Knights of Black Dragon

"They countryside looked torn and the towers were scattered, like the dragons of old had been there. But this was only the shadow of those dragons. Black Knights had been there." - The Chronicles of Lysandus.

The Knights of Black Dragon, alternatively called "Black Knights", were a extremist military faction from western Lisanrik that opposed the crown of Lysandus. They were particularly prevalent during the reign of King Mortimer II, but they would be ultimately destroyed during the events of the Second Dragon Crisis they perpetuated.

Structure

The Knights of the Black Dragon has a strange sense of egalitarianism in it's ranks, besides having a clear leader for them to follow. Infantry is viewed just as valuable in the battle as the officer, so the loss of one of their ranks becomes an excuse for them to double their efforts or even assault cities. It is not uncommon to see them trying to raid Lysandan villages for imprisoning a Black Knight.
The first type of the rank is what was called a Black Draco, a cleric-like supporting follower of Tiamat that would empower the other troops of the Black Knights. They were known for their horned helmets and scale mail, which they proudly adorned to look like dragons.
The second type was the Black Knight, a basic fighter that made the majority of the troops. They were trained in different weapons and armor so they could fit in any role needed. With rigorous training from the officers, they also had incredible morale.
The third type was a Dragon Knight, the most loyal of the Black Knights that swore an oath to conquest. They would be found wearing either plate mail or chain mail, wearing horned helmets and a band of feathers to signify a dragon's mane. Their preferred weapons were swords and shields. They proved to be the most lethal of the troops due to their power to use Tiamat's power to smite.
Dragolok were the fourth type of rank and served as officers. They could be wizards, sorcerers, and even warlocks. These officers would stay behind in battle to let the infantry handle the heavy battling. These officers would access their magical power to change the tide of battle when most needed.
At the top of the chain was the Dominator, the head of the Black Dragons. The Dominator made all the major political desicions and overlooked military regiments, like a monarch themselves. The Dominator is said to be the closest to Tiamat and has the ability to transform into a dragon themselves. In a few instances, it was an actual dragon. Because of this, the Black Knights believed that the Dominator was an absolute power. During the reign of Mortimer II, the Dominator was a sorceress named Qenlynn Millerstone.

Public Agenda

The Knights of Black Dragon openly oppose the regime of Lysandus due to their opposition towards the dragons of the Lyestral Mountains. The true rulers of Lysandus, they feel, are the dragons that once terrorized the lands during the reign of Queen Dariah. They openly worship Tiamat and aspire to be like the dragons they follow, partaking in terrifying and cruel methods of warfare. They declared any worshipers of Bahamut their enemy.

History

The Knights of the Black Dragons first appeared near the beginning of Mortimer I's reign, where a small cult of clerics arose in Lisanrik, secretly worshiping Tiamat. They grew resentful of the Kingdom of Lysandus for warring against the dragons under Queen Dariah's reign. The cultists thus proposed to rebel against the crown so that the dragons may freely rule the nation instead of Men. Organizing rogue knights and training themselves in military, they started off as a small group of knights who began to trouble some smaller villages in the Lisanrik countryside.
However, once Erik the Wicked took the throne in 5652, they began to grow as resentment toward King Erik began to bring some folk to their cause. Though King Erik would be disposed of in 5676, the Black Dragons did not disband. If anything, they grew more members. Discontent with the crown led to plotting against even the Dragonlords themselves. Then, in 5689, under the command of a Black Knight named Sir Edward, the Knights of Black Dragon attempted to foil a wedding and kill Lady Joyce of Silver Town. They would be foiled by a party of mercenaries.

Qenlynn the Dominator by MrCrackerpants

Qenlynn Millerstone of Miweck would lead the Black Dragons, though to much opposition.

The party of mercenaries would follow their trail, destroying an encampment of Black Dragons in the forests of Caleah and raiding their loot. They would proceed to hunt Sir Edward, a Black Knight that served as one of their leaders. The mercenaries slew Sir Edward at his base at Urshlon Tower, which got burned to the ground. They would follow the Black Dragon leader, Qenlynn to her undercover shop, Grace's Wonders. She quickly abandoned the shop, and the mercenaries burned it to the ground. These mercenaries would become the Heroes of Southern Star, and quickly became enemies of the Black Dragons.
The Southern Stars followed Black Dragon operations to the Mines of Dragonpeak, where they uncovered a Dragolok, named Kilroy Mancer, using kobold blood to turn people into Half-Dragons. The operation would be destroyed by the Southern Stars, with assistance with Sir Galafred, a half-dragon whom the party cured. However, this operation revealed Lady Qenlynn's plan to create Half-Dragon soldiers.
Eventually, the Black Dragons united with the Danen to have them take over the region of Keller. Taking Duergar Soul Sand, their leader Qenlynn Millerstone transformed into a Red Dragon. Then, the Black Knights made their assault, joining with the Danen to take over Silver Town, Kirkwall, and eventually tried to take over Keller's Coast. However, their plans were foiled by the Southern Stars, re-branded as the Dragonblazers. In their last effort, the Black Knights and the Danen took over Amagus Tower to gain some control. However, they fell to the Dragonblazers and the armies of Lysandus. Qenlynn Millerstone was killed by the adventurers, and the Knights of Black Dragon crumbled.
Through the decade after 5689, the heroes Wulfric Dragonbane, Hilda Snowladen, Hamill the Sorcerer, and Sir Galafred hunted down the remaining Black Knights and had them prosecuted, until the order was no more, and peace was brought to Lysandus.

"The Black Dragon Dominates!"

5642 - 5690

Type

Military, Knightly Order

Alternative Names

Black Knights, Dracos

Demonym

Black Dragons

Leader

Qenlynn Millerstone

Notable Members

• Qenlynn Millerstone
• Sir Edward Wallington

Related Ethnicities

• Lysandan