Awards and decorations of the Empire of Agber
The Empire of Agber has two orders of chivalry common to all realms. The current Font of Honor for these orders is Emperor Devon. There are numerous additional orders between the national territories, with their head of state serving as their respective font of honour.
Overview of the Empire's Orders
History
Orders of Chivalry have always been utilized by the Empire. Even its predecessor, the Kingdom of Kolios, established two orders on the same day it was founded. The higher of these two orders, the Sanctified Order of the Crucifix, was elevated to an order of the Empire in 1998, leaving the now Principality with only a single order until it was returned to Koliosian control in 2020.
Membership in the Empire's orders was initially intangible. Knights and Dames were simply afforded the honorific of "Sir" or "Dame," without any kind of award letter or regalia. In 2000, new honorees were also given a printed certificate declaring their membership and their rank within each respective order. It was not until 23 March 2003 that the first physical regalia for the order was bestowed. This was for the Order of the Empire of Agber, to Erika Miller, as a Dame of the order. By the end of 2003, physical regalia existed for each of the orders, with each rank having its own unique regalia by January 2005. As none of the regalia for any order is custom-made, there has been turnover in suppliers, with regalia changing in appearance over the years. The appearance of regalia has remained relatively stable since 2013.
The Order of the Rosy Cross
In August of 2003, the Order of the Rosy Cross was created by Grand Duke Andrew, Carthage's first Grand Duke. Six Knights and Dames were initially named to the order before Empress Arlene learned of the name's ties to the Rosicrucian movement, and Grand Duke Andrew's attempts to make Carthage a "bastion of Rosicrucian thinking and culture." Due to these facts, and given that physical regalia had not yet been purchased and distributed, Empress Arlene ordered that the order be disbanded and all memberships revoked in November of that same year. In protest, Andrew immediately severed ties with the Empress and Agber, without even so much as an official resignation.
All remaining stock from the first iteration of the Order of the White Lion was lost, as well as a number of pieces for the Order of Carthage. As she had helped fund the Order of Carthage pieces, this sequence of events prompted Empress Arlene to declare the National Order of each territory to be directly under her control, with her assuming the entire funding of them moving forward. This approach would remain in place until June of 2021 when the Indiana Proclamation would return stewardship and funding of National Orders to their respective nations.
Funding
The Empire is responsible for funding the regalia of both of its orders, while a nation's honours are left to their individual heads of state.
Order of Precedence
All orders bestowed by the Empire carry a higher precedent in the Empire and its subsidiary nations. This has created an interesting landscape where significantly more prestigious honours are considered technically lower than others. For example, being named a Dame Grand Cross of an order in Carthage is generally regarded as a much higher honour than that of a Knight in the Order of Arlene I, even though the latter is announced, seated, or listed first.
Within the court of an individual territorial nation, their knighthoods take precedence over those of other nations. For example, in the Reino de Cordova, a Knight of the Order of the Mariposa would precede a Dame Grand Cross in the Order of Carthage, even though the Order of Carthage is that nation's highest honour, and the Order of the Mariposa is comparatively less prestigious. While this approach to precedence may seem counter-intuitive to some, it has been deemed as the simplest way to proceed by Empress Arlene.
