I just began playing a cyber-knight for the first time and felt it would be helpful to plot out what her feeling on the code of chivalry because otherwise when RPing I know I'll default to my personal feeling not the characters. It then occured to me it would be neat/interesting/helpful to know how other characters interpret its various sections. I intend to outline Hild's feelings on every section/subsection of the code but am not finished.
The Code of Chivalry As Interpreted By Lady Hild the Nicknameless
Preface: Lady Hild believes the Code of Chivalry is central to what it means to be a cyber-knight and must be upheld not because she believes in some abstract concept like personal honor or because she thinks fair play is somehow more moral or good than being sneaky and underhanded. Hild believes cyber-knights must pledge themselves to upholding the code because of the practical real-world benefits doing so yields.
“As cyber-knights our greatest strength, our true power, is not our psi-swords, our cyber-armor, or zen combat it is our reputation. When others see a cyber-knight they know that they have nothing to fear from us unless they are tyrannizing others, and even those who do tyrannize others know that we can still be reasoned with, that if we win they won’t be tortured or harmed any more than necessary, that their family and loved ones won’t suffer as well. If none need fear unprovoked acts of aggression from cyber-knights, if none who interact with cyber-knights feels disrespected, if all know a cyber-knight even when their foe can absolutely be trusted than few will ever have reason to raise their hand against any of us and many will have reason to lend us their aid.”
“Adherence to the Code of Chivalry means that no one should ever decide to preemptively attack a cyber-knight for fear that they will not be able to defend themselves should the cyber-knight attack without warning; even the most renowned war criminal will know that he has nothing to fear from a cyber-knight if a cyber-knight has not already contacted him and attempted to negotiate.”
To Live
1: "Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect"
• Don't get too crazy when utilizing the "Avoid Cheating" loophole.
• When unsure what to do ask yourself "Would Lord Coake make a frowny face or a smiley face if he heard about this?"
• If you break the code Lord Coake isn't going to come and give you a spanking. If we learn of it your master and the rest of the fellowship may decide to punish you in some manner, but this is not why you should uphold it you should uphold it because you think its the right thing to do. At the end of the day we're alone out here and we have to be able to answer to ourselves for our actions.
2: "Live Life For Freedom, Justice, and All That Is Good"
• Lord Coake founded the Fellowship to improve the lives of all those living on the Earth so get off your ass, get out there, and make it happen.
• Your psi-sword and other powers are not playthings they're tools; the means to an end.
Fair Play
Concerning Fair Play: It is a fact that in certain situations the code calls for a cyber-knight to forsake methods that might end a conflict sooner in favor of ones that might jeopardize their crusade, that risk allowing evil foes to triumph.
This isn't because underhanded means or the use of overwhelming force are inherently bad or evil but due to the effect victories achieved through such methods have on those who experience or learn of them.
Those who see someone or some group defeated or slain by methods or powers they were defenseless against will remember it and they will worry that such a thing might happen to them. This anxiety will grow every time they see or hear of another person or group slain without warning or by enemies to whom they pose no threat. This anxiety builds in the world and the more it does the more people will seek relief from this constant exhausting fear, fear that persists even when they can perceive any immediate threat. Against such potential threats there can only be one defense: preemption. "Do unto others before they do unto you." This mindset drives good people to tyrannize and kill others who have done them no harm. A belief in the indecency of others makes it all to easy to justify ones own indecency
And so by not attacking unsuspecting enemies, by not turning their psi-swords upon those who have no hope of defending themselves against its blow, and ensuring any they slay or defeat die having had a chance, having had time to prepare themselves, and having had the means to defend themselves cyber-knights might reassure all who learn of them an their victories that perhaps they too can afford to withhold from attacking others until they have been attacked.
To Hild a cyber-Knight risks themselves not for some selfish desire not to sully themselves, or because there is some intrinsic value in fair play, but to counter the constant gnawing fear of the common man. A man will know it need not be a dog-eat-dog world if they see even one dog forgo eating a weaker one even when it could have.
1: Never Attack an Unarmed Foe
• By "Unarmed" the code means those who cannot harm you or others. A mage, psionic, juicer, even a skilled martial artist may be unarmed, but that does not mean they are "unarmed."
• A good rule of thumb is that anyone who can dish it out can take it. You can put a man beating a beggar on his ass but you can't cut him in half.
2: Never Use A Psi-Sword On A Foe Not Equal To The Attack
• This injunction deals with disproportionate response. Any foe without mega-damage capacity body armor, hide, etc or equivalent defense capacity can be dealt with by any cyber-knight worth his salt without killing him/her/it.
