Constitution of Istiniar

Preamble

To ensure that the atmosphere inside the clan is good for our members, to gain and keep a reputation on the outside as a mature and nice clan and to have a competitive clan with members that follow a hierarchy and orders so that organised and effective playing becomes easier, this set of rules, known as the "Constitution of Istiniar" was written.

Legend:
[>] – you can find a detailed explanation of the sentence or term mentioned before the sign in the glossary.

General Rules

Behaviour

• Do not whine constantly and do not be rude to other players.
• Do not insult other players and do not flame them in servers or on forums.
• Do not violate general or server-specific rules.
• Do not accuse other clans of anything or insult them or their members in-game or on the forums. Even when you believe them to be violating rules in a match - tell it to a member of the nobility [>] and let them deal with it.

Using the chat in matches and trainings

• Do not use general text-chat while alive in a match, so that messages of the leaders can be seen and others can concentrate on fighting.
• Avoid casual chatter during matches or training battles, chat (this includes general as well as team-chat) should be reserved for tactical and strategic purposes. Try to judge the situation and post suggestions for tactics, when the circumstances fit best, for example at the beginning of a round or while dead. Persistent violations will be viewed in a negative light.

Speaking in the name of the Guard

Only the Emperor and the Dukes may speak or act in the clan's name (organize matches, make decisions in affairs with other clans, form new sub-clans or branches in other games). Everyone else is forbidden to do so, unless they have a permission to do so by the Emperor or Dukes.

Piracy and other illegal actions

Promoting illegal actions (like piracy) is forbidden. For example praising piracy or suggesting others to download pirated goods on servers, in the forums, server or on TeamSpeak is something that will see you banned from the clan, servers and TeamSpeak.

Clan-Tag

The Clan-Tag is "IG_". After the tag the rank is stated like this: "IG_Rct_Name". Members have to display this tag, while non-members are forbidden to use it.

It is allowed to have multiple characters that don’t display the tag, as long as the character displaying the tag is used regularly and the alternative character does not have an illegal or tasteless name (like "Dr_Mengele").

Being part of or impersonating other clans

• It is not allowed to be in other Warband-clans at the same time. This includes modifications of Warband, ie. is not limited to "Native". Upon special consideration by the Privy Council, exceptions may be made on case-by-case basis.
• It is forbidden to use the tag of a clan you are not a member of.

TeamSpeak-specific rules

TeamSpeak mandatory in matches and trainings

In official clan-events like trainings and matches, every member participating in that event must be in TeamSpeak. If he or she has a microphone/headset to participate verbally, that is even better. So please, make sure that you can speak or at least listen in TeamSpeak while in training or battle.

Speaking while in matches or match-simulating trainings

While in a match or in a training that simulates a match everyone above the rank Knight is allowed to suggest tactics. Everyone is encouraged to warn others of approaching enemies, however the player issuing a warning is asked to keep the warnings short and precise. Private conversations or conversations regarding other things than the actual match must take place before or after that match or at any other time.

English only

We want to build and maintain a community of players that respect and like each other. In order to do that we first need to understand each other. Speaking foreign languages excludes players and splits whoever is on TeamSpeak into several groups - those who understand a language and those who don't. Therefore please speak English when you are on our TeamSpeak-server. If the people in the channel are all able to speak the particular language you want to speak without problem, that is a different matter.

Military

The Military is the branch for players who wish to play competitively and agree to the obligations required (attending trainings, signing up for matches and showing up). They need to have some skill and come regularly to trainings and matches. Being inactive [>] or unreliable may see them retired to Civilian. The Military would have around 50 players – some more or some less may be possible, but something around 50 should be the limit. Players within the Military would be expected to sign up for scrims and attend to them. They will be preferred to most Civilians in matches.

