Yours, Tim W Brown (I sign as 'Some call me Tim...' on the 7thseagm list) A Sample Assortment of Awards, Honors, and Decorations for use with the 7th Sea campaign. In the 7th Sea Players' Guide, players can buy the advantage "Citation", and citations are mentioned under Reputation, but precious few examples are given as to what these awards might actually be. Below is a list of suggestions for the beleaguered GM to pull out when a player asks her "what awards can I get?" or when the players do something notable or heroic and deserve a reward from the higher nobility. It also can come in handy for NPC's, who need some dramatic material when they are announced at formal functions (such as royal balls, or sunrise duels). A few of these are direct copies of real-world decorations, most are created from whole cloth or modified in ways I think fits the 7th Sea background. Of course, all this is before the national sourcebooks come out, so remember it's all just opinion and speculation. Ribbon of Merit - exists in just about all countries in some form; even commoners are eligible for these (hey, it's a fantasy world, right?). Awarded for specific acts of heroism or exceptional performance. Degrees of this award add Oak Leaves, Stars, and Diamonds; repeated awards add bronze bars (for example, the Marquis D'Avranches might have the Ribbon of Merit with Swords and Diamonds with two Bars for his repeated acts of heroism and leadership on the battlefield). Add Swords if the ribbon is for military or combat performance Add Oars for nautical deeds The Vendel add a silver bar for mercantile excellence The Vodacce award a Badge of Merit rather than a Ribbon, and in great variety: each noble house strikes their own versions. Medal of Valor - all nations have some version of this award for conspicuous bravery in battle. The main difference between this medal and the Ribbon of Merit is that the Medal of Valor must be a public act, inspiring others at the time of the heroic act. It is thus generally held to be a little higher than the Ribbon of Merit. Legion of the Three Isles - another new Avalon order, emphasizing the unit of the three islands under one crown. May have several ranks: knight, sergeant, commander, and marshal, in ascending order (each of the three monarchs - Elaine, MacDuff and O'Bannon - hold the highest rank of Royal Marshal). It can be awarded by any of the three monarchs. Guardians of the Graal - a very high order of Avalon knighthood, not hereditary, selected by the Queen (who originated this order not very long ago). Members of this order are regarded as favorites of the Queen, and are expected to work as her agents on a variety of missions (think of the Round Table of Arthurian legend in terms of the dedication and respect these knights carry). Stella's Ribbon - An Avalon award for exceptional skill with a bow or crossbow. Recently this was awarded for skill with firearms as well, causing some furor among traditionalists. Order of Leviathan - for meritorious service on the waters, specifically the open sea. Avalon and Castille each have their own versions of this; there is an intense rivalry between the two orders, even in times of peace, Order of the Golden Fleece - The oldest and highest Castillian order, rarely awarded to anyone outside the higher nobility. Carries much prestige even beyond Castile. The Golden Stirrup - In Castille, a biannual contest is held to determine who are the greatest horsemen in Theah (contestants are welcome from all nations). The champions of this contest are awarded the Golden Stirrup. Crusader's Cross - a military medal awarded by the Church (by someone of archbishop rank or higher) to those not in religious orders and those who are not ordained. Originally only for soldiers who joined an official Crusade, it has been diluted somewhat and granted to anyone who performs admirably in military service on a Church-sanctioned mission. Eisenerkreuze - the Eisen "Iron Cross" awarded for exceptional service. There are two levels, First Class and Second Class (the first class is reserved for military service), and degrees of each class include adding Swords, Oak Leaves, and Diamonds. Drachenkreuze - the Eisen "Dragon Cross" awarded for truly heroic deeds. Only one class of this award, and no degrees. This award is considered the highest possible among the Eisen, and carries a great deal of respect throughout the Eisen people. It can be bestowed only by the Imperator, so there have been no new recipients for some time now. Rider's Medal - The Eisen academies hold their own horsemanship contests, and distribute this medal to the best equestrians each year. Only Eisen academy students and faculty may normally enter, but military officers from other countries are usually allowed to compete for a hefty entrance fee. Respectable, but not nearly as admired as the Golden Stirrup. Paladins of Carleman - an order claiming ancient roots, to the original deputies of Emperor Carleman, called paladins. According to the imperial edict establishing this order, there can never be more than sixty members at any time. The Paladins are charged with maintaining order and rule of law throughout the old Empire, a mission which at least some of them have always tried to perform. This order is tied to no one current nation, but almost all its members are Montaigne or Eisen. New members can be received only by approval of a majority vote of the membership. Order of the Sun - Montaigne (of course!) nobles who perform some notable act are usually awarded this medal; a large membership, socially prestigious but not very high-ranking or important. Emperor's Medal - a Montaigne award to the officers of a ship or regiment that performs admirably. Empress' Medal - companion to the Emperor's Medal, this is awarded to a unit that performs admirably. The Empress Medal stays with the unit, much like the flag of a regiment; if the officers do not also receive the Emperor's Medal, they cannot include the Empress Medal in their list of honorifics if they leave their regiment. It is very rare for one to be given and not the other, and is regarded as an embarrassment if it happens. Ussura is less formal than other nations; they have several animal-based orders of knighthood: Warriors of the Bear and Knights of the Eagle are the two highest, but most are considered roughly equal, with regional or local preferences. Non-nobles who are remarkable (and favored by a member) can be awarded Fellow of the Bear (or whichever), which carries much status among the peasantry, and usually carries some respect even among Ussuran nobles. Each Gaius usually creates his own new Order for his personal favorites. The Vestenmannavnjar have similar orders to the Ussurans, but are even less formal and structured. Their orders are also not commonly recognized as true knighthoods among other nations. Band of the Aurora - a Vendel medal for conspicuous national service, higher than the Ribbon of Merit. Order of the North Star - The highest order of knighthood granted by Vendel, several ranks exist: Companion, Knight, Commander, Marshal (in ascending rank). Not limited to military service; heirs inherit membership of the Order, but only as Companions (for example, the eldest son of a Commander of the Order of the North Star would carry the title Companion of the North Star until and unless he merited a higher rank on his own). Most Ancient Order of the Empire - the oldest known order of knighthood, tracing its origins back to Corantine's time or farther. Very rare and highly respected throughout Theah, this order can only be bestowed by the unanimous consent of all the ruling princes of Vodacce (see why it's rare?). This title can be inherited, though the approval of a Grand Masters of the order must approve the heir (usually a rubber-stamp process, but it has happened that an heir was passed over or rejected outright when he proved to be despicable enough). Again, several ranks: Companion, Centurion, Commander, Legate, and Grand Marshal (in ascending order) - there are never more than three Grand Marshals in existence. Defenders of the First City - Originally the "palace guard" of the Hierophant, when the Third Prophet moved the headquarters of the Church, this order chose to stay to protect and maintain the bureaucracy, treasures, and buildings that remained in the city. Over generations, this has become more of a Vodacce social club than an order of warriors, but the connections and historical aura of this group makes it a key organization in Vodacce politics. Its chambers, an ancient Imperial barracks, is regarded as neutral territory by the Vodacce princes, where no duels, assassinations, or sorcery may occur.