The Praesidium

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Contents

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Overview

By Iannis Nikou
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By Iannis Nikou

The Praesidium is a military styled organization that was founded in the mid-90's by Gaius Arctorus and his motley after their escape from Faerie. The group pledged to defend the escaped Changelings from further incursions of the Gentry, and have taken to defending freeholds against those incursions, or their agents, when called upon.

The soldiers of the Praesidium are not wholly knightly, although some of the upper level officers follow various codes of honor according to their histories and whims. Additionally, the Praesidium draws heavily on the mythos of old Arthurian legend, pre-dating the French interpretations of the middle ages. Like its counterpart in the Order of the Isle, many individuals in the order find inspiration and moral guidance from old Arthurian legend. While they don't believe themselves to be such legends themselves, they see nothing wrong in following the guidance of such tales - before those tales were perverted and twisted by the very Fae that they sometimes speak of. To the Order of the Isle and to the Praesidium, the human creation of such stories is both a caution of what lies in the primal wood and outside of the bounds of loyalty and friendship, and a beacon of hope that such ideals can still exist. It is important to note also that the older Arthurian tales bound in roman and Celtic myth are by no means the shining beacons of chivalry and light that many of the later, more sanitized versions present. They are full of grisly acts, repentance, darkness, battle, madness, but, ultimately, the struggle to be heroes and better people.

While the Praesidium is founded by a Roman-styled Character, and based on the Roman style of military organization, the PC's involved do not have to be Roman based in nature and can come from any walk of life or kith.

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Theme

Unity, Fraternity. While there is a certain hierarchy within the Praesidium, the overarching theme is one of brotherhood and unity against adversity.

This hierarchy is actually only observed during matters of large-scale battle or warfare, where a clear chain of command must be kept in place in order for the Praesidium to function. Outside of those situations, the titles and cloaks that hold the formality of the Order are often left to court situations or the Praesidium's Feast and Vigil rituals; barring those, each member of the Praesidium is left to co-ordinate with the others to the completion of their mutual goals and precepts.

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Organization

National Level Officers:

    • The National level is organized into a Roman-styled Cohort.
      • Pilus Prior - The First Centurion and General of the Praesidium
      • Signifier - A member of the Praesidium's upper staff, the Signifier handles resource management as a Quartermaster for the military organization.

Regional Level Officers:

    • The regional level of the Praesidium is organized into a unit called a "Century"
      • Centurion - The Regional commander of the Praesidium's forces.
        • Optio - Should there be a large enough contingent, the Centurion can appoint a second in command, known as an Optio.
      • Aquilifer - In regions with a significant presence of the Praesidium, one of the unit's members can be appointed as the Banner Warden for the Century.
      • Decurion - The standard soldier of the Praesidium.
        • Bondsman - A changeling who has not yet trained sufficiently to be a Decurion in the Century, but is apprenticed to a member of the Praesidium.
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Precepts and Laws of the Preasidium

The Praesidium is founded on three central principles, and the laws of the military organization follow the same suit. Founded as it was by escaped slaves and gladiators, the Praesidium's forces heed three, direct, mandates:

    • Defend any and all Changelings from the Gentry when encountered
    • Defend any and all Freeholds that seek reasonable aid
    • Make every effort to rescue other members of the Lost from the Hedge.

The Laws of the Praesidium

In accordance with the three mandates that the Cohort follows without fail, the laws of the Praesidium compel completion of those mandates and forbids actions which aid the enemy.

    • The First Law of the Cohort covers the mandate to defend the Lost from the Gentry and any of their agents, be they hedge-beasts or loyalist changelings, when such makes itself apparent. Likewise, it gives a prohibition against working with and cooperating with any such beings.
    • The Second Law of the Cohort covers the mandate to defend any and all Freeholds that ask for reasonable aid, and prohibits the abandonment of a Freehold in their time of need if it can be avoided.
    • The Third Law of the Cohort covers the mandate to rescue any changelings from the hazards of the hedge, and prohibits any action that would result in the Lost being returned to the Fae.