Emperor (IG_Emperor_Name)

The absolute authority and leader of the Clan.
The Emperor has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Veto, Accept/reject recruits, Kick members, Promote/demote, Suggest for election, Train Squires, Represent the Guard, Organize matches, Command, Train, Administer forums, Moderate forums, Administer servers

Duke (IG_Duke_Name/IG_Duchess_Name)

A co-leader of the clan. A player who has proven himself to be a capable leader, and good at handling the affairs of the clan. He is active in Warband and on the forums and has a working microphone. He assists and replaces the Emperor if needed (for example when the Emperor is absent). Replacing the Emperor means that the Dukes have all the rights of the Emperor for the duration they replace him.
A Duke is chosen by a vote and removed by an unsuccessful second vote, however the vote has to be accepted by the Emperor. The number of Dukes is limited to two. A Duke has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Accept/reject recruits, Suggest for election, Train Squires, Represent the Guard, Organize matches, Command, Train, Administer forums, Moderate forums, Administer servers

Marquis (IG_Marquis_Name/IG_Marchioness_Name)

A Marquis is an active player who is very experienced at leading. He is motivated and skilled to command parts of the team as well as the whole team for a match. A Marquis furthermore behaves maturely and takes over various organisational responsibilities. He is also active on the forums of the Guard and those of TaleWorlds and is able to represent the Guard there. It is mandatory for a Marquis to have a working microphone.
The total number of Marquis' and Earls' is limited to nine. A Marquis is chosen by a vote and removed by an unsuccessful second vote. A Marquis has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Moderate forums, Administer servers, Represent the Guard, Organize matches, Command, Train, Train Squires, Suggest for election.

Earl (IG_Earl_Name/IG_Countess_Name)

An Earl is an active player who is experienced at leading and motivated as well as skilled to command parts of the team for a match. An Earl furthermore behaves maturely and takes over some organisational responsibilities. It is mandatory for an Earl to have a working microphone.
The total number of Marquis' and Earls' is limited to nine. An Earl is chosen by a vote and removed by an unsuccessful second vote. An Earl has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Moderate forums, Administer servers, Train, Train Squires, Command, Suggest for election.

Paladin (IG_Pld_Name)

Knights who consistently demonstrate exceptional skill and team-play.
A Paladin has a seat in the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Train Squires, Administer servers

Knight (IG_Knt_Name)

A mature team player who has shown consistency in meeting all the Squires’ requirements, and can be depended upon as a responsible person.
A Knight has a seat in the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Train Squires, Administer servers

Squire (IG_Esq_Name)

A team player who is active, reliable, follows orders, and is skilled.
A Squire has a seat in the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Administer servers

Veteran (IG_Vet_Name)

A team player who is reliable and active.
A Veteran has a seat in 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Administer secondary server

Guardsman (IG_Grd_Name)

A player who has been accepted into the Guard.
A Guardsman has a seat in 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election

Recruit (IG_Rct_Name)

A player who joins the Guard and has to prove that he/she fits into the clan. The recruit must come regularly to trainings.

Civilian

The Civilian branch is meant for players who do not wish to play that competitively, who +instead preferring to play casually and enjoy the social aspects of the clan. There is no limit on the number of Civilians allowed in the clan. Civilians are not expected to sign up for scrims, but have the option to do so, however, members of the Military will usually have priority when teams are decided.

Alderduke (IG_Alderduke_Name/IG_Alderduchess_Name)

An Alderduke is a former Duke and a co-leader of the clan. He is a player who has proven himself to be a capable leader, and good at handling the affairs of the clan, but had to leave the position of Duke to activity-problems. He assists and replaces the Emperor if needed (for example when the Emperor is absent).
The total number of Alderdukes is unlimited. An Alderduke is required to have been a Duke. An Alderduke has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Administer forums, Moderate forums, Administer servers, Organize matches, Command, Train, Train Squires, Accept/reject recruits, Suggest for election.

Baron (IG_Baron_Name)

A player who previously held a commanding rank and was either not re-elected or had to leave his rank due to inactivity.
A Baron has a seat in the Privy Council, the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Train Squires, Command, Train, Moderate forums, Administer servers

Magister (IG_Mgt_Name)

A player who previously held a rank ranging from Squire to Paladin and had to leave his rank due to inactivity.
A Magister has a seat in the Board of Advisers and 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election, Administer servers

Citizen (IG_Ctz_Name)

A player who previously held a rank ranging from Guardsman to Veteran and had to leave his rank due to inactivity or a player who applied for the Civilian Branch and was accepted.
A Citizen has a seat in the 'The People of Istiniar'.

Rights: Suggest for election

Peasant (IG_Pst_Name)

A player who wants to join the Civilian Branch and has to prove that he/she fits into the clan.

