(Just noticed while planning Chapter 8 that I'm going to be using the Rules of the Guild an awful lot. So, I decided to post them here!)
These laws have been set in place by the founder of our guild, builder of our home, and master adventurer Excalibur Lionhearted. By abiding by this charter you shall receive all benefits of the guild's facilities. Note that defying this charter is a capital offense, and can result in expulsion from the guild and any and all of its functions.
The following are the 30 Ways of Excalibur, the moral code he himself lived by. Some are rules regarding your career as an adventurer and the matter in which you accept and accomplish missions, tasks, and such (referred to as jobs). Others are pieces of advice that assist in adventuring. Follow the example of our leader and founder, and give yourself the honor and glory your name deserves in your Life Saga.
1. Keep your guard up, always.
2. Always put comrades first, job second.
3. Share your knowledge, so that the guild may grow as a whole.
4. Pack lightly: take what you need, and scarcely what you want.
5. Do not accept illegal jobs, no matter the reward.
6. After a job, 20% of the spoils and loot must be given to the guild for its welfare.
7. If you are unable to accept a job, try to pass it to another member instead of simply refusing the request.
8. Tell the truth always, even if a lie would make it easier. The pony will find out, and that hurts more than the truth ever could.
9. The best way to deal with something serious is to take it a little lightly.
10. Spread stories of your journeys. This encourages others to greatness and honors your own actions.
11. Be humble. Treat your comrades as your superiors.
12. Any pony with you, on your side, or against your common enemy, is a comrade.
13. Learn your surroundings, and use them to your advantage.
14. Only fight for defense and preservation. But if you fight, give it everything you've got.
15. Chivalry goes a long way; be polite and respectful to all mares, whether they deserve it or not. Always look out and protect the ladies.
16. You should never be afraid to do what's right.
17. Do not fight with your comrades, lest you become your own enemy.
18. It is natural to be afraid; we do not expect fearlessness. However, we expect courage and the ability to overcome fear.
19. If a job calls for giving up something, volunteer yourself before your comrades.
20. No matter the situation, avoid taking the life of another pony at all costs. Unless there is literally no other option at all between kill or be killed, there shall be no excuse for murder.
21. You are responsible for yourself and your comrades during a job.
22. If a job changes while being completed, follow through unless it defies the charter.
23. Value creativity and individuality; this isn't a military, and uniformity is discouraged.
24. Befriend your allies and comrades; this makes jobs a great deal easier and more efficient.
25. Rush to protect those weaker than you.
26. Never mock or taunt another pony, save if he/she is stronger than you.
27. Be polite, mature, and honorable in speech and actions. Follow through with your promises, and as such be careful in making them.
28. Be joyous and happy always. Sorrow and lack of determination are as lethal to your adventure as a poisoned blade.
29. Do not fall prey to lust or seductions. Keep your purity and do not allow personal desires to cloud your judgement.
30. Enjoy your adventures. You should look forward to a job, and their completion should be celebrated. After all, you have just added another section to your Life Saga!
Better than the Jedi, by a long shot.
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You have no idea what that means. I think you just made my WEEK!
If it doesn't tarnish the glow of my previous statement, let me inform you I was referring to the pre-Empire Jedi Code and comparing it to your list... Way better. This at least acknowledges the existence of the living heart; the Jedi treated it like poison or something.
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Yeah, I figured that. My favorite rule is the one about fearlessness. It's so different from most groups which tell you to never fear. I didn't want the adventurers to be a mercenary group or a military, and I wanted them to be a mixture between fun and serious. It looks like I did a better job than I thought, but that's just because I set my expectations kinda low (that way you don't get disappointed often).
1317601 I'll say... The only thing that makes this slightly disappointing to me, though, is that you seem to have gone off-canon where Celestia is concerned (unless there's a plot twist coming that I don't know about). If this "wolf" declaration has not come from Celestia and Luna, but the guard, who are acting on their own initiative to "purify" Equestria of foreign beliefs, I'll see about withdrawing my statement. For Celestia herself to be at the back of this seems out of character for her.
1317623 Oh, don't worry about that. I've thought that through. In a way, (SPOILERS) you're right in both parts...
MOAR!!