Paths Of The Empire

The many Paths of the Empire are meant to provide members with medieval occupations to pursue. Each Path, or occupation/job, contains rankings that members can achieve. The Empire of the Wolf uses a token system to determine these ranks. Every time a Member brings Glory to the Empire, a related Path is determined and a token is awarded for that Path. As a member gains tokens they increase in rank, however, as they increase in rank, obtaining tokens will become more difficult.

Most paths within the Empire have 5 ranks: Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert and Master.

Tokens can be earned many different ways. Challenges can be requested at events to earn Tokens and Tokens may be given as a bonus for certain awards or epic deeds. Tokens can also be earned during special Empire events or Sagas. Please see the Crafting Section for ways Crafters earn Tokens.

A few rules apply for all paths when it comes to Ranking.

Ranking Rules Info

1. To obtain rank 3 , a member must have Karl Status. -Except in Crafting Ranks and the Huscarl Rank-
2. Some Ranks can be automatically awarded by the Ealdorman.
3. Rankings in Paths do not bestow any kind of authority over another member. Obtaining ranks will award specific benefits that are still in development.
4. When a member reaches the number of tokens required for an Expert Rank or Huscarl Rank 4 and up, the member does not gain the new title automatically. A Trial or Challenge will be given to determine the member's worthiness. Upon completion, the member will be acknowledged at the next Court and awarded the new Rank.

Non-Combat Paths

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Servitude

• The Path of Servitude consists of helping out other members and serving at Events. This can consist from merely taking out the trash to Heralding High Court. Tokens in this Path are usually awarded by a ranking leadership member based on service during an event or serving as Master Herald.

Ranking Info

Ranks:

1. Novice Retainer - Req: 3 Service Tokens
2. Retainer - Req: 6 service Tokens
3. Steward - Req: 10 Service Tokens
4. High Steward - Req: 16 Service Tokens
5. Chatelaine, Seneschal or Master Steward - Req: 26 Service Tokens

Hearthstone

• Everything involving Camp & Kitchen development, management and clean up during a camp out. At every event, a Camp Master and Kitchen Master will be selected by the Royalty, Keeper of the Keys, or other Leadership. A number of tokens can be awarded depending on participation in camp and kitchen during an event or serving as Kitchen or Camp Master.

Ranking Info

• Related Order: Order of the Gilded Rose

Ranks

1. Novice Keeper - 3 Tokens
2. Apprentice Keeper - 6 Tokens
3. Keeper - 10 Tokens
4. Expert Keeper - 16 Tokens
5. Master Keeper - 26 Tokens

Guardsmen Path

• Dedicated to Security Detail and Bodyguards. Guardsmen protect the hearth of the Empire.

Skald (Bardic / Godi / Priest)

The Storytellers and Priests of the Empire of the Wolf. They are also the performers and musicians of the Empire. They are the Lore Keepers, handing down and guarding the stories and heritage of their Houses. They could also be considered the Bards of the Empire. Skalds also Herald Courts and Symbel.

Ranking Info

• Token Color: Blue
• Skald Ranks
  1. Novice Skald - 3 Tokens
  2. Apprentice Skald - 6 Tokens
  3. Skald - 10 Tokens
  4. Argent Skald - 16 Tokens -
  5. Master Skald - 26 Tokens

Scholar

The Masters of records of the Empire of the Wolf. Scholars are greatly valued as without them, nothing could be recorded. Scholars are also the Lore Keepers of the Empire as they write down and record the stories of the generations.

Ranking Info

• Token Color: White
• Related Order: Order of the Argent Quill
• Scholar Ranks
  1. Novice - 3 Tokens
  2. Apprentice - 6 Tokens
  3. Scholar - 10 Tokens
  4. Argent Scholar - 16 Tokens
  5. Master Scholar - 26 Tokens

Crafting Paths

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The Crafting paths work a little differently from all other paths. The Crafting Paths use rings instead of Tokens. To gain rings in a chosen craft, a crafter must make and document works within that path. Crafters should share documentation of any new works with their local leadership which can then be judged and rings awarded. As a Crafter's rank increases, judgement of work will get tougher.

Upon reaching the number of rings required for the next rank increase a crafter may be given a final trial before the new rank is awarded. A Trial will be determined by the rank it is for, the crafting path, and the person applying for the rank.

At Expert Rank, instead of being called an Expert Crafter, their title will reflect their preferred workmanshipgeneral Medium

Ranking Info

Related Order: Maestari
Rank Requirements

• Novice - 10 rings
• Apprentice - 20 rings
• Journeyman - 30 rings
  • Pass Journeyman Trial
  • own tools in your trade
  • Teach at 1 event
• Expert - 40 Rings
  • Pass Expert Trial
  • own some period tools (If possible)
  • must teach at 3 events
• Master - 50 Rings
  • Pass Master Trial
  • Apprentice 2 journeymen
  • Teach at 6-7 events Including at least 2 Ragnarok/Pennsic/Geddons

Crafting Paths

• Metalworker - Blacksmithing, Ringsmithing, etc.
• Leatherworker
• Woodworker
• Brewer
• Fiber & Textile Crafts - Tailoring, Tablet Weaving, Embroidery, etc.
• Scribe
• Cook/Chef
• Foam Smith
• Jeweler
• Merchant
• More are available

Combat Paths

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Combat Paths are based on tokens of the same name. They can be earned through a myriad of martial endeavors.

