductory period has elapsed, the guild will meet to discuss the candidate's future. If the candidate has proven by demonstration during the introductory period, and no guild member expresses a grievance about the candidate, the candidate will be invited to join the guild as a full member. The candidate will then be summoned before a meeting of the guild and asked to join the guild as a full member and to swear an oath of loyalty and allegiance to the guild. Upon acceptance, they will be made a Soldier.

Knights
Having been in the Fellowship an extended period of time and affirmed by their guildmates as possessing superior combat skills(at least 2 GM skills) and demonstration of teamwork through observation in guild events, a member may be knighted by nomination and election of current Knights and Elder Knights. Knights serve as examples of accomplishment in martial skill and devotion to the ways and teachings of the Virtues and stand for what the Fellowship represent.

Elder Knights
After having been in the guild for an extended period of time, usually several months, and having demonstrated superior combat prowess, a dedication to the guild and a mindfulness of the Virtues, the Knight may be elevated to the rank of Elder Knight. This rank is considered an honor and the member is considered a shining example of the guild. It is accomplished by having a current Elder Knight nominate the person, whereupon a closed session review is held by the current Elders.

Guildmaster
The Guildmaster is the leader of the entire guild. The Guildmaster is not a seperate rank, but a position of leadership. He or she speaks for the guild when dealing with other guilds and maintains the guildstone. Should the Guildmaster become deceased, be away for an extended period of time or not act in the best interest of the guild, they may be replaced, either temporarily or permanently, by voting of the guild. There is no special title associated with the Guildmaster but he or she does sit in the Seat of the Guildmaster at guild meetings, maintains the guild Treasury and artifacts, and supplies necessary items for guild ceremonies. The Guildmaster may also appoint a number of deupty guildmasters to act in his/her absence. The appointees must be approved by a guild vote to finalize their appointment.

Deputy Guildmaster
Deupty Guildmasters act in the Guildmaster's absence to oversee the proper maintenance of the guild. This includes representing the guild in formal situations, making decisions, organizing guild activities and all the other typical guildmaster duties.

Guild Champion
The Guild Champion is the overall winning participant at monthly guild tournaments. This person may have their title changed to "Guild Champion" at their discretion instead of their usual title for the duration of their reign. The Guild Champion also gets to sit in a special Seat of the Champion at guild meetings.

Leaving the Guild
On occasion, members may wish to leave the guild to pursue other interests, join a warring guild, become a monk or for some other reason. This is easily accomplished by saying “I resign from my guild” at which time the member is automatically out of the guild. If at some point they wish to return to the guild, the matter will be reviewed by the guild taking into consideration why the person left in the first place.

Guild Robes
Upon being accepted into the guild as a full member, the guildmember will be given a special robe. This robe is to be worn to all formal guild meetings and without headgear of any sort. Also, during formal guildmeetings, mounts and other pets are to be left in stables or otherwise outside the meeting area and all weapons should be put away. While wearing the guildrobe to formal meetings is required, all other times are optional. If a guildrobe is lost for some reason, it may be replaced for a fee.

Guild Tag
All members of the Fellowship are required to display their guild tag, as activated through the guildstone. There should be no reason a member in good standing should otherwise. Guild tags display a guildmember's membership and devotion to the the Fellowship and the Virtues.

The Virtue Title
All members of the guild should strive to embody the teachings of the Virtues. Those who choose to utilize the Virtue system and advance through the Paths of Virtue may choose to have Virtue included with their guild rank title. This sets apart Knights and Virtue Knights, for example. The Virtue title is voluntary and may be declined if the member does not wish to display it. Furthermore, one who ceases to have progress displayed in their Virtue gump will have their Virtue title removed.

CODE OF CONDUCT
The guild has a common-sense set of rules known as the Code of Conduct which include the following:

1. Murdering and Stealing from innocents is forbidden.

2. No attacking of fellow guild members or allies without consent.(see Dueling)

3. Always fairly share fame and loot from monsters. This would include not stealing someone else’s kill but also banding together for very powerful foes when adventuring.

4. Guildmembers are expected to participate regularly in guild events and hunts. While there is no set requirement, prolonged absences may lead to a review of the person’s membership. There is no point of being in a guild if one does not associate with the guildmembers. Leaves of absence are acceptable if a fair reason is given. Guildmembers who are inactive for 2 months will be removed from the guildstone but are welcome to petition to rejoin the guild upon their return.

5. At no time shall a guildmember engange in negative karma actions while in a party. Negative karma actions are frowned upon and inadvertently lower everyone's karma level in a party.

6. Use of illegal 3rd party programs or exploits is expressly forbidden per the official guidelines at UO.com. Guildmembers discovered engaging in such activities face immediate dismissal.

7. Act with Honor at all times towards the innocent. This includes assisting those in distress, resurrecting the fallen, returning belongings to their rightful owners, showing mercy, always speaking truthfully and being gracious in both victory and defeat. Of course, this pertains to all who are honest and fair. When dealing with griefers, criminals and murderers, use your own discretion but keep the Virtues in mind.

The Code of Conduct is short and simple, but is expected to be adhered to by all guild members. The last provision is the hardest to interpret, but is perhaps the most important. The general gist of the Code of Conduct is to be fair to your fellow human and act honorably in all pursuits. Violating the Code of Conduct subjects the offender to Redress.(see Redress)

DUELING
As stated in the Code of Conduct, attacking a fellow guildmember or ally without consent is forbidden. However, a formal dueling process has been organized. To challenge someone to a duel, you must call them by name and indicate you wish to duel them. They must accept by replying with your name and verbally agreeing to the challenge. Combat may technically begin at any second thereafter.

Duels end when either combatant is slain, surrenders or a draw is agreed upon by both participants. Duels are not ongoing affairs and a challenge must be issued to initiate a new one so as not to confuse other guildmembers nearby.

If preconditions are to be set, such as no magic weapons or armor, these provisions must be clearly stated and accepted by both parties before either the challenge is sent or accepted.

Duels are forbidden in the guildtower or at any Shrine of the Virtues.

The Code of Conduct applies to Duels.

There is no penalty for declining a duel challenge. If people are harassed with the dueling system, contact the Guildmaster with a complaint. Also, violating the terms of a duel is a serious offense and the offender is subject to Redress.(see Redress)

REDRESS
Whenever a guildmember is accused of a misdeed or breaking a provision of the Code of Conduct, a method of redress is available. A Board of Inquiry will be formed by 3-5 full members of the guild to review the matter. Both the accuser and the accused will be questioned as well as any other pertinent people in regards to the matter at hand. This is not a matter to be taken lightly and only to be used when there is a dire need. Resulting actions from what the Board of Inquiry decides can include mediation, fines, apologies, quests of redemption, death and even dismissal from the guild. The findings of the Board of Inquiry are final.

Under extenuating circumstances or in emergency situations, the Guildmaster may act with urgency to remove a member from the guildstone. Such actions should be examined afterwards by the guild to determine why the immediate action was needed.

GUILD TREASURY
The guild Treasury is the gold accumulated for the guild by the guild. It is used to pay for incidental items in guild activities or special projects. The Treasury is maintained by the current Guildmaster and is not meant to be borrowed against without a prior approval by the guild. Donations to the Treasury are accepted, but must be anonymous and not boasted about. Donations will be submitted either by a dropbox or given to the maintainer of the Treasury, the Guildmaster, and will be recorded in the Guild Treasury Ledger individually. Funding for a month's events shall not exceed 80% of the prior month's revenues without prior guild-vote approved consent.

Originally Implemented 3/15/2002
Last Modified by Guild Approval 7/28/2005
Currently version 1.8