Order on the Waves

Order on the Waves is a book recovered from the temporary outpost of the Thrice-Damned on Last Gasp Isle.

## Description

A heavy-set book bound in salt-stained leather, Order on the Waves serves as a doctrine of guidelines maintained by individuals that seek a life amongst the Thrice-Damned. While the rules of the Thrice-Damned prevent any single individual fully defining the constraints placed on another, they are not lawless folk, and so there are expectations placed on members of the scattered and dispersed society. This tome seems to detail many of these doctrines, referred formally to as the Stanchions of Liberty.

## Reading

### Completed by Ashewan (on behalf of Ódóvir)

In the early days of the Thrice-Damned, the organisation - or lack thereof - was utter chaos. Having thrown of the shackles perceived to be resting heavy upon them courtesy of the Radiant Triumvirate, some amongst their number revelled in lawlessness, delighting in actions and activities that would have garnered them fines, labour, conscription or likewise punishment beneath the laws of the Halls of the Lapidarium. And so the Thrice-Damned were nearly extinguished before they have truly blossomed, caught and culled from within by greed, jealousy and other vices. While many did indeed flock to their banner and ideals out of a need for escape from ongoing judicial efforts, most instead simply sought a life of greater freedoms and liberties, but found that to ensure this at least a few guidelines would indeed be necessary for the benefit of all. These would come to be known as the Stanchions of Liberty, serving as the foundations for the individual expectations and rules that a captain may propose, as per the fifth of the Stanchions, Liberty from Exploitation. The only time the Stanchions of Liberty do not reign supreme is when their doctrines clash with those of other Stanchions, such as those between Liberty from Assumption and Liberty from Expectation.

#### Liberty of Choice

To present a decision to other members of the Thrice-Damned, and likewise to yourself without spending the time or effort to consider alternatives, or at the very least the implications of no such decision is made, is considered uncouth amongst the members of the faction. To remove an individual's liberty to decide for themselves, even if the choices are dire or urgent, or most would agree that one option far outweighs the other, is unlawful, and by extension an individual's decision to choose an option that you consider inferior must be respected, as per the Fourth Stanchion, Liberty from Expectation - although you are not obligated to facilitate or aid them in the enactment of that decision.

#### Liberty of Opinion

No individual must be punished for the words offered when sharing an opinion, for instead such matters should be encouraged. A thought, a word, neither is a treasonous or treacherous thing, except to the individual themselves perhaps, it is when mind and tongue give way to the rest of body in action or inaction that one may then be confronted. Deeds define where an individual stands truly, not a passing remark or erudite dialogue. If you fear threat, fear betrayal from the words offered by another, prepare for it - but only when they move to enact that threat, that betrayal, must you respond as befitting.

#### Liberty from Assumption

All must given the assumption that they are as capable as any other individual, unless proven otherwise. Should an individual offer to undertake a task, they will be considered evenly and fairly against all those other that volunteer to do so, regardless of its scale or scope. All will be given a chance to plead their case of why they should be chosen for such a role, with the understanding that should they be made responsible for its enactment, with the expectation that if they find themselves unable to fulfil it, they will find and ensure another may continue. Be it the repair of a wicker basket or leading of an expeditionary voyage, this expectation is one of very few that is not superseded by the Fourth Stanchion, Liberty from Expectation.

#### Liberty from Expectation

No singular individual is bound to any task, any role. Just as the breeze passes through coast and cove as it wants, and the waves through themselves against the hulls of ships and the sands of the beach as they wish, there is no particular path that any one soul must take. The Fourth Stanchion ties explicitly to the First Stanchion, the Liberty of Choice, for individuals always have a choice, between that which is thought or expected of them, and an alternative. Nonetheless, as per the Second and Third Stanchions, it is through actions that an individual is defined, and so repeated sloth, deceit or other habits unbefitting and unaiding of society will be used to lawfully place opinions and assumptions on that individual worthy of all to take note of. Nonetheless, none will be unduly penalised for living with freedom in their heart as they act in accordance with their own wants and needs.

#### Liberty from Exploitation

Respect, not rulership defines the relationship between a captain and their crew. The captain, while it is their hand that may rise when calls for ownership are muttered, acknowledges that without a crew, they possess a body without blood. A crew, while it is their hands that pull at rope and carry box and crate, acknowledges that without a captain, they are a net without bait. Both serve a vital purpose to the other, and efforts to upset or disrupt the balance between the pair surely cause turmoil and trouble. When a captain proposes a destination for their travels, a new guideline to govern them up the waves, a new goal for their efforts, it is to be voted upon by all that serve into the vital purpose, by majority defined.