Promotion Ceremony

(O= officer giving promotions (usually Commander), P= person(s) being promoted. Officers and crew of ship stand in a line, at attention, facing O who is about 3 steps away from them. Behind O is table with representations of 4 elements arranged on it: colored candles, symbols, or physical Elements (i.e., a candle flame, smoke or colored gas, a container of water, and a stone or dirt). Should be arranged in square or diamond with one Element at each corner, or in a straight line. O has sashes, stripes, or pins for new rank (may be laid on table) and ceremonial knife. Honor guard may stand in 2 rows, one to either side of ceremony. RSE or ship banner may hang above and behind table.)

Begin ceremony.


[At signal, officers and crew simultaneously bow and salute O. O returns salute, then draws knife (if permitted).]

O: "Crew of the [ship's name], today we celebrate your valor and honor. You have all served loyally and well, and the Elements reward those who are worthy. This blade takes the blood of traitors, but it gives glory to you who love your ship and your Empire."



"I now dedicate this blade to the Elements."
[O turns to face table.]
"To Fire that creates and destroys"
[pass blade through or above rep. of Fire]
"To Air, of weapons, words, and wings"
[pass blade through Air]
"To Water of our joys and our tears "
[pass blade through Water]
"And to Earth, our cradle and our grave."
[pass blade through Earth]

[O turns back to face crew, picks up new sash/stripes for first promotion]
O: "[rank and full name], step forward."
[P steps forward]
O: "In the presence of the Elements, and by the power vested in me by the Imperial Senate, I hereby promote you to the rank of [new rank]."
[P bows head, O touches knife to P's forehead. O presents sash/stripes to P, who receives them in both hands or arms. P does not put them on during ceremony, unless it is a pin -- then O may pin it to P's sash.]
O: "[new rank and name], do you now pledge:
to perform your new duties honorably and well,
to loyally obey your Commander and your Praetor,
to serve your Empire first and always,
and to uphold the honor of the Romulan people in all things?"

P: "By Fire and by Air, by Earth and by Water, and by the Archelement which encompasses them all, I do so pledge."

O: "Then may your new rank bring great deeds and glory to yourself and to the Empire."

[Repeat indented section for each person being promoted. If large number are being promoted pledge may be taken all at once rather than repeating it for each individual.]

[If knife was drawn. O sheathes it and places on table.]
O: "Crew of [ship's name], you are dismissed."
[Crew salute O and O returns salute as in beginning. Crew turn and walk to the side in single file line.]

End ceremony.


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