Knights Terra
The Knights Terra, more commonly known as the Amaranthines are an elite unit of trained Knights in the Empire of Korrisia. The Knights Terra are named thus as they are the guardian of the entire world, as all lands of Korrisia lie under the banner of the Empire. These soldiers are often found alone or in small groups, only ever gathering in sizable units in times of dire need, or war. Being granted knighthood as an Amaranthine is an incredible honor, and many would-be soldiers and officers dream of one day replacing their red tabard with a purple one.
The Knights Terra were created after the Imperial War of Unification, in which The Overlord sought to restore honor and dignity to the military nobility. Individuals from both the Imperial Army and those who fought against the Empire's rule were hand-picked by the Overlord as the first knights of the order, and offered the position. Every individual named accepted without hesitation, and formed the Knights Terra. The newly inducted members chose the color Amaranthine because they felt it stood out, and also honored the Overlord, as it was Aelzan's colors before becoming Chancellor.
Composition
Manpower
The Knights of Terra have members all across Korrisia and are approx. 1,000 knights strong.
Equipment
Equipment is hand-crafted to fit each Knight's requirements, those who are more agile could have a specially crafted studded leather set of armor, and enchanted daggers while a more martially trained knight could have enchanted platemail and carry a flaming greatsword into battle.
The common pieces of equipment across all knights are: the Amaranthine Tabard, a silver dagger with the symbol of the Empire as the pommel, and a banner of their order.
Displayed: The armor sets of Knights Terra. [Image source: Tyranny Game Wiki]
Structure
Knight Commander - Head of the order - The Knight Commander must approve any and all requests to recruit new members to the Knights Terra, and hand picks those who will become his Knight Captains. The Knight Commander answers directly to the Archon of War. The Knight Commander serves for life or until they are removed by the Archon of War.
Knight Captain - There are 7 Captains at any moment, each is hand-picked by the Knight Commander. Knight Captains are responsible for different geographic regions of Korrisia and management of the Order's holdings, training of recruits, and handling of any special tasks given out by the Knight Commander or the Imperial Offices. With permission from the Knight Commander, a Knight Captain may approve a request for a recruit to ascend to the position of Knight.
Knight Warden - A ranking position for knights in the Order. A Warden is able to command fully inducted Knights and is often responsible for the trainings of new recruits to the Order. Wardens also take specialty roles such as Quartermaster, Smith, Bookkeeper.
Knight Scholar - A special position reserved for spellcasting members of the Knights Terra. A Scholar must be approved by the Knight Commander but on recommendation of the Archon of Magic. This ensures that only the most masterful of mages become members of the Order. Scholars are often responsible for developing magical tactics and creating magical items to be utilized by the Knights. Scholars also provide arcane support in battle, while the other Knights disperse and attack from different angles, a Scholar can be found overlooking the battlefield and often times dropping lightning or fire into the fray for maximum chaos. Scholars are often recruited from Imperial Blackcloaks.
Knight - An inducted Knight of the Order. Knights receive the full rights and responsibilities of being a member of the Knights Terra. At this level, members are able to freely come and go, and often are found wandering the Empire seeking for any opportunity to assist. Knights are generally assigned a Warden, a commanding officer who keeps in contact with each Knight and issues orders or distributes information.
Recruit - A Recruit is someone who has been recommended to the Knight Commander and is allowed entry into the Knights Terra. A Recruit is not able to don the Amaranthine colors but wears a special light purple set of armor to signify their recruit status. After months (possibly years) of training and education, a Recruit is able to apply for ascension in the Order. Generally becoming a Knight in the order requires a feat of greatness, such as the felling of a dangerous creature or the apprehension of a dangerous criminal.
Tactics
The Knights Terra are in every way trained as elites. Much of the training materials are from the former sovereign nations of Korrisia, and the Knights are encouraged to develop methods to out-maneuver these masterfully designed tactics. The Order trains a knight to their strengths, if one is already an agile roguish type, they will be trained to master their craft, vanishing in darkness and cutting the throats of enemies before they have awoken from their slumber. Tactics are encouraged to be developed with creativity, risk, and some light panache.
What often is the doom of the enemies of the Knights is having to respond to so many different and unique tactical styles. A group of revolting soldiers in the Alithanaran Tier may be able to handle several Knights in a toe-to-toe assault, but with several appearing from behind out of mist, others firing arrows across a field, and one driving an enchanted dagger into the commanding officer, it creates chaos rather quickly.
Training
To be considered for recruitment one must show extreme proficiency in the realm of martial skills. Once someone has gained interest, they are marked for observation. The Knights Terra have gone so far as to hire bandits to attack their potential recruits so that they may observe how the recruits act in battle. Once selected and approved for admission, they are approached by a Knight Warden and offered a position.
After accepting, the Recruit is taken to one of the many fortresses that the Knights Terra hold, and spends months in training. Training is focused entirely on strengthening the areas that the recruit holds skill in. The recruit is also educated by a Knight Scholar, in the realms of philosophy, history, and given a greater understanding of the arcane.
Once the initial training is completed, a Recruit can apply to ascend to the rank of Knight. Training never stops with the Knights Terra, and they spend much of their free time working to continue mastery of their skillset and expand their education in any realm.
[The Amaranthines are based lightly on the Disfavored from Tyranny, but more honorable]
Type
Special Forces
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Used by
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