The following is our original clan petition with additional details and alterations as needed. We are very pleased to have always adhered to our petition and to have been the first open clan on Aardwolf, and still the only 100% open clan.
Sections on this page: Background, Help File, Theme, Ranks, Joining Requirements, Promotion Requirements, Demotion, Outcast, Governing, Race/Class/Align
Many years ago there came to the land a great hero wielding a beautiful holy sword of pure crystal. With him came 6 holy knights clad in the finest white mail. No one knew the name of the hero, he was referred to by all simply as the Nameless or the Nameless One.
The group raised an army of hardy knights and roamed the lands combating evil wherever they happened upon it. Campaigns were waged against the Drow, Trolls, Orcs and many other evil foes who caused misery and terror throughout the land. The Knights were just, however, and after a foe was vanquished, the children left orphaned would be taken in as wards to learn and to follow the path of true righteousness.
For many years the Crusaders (as they had become known) continued their god given mission. Over a period of time, members of the Holy Six, the original captains who came with the Nameless, wearied and died; some of old age some, by the hand of an evil adversary.
After a time, none of the original six remained and had all been replaced by the now adult wards. Together they crushed every pocket of evil uncovered throughout the land and the place was indeed a prosperous and happy place to live.
After a further period of time, targets for the Crusaders to extinguish became fewer and fewer. The army, however, became larger and larger (Less war, less deaths, more and more children and wards coming of age and joining the ranks.) The army was restless and small. Then larger groups began to head out looking for action where none existed. Sadly the battle ready troops more and more frequently would attack caravans and villages on the slightest hint of evil-doing or, more and more frequently, no hint at all.
When news of these misdeeds reached the ears of the Nameless One, he was greatly distressed. The offending crusaders who could be identified were exiled from the order forever. He instantly decreed that the Crusaders would not rest until full atonement for the crimes of these few had been made.
It was decided that the considerable wealth that had been accumulated from countless successful campaigns over the years would be used to construct a mighty temple, where all the sick, injured, and those in need of shelter throughout the realm could come. The vast army turned itself to the construction of the temple rather than war. It was erected in a short space of time and was indeed magnificent.
For years to come, peace reigned and the lands were happy. The Nameless One began to show signs of age, bringing an end to the rumor that he was an immortal.
Meanwhile the new Six were restless.....
Year after year of inaction weighed heavily on them and they were eager for the adrenaline rush only battle could bring. Three of the six decided to set out to explore other parts of the world. During their travels they came upon a great and evil lord, more powerful than even the Nameless. The three betrayed their master, eager for battle, and joined the ranks of this vile hoard. A plot was hatched to attack the stronghold of the Crusaders and one day the traitors lead an army to battle against their former allies.
At dusk, the horde descended. The attack was too much for the Crusaders. Most of them were slain and the temple was razed to the ground. As the temple burned and crumbled the Nameless, old and seriously wounded, made a desperate bid to save the current generation of children. He loaded them on a wagon and slipped away into the night making with all haste for a nearby monastery. Even though the battle was lost the loyal three knights continued to fight to aide the retreat of the few survivors. Only after all were safe did they quietly slip into the night and out of the history books for many, many years.
Just as all seemed secure for the children, a huge rider on a giant black stallion emerged from the bushes next to the path and the horse pulling the wagon reared in terror. It was one of the traitors, the troll. The cowardly beast knew the Nameless one was now no match for him and sought the honor of his slaying. The two locked together in combat, and as mighty as he was, age and injury from the battle preceding meant the old man was soon overwhelmed. With his last ounce of strength, he appealed to the gods to aid him. Suddenly, from the inky skies, a series of bolts of holy fire descended to smite the Troll. He wailed in pain as blow after devastating blow ripped into him. In agony and fury, he lunged forward and cleaved the Nameless One's head from his body. The fiend's time to celebrate his feat was short. He was mortally wounded and collapsed in a gurgling heap in the soft grass beside the trail.
