Ceremonies

## Citizenship Ceremony

*Assembled by Veldarius and Azu'lae - 6/15/2020*

**Part 1 - Introduction**

1. The officiator will assemble the subjugate(s) at a Citizenship Ceremony located in either the Amgarrak Stronghold or the FSS *Fatebreaker* Flagship. CC locations hold a blood chalice.
2. The subjugate(s) will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the center of the ceremony area, facing the officiator. The officiator shall introduce themselves and any reputable members present, requiring that all subjugates recognize the proper titles.
3. The officiator will order subjugate(s) to kneel.
4. Once all subjugates have knelt, the officiator will begin:
	1. “Aspiring citizens, you come before the Fireborn Sovereignty today to seek citizenship under a new banner and creed. From all over the galaxy, we draw new blood - those who are disillusioned with previous lords or simply seeking a new place to call home.”
	2. “Within this order we enforce camaraderie, brotherhood, unity, and strength for the benefit of the whole over the individual. We extend an invitation to you, in exchange for your steadfast allegiance.”
	3. “Knowing this, do you wish to proceed?”
5. The subjugate(s) will respond in the affirmative. If not, they are rejected citizenship and ousted from the ceremony.
6. When the subjugate(s) respond in the affirmative, the officiator will address each subjugate one-by-one with the following question:
	1. “Very well.”
	2. “Who are you, and what do you bring to the Fireborn Sovereignty?”
7. The subjugate will respond, answering the question and stating their name.
8. Steps 6 and 7 will repeat for each subjugate present.

**Part 2A - Force User / General Non-Force User**

1. The officiator will beckon the individual forward, making note of the large chalice beside them. The officiator will then state the following:
	1. “It is time to administer the oath. It is an oath of loyalty and compassion, brotherhood and unity. Do you swear to uphold the tenets of our order, whatever the cost may be?”
2. The individual will answer in the affirmative. The officiator will then gesture to the chalice and the knife beside it. They will indicate that the ceremony requires blood, and request that the subjugate administer a cut to their left hand. The subjugate shall do so, allowing the blood to seep into the chalice. The officiator then states:
	1. “Do you swear your undying allegiance to the Fireborn Sovereignty?”
3. The individual will respond in the affirmative. The official shall conclude:
	1. “Through fire, through darkness, and into death your oath binds you. Today you are reborn a member of the Fireborn Sovereignty. Rise, citizen, and begin your journey.”
4. The officiator shall indicate that the subjugate is to return to their spot, continuing down the line until all subjugates have administered oaths.

**Part 2B - Mandalorian / Alternate NFU**

1. The officiator will beckon the individual forward, stating the following:
	1. “It is time to strike a contract. It is a contract that benefits not only our Sovereignty, but those who agree to sign it. Do you swear to uphold our laws and customs--to fight alongside the Sovereignty--to the extent your beliefs allow?”
2. The individual will answer in the affirmative. The officiator will then produce a datapad with said contract. They will indicate for the subjugate to make their mark on the datapad. The subjugate shall do so. The officiator then states:
	1. “Do you swear to serve the interests of the Fireborn Sovereignty?”
3. The individual will respond in the affirmative. The official shall conclude:
	1. “Through fire, through darkness, you are honor-bound by your word. Today, you join the ranks of the Fireborn Sovereignty. Rise, and together we shall work towards glory.
4. The officiator shall indicate that the subjugate is to return to their spot, continuing down the line until all subjugates have administered oaths.

**Part 3 - Conclusion**

1. The officiator shall address the subjugate(s), informing them that they are all citizens of the Fireborn Sovereignty. In that respect, they not only represent themselves, but the Fireborn Sovereignty as a whole.
2. The officiator shall inform the subjugate(s) of the Academy, making clear that it is next on their path as citizens.
3. The officiator will take all questions pertaining to the Fireborn Sovereignty or the Academy, before dismissing the subjugate(s) and calling the ceremony to a close.

## Graduation Ceremony

Students wishing to graduate from the Ember Academy must have a credit in all four classes to graduate. Credits are gained through attending a class or passing the corresponding exam.