Orders of the Empire of Agber
The Empire of Agber has two orders of chivalry common to all realms. The current Font of Honor for these orders is Emperor Devon.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the Empire of Agber | 8 September 1999 | Knight/Dame Grand Collar Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Service to the Empire | |
| Order of Arlene I | 15 March 2013 | Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Excellence, personal achievement, or noteworthy performance | Primarily used as an on-the-spot knighthood at Renaissance Festivals |
Orders and Awards of the Principality of Kolios
The Principality of Kolios currently has two orders and one anniversary medal. The current Font of Honor is Princess Arlene. On 29 March 2021, shortly after surrendering as Empress of Agber, Princess Arlene announced the creation of two new Koliosian awards: The Order of the Rose Throne, and the Koliosian Friendship Cross. Few details about either award have been announced besides the names.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of Kolios | 20 September 1995 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Service to the Principality | Originally the second-highest Koliosian order |
| Sanctified Order of the Crucifix | 20 September 1995 | Knight/Dame | Christian service to the Principality | Originally the highest order of the Kingdom of Kolios Made an Imperial Order on 7 January 1998 Returned to Koliosian control on 18 June 2020 |
| Koliosian Quartercentennial Medal | 20 September 2020 | None (single award) | Active service to Principality at 25th anniversary |
Orders of the Reino de Cordova
The Reino de Cordova currently has four orders of chivalry. The current font of honor for Cordovese orders is Reina Celestina. On 30 June 2020, Reina Celestina declared that the nation's Order of the Redwood, which had not been awarded since 2011, would be revived and reimagined as the Order of the Redwood Throne. As part of this retooling, the order would be expanded and designated as the highest Cordovese honor. No date for this change has been announced yet, but preparations for it are ongoing.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the Redwood Throne | 27 August 2003 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Personal achievement | Originally named Order of the Redwood, revamped under current identity in 2021 |
| Order of Cordova | 27 August 2002 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Service to Cordova | |
| Order of the Grizzly | 27 August 2016 | Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Personal achievement | |
| Order of the Mariposa | 27 August 2004 | Knight/Dame | Conservation work | Not currently awarded |
Orders of the Tenshukyō Shogunate
The Tenshukyō Shogunate currently has three orders. The font of honour for these awards is Emperor Devon, in his role as Shogun of Tenshukyō. Members of the Shogunate's orders are not given a specific honorific, such as Knight or Dame. Instead, they are known as a recipient of that degree.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exalted Order of the Rising Moon | 10 November 2018 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal |
Service to the Shogunate | Honor Cordon can be bestowed to foreign heads of state by the Shogun but does not officially confer membership. |
| Order of Kanju and Manju | 21 February 2019 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal Seal |
Service to the Shogunate | |
| Order of the Peach Blossom | 2 October 2018 | Grand Cordon Star and Seal Seal Medal |
Service to the Shogunate (for top 3 ranks) personal achievement or distinction (for Medal) |
Honors System Structure
Much like those of the Japanese system it is inspired by, the Shogunate's orders exist as part of a single structure of honour.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Moon: For impeccable and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The highest honour, reserved only for the Shogun themselves.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For impeccable service to the Shogunate. Reserved only for Daimyos of the Council Clans.
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For exceptional and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The highest honour conferred upon citizens of the Shogunate
- Star and Seal of the Order of the Rising Moon: For exceptional service to the Shogunate. The highest honour that can be awarded for acts of a singular nature.
- Star and Seal of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For distinguished and prolonged service to the Shogunate. The Highest honour that can be conferred to individuals who are not members of the Shogunate.
- Star and Seal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For distinguished service to the Shogunate.
- Seal of the Order of Kanju and Manju: For prolonged service to the Shogunate.
- Seal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For service to the Shogunate.
- Medal of the Order of the Peach Blossom: For personal achievement or distinction, not necessarily to the benefit or credit of the Shogunate. Awarded much in the same way that the Order of Arlene I is.
Orders of the Kingdom of Maevis
The Kingdom of Maevis currently has five orders. The font of honour for these awards is Queen Barbara. The first of these awards was bestowed on New Year's Day of 2021.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Honourable Order of the North Sea | 18 June 2020 | Knight/Dame | Utmost dedication to the Kingdom | Limited to 9 members |
| Order of the Lion and Thistle | 18 June 2020 | Knight/Dame | Military and administrative service to the Kingdom | |
| Order of the Longboat | 21 June 2020 | Knight/Dame | Creative and artistic achievement, including anachronistic arts | |
| Ancient Order of the White Lion | 1 January 2001 (in Carthage) 5 April 2021 (in Maevis) |
Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Service to the Grand Duke | Majority of the first set of regalia unrecovered from Grand Duke Andrew of Carthage Originally an award of the Grand Duchy of Carthage |
| Order of the Wulver | 12 July 2020 | Knight/Dame | Charitable, humanitarian, and community service recognition |
Orders of the Archduchy of Verdura
Verdura currently has three orders. The intent to establish at least one more order has been stated. The current font of honour for Verduran orders is Archduchess Priscilla.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Order | 22 August 2020 | Master Journeyman Apprentice Novice |
Service to the Archduchy | |
| Blessed Order of St. George | September 2020 | Grand Cross Commander Dame/Knight |
Service to the Archduchy | |
| Artistic Order of the Three Saints | 5 March 2021 | Dame/Knight Catherine (for visual arts, necklet medal regalia) Dame/Knight Genesius (for performing arts, sash and cordon regalia) Dame/Knight Lucia (for written arts, breast star regalia) |
Artistic accomplishment | Established by the combining of the Orders of Saint Genesius, Saint Catherine, and Saint Lucia All three categories are of equal precedence |
Orders of the Principality of Berwyn
The Principality of Berwyn currently has two orders. The font of honour for these awards is Prince Bernard.
