For many years only one baronial award was granted by the Barony of North Woods: the ancient and honorable Order of the White Wolf.
Members may be recognized by a patch bearing azure, a wolf’s head erased vorant of a sun argent. For many members of the populace this is the first award granted them, well predating their Award of Arms. More than one set of reigning Royalty has been startled by the Barony’s granting each new member to the Order a traditional, full throated howl of welcome.
A few bear the Augmented White Wolf, which adds a sword, Or, clenched in the wolf’s jaws. This honor is earned by serving as Baronial Champion.
In 1994 (AS 28) a second Baronial Award was established, this is the true award in that it may be given many times: The Award of the Northern Star. There are three divisions of this award: Argent (martial arts), Or (Arts and Sciences) and Gules (service). The twist that North Woods puts on this award is that although the Baron may grant the star as he sees fit, the recipient is then OBLIGATED to go forth and seek the next to be honored – then to extol that one’s deeds to the Baron and the populace in a later court. Tradition has established this to be an award given by the populace – not the Baron/Baroness.
In 2014 (AS 48) a new award has been established – the Council of Wolves aka The Wolf Pack. This is an award granted to a group for service the the Barony. The final version is being finalized. It is Azure a sun Or within three wolves in annulo courant argent or a circle of Wolves running around the sun on a blue background. The first group to receive the honor is North Wood’s canton of WealdLake.
In 2018 (AS 53), two new awards were established – The Order of the Howling Wolf and The Order of the Shimmering Leaf.
On the occasion of the Coronation of TRM A’Kos and Bella of the Middle Kingdom, the Order of the Howling Wolf was established and is to be considered the Highest Honor of the Barony of North Woods. Induction into this Order shall be based on the candidate’s history of comportment, participation in, service to, and support of the Barony of North Woods and its Cantons. This Order is a Polling Order which means the induction of Companions into this Order is at the discretion of the Companions of the Order with the support of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods.
At the Grand Tour the Award of the Shimmering Leaf was established as an Arts and Sciences Award of the Barony of North Woods. Recipients of this award are being honored for their research, trials, accomplishments, and/or contributions within the Arts and Sciences community of their Canton, the Barony of North Woods, and thus also to the Middle Kingdom and The Dream. This award is bestowed at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods based on their observations and recommendations from the populace.
In 2019 the Award of the Biting Wolf, the Award of the Barred Owl, the Award of the Wind Swept Path and The Award of the Blue Moon were established.
At the Pentemere Academy of Defense, the Award of the Biting Wolf was established as a Martial Arts Award of the Barony of North Woods. Recipients of this award are being honored for their research, trials, accomplishments, and/or contributions within the Martial Arts community of their Canton, the Barony of North Woods, and thus also to the Middle Kingdom and The Dream. This award is bestowed at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods based on their observations and recommendations from the populace.
At the 24th Anniversary of the Battle of the Inland Seas, the Award of the Barred Owl was established as a Target Sports Award of the Barony of North Woods. Recipients of this award are being honored for their research, trials, accomplishments, and/or contributions within the Siege Weapons, Thrown Weapons and Archery community of their Canton, the Barony of North Woods, and thus also to the Middle Kingdom and The Dream. This award is bestowed at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods based on their observations and recommendations from the populace.
At the Eleventh Call of the Waterhorse, the Award of the Wind Swept Path was established as a Service Award for the Barony of North Woods. Recipients of this award are being honored for their trials, accomplishments, and/or contributions in service to their Canton, the Barony of North Woods, and thus also to the Middle Kingdom and The Dream. This award is bestowed at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods based on their observations and recommendations from the populace.
At a Winter Holiday Gathering in the Canton of Wealdlake the Award of the Blue Moon was established. The Blue Moon is a rare thing and rarity is often considered desirable and valuable. The Award of the Blue Moon is given solely at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods to an individual whom they consider to be rare, desirable, and valuable; worthy of recognition and deserving of honor for deeds, skills, accomplishments, attitudes, character, and integrity. It is an award to be given in a manner in keeping with its name and intent.
In 2020, at the June North Woods Home Court in the Ethereal Realm in the Barony of North Woods the Award of the Golden Trope was established. In June 2020, North Woods suddenly lost one of its very talented musicians to cancer. The Baron and Baroness of North Woods felt they were just beginning to see how much this noble man had to offer. He was quiet and avoided the limelight, but he was gifted in so many ways and he was starting to blossom. They do not want his gift or his memory to be forgotten. It was with great sadness of heart but joy in the doing, that they established Lord Cailin’s Golden Trope Award for contributions, accomplishments, and inspiration in music. As stated in the award text; “In the most simple terms, a music Trope is a musical or lyrical addition or substitution. Lord Cailin was most certainly an addition.” This award is bestowed at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of North Woods based on their observations and recommendations from the populace.
At Smurf Shoot 2021, the Award of the Golden Pearl was established. The Golden Pearl is a tribute to the unceasing care, devotion, energy, kindness, giving, and love that shines like a rare gem within our Barony for each other.