Structure of the Order
The Order's membership is divided into four sections: Infantry, Cavalry, Specialist, and Auxiliary.
Infantry
Insignia: Crossed Swords
The infantry is the largest and oldest branch of all armies, made up of soldiers who fight chiefly on foot, using light weapons. The infantry is charged with closing in to kill or capture the enemy, or repelling enemy assaults with missle fire and close combat. Infantry soldiers are the backbone of all armies. All the other elements of armies are organized to support the infantry in achieving this aim.
The Order Infantry Soldier is armed with long sword and bow, typically wearing leather or chainmail armor and bearing a large shield. The shield is blazoned with the Sword of the Order on a field whose color indicates his unit. The sword is worn high on the left side, to prevent interference with shield or bow usage.
Active infantry units are mounted on common horses for speed of deployment, but fight dismounted.
Requirements for infantry soldier:
- Long Sword Proficiency
- Bow Proficiency
Cavalry
Insignia: Crossed lances
The cavalry are mounted soldiers trained to fight on horseback. Throughout history cavalry troops were valued for their speed and mobility, and were used for reconnaissance, delaying actions, raiding parties, and pursuit and harassment of enemy troops.
The mainstay of the Order's Cavalry is made up of medium cavalry archers, riding specially bred war-horses and wearing chainmail armor and armed with bows, long swords, and medium lances.
The heavy cavalry arm of the Sword is drawn from the medium cavalry ranks, and is mounted on heavy war horses, wearing chainmail or better armor, and bearing composite bows, long swords, and heavy lances.
Requirements for cavalry soldier (in addition to Infantry requirements):
- Lance Proficiency
- Riding, Land (Horse)
Specialists
These detachments are made up of persons demonstrating valuable specialties necessary to the military and law-enforcement effort.
The Medical Corps is made up mainly of Priests of Anthor, Sembral, Mahacto, and Celenia
Insignia: Snake-wrapped staff
The Intelligence Corps is made up mainly of Truthseekers, Paladins, Fighter/Thieves, and Fighter/Thief/Mages
Insignia: Eye
The Engineering Corps is made up mainly of Fighter/Mages, Priests, Paladins, and Rangers with the Engineering proficiency.
Insignia: Flaming oil pot
Requirements for specialist soldier:
Applicants much demonstrate a special skill necessary to the military and law enforcement effort (Healing, Seigecraft, Scoutcraft, etc.)
Auxiliary
These are the non-combatants who are employed by the Order of the Sword. Cooks, Blacksmiths, Armorers, etc. They are afforded none of the benefits or restrictions of the Order beyond alignment restrictions.
Requirements: Valuable skill
| Infantry | |
| Cavalry | |
| Medic Corp | |
| Intelligence | |
| Engineering |
| E-1 Cadet/Reserve Constable | O-1 2nd Lieutenant |
| E-2 Constable | O-2 1st Lieutenant |
| E-3 Corporal | O-3 Captain |
| E-4 Sergeant | O-4 Major |
| E-5 Staff Sergeant | O-5 Lt. Colonel |
| E-6 Master Sergeant | O-6 Colonel |
| E-7 Sergeant Major | O-7 Brigadier General |
| E-8 Sergeant Major of the Sword | O-8 Lieutenant General |
| O-9 General of the Sword |
| Cadet/Special Constable | Shield |
| Reserve Constable | Sword of the Order on Shield |
| Constable | Sword of the Order |
| Coroporal | Two Chevrons (point up) |
| Sergeant | Three Chevrons up |
| Staff Sergeant | Three Chevrons up, One Chevron down |
| Master Sergeant | Three Chevrons up, Three Chevrons down |
| Sergeant Major | Three Chevrons up, Three Chevrons down & Scales |
| Sergeant Major of the Sword | Four Chevrons up, Four Chevrons down, Sword & Rod |
| 2nd Lieutenant | Brass Bar, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| 1st Lieutenant | Silver Bar, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Captain | Two Silver Bars, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Major | Brass Shield, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Lt. Colonel | Silver Shield, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Colonel | Silver Star, Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Brigadier General | Gold Star, Silver Scales & Sword of the Order |
| Lieutenant General | 2 Gold Stars, Silver Scales & Sword of the Order |
| General of the Sword | 3 Gold Stars, Gold Scales, Sword, and Rod |