Knight

Qualifications

Originally one of Nobility from the Old Blood House would become a Knight within a Knightly Order or their own House; but distinguished Commoners, Scholars, and Soldiers may become one as well. These days however they'll take anyone they can to keep their Orders from collapsing.

Requirements

Originally one had to be of Noble blood of some sort, or be distinguished in some way. After joining a Knightly Order additional training and education may be given.

Appointment

Typically the Highlander King, a member of the Old Blood House, or another Knight can appoint a Knight.

Duties

The duties of Knights varied from Knightly Order to Knightly Order; they ranged from hunting monsters, protecting Nobles, collecting taxes, running bureaucracies, or performing research.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of a Knight was to protect their fellow Knights and the common folk; but above all obey the command of their superior Knights, Old Blood House associated with the Order, and the Highlander King himself.

Benefits

Many Knights and their families were well paid and rarely wanted for anything, in addition the sense of brotherhood and sisterhood amongst Knights allowed for a larger political family and commitment to one and other.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The standard equipment of a Knight was medium to heavy armor, a shield, longsword, lance, and crossbow. Variations may occur from Knightly Order to Knightly Order.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Removal or dismissal very rarely occurred, such a thing could only be the result of treason against the Nobility or dishonoring the name of the Order. Immediately after such a thing, a Knight's name would be struck from the records and promptly executed for their crime.

History

The founding of the Knightly Orders, and by extension Knights, ties back all the way to shortly after the founding of the Kingdom of Man. When the last of the Elves was purged from the Freelands and/or stolen away to Avalon, the Highlander King and his Eight Companions had a Kingdom to run, but did not have the man power to do it. The Eight Companions became the Old Blood Houses and created Knightly Orders sworn to them, thus created a feudalistic system to run their new world. Initially the first Knightly Orders were solely military in nature; to help maintain order, hunt monsters, and protect the people from themselves. As time passed more Knightly Orders were created to fulfill more specific needs such as research, espionage, and overseeing trade. What started only as a dozen or so Knightly Orders slowly grew over the centuries into a few hundred Knightly Orders, which each one becoming more specific and corrupt than the last. Creating a top heavy system that eventually collapsed in on itself during the Great Rebellion. Today only a few Knightly Orders remain, waiting for their time to return to the public eye and their ascent to power once more.

Cultural Significance

Knights and Knightly Orders were once proud symbols and were an integral part of the Kingdom of Man, today their mere existence is a crime and a relic of a bygone era.

Notable Holders

There were once hundreds of Knights, almost all records of the most famous ones have been burned or destroyed by the New Bloods and the Holy Order of the Light.

Type

Nobility, Military

Status

Yes, but Knights and Knightly Orders are illegal

Form of Address

Sir, Lady

Alternative Naming

Knight-Captain, Knight Commander

Equates to

At one point they were equal Templars, and next closest equivalent would be a Witchslayer

Source of Authority

The Highlander King, The Old Blood Houses, The Old Knightly Orders

Length of Term

For Life

Reports directly to

The Highlander King

Related Locations

• The Freelands

Related Organizations

• The Old Blood Houses
• The Old Knightly Orders