| Order Name | Established | Classes/Ranks | Awarded For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Excellent Order of the Kite | 1 March 2021 | Knight/Dame | Highest dedication to the Principality | Limited to 6 members |
| Order of Berwynese Merit | 1 March 2021 | Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame Member |
Service to the Principality |
Former Orders Within the Empire
The list of former orders within the Empire is currently comprised of orders from the former nations of the Empire: Carthage, Liguria, Sawatch, and Severny.
| Order Name | Nation | Established | Defunct | Classes/Ranks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of Carthage | Grand Duchy of Carthage | 7 January 1998 | 5 April 2021 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
|
| Order of Sawatch | Sawatch Emirate | 31 January 2014 | 28 September 2020 | Knight/Dame Grand Star Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Served as Sawatch's highest honour from its creation until 22 June 2020 |
| Order of the Mile High Breeze | Sawatch Emirate | 1 October 2015 | 28 September 2020 | Knight/Dame Grand Collar Knight/Dame Grand Cordon Knight/Dame Member |
Remaining first set of regalia stolen in 2017 Elevated to nation's highest honor on 22 June 2020 |
| Order of Saint Genesius | Grand Duchy of Liguria | 10 November 2020 | 5 March 2021 | Knight/Dame | Awarded for excellence in the performing arts (acting, dancing, and music) Recipients were awarded a sash & cordon |
| Order of Saint Catherine | Grand Duchy of Liguria | 10 November 2020 | 5 March 2021 | Knight/Dame | Awarded for excellence in the written arts (poetry and other creative writing) Recipients were awarded a necklet |
| Order of Saint Lucia | Grand Duchy of Liguria | 10 November 2020 | 5 March 2021 | Knight/Dame | Awarded for excellence in the visual arts (painting, drawing, and sculpting ) Recipients were awarded a breast star |
| Most Honored Polar Order of the White Bear | Tsardom of Severny | 1 February 2021 | 15 June 2021 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross (limited to 5) Knight/Dame Commander (limited to 10) Knight/Dame (limited to 20) |
|
| Most Hallowed and Virtuous Order of St. Nicholas | Tsardom of Severny | 1 February 2021 | 15 June 2021 | Knight/Dame Grand Cross (limited to 15) Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame |
Gallery of Regalia
Pictured are select regalia from selected awards and decorations of the Empire of Agber.
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Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Order of Arlene I (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Member of the Order of Berwynese Merit (2021-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Commander of the Order of Cordova (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Cordova (2015-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Sanctified Order of the Crucifix (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Commander of the Order of the Empire of Agber (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Empire of Agber (2016-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the Grizzly (2016-present) -
Seal of the Order of Kanju and Manju (2019-present) -
Star of the Order of Kanju and Manju (2019-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the Kite (2021-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Order of Kolios (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Commander of the Order of Kolios (2013-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Kolios (2005-present) -
Koliosian Quartercentennial medal (2020) -
Badge of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the Lion and Thistle (2020-present) -
Badge of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the Longboat (2020-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the Mariposa (2004-present) -
Badge of a Dame/Knight of the Order of the North Sea (2020-present) -
Seal of the Order of the Peach Blossom (2019-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. George (2020-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Ancient Order of the White Lion (2014-present) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Carthage (2003-2021) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Mile High Breeze (2015-2016) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Star of the Order of Sawatch (defunct) (2014-2020) -
Regalia of a Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Nicholas (2021)