Graduates will be informed of their status following the 'Overview of the Ministries' Academy class every week. Upon being confirmed for graduation, students will attend a graduation ceremony in the Ember Academy (graduation ceremonies are open to all members of the Sovereignty):

1. The Graduation ceremony has four levels of participants: Officiator, Commencement Speaker, Graduate, Spectator.
	* The Officiator is the Praetor, High Overseer or Inquisitor - they will run the ceremony.
	* The Commencement Speaker is the special guest who will give the commencement speech.
	* Graduates are the eligible students who will be assigned masters, ranks and/or roles in the Sovereignty.
	* Spectators are any and all of the non-aforementioned citizens who wish to attend.
2. Before conducting a graduation ceremony, the High Overseer must confer with each student and get an idea of where and with who the students will be assigned. Ministry leaders who want recruits should talk to individual students during the 'Overview of the Ministries' Academy class. The students will ultimately decide their careers but their masters are assigned by the High Overseer and the Praetor or their designee(s).
3. At the graduation, citizens will be summoned to the auditorium of the Ember Academy. Students will sit in the chairs facing the throne, spectators will sit in the chairs on the sides. The highest-ranking member of the Fireborn Sovereignty present for the graduation will serve as the Commencement Speaker, unless another is assigned.
4. The Officiator will call the meeting to order and begin with:
	* "We gather here, today, in the name of the Fireborn Sovereignty to honor the graduates of the Ember Academy. Graduates, rise."
5. Officiator will wait for the candidates to rise, and ask:
	* "You came to this academy untested and unproven, but the knowledge you have gained here will help you better serve your Sovereignty. Before we begin, I must ask you: do you still honor the oath you swore as citizen of the Fireborn Sovereignty?"
6. The students will answer in the affirmative or be denied assignments and face potential expulsion.
7. The Officiator will then direct the students to sit and will introduce the Commencement Speaker. They will then pause for applause before yielding the floor.
8. The Commencement speaker will give brief remarks of their choosing. The theme should be service to the Sovereignty, unity, loyalty and/or strength during troubling times ahead. The Officiator will again pause for applause.
9. The Officiator will then call the candidates up one by one. They will kneel before the Officiator where the Officiator will say:
	* "Congratulations (acolyte for Sith, student for non-Sith), you have passed the tests and trials of this academy. You will henceforth be a full and faithful citizen of the Fireborn Sovereignty. You will be assigned to (name of master for sith, name of commander for non-sith). Rise, take your seat and report to your master as soon as they are available after this ceremony."
10. The officiator will repeat this process with every graduate present.
11. At the end the officiator will ask the graduates to rise, and wait for them to comply before concluding with:
	* "Graduates, Serve your Praetor, Bring Glory to your Sovereignty and may the Force ever serve us!"
12. After waiting for the customary response, the Officiant will end the ceremony.

## Knighting Ceremony

New initiates to the Knighthood will appear before the Grand Master and the Knight Commander, who are wreathed in a circle of fire.

1. The Grand Master will extend their hand, and ask “Will you follow me into fire, into darkness, into death?”

1. Those brave enough to take the oath will answer in the affirmative by passing through the flames and kneeling before the Grand Master, the palm of their right hand turned upwards. The Grand Master will step forward, and ask each initiate their name. Upon receiving the names, the Grand Master will declare “From this day forward, you will live by the sacred oath of the Order of the Starbird. Recite the oath, and declare your dedication to the covenant before the flames of the Forge.”
2. The initiates will then recite the oath:
> *“Through the flames I enter this sacred brotherhood. In the light of the Forge my watch begins, and it shall not end until my death. I am the spark of the chain as it is torn asunder, and I shall protect the Sovereignty with honor, dignity and strength. I will lay down my life for her people. We are the Blade, the Shield, and the Shapers of Fate; and never shall I give reason for doubting my fidelity. Never shall I dishonor this office. Never shall I falter in my duty. I am a Knight of the Realm from this day to the end of days."*
>
>

4. The Grand Master will then cut his own right palm. He will draw the symbol of the Sovereignty on the initiate’s upturned palms and say: “May the Tutai Qo guide you in your path forward.”
5. Knights are then told "that is your oath" and struck viciously so that they remember it.
6. Upon swearing the Oath, the newly-initiated Knights will be awarded with a personally-tailored set of armor to be worn when acting in their official duties. They are also awarded with the Insignia of the Order, to be worn when their armor is not donned.