The Praesidium's Justice

All crimes against the Cohort’s regulations are overseen by a Court Martial of Three Centurions. In the event of a Major Offense, the three Centurions must come to a unanimous finding of Guilt, and a likewise unanimous finding of justice.

The Court Martial can range a breach against the Praesidium as a minor, moderate, or major offense and will assign punishment as applicable. This can range from the minor, being a temporary pledge or imprisonment, to more moderate issues, such as floggings or heavier pledges. In the case of extreme breaches of the group's precepts, such as a willful betrayal to the Fae, the Court Martial can come to a verdict of execution.

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Traditions of the Praesidium

Tradition of the Archive

The Order of The Isle maintains the Praesidium's Archives, comprised of three metal-wrought texts. The traditions regarding these books are as follows:

    • The Bronze Chronicle

Each member of a Century signs their name in the Bronze Chronicle upon their acceptance and their pledge-taking to the unit. Brought out once a year during the Feast of the Summer Spear, the Bronze Chronicle is a physical manifestation of the unity and fraternity of the Cohort as a whole. Such unity has caused many of the Cohort to refer to each other with the title "Brother" in general usage, and for a member of the Cohort to swear an oath upon the Bronzed Chronicle is to swear an oath on that brotherhood.

    • The Silver Chronicle

The silver-wrought tome is often used in times of joy, for in it is the record of names for every changeling the Cohort has rescued, every foe vanquished, and every changeling rescued. Indeed, some of the very names inside the Argent Tome are also recorded in the Bronze Chronicle after a changeling's rescue.

    • The Iron Chronicle

While not forged of cold iron, this iron-wrought text is held only by the head of the Order of The Isle and brought out at the yearly Summer Feast and Winter Vigil. Members of the Cohort who wish to make a solemn pledge, oath, or goal for the upcoming year make public their declaration during these two festivals and swear their oath into the Iron Tome. For members of the Cohort, to swear an Oath upon the Iron text is akin to swearing their Keeper's name.

Feast of the Summer Spear

Each year the Praesidium gathers on the Summer Equinox for a feast and tournament highly reminiscent of the Summer Court tournaments; owing to the high number of Summer Court changelings present within the organization. During this time, the Cohort pits its membership against each other in training duels and sparring matches, going so far as to close the evening with a Century against Century series of wargames. As the night of the equinox comes to a close, the soldiers of the Praesidium retire to their feast and the Order of The Isle brings out the Iron Chronicle for the Summertime Oaths.

During this time, changelings who are interested in joining the Praesidium are invited to attend the Feast and are tested by the Pilus Prior and his Centurions in matters ranging from physical prowess, magical skill, mental adriotness, tactics, and ethics. Should, for some reason, the changeling yet be found wanting, they are invited to remain as a bondsman for a period of time under one of the Cohort's officers.

Vigil of the Broken Spear

During the Winter Equinox, the cohort gathers again for a much more somber feast. Lasting deep into the night, this feast is marked by somber reflection of those of the Praesidium and its allies who have fallen, as well as paying proper respect for those still under the chains of their Keepers in Faerie. During the Vigil of the Broken Spear, the Order of The Isle brings out the Iron Tome for winter and somber oaths of revenge or sorrow.

Hetaera

Each Century has the option of having this unranked 'position' within their Century. Referred to as the "Morale Officer" in polite discussion, the Hetaera is a member of the Century that flits from city to city, and occasionally bed to bed, in order to help keep the peace and unity of the Century in the face of many strong personalities and traumatic times. While not an official rank, the Hetaera is something of a barracks-mother, both tending to the mental health of the Century, but also joining them on the field of battle.

Uniforms

Owing to the varied cultures that members of the Praesidium come from, there is no uniform, per se, but instead a navy blue cloak done in golden trim for the Praesidium and silver trim for the Order of The Isle. The usage and timing for wearing of this scant uniform requirement are further kept only to personal choice, or formal matters of the Cohort, such as Feasts or warfare.