Many years passed and the Three entered into new lives with new names. They wandered from here to there, served different masters but never felt at home. One day, word is heard of a youthful knight performing great acts of heroism for one so young throughout the realm. The Three, reminded of times of old, head to the young man's home town, Aylor, to find out more about his extraordinary deeds. Arriving separately, all drawn by some force, they converge upon the arena where a great tournament is being held. They behold the young knight's prowess in subduing foe after foe but the thing that they cannot ignore is his weapon.
The Sword of the Nameless One!
In seconds, the Three are standing by the youth's side. Staring at the sword, then at each other, memory begins to take effect. Upon questioning on his past, the young man reveals he and a group of orphans were trained as knights by some kind monks at a nearby monastery. They had been told inspiring tales of their forefathers and each sought to follow in their footsteps. Suddenly, the Three realized they were not alone. The children were alive and now young adults. The Crusaders could rise again and the temple could and would be rebuilt! They wept tears of joy and embraced each other, renewing acquaintances after many years apart.
Their exile was over.
The Crusaders are the descendants of a group of goodly knights who roamed the land combating evil wherever they encountered it.
The ancestors of the crusaders, though noble and good, strayed from the path of righteousness and set about to atone by constructing a magnificent temple to heal the sick and injured throughout the realm.
The Crusaders, all but wiped out in a hostile attack on the temple, were for many years naught but a distant memory...a legend. Recently the survivors of the Elder generation have emerged from exile and have set about the reconstruction of the great temple.
Any Paladin or Cleric is welcome to join the Crusaders once they have attained level 50 and 50 hours game time. (Other classes are welcome, with the exception that they must remort Paladin or Cleric. Failure to follow this rule will result in immediate exile.) All races are welcomed.
The Crusaders are working towards the reconstruction and
expansion of the great temple and magnificent gardens that surround it. The main
clan area will be built up also, but this will very much take a back seat to the
Temple construction. At the temple, there will eventually be all manner of
healing available purchased by the clan in safe rooms the whole mud can access.
Eventually, shops and healing rooms with fires will be added, as well as other
conveniences. The gardens surrounding the temple will eventually feature many
statues depicting prominent members of the clan specially commissioned when a
member reaches a stage deemed worthy of a place in the gardens. Please see:
Crusader Clan Rules
For more detailed information on earning a Statue.
The clan worships the spirit of our slain leader the Nameless One and it is in his name and glory under which we strive to fulfill his promise of atonement to the realm. The clan will not ever hinder the efforts of other adventurers and will give aid when required provided such aid does not conflict with or hinder some holy deed essential for the continued fulfillment of our inherited task.
Although essentially good people, we will never again fall into the trap our ancestors fell into of benevolence. We shall not fall again.
1. Ward
2. Gallant
3. Sergeant
4. Lieutenant
5. Crusader
6. High Crusader
7. Holy Crusader
To join the clan a person must be of at least the 50th level of experience and have played for at least 50 hours. The applicant must be of either the Cleric or Paladin classes or be remorting to Cleric or Paladin at his/her next remort.
Please see Joining Us for more detailed information.
All members will join as a Ward (lowest rank) member and remain that rank for a very short period of time until they get the 'feel' of the clan.
Thereafter promotion shall be based on three factors:
*Level of experience
*Time served
*Service to other clan members and notable deeds
Please see Rules for more detailed information.
Demotion is not something taken lightly in the Crusaders, for we know the passion with which we seek to fulfil our righteous goals. Should a member bring about the decision of the clan to such an extent demotion is warranted, a vote by the clan shall be held and the offender shall be dealt with accordingly.
After a demotion, if an offender continuously plays up and has the clan at odds with each other, they shall be warned. If the warning is ignored, then once again a vote by the clan shall be held to determine the course of events.
Outcast is not something we would take lightly as we are passionate people and will defend each others actions to the death and never shall a rival clan's animosity towards a member bring about dismissal.
Members inactive for a period of one year or more may be put to a vote for outcasting.
The decisions made in the clan shall be by vote of the members.
The player must be a Paladin or Cleric, or remorted as one. Any race is welcome. Players must not be of evil alignment and must remain in this state whilst in the clan.