Combat Tokens usually have a mark of a specific Spirit Path besides the Huskarl Path.

Command

The Command Path is meant for members that wish to lead a squad. A Commander should know all Empire Army field commands and tactics. (Which we are still working on) A proving to earn the first level of Command can be held by any Ealdorman or Drottin who maintains a Book of Tactics.
The Potential Commander will be drilled on their knowledge of commands and tactics, and should they pass, will be awarded the first rank of Commander, Visi.

Ranking Info

Rankings in the Command Path

1. Visi: 1st Rank: Visi is old Norse for Leader
2. Skati: 2nd Rank: Pass Skati Trials and possess 5 Command Tokens. Skati is old norse for Leader
3. Yfirmadr/Captain: 3rd Rank. Captains of the Army of the Empire. Pass Captain/Yfirmadr Trials and possess 12 Command Tokens. Yfirmadr is Old Norse for Leader.
4. Lendirmann: 4th Rank. Requires: Pass Lendirmann Trials and possess 20 Command Tokens
5. Forseti: 5th Rank. Requires: Nobility, Pass Lendirmann Trials, Possess 33 Command Tokens.

Huskarl Path

One of the few Paths that contains more than five ranks. This path is meant for members that wish to take on the Profession of a Warrior.

Ranking Info

• Warriors may display their Rank by adding a number of brass belt fittings equal to their Rank Number to a "Combat Belt", a RED Leather belt specifically designated by the Empire.

1. Novice – 1 Token
2. Apprentice – 3 Combat Tokens.
3. Scout – Req: 7 Tokens.
4. Huskarl – Req: Karl & 12 Tokens, Pass Huskarl Trial.
5. Strong Huskarl – Req: 18 Tokens
6. Huntsman – Req: 25 Tokens
7. Hundr – Req: 35 Tokens - Order
8. Hraustr – Req: 45 Tokens
9. Halr – Req: 60 Tokens+ This rank can only be tried at major Empire events.

• Combat Tokens can be earned by Completing Trials and Challenges at Events, from Awards, Completing Boasts made at Symbel (only available to rank 4 and higher) and Epic-ness during special battles.
• The Appropriate Combat Beltis a Red leather Belt of any width. A width more than an inch is recommended, so that the fittings are not wider than the belt itself.
• An Example Brass Belt Fitting can be found HERE
• Example Picture
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Huskarl Trials

The Spirit Paths

Part of the Huskarl Path. The Spirit Paths offer a focus on fighting style to those that wish for it.

Ranking Info

Ranks:
Dependant on the path, often made up of 5 ranks.

Spirit Path of the Bear

Warriors of the vanguard, working in tandem with the shield wall to decimate their foes

Spirit Info

Primary Weapon: Red
Armor Type: Heavy
Secondary Weapon: Any
Primary Tactic: Line Fighting & Shield Breaking
Secondary Tactic: Charging

Spirit Path of the Wolf

Fast Infantry; trained to be open field skirmishers with a keen knack for taking full advantage of flanking tactics.

Spirit Info

Primary Weapon: Light Shield or Dual-Wielding
Armor Type: Light/Med.
Secondary Weapon: Spear, Light Red,
Primary Tactic: Skirmishing & Flanking
Secondary Tactic: Line Fighting

Spirit Path of the Boar

Heavy Infantry; dedicated to line breaking and defensive fighting

Spirit Info

Primary Weapon: Heavy Shield & Blue
Armor Type: Heavy
Secondary Weapon: none
Primary Tactic: Charging
Secondary Tactic: Line Fighting

Raven.

Sharp-eyed ranged combatants, trained in communicating enemy position to the front line.

Spirit Info

Primary Weapon: Bow/Jav/Rock
Armor Type: Any
Secondary Weapon: Any
Primary Tactic: Arching/Missile Support
Secondary tactic: Field Command
Order: N/A

Viper

Dedicated to taking what advantage they can; their goal is to pick apart the opposition either bit by bit or foe by foe.

Spirit Info

Primary Weapon: Spear
Armor Type: Any
Secondary Weapon: Any
Primary Tactic: Taking any limb they can, disarming reds, legging shieldmen, etc.
Secondary Tactic: Keeping the enemy line cautious and unwilling to advance
Order: N/A

Dragon (or Serpent)

True dealer s of death wielding mighty Polearm weapons and striking fear into the enemy. Shields and armor alike are no match for their claws

Spirit Info

PrimaryWeapon: Long-Hafted Reds (Polearm, Glaive, Halberd, etc)
Armor Type: Any
Secondary Weapon: Any
Primary Tactic: Breaking shields and lines
Secondary Tactic: Keep unshielded targets from advancing.
Order: N/A

Spirit Path of the Stag

A versatile yet dangerous style; best suited for solitary targets, or in a command position.

Spirit Info

PrimaryWeapon: DualWield w/Back Shield
Armor Type: Any (Full Coverage Preferred)
Secondary Weapon: Any wearable (Seax, hand-axe, rock, small javelin)
Primary Tactic: Command and Targeted Attacks
Secondary Tactic: Cautious yet varied attacks, utilizing a defensive offense.
Order: N/A

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