Knights of the Scarlet Lotus

A legion of young men, as graceful and beautiful as they are lethal: these are the Knights of the Scarlet Lotus. The Knights Scarlet, as they are commonly known, are selected as youths, chosen for their striking appearances and their physical potential. Years of grueling training shape young men into truly fearsome combatants. Everything about the Knights Scarlet is designed to be spectacular: they wear elaborate armor and red makeup; they ride giant black destriers; they move with impossible grace and fluidity. The signature weapons of the Knights Scarlet are polearms and bows, both of which are highly effective whether the wielder is mounted or unmounted. While they are trained to work together in small units, the Knights Scarlet excel as individual combatants and leaders; many serve in positions of power over other military units, such as those in the Sovereign Army of Olathe.

Role of the Knights Scarlet

The first role of the Knights Scarlet is a traditional one. They originated as guardians of the royal family, and they remain as such today. Many Knights Scarlet serve as the guards of Kaer Olathe, the royal palace. Aside from their ceremonial role as guardians, the Knights Scarlet do have a place in warfare: upon their black war-steeds, the Knights Scarlet are highly effective shock troops. While they are impressive combatants, the fear incited in enemies by their intimidating presence is useful on its own. Some Knights Scarlet have additional training in commanding hordes of undead warriors, serving as an anchoring presence on the battlefield while leading waves of undying infantry into the melee.

Life as a Knight Scarlet

Potential Knights Scarlet are selected as youths. Almost all Knights Scarlet are Lathléar elves, so at the time of their selection, they are usually between 50 and 75 years old. Many are drawn from the nobility, but more than a few Knights Scarlet were born into families of commoners. The selected youths are chosen based on a few criteria. Firstly, with only a small handful of exceptions, they are men; they must also possess intelligence, physical capability, and attractive appearance. Specific skills like archery and horsemanship can contribute to the selection of a specific individual, but those are by no means required at this early stage. Once a young man is selected, he undergoes at least two years of training and evaluation before he can become an Initiate.

At least twenty-five years of training, mentorship by elder Knights Scarlet, and a gradual introduction to the duties of a mature Knight stand between a new Initiate and the status of a true Knight Scarlet. Once a Knight becomes an elite Banneret, he may choose to specialize into martial leadership, at which point he earns the title of Commander. An exceptional senior Banneret can earn the title of Champion, and an exemplary Commander can become an Imperator. The highest status within the organization is held by the Chevaliers, who oversee the training and operations of all other Knights Scarlet and hold the most trusted guardianship roles within the royal palace.

Throughout their training, Knights Scarlet learn courtly manners, diplomacy, politics, and history in addition to their study of combat. They are also taught to maintain a high standard of dress and decorum, for appearances are a vital part of the public image of the Knights Scarlet: to appear less than perfect is a stain on the reputation of the order as much as any failure in combat would be.

Leadership of the Order

The Knights Scarlet are led by a council that consists of all the Chevaliers in the order, plus the Serene Master, a member of the royal family trained as a Knight Scarlet. The rank of Serene Master is currently held by Prince Aelerís, the eldest son of Queen Fiaéain IV. At present, the council includes eight Chevaliers, though the number has been as high as seventeen and as low as four at varying times during the order's history. Two notable current council members are Chevalier Naeír na Caith, Prince Aelerís' second spouse and former mentor, and Chevalier Sfina Uhl'Audenmyre, one of only small number of female Knights Scarlet and Olathe's premier commander of undead troops.

While the job of the Serene Master is primarily to serve as an intermediary between the order and the royal family, it would be a mistake to assume that the Serene Master is not actually a qualified Knight. This is particularly true of Prince Aelerís, who was selected for the order just as any other qualified youth would have been, and whose commitment to martial scholarship would certainly have earned him a place of honor among the order even in the absence of his royal heritage. While almost all of the Chevaliers on the council have much longer histories within the order than the prince, he has acquired their respect as much as any senior knight.

The Knights of the Scarlet Lotus in a Campaign.

In a campaign, the Knights of the Scarlet Lotus can serve as a faction with which characters can align themselves. Characters that belong to this chivalric order are most likely to be Lathléar wood elves, and they will typically be bards, fighters, or paladins. A character that starts with an allegiance to the Knights of the Scarlet Lotus may select the Initiate Scarlet background during character creation. Characters can progress through the following ranks (variants listed in parenthesis): Initiate, Knight, Banneret (Commander), Champion (Imperator), Chevalier.

See Factions of Olathe for more detailed information about using factions in campaigns set in Olathe.

Perfection in Every Act

Founding Date

c. 1200 YW

Type

Military, Knightly Order

Alternative Names

The Knights Scarlet

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Decorated/Honored

Leader

Aelerís Er'Olathe