Lore

History and Lore of Imarelian Knighthoods - by T.A. Saunders ©2011 v1.6

Defining the Path of Knighthood

To become a knight is perhaps one of the most rigorous and exhaustive processes a person can undergo. It is a life of harsh discipline with strict dedication to a church, an order and a deity that requires that knight to be ready to answer the call to arms at a moment's notice and to sacrifice all that person is in the name of their chosen deity. Knights are expected to be the model of civility in public and the righteous arm of their god on the battlefield. They serve as lords of territories, destroyers of heretics and justices of the peace. A knight lives this life without regret and praises their god when their death finally comes with the last breath they have.

Because of this harsh, disciplined life, few actually qualify to become knights of any kind. Initially, when knighthoods first formed, women weren't allowed to even petition for candidacy. In the last two hundred or so years, this has changed along with many other modernization the various Orders of Imarel have had to employ. Candidates for knighthood must first find a sponsor within their chosen church of faith (providing that faith has knights, not all do). Then the candidate must be tested, in both knowledge of their chosen faith and at skill at weaponry, especially the sword and the horseman's lance. While the latter is more for competition in the modern era of Imarel, the use of the sword is still paramount to a knight's military duties. It is the symbol of their faith and the righteous justice of their god, should they choose to use it.

Providing the Tests of Faith and of Skill are passed, the candidate then becomes a squire, who is assigned to a knight of the church's choosing. If a knight had sponsored the squire, it is likely (although not always) that squire will be assigned to the knight that sponsored him or her. If the squire was sponsored by another church official, or individual of good standing within the church, the squire is assigned to a knight who is willing to train him or her in the practices of knighthood. There is no set regimen for training, as it differs from knight to knight; some will make the squire do menial and often embarrassing tasks, others will choose to take a more hands-on approach and take their squire when duty calls.

Finally, when the knight in question has proven him or herself, they are knighted and given the title, Knight-Errant. The Knight-Errant is considered a junior member of whatever Order he or she chose to follow and is sent out in the world, to address minor issues big enough to require a representative of the church, while small enough to be handled by somebody with little actual field experience in handling knightly issues. These issues can be be anything from traveling with priests as bodyguards, settling a dispute between families or tracking down a thief.

After no less than five years as a Knight-Errant, if he or she has proven competent enough, they will be granted the title of Knight and will be given greater responsibilities within the Order, including going into battle in support of the church and the local government. For example, whenever the Windsong Republic goes to war, a contingent from the Holy Order of the Flamebringer always accompanies the Windsong troops, so long as the goals of the church and the government align. Many knights fulfill their careers at this level and are satisfied with that.

Those who are exemplary at their given tasks as knights, can petition to become Knight-Captain. This rank consists of the very best knights, in both prowess on the battlefield and knowledge of their given faith. They lead other knights into battle and often act as a war-time priest for other soldiers that aren't knights, but wish the blessing of their faith upon their army. Knight-Captains have also acted as negotiators for cessation of hostilities between opposing armies and often take on high profile matters of church that may involve government officials, foreign dignitaries and others of grand (or notorious) repute.

Above the Knight-Captain is the Knight Templar. These Knights are the head of specific chapters of an Order and act as representatives of the church for a local populous. They have leave to decree the will of the church and speak with authority on the will of that knight's chosen deity. Indeed, only a Lord/Dame or an Archpriest speak over the word of a Knight Templar in matters of religious significance. Knight-Templars are also used to weed out corruption in the church for this reason.

Above the Knight-Templars is the Lord Templar or Dame Templar(if female). These individuals are in charge of whole areas where several Order chapters are located. They are second only to the Archpriest of any particular faith and is considered the vessel of divine will within the church. A Lord or Dame Templar can call the Order to battle, rescind such commands, or order members of the church either rewarded for their faith or punished for their heresy. Where an Archpriest is the mouthpiece of a deity, the Lord and Dame Templars are the righteous fist.

Finally, there are the Champions; these individuals are considered to be in direct contact with their deity and take orders only from that divine figure. They do not answer to the church, but often consult with the Archpriest on matters of great importance to the Church or to settle disputes by combat with opposing Orders, if need be. In the rarest of instances, the Champion of a faith can be asked to face off against infernal (or divine) beings that have intruded upon Imarel without cause. These Champions are singular individuals per Order and only a Lord or Dame Templar can challenge to become a Champion if there isn't one, but once given the position, it is that individual's position for life, or so long as they are faithful.