The Goddess
(Knights and the Warrior Caste)
by Mysteria51
History may forget, as time is always fluent,
but the elves never forgot. They are free of the burdens of time. They are the
Goddess's children. For centuries they have stood the test of time and loyally
stood by their Goddesses side. The Paladins and their brethren rode side by side
with the Goddess when She walked the ground that mortals tread.
Elf History
In the beginning, the cosmos belonged to the heavens, the
earth, and the gods. The gods pitched fierce battles in the heavens and their
blood was spilt throughout the cosmos, and giving birth to the stars. The gods
continued to fight spilling their blood on the stars and giving birth to the
heavenly bodies (planets). Their tears gave birth to the many creatures
throughout the cosmos.
The Elves were born from such a battle; when one of the gods
wept for her fallen children. Her tears fell to the earth and Elves rose
from the mixture of the Goddess's blood, tears, and earth. Her rage split the
Goddess and out sprang the Elf Pantheon. Elves are
mortal, but less mortal than other races. To this day not all Elves believe this
tale, but the truth be told it doesn't matter. The Elves stood beside their
Goddess when she took her wrath against her enemies. The Goddess along with her children
destroyed Her enemies and obliterated them from earth, the heavens,
even the cosmos. To this day the enemy that 'shall not be named' has never
returned. Ancient tales tell of a tale that some were able to escape slaughter when
they hid below the earth in the very bowls of hell itself and they wait for the
day when the elves have waned and all but die out, then they will return and
strike back at everything.
The elves traveled the heavens and earth along with
the Elf Pantheon, but the Pantheon tired and withdrew from mortals and elves
alike. Even the other deities left the mortal realms and went back to the
heavens. Soon the Elves could only rely on each other. The elves split into
three separate castes; the religious caste, the warrior caste, and the worker
caste. No caste could survive without the other. The religious caste split into
the Máraran (the Priests), the Lessien (the Druids), the Valandil (the Clerics),
and the Dínendal (the Paladins). The Warrior Caste split into the Alassea (the
Knights), the Indis (the Fighters), the Elbereth (the Archers), and the Sára
(the Rangers). The Worker Caste split into the Nátulcien (the Artisans), the
Ilúvënis (the Professionals), the Aranel/Ireth (the Sorcerers/Mages), and the
Eärlindë (the Scholars)
The Knights History
The warrior caste was put in charge of protecting Elf lands
and all Elves. The Elf Knights became the leaders of the Warrior Caste. Their
purpose was to protect, but they could also lead during time of war or poor
resources (loss of food, shelter, or game).
The first Knights where sworn to guard the holy lands. They
are known for their fanaticism and courage, the Knights do not know fear for
they have fought many battles side by side with their god against mortals, gods,
and even demons. The Knights have remained small; it has even been shrinking.
Fortunately, the elves have not forgotten their duty to the land, their people,
even their Goddess.
There have been many battles, but many of the Knights
victories and losses have been lost through the history of time. It seems that
the Knights do not keep their histories written, but rather they spread their
histories through song and art. Many of the Knights have been known
to travel with artisans who record their deeds in song or art.
Now the Knights ride the lands making sure that the Elves and
the holy lands are kept safe and protected. The Knights have become the military
arm of the council. Recently (from an Elf point of view) they have begun to make
alliances with some from other pantheons. It seems that the clerics and paladins
have begun a 'unholy' alliance even with humans.
The Knights have not taken these alliances lightly, they
stick to the letter of any alliance and heaven forbid if you break the treaty,
because the Knights will declare a 'holy war' (Elerossë Nénharma) against all
who break the Council's word. So far both the paladins and the clerics have
managed to keep the Knights in check and they haven't gone off on a 'holy war'.
Membership
The Knights are not an open order, but only those who are
born into the position can become a Knight. Knights inherit their right, unlike
the Religious Caste who actually inherits a birthmark that appears on them, the
Warrior Caste inherits their right by birth. The Knight's inherits their rank
through the passing of their ancestral sword from generation to generation
(ancestral blades are created for those purposes). Throughout time the number of
Knights has been getting smaller and smaller, especially since the Elves have
such a low birth rate. The number of Knights is at their lowest in history.
