I give you "The Circle Charter." And yes, they actually use this. Each character actually keeps a copy on them.
There are currently 3 Circle members left, out of a group of 7 (there were 4, but the Paladin was snipped in half by the Sinmaker).
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The Circle Official Charter
This document declares that Kallus Tharindaar, Kale Quinn, Dagany, and Rithen, hereafter referred to as The Circle, intend to form an adventuring group with the following regulations and conditions.
I. Mission Statement: The goal of the Circle is to further good, righteousness, understanding, and truth wherever they go; to uncover hidden knowledge and secrets; to benefit the world by ridding it of evil and injustice; and to benefit the members by increasing their knowledge, understanding, and personal power.
II. Behavior: Circle members should at all times accord themselves as Circle representatives.
a. Personal conduct: Members of the circle should at all times try to fulfill the mission of the circle (see section I) while not neglecting any portion of the mission statement.
b. Treatment of foes: Noncombatant foes are to be treated with respect. They should not be injured and be allowed as much freedom as is reasonable. Combatant foes are to be dealt with quickly and harshly with the following exceptions. Combatant foes who are charmed, being blackmailed, or similarly negatively influenced should be injured as little as is feasible. Foes who are to be captured should be captured alive if at all possible. Foes with vital information should be imprisoned for questioning. Combatant foes that cease fighting, beg for mercy, or otherwise display a willingness for surrender should be treated as noncombatant foes.
III. Activities: all members must approve All Circle activities. Activities that do not include all circle members are not considered official Circle events.
IV. Funds:
a. Collection: All rewards, loot, earnings, etc collected on circle events are property of The Circle. Anyone not turning over acquired valuables to the circle forfeits there share of rewards from that circle event and is subject to disciplinary action (See Section VI Discipline).
b. Dispersement: At the conclusion of each circle event, items collected by the circle will be valued and sold. Circle members have the first option to purchase equipment from the circle at sale price. If two members wish the same item, they may bid on it. Twenty percent of Circle earnings are kept by the circle for group expenditures. The remaining eighty percent is to be evenly distributed among Circle members. Once money has been given to circle members, they are free to use it as they see fit (see section II Behavior).
c. Expenditures: Circle funds are to be spent on items which include, but are not limited to, healing items, food and lodging on Circle activities, magic item identification, revivication, and Circle social events. Circle money may be used for any purpose with a unanimous consent of Circle members.
d. Loans: Group members may borrow from the Circle with consent of all other circle members. The full amount of the loan is to be repaid in no more than one year, with a minimum payment of ten percent per month. Any late payments are subject to a fee of five percent of the remaining balance, which is added to the total owed.
V. Membership:
a. Rights and Privileges: Full members are entitled to a vote in all Circle decisions, are entitled to use of Circle-owned items, have their expenses paid on Circle activities, and receive a share of all wealth collected in Circle activities. Probationary members are allowed the use of Circle items and have their expenses paid by the Circle on Circle activities.
b. Changing Members:
1. New Members: New members may join the circle for a probationary period of one month containing at least one activity. If during that month, the probationary member breaks any of the charters rules, that individual is ejected from the Circle and may not attempt re-entry for one year. After this month probationary period, a probationary member may become a full member with a unanimous vote of the remaining members.
2. Removing Members: Current Members who have violated the charter may be removed from the Circle by a unanimous vote of all other members. VI. Discipline: An initial violation of the Circle's charter puts a current member into a six-month probationary period. If another infraction occurs during this period, the member may be voted out by the remaining members. If the member is not voted out, he is returned to probationary member status. See section V Membership for details on probationary members
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Addendum 1 - Circle Participants and Hirelings
I. Membership: Pertaining to those persons who wish to participate in Circle events but do not seek circle membership, certain compensations should be provided. This compensation does not apply to personal retainers of circle members, probationary members, or other Circle participants as personal retainers must be provided for by their retainees. Due to the varied levels of interest and participation, this compensation will be varied. Unanimous Circle consent must be received for any person to become a circle Participant.
a. Those persons who wish only to provide a one-time service should be compensated in a fashion agreed upon by all Circle members, but it is not to be less than would be polite and appropriate for the services provided. These persons have no official association with the Circle
b. Those persons wishing to provide ongoing services to the Circle that do not endanger themselves should be provided compensation under the following scale. These persons are considered Circle hirelings
1. Unskilled labor - 1 copper per day
2. Skilled labor - 1 silver per day
3. Specialized labor - 5 silver per day
Upon agreement by all circle members, this rate may be altered to suit special situations, but should not be less than would be polite and appropriate for the services provided.
c. Those persons wishing to engage in hazardous group activities shall be considered Participants. The following scale should be used for their compensation. Participants should begin at the first level of the scale and can move up the scale upon being involved in the Circle for one month, having participated in at least one Circle event, and receiving a unanimous consent of all group members to proceed to the next level.
1. 1 silver per day
2. 1 gold per day
3. 1/4 share of Circle activity profits - to be no less than 1 gold per day
4. 1/2 share of Circle activity profits - to be no less than 1 gold per day
5. 1 full share of Circle activity profits - to be no less than 1 gold per day
Participants of this caliber are also entitled to the benefits of probationary members. Participants of this caliber may become probationary members at any time of their choosing and are then subject to the benefits and restrictions of their new status.
II. Behavior: Circle hirelings and Participants are expected to adhere to the following behavioral standards.
a. Participants should behave in a generally good fashion.
b. Participants should adhere to local laws, regulations, and guidelines.
c. Participants should follow commands given by Circle members.
d. Participants are to follow Circle charter section II.b on the treatment of foes.
e. Participants are to follow Circle charter section IV.a on collection of funds.
III. Discipline: If at any time a hireling or Participant is decided to fail to adhere to a behavioral guidelines (see Addendum 1, section II) they will be subject to review by the Circle
a. Hirelings
1. With a majority vote of Circle members the hireling is ejected from service
2. With a unanimous vote of Circle members the hireling is ejected from service and may no longer associate with the Circle.
b. Participants
1. With a majority vote of Circle members, Participants are reduced to rank 1. Participants of rank 1 or lower are ejected from service.
2. With a unanimous vote of Circle members, Participants are ejected from service and may no longer associate with the Circle.
IV. Funds:
a. Circle equipment: After all Circle members have passed on the right to purchase loot, Circle Participants have next right to purchase, followed by Hirelings. Anyone of equal status contending over the purchase must bid as described in the Circle charter section IV.b
b. Dispersement:
1. Circle Hirelings are to be paid from the Circle funds.
2. Circle Participants payment is to be allocated as follows:
i. Fixed wages (rank 1-2, and rand 3+ when minimum payment is not met) is to be taken from the Circle fund.
ii. Shares are to be taken from the 80% divided among Circle members
c. Loans: Loans may be given to
1. Circle Members are no longer to be subject o minimum payments or interest on loans as long as the loan is repaid within the one-year limit. If a Circle member owes money after the one-year limit, they then become subject to disciplinary action (Circle charter section VI) and minimum payments and interest. The interest and payments apply only to the existing balance.
2. Circle Participants may take out loans from the Circle funds with the rules provided for Circle Members in the Circle charter section IV.d.
