Faction Knighthood Order Overview
Because you have all been so patient in waiting for the Melitine Preview, we have decided to release some details about the Knighthood Orders which are directly related to the Major Factions. Note that some other factions, Orders and units may be mentioned here, but you will need to wait for future previews to find out just what they are.
Enjoy!
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Order of the Phoenix
Ashenborn Empire
Phoenix Knight
Two Handed Mounted Knight
The Snake Cult had very nearly won, only a few bands of rebels remained, scattered about in the mountains and forests of the former Baccus Empire. Only one castle remained, ever defiant to the influence of the Cult, Fang Keep. Azi Dahaka sent a Snake Cult Army to deal with this last bastion against her rule. Confident that it would be unable to hold out, she cast her gaze towards Pendor and began to make arrangements to wage war against that war-torn nation. The son of the Lord of Fang Keep, a humble man known as Marneus, bravely took up arms with the few remaining Baccus Loyalists. It was a long, hard battle and most of Marneus comrades died that day, however they threw back the horde of Cultists and won the day.
Grieved by the loss of so many of his friends, and his own father, Marneus had a massive funeral pyre built, and all the bodies burned. The flames were so hot that the survivors stood around it felt the metal in their armour begin to melt. No-one knows what happened next, but the next morning Marneus and his men awoke to find themselves properly dressed but no-longer in armour. When they went to investigate the remains of the great pyre, all could see within the bright gleam of embers, but they gave off no heat. Curious the men brushed the ash aside and found their all their armour hidden beneath, each suit seemingly made with liquid fire, but the metal was cool to the touch.
News of this victory spread and the entire region rose up in arms, mere days later Marneus was proclaimed the new Emperor of the Ashenborn Empire, and those who had served at his side at Fang Keep became known as the Order of the Phoenix.
Now, the members of the Order of the Phoenix pass their armour down to their eldest son when they die or retire, meaning that the Phoenix will forever ride to the defence of the Ashenborn Empire, their flame-touched armour glittering at the head of the army, their massive two handed swords inspiring fear in their foes and providing resolve to their allies.
Primary Colors & Secondary Colors:
Orange & Red
Sigil:
An imperial eagle bursting out of the flames
Equipment:
Very good full plate armour, very good 2 handed sword, very good javelins, good warhorse.
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The Shadow Wolves
Ashenborn Empire
Shadow Wolf
Halberd Infantry
Although the Emperor had succeeded in destroying the frontier defences of the Snake Cult, he still had to win the hearts and minds of those corrupted by the taint of the Cult. The Shadow Wolves exist to win back the people to the spirit of the Ashenborn Empire, and will use any means necessary to achieve this goal. The hidden war against the Cult is being waged with the tools of state, assassination, sabotage, basically covert operations of any kind are employed by them.
The ranks of the Shadow Wolves are filled by the Forsworn who show enough dedication... and live long enough are invited to join. In battle the Shadow Wolves fight like men possessed, bringing death and destruction with every swing of their mighty halberds. Their hoods hide faces twisted by hatred of their foes, their reddened eyes alone can be seen in the darkness. They are very fast considering they are armoured in good medium armour, and able to hit very quickly and with great power.
Primary & Secondary Colors:
Green & Black
Sigil:
A shadowy wolf with red eyes
Equipment:
Very good half plate armour, very very good halberd
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Order of the Leopard
Grand Duchy of Santara
Leopard Stalker
Armoured Crossbow Infantry
There is a myth that the first people of Santara were saved from ravaging tribes of barbarians by a pack of Snow Leopards. The story states that whenever the nation of Santara is in danger, the pack will run again in defence of the people. A group of marksmen, dedicated to this legend have taken up arms of their own accord and act in defence of their people as the noble pack once did. Over time the reputation of these stalwart defenders grew, and they were given the best armour and weapons by the many craftsmen of the land. They now wield the most cutting edge weapons and some of the best crafted armour available. This combination of accuracy and heavy armour makes them a deadly opponent.Primary : White / Secondary : Blue
Sigil : A leopard paw print
Plate armour, arbalest, sword, reinforced pavise shield
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Order of the Vigilant Talon
Kingdom of Nohseru
Vigilant Talon
Elite Horse Archers
They say that peasants do not care who the lords are, one lord is much the same as another, ultimately all they want are taxes and obedience. The peasants under King Rashim’s rule know better however, they know that they want, no, need Rashim’s benevolent leadership in order to continue to thrive and prosper, as they have been since he rose to the throne. It is the efforts of the Vigilant Talon that has made the populace suddenly more politicised, and aware of the good that their King does for them. There were ones who questioned his authority, those who wondered if things had really improved for the common man, and it is their questioning which led to Vigilant Talons arriving at night to take them away. Their neighbours were told that they had been taken to a better place of course, a place where one can argue and debate the merits of kingship to their hearts content. Not everyone believed these stories, but all have learnt that such questions are best asked in whispers.
The Vigilant Talons are the personal guard of the King, the primary police force of the nation and the guardians against all evils that beset the most serene Kingdom. They are each personally selected by the King, and paid like a king to keep them sweet. As such their equipment is the best money can buy, and their skills in combat unmatched. They are more heavily armoured than the norm for the Nohseru army, but they rely on their horses and their horsemanship to keep themselves mobile.
Primary & Secondary Colors:
Red & Yellow
Sigil:
A talon
Equipment:
Very good long sword, good shield, very good light plate armour, very good short bow, good Nohseru charger.
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Order of the Rolling Thunder
Melitine Empire
Rolling Thunder Cataphract
Ultra Heavy Knights
When the Melitine armies encountered the Parites, another Eastern invader army, they were in for a nasty shock. The Parites charged the solid ranks of the Melitine legionnaires with heavily armored cavalry called cataphracts that trampled the men and were nearly impervious to pikes.
Only a late charge by the Emperor Manuel's noble cavalry managed to drive away the cataphracts and restore order in the infantry ranks. Despite the casualties, the line was held against subsequent waves of massed infantry attacks, and the legionnaires once again proved their valour and skills - the invaders were turned away.
Manuel learned a valuable lesson and began to add heavy knights to his army, breeding exceptionally large and powerful horses for the purpose. They were used to great effect against the hapless infantry of subsequent invading armies.
As part of this reform to a more cavalry-centric military, the Emperor was wise enough to create an elite order of cataphracts, The Order of the Rolling Thunder. Only noble sons are accepted and their superior mounts and armour are paid for by their fathers, bringing them prestige and honour.
To the Order's chagrin, some of their patrols in the past were successfully ambushed by Heretics and Cultists, who kept the horses and transformed them by foul magic into Netherworld Chargers.
The doctrine of the Rolling Thunder is simple, outlast your foe and trample them slowly to death beneath your hooves. The Rolling Thunder are built to last, relying both on extreme protection and personal endurance. The warriors themselves are good fighters in their own right, but their weapon skills are not as extreme as those of other Knightly Orders.
Primary & Secondary Colors:
Black & Purple
Sigil:
Rams horns bursting with lightning
Equipment:
Supreme heavy armour, ultra heavy war horse, lance, sword, shield.
Preview #5 - Faction Knighthood Order Overview
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Originally Posted by Kyriakos