Each Knight has a small group of 'men-at-arms' that travels
with them. Usually the men-at-arms consist of warriors, religious, and worker
caste members. Many of the Knights have taken to traveling with bards to record
their deeds and actions in song. Some have even begun to travel with other
species as their 'men-at-arms'. Either route these men-art-arms are devout loyal
followers who willingly work side by side with their knight.
Purpose and Goals
The Elven Knight's main goal is to execute the Council's
orders and fight side by side with their Warrior Caste, the Religious Caste, and
protect the Worker Caste. Nothing else is as important to them as their duty.
They seem to be even beyond the paladins and clerics obsession about their Gods.
They are committed to unquestioning service and they have
unwavering loyalty. They promote law, order, religious harmony, and consistent
military leadership. They are expected to be brave, resolute, and obedient. Some
are stern; some are fair, others are even merciful. All would risk their lives
to save another (if the other was worthy). All would give their lives to
preserve the Council and the ruling members.
They are champions of justice and the Elf way. They are the
foremost military Order of the Elf nation. They serve a higher order, the
Council. They are the first and last defense against all those who would appose
the Council.
Income
Riding the land and performing their duties requires money.
The ruling Council allows the Warrior Caste to collect for their needs. The
Council, church, and Elf Nation have granted the Knights considerable power to
raise funds. All the lands give to the Warrior Caste. The Knights may demand
labor, produce, and even extra taxes from all Elves. The Elves have even charged
others for use of roads, trade, and even unique abilities.
Organization
The structural unit of the Knights is broken into Clans. Each
Clan controls an area where they travel and perform their deeds. Each clan is
controlled by a Lólindir (Commander), who assigns duties to all. He usually the
Commander resides in a fortified keep. Each Clan has a number of Knights (their
men-at-arms) and numbers other Warrior Caste under their command. The number of
Knights and leadership command varies from house to house depending on the lands
size and Lólindir style.
Relations
The Knights currently are on friendly terms with the other
Warrior Caste members, and they rule with a noble dignity given by
birth. Tension with other races continues especially since their military is
powerful, even though it is getting smaller. It is only a matter of time before
a true 'holy war' breaks out and the Knights have to ride to action, when that
happens, heads will roll.
Trade
The Knights see a lot of trade, almost as much as the Worker
Caste. They travel all across their lands and hold sway over several key trade
routes with other species. Though most Knights dislike trade they realize it is
essential to keeping their cause funded and thus take it very seriously.
The Land
The Elves hold sway over several key areas of the land, but
the elves have less and less influence over their territories due to the lack of
manpower. Their numbers continuously grow smaller and smaller every year. It is
only a
matter of time before their enemies gather enough confidence to challenge and
confront the Elves.
Alassea Celebrindal: The Knights Code
We are thy Council. Thou will believe in all that the Council commands, observe all directions, and have no other before us.
Thou will defend the nation and all that we empower.
All who bear thy mark shall bear our power.
Thou shall not commit adultery, steal, or covet thou neighbor.
Thou will not recoil before the enemy.
Thou will perform scrupulously all feudal duties, if they are not contrary to the laws of the Council
Thou will always remain faithful to thou pledged words
Honor thou father/mother go forth and prolong thy days which hath been given thee.
Thou will be everywhere and always be the champion of the Council against Injustice and Evil.
Thou wilt wage war against Infidels, without cessation, or
without mercy.
Game Terms
Elf Knights are always the Knight Class. Although from time
to time a Knight falls from the grace of the Council and becomes just a Fighter,
Ranger, even Rogue. Seldom do the Knights retire. Occasionally some go to a
higher calling either as a Paladin or as a Cleric, but most prefer to be
Knights. Typical Knights should be 2nd-6th level, experienced Knights should be
7th-10th level, and Lólindir (Commanders) should be 9th-12th level or greater.
Knights should be strong, but most are minor heroes, occasionally one becomes a
great hero. Knights should have a high Charisma, Strength, and Wisdom. Although
a high Dexterity, Constitution, or Intelligence goes a long way. Occasionally
Half-Elves are born or granted Knighthood. Typically they carry strong magic
items and they are capable individuals. Knights should start off with a direct
chain of command with their 'Commander' even if it is though a subordinate.
Further, they should start off with a consistent base of operations. A place
were their 'Commander' can orchestrate all of the Knights (Usually a fortified
base), but this 'base' does not belong to the Knight, rather the Knight belongs
to the commander who owns the base.