Knights

Knights are skilled men and women who align themselves with the nobility to serve a cause. Whether that cause be noble or the noble be their cause their fealty to a sovereign is what differentiates them from all other professions. They have given their lives over in servitude to a liege and are dictated by the tenants of their profession.

All Knights begin their training as a squire, serving an established Knight. It is in these early stages they learn how to care for their mounts, armor, and weaponry and learn about the code of Chivalry. As squires, they will eventually be tutored by their Master in the arts of warfare: swordsmanship, archery, shield-wielding, and mounted combat.

On the battlefield, a Knight is a pillar of inspiration. Their hard training and exquisite skill forge them into pivotal fighters, swaying a battle with both their courage and lethality. The mere sight alone of a compliment of mounted Knights is enough to shake many men's resolve.

Knights wield swords, shields and occasionally a bow. They are skilled at mounted combat and are natural-born leaders. Their immovable adherence to chivalrous conduct, unremitting fealty to their liege and impressive plate armor make them a formidable representative of their Lord's power and affluence.

Knights always serve a master. Whether it is a lord, king or a god they commit themselves to a liege of some sort. A knight cannot refuse a duel unless forbidden by their liege. Their honor is bound to their word; their oaths cannot be retracted and therefore are considered both binding and of great import. There are six orders of Knights, each unique in their combative style. While each order abides by the tenants of the Code of Chivalry, their approach to glory and honor differ.

There is the Order of Valour, comprised of seasoned women and men who have tasted several victories on the battlefield, while strictly adhering to the Code of Chivalry. Their prowess and discipline have earned them a place in the Halls Of Veneria. These Blue Knights are referred to as Valour Knights.

Paladins are Knights of the Holy Cross. They align themselves with leaders of righteousness and place their ultimate fealty with the Holy One. Through their devotion and integrity, the gods grant them powers against darkness and evil as well as minor healing abilities. Paladins, or White Knights, make up the Order of the Cross.

Combat Knights, or members of the Order of the Blade, are warriors who love the battlefield. They are found within the ranks of some of the most bloodthirsty territories in the thirteen nations. They thrive in close combat and pursue glory on the battlefield like starving wolves. Other orders consider these Gray Knights nothing more than 'bandits with armor and mount' as many can be found within the ranks of a mercenary unit.

Red Knights are members of the Order of Ages. They are blessed with time-bending abilities and are devout warriors of the Red Pillar (Neutral). While they can be found serving many in nobility, their true master is Mastiff.

Members of the Order of Corruption turn the chaos of battle into profit. While considered brigands by many of their brethren, their talents cannot be ignored. Knights of Despair or Green Knights are the only Knights who answer only to themselves. The High Commander rules over these deadly men and women of honor.

Dread Knights can be found within the ranks of the Order of Trepidation. They serve the Obsidian Trident and are widely known as power mongers. Fitted in Obsidian armor and riding Fell mounts, these imposing figures strike fear into the hearts of their adversaries. These Black Knights have given their very souls for the power to kill and maim. 

The Code of Chivalry

I. Knights are their armor.
It is the symbol of our power and the protection for our bodies. Without our armor we are mere soldiers. As such we do not relieve our bodies of the burden of armor except for sleep and bathing. Out of respect for our liege and other lords of dignity, we will remove our helmets in their presence. Otherwise, only our squires may be present when we are unarmored.

II. Knights serve.
Whether it be a king or a God that we serve, we represent our liege with dignity and pride. Our capes are to display the arms and colors of our masters. We find warmth in its embrace, grace in its movement and honor in its presentation. We are to ensure it is not sullied or disgraced.

III. Knights represent Honor.
Therefore we do not stoop to cowardly tactics such as ambushes, traps and attrition. We do not kill a man who has fallen nor battle with the weakened. We are knights and battle our foes when they are at full health, less our honor be questioned. Tricks, deception, hoaxes and ruses are a poison to be cured by the integrity of a knight.

IV. Knights are Dignified.
Vulgarity is the language of brigands and peasants. We are warriors of the highest echelon and we will not sully our liege with the ignorance of the poor. We will not question our master's wisdom nor contradict their honor, intellect or character in any way. We may question orders only with the intent to better execute those orders.

V. Knights are Fearless.
Our training removes that weakness from our bodies allowing us to be the example that a military contingency requires to enter war with dignity. We do not flee from battle, we will not refuse a duel nor will we cower from our enemies. Our primary purpose is service to our liege, however, our master may request that we leave a battlefield or deny a challenge.

VI. Knights are a symbol.
Our masters count on our presence on the field to both strike fear in their enemies hearts and embolden their lesser soldiers. As such our armaments are to be kept in pristine condition. While we may count on our squires to handle such menial tasks, it is our responsibility to ensure that our gear is squared away. Our capes may be used, for short periods of time, to comfort the peasants of our realm or to cover the corpses of our allies. They must be reclaimed before the dawn of the next day.

VII. Knights are the Hearts of Their Realms.
If our liege is to succumb to any physical threat than we have failed our duties. Our entire purpose is their well-being. It is why blood runs through our veins. They exhale the breath of life into our lungs. Our souls are tied to their fate. If our liege is to fall whilst we are away, we must avenge their life or die in the pursuit of their honor. If their lands are to fall while we are away, we are to free those lands and reinstate their bloodline to office or die in that pursuit.

VIII. Knights are Champions.
We are to tend to our realms people as if they were our own. Their safety and well-being are our responsibility. We are strength for the weak, wisdom for the ignorant and honor for the impoverished. Knights guard their peasants from foreign, and domestic, harm. Not even our liege can ask us to contradict this edict.