• Threatening someone with a psi-sword is not the same as "using it on them."
• This does not mean such foes should be dealt with using a laser rifle or a vibro-blade either, don't be an *******.
• Using a Psi-Sword on some uppity thugs SDC weapon or vehicle is, however, totally kosher.
3: "Unhorsed"
• By "Unhorsed" the code does not of course mean anyone not riding a horse. Rather it refers to any foe at a significant size disadvantage to the CK when mounted and who does not posses significantly greater strength and/or mobility than the cyber-knight were they on foot. Thus Vampire, Power Armor pilots, those equipped with jetpacks, mages or psychics whose abilities can trap or disorient the CK, certain juicers and full-conversion combat cyborgs etc all count as mounted.
• On the other hand any foe who is without their normal means of defense ie a pilot outside of their machine, a mage who for whatever reason can't cast, an enemy whose run totally out of ammunition, any otherwise potent foe who's been seriously injured, etc IS "unhorsed."
4: "Attack From Behind"
• To Hild this injunction is also metaphorical. By “attacking from behind” it means attacking without warning. A cyber-knight must always first seek to resolve any conflict or potential conflict peacefully. Once non-violent means have failed however, if an opponent absolutely must be stopped sneak attacks etc are fair game; if they know they face a cyber-knight and have chosen to persist in their course of action in spite of that fact then the responsibility for guarding against said cyber-knight lies with them.
• Never slay someone without giving them some chance to defend him/herself or surrender for until you do you cannot know that they are truly an enemy.
5: "Avoid Cheating"
• A cyber-knight should obey the code because of their belief that by doing so he/she can make the world a better place not because Lord Coake is some kind of pseudo-Moses descended from the mountain with stone tablets bearing a list of absolute truths.
• If you're REALLY in a pickle remember the code does not instruct one to "never cheat" it instructs us to "AVOID cheating." This is an important distinction. Remember, we're lawful good not lawful stupid.
• Spirit of Law>Letter of Law
6: Avoid Torture
• More than the psi-sword a cyber-knight's greatest weapon and asset is moral high ground; don't forfeit this advantage for methods that rarely prove effective and will always alienate all who learn of it. Summoning an army of demons and slaughtering surrendering dead boys didn't save Tolkeen but it did drive away potential allies. Don't be Tolkeen. (**** you Kevin why is this **** in here?)
Nobility
1: Exhibit Self Control
• A cyber-knight should only embark on a course of action or make an important decision after careful thought and consideration, never based on impulse or knee-jerk emotional reactions.
2: "Show Respect For Authority"
• It is not a cyber-knights place to judge the worthiness of those in power over others. A CK may deem the works of that ruler evil or unjust and fight to oppose them and their works, but whether or not that individual(s) should rule is not your business; it is the business of those over whom they rule and as such you will show them all due courtesy. Even should you find yourself forced to kill such an authority figure you will show them every courtesy both in deed and in action even after their death (take no trophies or allow trophies to be taken [note: a necromancer using a dragons body parts for practical purposes is not trophy-taking. Trophy taking is mounting the dragon’s head on your wall so you can point at it when visitors come by and say “Ha ha I killed that. I’m so great.”]).
• It is imperative that the fellowship and all its sons and daughters not allow themselves to be drawn into politics and showing disrespect towards one who holds authority within a group is an inherently political act.
3: Obey the Laws If They Do Not Supersede the Rights of Life
• As a cyber-knight your first obligation is to uphold justice and fight evil and as such you should not hesitate to violate local laws if they would prevent you from doing so. In all other situations you have an obligation to obey all laws. There can be no peace or justice without law and order and as a cyber-knight it is your duty to act as an example for others.
• Furthermore your actions effect not only your reputation but the reputation of all cyber-knights, by violating local laws in situations where it is not absolutely necessary you not only undermine the peace and stability of society you make the fellowship seem no different than any common juicer or thug with access to MDC equipment.
4: Administer Justice
• Justice is NOT revenge! Do not seek vengeance for yourself or on behalf of others. Attacking a bandit because he he endangers the lives of others is your duty, attacking a bandit because he killed that poor villager's husband and child is NOT! If you find yourself enraged or hateful do not pursue an enemy no matter how hateful. Someone filled with rage or grief can't be trusted to know and do justice. If possible inform another member of the fellowship of the situation. Be warned this may be the hardest thing you ever do and others your enemy has wronged will hate you for it.