(For More In-Depth Information see Praesidium Detailed)

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Membership

Joining the Praesidium

  • Mechanical Requirements: Wyrd 2, Brawl 3, Weaponry 4
  • Joining the Praesidium:
    • Pre-1995
      • For a changeling to be a member of the Praesidium from before 1995 requires membership in the core motley that founded the organization.
    • 1995 - 2008
      • For a general background tie and membership in the cohort, the PC must have been sponsored by one of the original Centurions and cannot enter play with more than three awards from pre-chronicle events.
    • 2008 +
      • Requirements above and sponsorship by one of the regional Centurions.



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Roster of Current Membership

If no rank is indicated, the member is either listed as a Decurion or a scout for the Praesidium.

Crest of Former Century I
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Crest of Former Century I


Crest of Former Century III
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Crest of Former Century III


  • Located in the NE Region (Formerly century II)
    • Crest: Gules, a wyvern rampant Argent
    • Maze


Crest of Former Century IV
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Crest of Former Century IV
  • Located in the EC Region (Formerly Century IV)


  • Unassigned


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Allies

Old Man Jennings - Supplies the Praesidium with arms and armor for a discounted price. Also lends them a helping hand when they need it. As of December 21, 2008, Old Man Jennings was killed in the line of Duty protecting the House of Cards freehold.

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Quotes and Opinions

The Insider's Perspective:

  • "The Praesidium was founded to do one thing: safeguard the Lost. On the whole, we avoid the politics that bog down many of the Freeholds so that we can maintain to that standard. It is our honor, our duty, and our burden. I may not care for a great many of the Lost, but I shall defend them from the Others until my dying breath." - Gaius Arctorus
  • "My Brothers and Sisters, both on and off the field of battle. We are pack in the truest sense of the word."-Kalen Blazenheart
  • They are strong, loyal, and honorable. They will fight until the death to keep the Lost safe. And they are still human. It is their humanity that I exist for, the reason I nudge and push and pray for them to remain following the light of their path. It is why the Order reminds them of what they cannot see - because without it I fear they'd be lost to ideals and temper and fire. Together though? Together I do not believe there is anything that the Praesidium and the Order could not accomplish." - Edria Meredith
  • This one was there at the start of the Praesidium, and has finally joined. They have the potential to do great good in a dangerous world. If they do not overstep their goals and becoming a conquering army, perhaps this one may find his answer with them. - James Daniels
  • "They say an army marches on its stomach. This one marches on its reputation, and they maintain it in the cleverest way: by not caring about it. Their hearts are pure, for being human, and that shines out." - Bandabras Pelinor

Outsider Opinions:

  • "When they do as they are intended? They are a decent shield wall, rather dedicated, and some of them aren't terrible conversationalists either. When they slip into imperialism? Well, Teutoburger Wald broke the Legions once before..."-die Rattenkönigin
  • "The march on a road paved with good intentions." - Gallowglass
  • "Circles and forests are not meant for straight lines." - Nujalik
  • "For a time, our paths were the same. It is to this one's great sorrow that they have diverged even a little. For a time, they were family. Now this one wanders alone once again and time will tell what the future will bring. This one believes this, though - if there is a cause that needs heroes, the Praesidium will offer them." - James Daniels
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Rumors

  • Feel free to add rumors!
    • In order to reach a regional or national position in the Praesidium, a person must wrestle a True Fae to a standstill.
    • There is tension in the upper ranks of the organization
    • The Praesidium has been hired by the Underground Railroad to guard escaping Changelings.
    • There is at least one Beast who makes it her personal goal to haze, prank, con, and annoy newer Praesidium recruits
    • Forming The Praesidium is simply a way for Gaius Arctorus to gain power and influence through his very own personality cult.
    • The Praesidium nearly violated its honor by refusing defense of a freehold that offended the Pilus Prior.
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Contact Info

Name: Jake Tessler

Email: mordecai_neoton@yahoo.com

Retrieved from "http://changeling.cam-wiki.org/The_Praesidium"
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