Knightly Orders of the Steel Realms

Knightly orders of the steel Realms produce knights sworn to uphold the High King’s law [above all others nominally]. Many have specific charges as part of their charter they focus on as well. There are many martial brotherhoods, but only Knightly Orders are allowed to dispense justice – legally pass judgement, capture, and if necessary kill, enemies of the High King. In addition to the normal orders, there are a few religious based order that have some agreements with the High King’s authorities (such as the Order of the Silver Talents). Many of those not familiar with the laws often mistake martial brotherhoods for a lawful order of knights, which the less scrupulous are wont to use to their advantage.

Becoming: Only those possessing peerage titles can knight someone. It requires the approval of their own lord. Most knightly orders are very specifically human-centric.

High Dundaran is a language that most of the members of Knightly orders of the steel Realms are taught, at to rudimentary fluency. This includes many of the written words that are commonly part of this so they can recognize the mark of quality.

Benefits:

1. Priority service in establishments
2. Benefits of increased social standings – borrowing money is easier, word will be taken above others, may marry into higher social status, etc.
3. Access to information, services, and groups which would be closed otherwise
4. The ability to demand/call upon locals to act in defense of himself and lord (and legally temporarily train and arm them)
5. Lackeys see anyone with a title of Knight or higher as inherently good for them – the extra leadership check gains a +2
6. If ever arms and armor are lost, a knight may demand of those beneath their station arms and armor – as long as they pay them back later

Service: Part of the path to knighthood is service – to a liege, a cause, etc. Those in service must have a patron/sponsor that advises them and guides them, teaching them the ways and means of being a proper knight as a knight themselves. This is a formal mentor. The mentor sets directly the educational goals, schools in martial discipline, and directs the finances of the aspiring knight.

The orders follows the standard ranks for the rank-and-file

Rank-and-File Knightly Order Overview

Rank	Requirements	Benefits
Page	Tithe Severe, Lore: Law 1 (familiarity High King), Lore: Heraldry of the Realms 1, Ride 1, Melee 2, Fend 3, Evade 1, Shoot 1, Code of Conduct + typically includes Bannerman requirements personally	Provision Extreme (Min. Bundle starting)
Squire	Tithe Moderate, Lore: Law 2 (familiarity High King), Lore: Heraldry of the Realms 3, Ride 2, Melee 3, Fend 3, Evade 2, Armor Use 2, Shoot 2, Code of Conduct + typically includes Bannerman requirements personally	Provision Major (Maj. Bundle starting), Familiarity (shields)
Knight	Tithe Mild, Lore: Law 4 (familiarity High King), Lore: Heraldry of the Realms 5, Ride 4, Melee 6, Fend 5, Evade 3, Armor Use 4, Shoot 4, Code of Conduct + typically includes Bannerman requirements personally	Provision Minor (Maj. Bundle starting), Familiarity (swords)

In addition to the typical path to knight, which requires direct patronage and service, the orders have other offices in which some may serve.

Shield Brothers: The functional arms of the order. Most of the order is comprised of these – not knights per se, but soldiers and warriors who fight along side the knights, provide support and additional combat experience. Many times entry into the order is made from this lowest point and the skills to become a knight are offered and encouraged if the Shield Brother proves worthy.

Sergeant Brother: Competent Shield Brothers – officers over them, are of this rank within the order. Again, the path to knighthood is often done through progressing through the ‘brother’ ranks first to earn acclaim and patron.