5: Administer Mercy
• A cyber-knight is not an avatar of karma and as such we may never harm anyone because they are evil or have done wrong. We may only ever do harm if it is apparent that by harming an individual we are preventing greater harm to themselves or others in the future. A cyber-knight must prevent tyrants from further wrongdoing and deter would-be tyrants, but we must never punish.
6: Protect the Innocent
• Innocent does not mean they have never done wrong or are even good people. Horrible people may still be "innocent" in many contexts.
7: Respect "Women"
• By “women” the code means those who bring life into the world, those who give birth not only to children but ideas, art, technology; those who create something of value where once there was nothing
• Perhaps by showing these engines of progress greater respect than others the cyber-knight might reinforce their dedication to their works and encourage such behavior in others.
Valor
1: Exibit Courage In Word and Deed
2: Defend The Weak and Innocent
• Not only are the weak and innocent every bit as deserving of protection as the strong or guilty most of the tyrants their vulnerability attracts are the sort of bully who is unlikely to ever cease their wrongdoing while at the same time posing little threat to cyber-knights and others actually capable of putting up a fight. Thus by championing those least able to defend themselves a cyber-knight is likely to make the greatest difference.
3: Fight For An Ideal, Like Freedom
• Getting “fat loot” is not "like freedom." Neither are coke and hookers.
4: Fight With Honor
5: Avenge The Wronged
• Not because it is your duty to punish wrongdoers but so that any who contemplating wrongdoing must weigh the potential benefits of their wrongdoing against the knowledge they must ever after fear they may have to face the psi-blade of a cyber-knight for it.
6: Never Abandon A Friend, Ally, or Noble Cause
• See Preface
Honor
1: Always Keep One's Word of Honor
• Do not give your word of honor lightly or without a thorough understanding of what all you might be obliged to do if it is given.
• When you give your word of honor do so very precisely. Qualifiers are your friend. People frequently think cyber-knights are lawful stupid and will attempt to use sob stories to enlist their aid for less than honorable purposes then cry "but you gave your word of honor" when the Cyber-Knight balks; don't get caught in this situation.
2: Always Maintain One's Principles
• See Preface
3: Never Betray A Confidence or Comrade
• See Preface
4: Avoid Deception
• See Preface
5: Respect Life
6: Honor All Life
7: Respect All Views of Life
Courtesy
1: Exhibit Manners
• Address people as they wish to be addressed
• Sarcasm is unbecoming
• Wipe boots before entering structures or vehicles
• Do not laugh at the misfortune of others, even if its REALLY funny. If you can't help yourself put your helmet on and mute external speakers (watching Fail vids does not count)
• Avoid I-told-you-sos unless you feel shaming someone is in their best interests
• Beware smugness and self satisfaction they're like pride's evil twin
• Speak in a manner that your audience understands and is comfortable with. (Thus obscenity is to be avoided in some situations and is mandatory in others).
• Wherever possible bury/cremate bodies or return them to next of kin
• When camping Leave No Trace where feasible
2: Be Polite and Attentive
• Not only are these nice things to do they cost you little and have great practical benefits. Rudeness easily creates enemies where previously you had none and you will learn much simply by paying attention to others; remember knowledge is power and even the most obnoxious ignoramous might still say something worth hearing.
3: Be Respectful of Host, Women, and Honor
• One who shelters others and or allows them into their homes or private places is aiding or at least working with others which is exactly the kind of cooperation the world needs; you must never make someone regret doing so even if they're a tool.
• By “women” Lord Coake (who’s a bit of a patriarchal twat) means the romantic or sexual interests of whoever you are dealing with. This is a purely practical rule as few things can turn a friendly ally into a homicidal nutjob faster than the hormonal **** perceived inappropriate behavior or thoughts about their boopsikins can unleash.
• Cyber-knights must respect others sense of honor for much the same reasons as respecting their significant other. Too much justice needs doing for you to get yourself stabbed because you embarrassed someone in public.
Loyalty
1: To One's Principles and Heart
• (Mandatory In Bruges reference)
2: To One's Friends and Those Who Lay Their Trust In Thee
• Any who need this explained to them bring shame upon Lord Coake and are a disgrace to the fellowship.
3: To The Code of Chivalry
• Included because Lord Coake knows there will always be some ******* who goes, "There's nothing in the code that says I should obey the code though so it's cool if I spend this small village's savings on coke and hookers."
