I do swear to serve the Company of the Black Guard with my life and with my deed, to obey my officers and carry out my duties as best I am able. I will uphold this oath with my life so long as I am a member of the Black Guard. I swear this by [insert deity's name] and my honor.
The Guard will have one leader who shall have unquestioned command of the Guard while in combat, authority to sign on behalf of the Guard for any decisions agreed upon by the Officers Council ("Council of Officers", "Council"), and to decide upon any tie votes in the officers council. The title of Guard leader is Captain. The Guard leader is decided upon by a majority vote of the Council of Officers. In the event of the loss of a Guard leader, the Chain of Command will fall to the Lieutenants of the units, in sequential order (i.e. Unit 1, 2, 3, etc.), until a new Captain can be voted upon.
The Guard will consist of a council of officers, who are responsible for all operations of the Guard. This council votes upon all decisions affecting the Guard. A simple majority wins any vote, with the exception of capital crimes, then death sentences require a unanimous vote.
All members of the Guard with the rank of Lieutenant and above are automatically granted membership in the officers' councils.
Each officer is entitled to one vote in the council, with the exception of the Guard leader in the event of a tie. In the event of a tie, the Guard leader is entitled to break the tie or call a recess to review the problem.
A majority in the Council must agree upon promotions to officer status.
Each enlisted soldier is entitled to the use of:
Special magical items may be designated by the Council to remain the property of the Black Guard and not to be awarded to any one member of the Black Guard. Such items may include magical tomes, spell books, artifacts of great value, etc.
All other magical booty may be distributed amongst the officers, by lottery, when found. All magical booty not claimed during the lottery becomes the property of the Guard, to be used as seen fit. I.e. hold in reserve, sell off, etc. Officers may in turn distribute their magic items amongst their men as they see fit.
All magical items so distributed are expected to be used in the service of the Guard.
All other cash and equivalent booty is to be distributed equally amongst the men, officers included, at one share per person, after all Guard expenses, reserves and other needs have been satisfied.
The Guard of the Black Guard is an all-volunteer Guard. A soldier is entitled to muster out at the following times, with full pay:
Muster out at any other time forfeits any pay accrued during a contract.
Additionally, soldiers are entitled to keep one weapon of choice, from their own kit, for every six full months of service in the Guard, up to four weapons. After three years of full service, a soldier is entitled to their horse and tack.
Any other mustering out benefits is at the discretion of the officers' council.
The lance commander and the Guard Leader must approve new recruits. Promotions to the level of sergeant is at the discretion of lance Captains. The Council must approve promotions to Lieutenant or Captain.
This is a volunteer Guard. With the exception of treason or murder, no corporal punishment may be levied against members of the Guard by the Guard.
The Guard considers the following punishable crimes:
These are only the most serious crimes. At all times, Guard members are held accountable under local laws.
The Council decides upon all crimes.