Knights believe that the warrior energy in each of us is sacred, but like the element of fire, it must be carefully harnessed and disciplined. The preeminent qualities that a Knight of Asphodel must have are courage and discipline.

Candidates start out as squires and study for a minimum of a year. During this time, they are assigned to a knight for their training. The knight in question has full responsibility for giving their squire whatever training and information they may need, sending them to other teachers if necessary. Areas of study may include physical martial arts, magical combat, history, mythology, anthropology, etiquette, or any other field of study that the knight in question feels is necessary. The knight also aids the squire in designing and carrying out a personal ordeal of courage. After this, the candidate must write a paper on some aspect of the spiritual warrior, including a statement as to why they wish to enter in to the responsibility of knighthood.

At the same time, the squire is obligated to serve the knight in their duties in any fair and reasonable way. After the term of squirehood, which lasts until the knight master and the Senior Knight of the Order have determined that the candidate is ready, the squire will be initiated in a public ceremony at one of the major Asphodelian events. Knights swear fealty to the Crown of Asphodel, and are considered minor nobility. As such, they are expected to abide by the rules of noblesse oblige, just like any other member of the nobility.

The Knightly Order of Blutwasser does not discriminate on the basis of bodily configuration. Any sex, gender presentation, race, or appearance is allowed. A certain level of physical disability is allowed, so long as it does not interfere with pulling one's own weight with regard to knightly duties. Knights must undertake earnest study of at least one martial art and/or magical combat system. They must dedicate themselves to one or more warrior deities, and they must build a shrine to their patron or make an offering to an existing shrine. They must keep an honor altar at home with their ceremonial weapon displayed. They must wear their official KOB uniform at all events where they have official duties, unless assigned to another responsibility by the Senior Knight or the Crown. For information on the KOB, contact Sir Tannin, Senior Knight of Asphodel and King's Champion, at bonesand@gis.net.

Articles:
Oath of Fealty for the Realm of Asphodel
Northern European Warrior Cultures by Dame Allyson
Bushido: The Warrior Code of the Samurai by Sir Caz
Ordeal Ritual for Knighthood by Sir Caz

Warrior Archetypes:
I: Ares/Mars - The Adrenalin Warrior
II: Athena - Warrior As Strategist
III: Scatha - Teacher of Warriors
IV: Brigid - The Work Of War
V: Tyr - The Yoke Of Honor
VI: Cuchulain - Sacred Berserker
VII: Arthur - The Chivalrous Warrior
VIII: Thor - Defending The Needy
IX: Sekhmet - Dangerous Instinct
X: Hercules - Heroic Insanity
XI: Durga - Defeating Demons