Knights of Vinguardia (VIN-GUARD-E-AH)

Knights of Vinguardia act as the defenders of Munasarjan government, and protectors of all things Arcane. The common people of Munasarja hold these knights in high regard. It is not uncommon for civilians to take in a traveling member of the knighthood and to treat the knight as thought there were a member of the family. Formed shortly after the signing of the treaty between Cultrius and Duragle in the year 699 AW, the Knights of Vinguardia have spent the last century marrying the martial arts of sword and axe with the finesse and power of spellcasting.
Membership within the ranks of the knighthood requires a sponsor who is an active member, as well as a fee of one hundred gold pieces. It is due to this steep cost of entry that the members of the knighthood are sons and daughters of noble members of Munasarja, or have come from the mercantile class. The prominence of the position held by the sponsor, or if the member volunteers additional coin over the initial fee of membership, have been known to have influence on the duty that one is assigned once graduating from the knighthoods training.

Structure

For those that qualify for the knighthood and pay their fee of entry they are appointed the rank of squire and placed in the charge of a higher ranking member of the knighthood for a years time. During that year the quire learns the ways of the court, learns a cursory level of magic, and trains with sword and armor. After that years time the squire is assessed on their skills in these areas, and if they are passed forward then they are promoted to Knight. Those that are not passed from this evaluation are given an additional years time to hone their skills. If the squire fails a second time then they are dismissed from the Knights of Vinguardia.
Those that achieve the rank of Knight are sent to various outposts and battalions throughout Munasarja. These young knights are given charge of protecting young nobles, wealthy merchants, and other members deemed to be important to the nation, but not considered critical. Those that achieve the rank of Knight are given a choice upon earning their promotion. A choice to join the courts, the mages, or the soldiers is made and the soldier begins to work toward their specialty within the knighthood.*
Each position above Knight is given to only a single worthy person to hold that rank. From those that elect to follow the specialization of magic the rank of Watcher is granted, and the knight given this rank is placed at the head of the Arcane Watch. From here the knight works hand in hand with the Elder Counsel of Mages to review and devise protections that may be needed against forces that may threaten the libraries of Munasarja and their tombs on the history of the arcane.
River Captain is appointed to the one that shows a mastery of the ways of the courtroom and the social structures that surround it. The one who holds this rank must be a master orator who can control a room with his words, and sway the opinions of foreign dignitaries when needed. It is not uncommon for the rank to be held by one that may have studied at a bardic college in their youth for the art of performance can be vital in performing their duties.
For the Knight that chooses to walk the path of the soldier the head of this division is given the rank of South Captain. This knight is a master of the sword, as well as a capable motivator. Though still a capable practitioner of the arcane arts, the South Captain generally has forgone spells and sorcery in favor of a heavy blade and shield. When the time calls for war the South Captain is expected to march at the head of the army and command the troops in battle.
At the head of the Knights of Vinguardia stands the Lord Knight of Vinguardia. This knight commands all divisions of the knighthood below him. Only a master of all aspects of the knighthood can achieve this rank. The Lord Knight stands as an advisor to the King of Munasarja as well and in extreme cases can contend for the throne if no heir is present.
* Within the rules of Pathfinder 2e those that reach this rank must have some aspect of Bard. This can be their core class, or via Bard Dedication.

Public Agenda

The Knights of Vinguardia swore fealty to the royal family of Munasarja upon the formation of the organization.  Since that time the knights have been placed in charge of guardian the borders of the nation, protecting the political leaders, members of the royal family, and the professors of the School of the Arcane.  Knights of Vinguardia are equally responsible for training the soldiers of the Munasarja military and act as officers of the military.  Many politicians will have a Knight of Vinguardia present during the gathering of parliament to act both as guards and advisors thanks to the extensive training that the knights receive in areas of politics.  The School of the Arcane appoints the knights to patrol the grounds outside of the campus grounds so as to keep out those not wanted inside the academy.

Jigi jeg us (Magic take us)

COAT OF ARMS:

Knights of Vinnguardia can be easily identified by the organizations coat of arms that adorns their banners and shields. The crest consists of two black sables on a pale agent with a central colour of red, and a three headed dragon in the center.

Founding Date

699 AW

Type

Military, Knightly Order

Alternative Names

Eldritch Knights

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Decorated/Honored

Leader

Samuel Valestir

Parent Organization

Munasarja