Gladius' History and Ways
by Nekki

Gladius Roster

After the departure of the Gladiator Hati the paladin, the once united clan of Gladius was in total chaos.  Without a monarch, they had noone to run the clan.  Members went their own way. Some even left the clan.  Desiring the return of order, the leaders gathered to discuss matters.  Thrym, before leaving to tend to family matters back at his birthplace, insisted on fulfilling Hati's last wish, namely, to maintain the balance between good and evil in the realm.  Nekki and Buddy, however, had plans of their own.  Due to their under-handedness, thieves like Buddy felt it was unnatural for them to maintain the worlds's balance.  Stealing and pilfering valuables was more their cup of tea.  Those with a more scrupulous disposition like Nekki, however, wished to behave in a more forthright manner. 

During Thrym's absence, Nekki and Buddy, having gained the support of all Gladians, drafted a new clan constitution.  It reads as follows. 

We Gladians have always accepted individuals of all types.  Following the ideals of the ancient World clan, we revere nature and all of nature's endless, varying creations.  Nature creates people of different sorts and we accept them all.  The World Clan attempted to maintain the balance between good and evil in the world.  That noble clan held that nature insisted on such a balance.  Having to fight both good and evil, the World clan was crushed.  Gladius formed to fill the void left by World.  For two entire weeks after Hati and Thrym left, the clan held heated debates over their beliefs.  The belief adopted by all was: nature does not do things intentionally; it just does things; it just creates things; it has no plan; each creation just does what it naturally does, and we Gladians accept that, and accept all people; we do not say "you must be good or must be evil"; we say "circumstances and nature call for this and that"; like nature, we are consituted of a great variety of individuals, and our actions as a group take all individual voices into account; we are a like a force of nature, always changing like the wind; as individuals and as a group, we act according to the dicates of our nature; we form and change our goals depending on the circumstances nature creates; thus, some goals may be more permanant than others and some may even contradict one another, but that is the way of nature; what unites us is nature and all its multifaceted forms and ways.

Thus a new era of clan Gladius begins....

Based on the the principles of nature outlined above, we Gladians seek people who are accepting of difference and change.  Based on our recent clan talks, our current and most likely permanant goals and rules are the following.  Members, based on their varying skills and inclinations, must always be motivated to build up the clan anyway they can.  They must put Gladius before all personal affairs to achieve whatever goals have been agreed upon.  They follow not only their distinct character, but also the character of the group of which they are a part.  Thus, they can enjoy their individuality and also help themselves and other members prosper via shared resources.  Gladius is a close-knit family.  A strike against any member is a strike against the clan itself and retribution is swift and often brutal.  An aura of professionalism and maturity is required of all members.  Our philosophy lies not in the battle between good and evil, but for what nature declares at any given moment.  In order to bring glory to the clan, members will be expected to earn gold so as to make this the most powerful clan ever.  Since Gladius values difference and wants to take this difference into account in matters, our government will be democratic.  All members vote together upon matters.  Leaders enforce the outcome of votes and act as the chief moderators of all affairs.  Any full member wishing to leave the fold will have to meet strict terms: this may include an exile period, a payment of money, and the return of clan equipment.  These terms will be determined by the clan leader.  We will be the most united, respected and feared clan that has ever existed.  Praise be to Mother Nature, the Mother of All!  Sept/2003