Offices and Officers

By making a subject of Istiniar an Officer or Great Officer, the Emperor vests the rights tied to that office to the selected person. The Emperor does reserve the right to overrule a decision, should the situation warrant it and should the decision made by the representative be faulty. If a position is vacant, the Emperor holds that position himself.

In order to get an office, individuals have to send in an application to the Emperor, detailing why they want the office and why they believe they can fulfil it. Alternatively the Emperor can ask individuals to take one of these offices. The Emperor can remove Officers from their office at any time.

Each Officer has a staff of maximal three members. Unless otherwise stated, the staff has the same rights as the Officer, but has to follow the instructions of the respective Officer. Staff members are proposed by the Officer to the Emperor and accepted or rejected by the Emperor. Staff members can be removed by the respective Officer or the Emperor.

Read more about the various offices and the rights tied to them: Officers and Great Officers of the Empire

Description of rights

Every member of the clan has the right to access the clan-internal forum and some (otherwise restricted) parts of the forum and to take part in discussions about matters related to the clan. Some ranks additionally have special rights that are explained and described here.

Veto

Only the Emperor has the right to veto. For example he can use his veto to make sure that no Nobleman is elected that he wouldn't support. The veto has to be constructive, however. If the Emperor uses the veto, he has to make a suggestion how to deal with the issue at hand instead.

Accept/reject recruits

A member, who has this right, is allowed to accept applications, ie. add members to the clan.

Kick members

A member, who has this right, is allowed to kick players from the clan. Before such a kick is proceeded it should be discussed with the Privy Council. Kick reasons range from utter inactivity to violations of rules.

Promote/demote players

A member, who has this right, is allowed to promote or demote players after previous discussion in the Privy Council. Reasons for promotions can be activity, good behaviour, good teamwork and so on (reasons for a demotions would be the opposite thereof). Members of the Nobility can not be promoted. Neither can they be demoted. They are chosen by election and will be retired if they are not-re-elected. They can be made Barons by the Emperor for the service they did the clan in case they are not re-elected or if they are inactive.

Suggest for election

A member, who has this right, is allowed to suggest other players who at least hold the rank 'Squire' for a position in the Nobility.

Train Squires

Every Knight (and every rank above Knight) can have up to two Squires. In order to become a Squire, the player has to be a Veteran. If the Emperor agrees to promote the player and a Knight or higher rank can be found to train the player in question, that player will become a squire. The Squire will be trained, mentored and watched by the Knight. This includes watching the Squires performance in matches and trainings, finding weaknesses and helping him to overcome them. Once the Knight thinks that the Squire is ready for his own Knighthood, he will suggest the Squire for Knighthood to the Emperor.

Organize matches

A member who has this right is allowed to challenge other clans, to accept challenges from other clans and to enter the clan for events (like tournaments). He has the right to organize a match, ie. communicate with the other clan in order to plan a match and make it happen.

Represent the Guard

A member who has this right is allowed to communicate with other clans as representative of the Guard of Istiniar, for example to solve disputes or lodge complaints.

Command

A member who has this right is allowed to command in matches and training. This means, that he is allowed to give orders to other members or to pass on command to the next noble or - if no noble is willing or available - to a member of his choice. The commanders orders have to be followed.

Train

A member who has this right is allowed to train other members in official trainings. He can organize and schedule extraordinary trainings (with other clans as long as those trainings are not counted as match, or for specific players or classes) or organize official ordinary trainings after communicating with other members who have this right (in order to avoid several players organizing different trainings for the same day).

Administer forums

A member who has this right is allowed to administer the Guard of Istiniar forums.

Moderate forums

A member who has this right is allowed to moderate the Guard of Istiniar forums either globally or in specific boards.

Administer servers/Administer secondary server

A member who has the right "Administer servers" is allowed to administer the Guards game- and (if a noble) TeamSpeak-servers. A member who has the latter right is allowed to administer the secondary server.

Privy Council

Every member of the Nobility is a part of the Privy Council (abbreviated: PC) as either Councillor (Earl, Marquis and Duke) or Consultant (Baron and Alderduke). Councillors have the right to vote in specific matters related to the clan, while Consultants may participate in all discussions and make suggestions, but do not have voting-rights. For more details in regards to the actual voting-rights of Councillors see Voting.

