By the authority vested in me as Emperor by God, the Constitution, and the State, I hereby order:
1. Establishment of The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus
There is hereby established a new supreme Imperial Order of Chivalry:
The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus
The Order shall henceforth stand as the highest chivalric and dynastic order of the Totemian Empire, taking precedence above all other Imperial Orders.
The Order shall be awarded to those who have rendered:
• Extraordinary service to the Emperor and the Imperial Crown
• Distinguished service to the Totemian Empire and its people
• Exceptional contributions to the glory, stability, prosperity, and advancement of the Empire
• Acts demonstrating the highest virtues of loyalty, honour, courage, and devotion
The motto of the Order shall be:
DOMINA NOSTRA NOS DIRIGAT VICTORÆ
“May Our Lady lead us to victory.”
1. Sovereignty and Governance of the Order
The Sovereign of The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus shall be:
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor
The Sovereign shall possess supreme authority over:
• Admission of members
• Reform of statutes
• Granting and revocation of honours
• Ceremonial traditions of the Order
The Sovereign shall not be counted among the limited membership of the Order.
The Chancellor of The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus shall be:
His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince
The Chancellor shall oversee:
• Administration of the Order
• Records and traditions of the Order
• Helping with ceremonial affairs
• Advising the Sovereign regarding appointments
The Chancellor shall not be counted among the limited membership of the Order.
1. Limitation of Membership
The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus shall consist of no more than:
Nine (9) living members at any one time
The Order shall remain an exclusive and exceptional honour, reserved only for those whose service has reached the highest distinction within the Totemian Empire.
1. Ranks of The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus
The Order shall consist of the following ranks:
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Maragdus
GCM
The highest rank of the Order, awarded for the most extraordinary service and achievements in the history of the Empire.
Knight/Dame Commander of the Maragdus
CKM / CDM
Awarded for exceptional leadership and distinguished service to the Imperial Crown and Totemian Empire.
Knight/Dame Companion of the Maragdus
KM / DM
The full membership rank of the Order, awarded for notable and distinguished service to the Emperor and the Empire.
1. Reform and Renaming of The Order of Saint Michael the Archangel
The former Order of Saint Michael the Archangel shall cease to serve as the highest Imperial Order of Chivalry.
From this day forward, it shall be renamed:
The Most Exalted Order of Saint Michael the Archangel
The Order shall remain an honoured Imperial Order of the Realm but shall rank beneath The Most August Imperial Order of the Maragdus.
All existing members of the former Order of Saint Michael the Archangel shall retain their honours and privileges unless otherwise decreed.
1. Supremacy of Imperial Authority
All prior statutes, customs, and traditions inconsistent with this decree are hereby superseded.
The Imperial Household, Imperial Government, and all institutions of the Totemian Empire shall recognise and implement these reforms immediately.