Orders of Knighthood
Orders of Knighthood
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There are numerous forms of knighthood in the Flanaess--
types bestowed by sovereign rulers, those
granted by greater and lesser nobles, and those
conferred by the principal clerics of certain states. These
various degrees are not held in equal regard. Some
states do not confer knighthood at all, a few bestow it
on the cheap, and elsewhere it is of great repute.
Thus, for example, the Knight Protectors of the
Great Kingdom are exceedingly formidable, while
those of Medegia are looked upon with near
contempt,
as it is well known that the title is offered for
sale. Only the following three are true orders
knighthood, however.
The Knights of the Shield:
This order is detailed in the
description of the Shield Lands (q.v.).
Knights of the Watch:
Certain stout soldiers from the
lands of Bissel, Gran March, Geoff, and Keoland
are
invited to join this order, which is pledged to protect
the east from incursions of the Paynims and the other
Westerlings. These knights hold certain castles,
keeps, and strongholds along the Ketish border and
elsewhere in the western mountains. The Watchers
are a near-monastic order and very strictly disciplined.
Their current Grand Commander is Hugo of
Geoff. There are reported to be 5,000 in the order.
The coat of arms of the Knights of the Watch is
sable, an owl displayed argent.
Order of the Hart:
Far less militant in its outlok,
and divided into three seperate branches, the Knights
of the Order of the Hart were organized to assure that
the central states (Furyondy, Veluna, High Folk)
retained their freedom and purpose. Because these
nations are quite decentralized and none maintains
any sizable standing military force, each is subject to
sudden incursions and threats from neighbors. In the
E. and N. are the humanoid hordes and the barbaran nomads.
To the W. are the Baklunish sates
and the only slightly less threatening marches and
military orders between , as well as Perrenland
with
its aggressive trade policies and well-organized soldiery
to back them up. There is little threat from the
S., save for occasional pirates on the Nyr Dyv and
some more-or-less bothersome raiding from humanoids.
Thus, while each nobleman and lord of these
nations has his own guards and men-at-arms, and
each sovereign ruler maintains a small body of troops,
most of the might of Furyondy, Veluna, and the
High Folk takes a considerable time to muster. The
Knights of the Hart are therefore sworn to be ready at
an instant's notice to serve as a vanguard. They maintain
certain strongholds, serve in various capacities in
the associated nations, and have roving troops scouting
trouble areas and hostile borders as well. The
three branches of the Knights of the Order of the Hart are:
-- Knights of Furyondy:
^
There are 200 knights and
many men-at-arms under their
command in this
branch of the order. Their
coat of arms is Azure, a
pair of antlers or.
-- Knights of Veluna:
^
It is said that there are
but 80
knights in this branch of
the Order of the Hart,
although each is of great
repute and commands
many sergeants and men-at-arms.
Their coat of
arms is Sable, a pair of antlers
or.
-- Knights of the High
Forest: ^
This branch of the order is
reputed to be only for those of the Olvenfolk.
There are perhaps only two
dozen or so
knights within the branch.
Their coat of
arms is Vert, a pair of antlers
or.
Knighthood in any branch of the Order of the Hart is
bestowed only upon freemen and gentlefolk seeking
the weal of the states which they are dedicated to
uphold and defend. Furthermore, each candidate
must be a proven fighter <> and have performed an act of
exceptional honor, bravery, courage, and service.
Knights of the Hart are hated and despised by Iuz,
the Horned Society, and even by the folk of Dyvers,
it is said. There is no love lost between them and the
Watchers, the rulers of Perrenland, and certain of the Nyrondel noblesse.
Considerable rivalry exists
between the orders of the Hart and the Shield.
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