Board of Advisers

Every member from the rank 'Squire' upwards is a part of the Board of Advisers (abbreviated: BoA) and has the right to vote in specific matters related to the clan. For more details in regards to the actual voting-rights of Advisers see Voting.

Voting

Privy Council (abbreviated: PC)

• Clan structure (Ranks, Hierachy)
• Various rules (Clan rules, Forum rules, Teamspeak rules)

Vote distribution: Emperor 4; Duke 3; Marquis 2; Earl 1.
Quorum: When a vote/decision is made on TeamSpeak, the Emperor, at least 1 Duke and all in all 2/3 of the Councillors have to be present. When a vote/decision is made on the forums, the vote has to be open for at least five days and the Emperor and at least 1 Duke have to vote.

• Suggestions are accepted with a majority of at least 75% of the votes.
• Rejected suggestions have to be modified or recalled.
• A member of the Privy Council may give his vote to any other member of the Privy Council.
• It has to be announced in the forums if there is such a transfer, and it has to be announced if the recipient is free to place the received votes as he wants or if there are restrictions (like "vote 'yes' on accepting player xy"). The number of transferred votes equates the number of votes the disposer has (e.g: A Duke gives his votes to a Marquis -> that Marquis then has 2+3 (5) votes).

Board of Advisers (abbreviated: BoA)

• Accept applications (discussing about accepting/rejecting players)
• Campaign decisions (discussing strategic steps in a campaign such as the EU-campaign)

Vote distribution: All 1 vote.
Quorum: When a vote/decision is made on TeamSpeak, the Emperor, at least one Duke and 60% of the Advisers have to be present. When a vote/decision is made on the forums, the vote has to be open for at least five days.

• Suggestions are accepted with a majority of at least 75% of the votes.

People of Istiniar (abbreviated: PoI)

• Matches (faction, map etc.)
• Nobility (elections)
• Decisions before campaigns (choice of faction etc.)

Vote distribution: All 1 vote.

• Suggestions are accepted with a majority of at least 51% of the votes.

Elections

The People of Istiniar elect nine (9) Earls and two (2) Dukes every six months (in ordinary elections) or when a candidate is found for a vacant position (in extraordinary elections).

Every member of the clan can voice his or her opinion on leaders and potential leaders by sending a private message to the Emperor. They can announce their doubt in regards to a current nobleman keeping his position, just as they can recommend a normal member for a position in the Nobility. Prospective Earls must be at least Squire before the election, prospective Dukes must be at least Baron or Alderduke.

Every six months an ordinary election will take place, in which the Emperor will suggest a list of candidates that was created with the help of the input from the clan-members. The previous Nobility will be retired to Baron or Alderduke before the election. Thereafter the Emperor will name the members (s)he suggests for the positions of Duke and Earl.

All members with the sufficient rights (i.e. Guardsman upwards) have ten days to anonymously vote (Yes/No) to confirm or reject the candidates proposed by the Emperor. Should one candidate receive less than 75 percent positive votes, the Emperor has to confront the members about their reluctance to that leader, their reasons and their preferred choice. If no sufficient reasons or alternatives are brought forth in one week time, the Emperor may decide to accept or reject the candidate as (s)he wishes. If more than 50 percent of the members of the clan voted against the candidate, then the Emperor must reject the candidate.

Once the Earls have been (re)elected, the Emperor may appoint between zero and nine Marquis (from the pool of elected Earls). (S)he can also demote a Marquis back to Earl.

Glossary

Nobility

Every member holding the rank Baron, Earl, Marquis, Alderduke, Duke or Emperor is a member of the Nobility.

Inactive

If a member of the military does not come to any training in two weeks without valid explanation (a vacation is a valid explanation, forgetting four trainings is not) he may be retired to Civilian.

Retirement

If a member of the Military has to leave for a longer period of time (due to work, a very long vacation or other things that take him away from the clan and trainings for a longer period of time) he is asked to retire to the Civilian sector, so that the Military is active and available in it's entirety or nearly in it's entirety - at least most of the time. The occasional evening out, vacation etc. will not be a reason to retire. If it can be foreseen however, that the member will miss a great number of trainings for a long time, it would be good to retire.

Re-enlistment

If a member of the Civilian sector who had previously been in the Military and retired due to inactivity problems comes back, he can re-enlist in the Military.