Clarification on the Naming of Squires

[Alasdair Galloway]

A question was asked to staff regarding if an incoming Baron is able to name a Squire before the Baron is made official with the next standings update, and also what would happen if the named Squire reached Warlord with the same standings update.

The Duel of Swords staff came together to discuss this, and came to the conclusion that it's already in the rules that an incoming Baron doesn't get a Squire until their challenge is official as per the standings, and a potential Squire doesn't get those in-game benefits until their name is listed on the standings. We are fine if an incoming Baron announces their intent to name a Squire before the standings are posted, but that intent is only valid if all the conditions of being a Squire are met when the standings update. For example, if the named Squire reaches 15 WoL before the standings update, this would not meet the conditions of being named a Squire (as Warlords are ineligible to be named a Squire).

The rules state: "The Overlord and Barons are permitted to appoint an active duelist of any rank beneath Warlord as their squire. A duelist is not considered a squire until they are officially listed as such on the Standings." This means that the eligibility of the duelist to be named a squire is determined at the time of the next standings update. Therefore a duelist with 15 WoL at the next standings update will be a Warlord, and cannot be named a Squire.

We have also found in the past, incoming Barons have been allowed to name their Squires before the Barony change was made official on the standings.

At this time we do not believe any written changes to the rules are necessary, as we believe the rules as stated support this interpretation.

Thank you.