The Knights of Argg

Written by Bryan David Sage

When I laid mine eyes upon her gleaming armor, brightly hued banner whipping through the wind, cantering her proud charger through our little hamlet, I knew then my true destiny. I was six.

— Druet the Bold, Knight Cavalier

Elite warriors, staunch protectors, and loyal servants of Lough Province, the Knights of Argg are the military might of the crown. Yet, they are much more. In the course of their career a knight may serve as peacekeeper, justicar, ambassador, altruist, or warden as well as any other noble service deemed necessary by their order.
Any human of any age from anywhere can become a Knight of Argg, providing they can endure the many years of rigorous training and education required. Each perspective recruit must serve as a squire for an established knight who oversees their progress. After which they must pass four very important tests encompassing mind, body, spirit and strife. If successful, recruits are ushered into one of the four orders of the knighthood where fate and fortune await...

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Echelon of Deeds

Upon acceptance into the knighthood, a Knight of Argg must serve under one of the four orders: Scholars, Trades, Builders, or Prosperities. At which time they will be assigned to the lowest rank and begin their career. Elevating rank is based on merit of deeds concordant with their order.

Knight Errant

The lowest and most common rank of the orders, the Knight Errant must wander the wild lands of Lough Province for five years, gaining renown with other sentient species.

Knight Peasant

As knights of some renown, they must travel the roads of civilized lands serving as peacekeepers to the outlying villages and hamlets across the province.

Knight Cavalier

After gaining the trust of the common folk, A knight must serve in a town garrison enforcing local laws and assisting the local militia.

Knight Courtier

An experienced veteran of wide renown. Knight Courtiers are required to serve the needs of the aristocracy/nobility.

Knight Captain

By traveling the breadth of the province while upholding The Nine Solemn Troths, the knight has learned enough to provide training to knight recruits, and must serve as educator, weapons master, and tactician.

Knight Commander

As a knight of great renown throughout the entire province and possibly beyond, they have earned the right of command. Knight Commanders must oversee a company of knights in times of warfare and serve the head of their order in times of peace. This title is limited to the number of towns and fortresses available for such a position and a knight will remain at this rank until promoted to leader of their order or until they retire.

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The Four Orders

Scholars

Trades

Builders

Prosperities

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Culture

One of the first lessons a Knight of Argg learns as a squire is the definition of a warrior. That warriors do not seek battle or relish the fight, rather their duty as knights require them to help the people in whatever capacity is needed. And yes, sometimes they may need to fight. As squires continue their training, it becomes clear that all further lessons trace back to this definition. But it is usually when squires are accepted into the service of an established knight that this definition becomes a way of life.
It is in the field where the needs of the people become most visible. Knights may be called upon to battle foes, surely, but feeding the hungry, or digging a well, or reaping a field will be where a knight can best contribute. Thus, the knights are taught that the way of the shepherd is as equal a quality as the way of the sword, and to understand the difference between the two. By learning these important lessons early on, a squire begins to value the world around them as a place that depends on their existence. Indubitably, a knight is but part of the military might of the crown and must be ready to defend the land at any time. However, their core duty is to the people, and most vehemently believe that is where the true path to glory lies.
Duty and loyalty are, perhaps, the most dominant attributes of a Knight of Argg. Loyalty to the knighthood, the four orders, and the crown play into the many quandaries a knight might face during their service. Though they strive to personify law and order while upholding the Nine, there is the firm belief that loyalty binds them to each other, producing a stronger knighthood. It is this loyalty that provides a knight with pride and comfort, knowing that they have the full authority of the knighthood to set their back against in times of need. And when they are needed, they are sworn to their duty by the One Hallowed Oath in which they proclaim during their knighting ceremony. But beyond the many incumbencies placed upon them, a knight’s most profound duty is to themselves. Their world can be an overwhelming existence and they must place utmost priority on their own well-being lest they be consumed by the weight of their responsibilities. However, many knights do not, and the result of self neglect usually ends in tragedy.
In the spirit of well-being, it is customary for knights to hold festivals where they fraternize with each other as well as the people they help. Often extravagant, these festivals are held once each season for many days. During which is the only time it is acceptable for a knight to “let loose” with a modicum of carousing, drinking, and tale swapping along with contests of skill. It is also during these festivals when the knighthood ceremoniously honor the fallen, recognize great deeds, and accept new recruits.

To Honor & Preserve

Nine Solemn Troths

I must willingly perform any noble service
I must show courage and enterprise
I must honor all those above my rank
I must show respect to all
I must defend, to the death, any person, place, or item placed in my charge
I must defend the weak and infirm
I must achieve personal glory in battle
I must sway all those who oppose my cause
I must choose death before dishonor

Four Paths to Honor

- Order of Scholars -
Keepers of knowledge
- Order of Trades -
Masters of commerce
- Order of Builders -
Governors of armature
- Order of Prosperities -
Administers of welfare

One Hallowed Oath

I am sworn to the land
I am sworn to the people
I am sworn to the truth
I am sworn to the law
To know failure is to know dishonor, and by the Nine, I choose death before dishonor
I give my life and my service to the crown

Datum

Founding Date

Beir'errach, 8117

Type

Military, Knightly Order

Alternative Names

Gleamers, Enforcers, Lawyers, Cavalry, Justicars, Wardens, and some other not-so-savory names.

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Decorated/Honored

Demonym

Knight

Notable Members

• Herm

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A Sordid Past

A decade before the Seeker Wars, the ill-fated Arwyn Decree banned the use of, and the study of magic, science, and philosophy throughout the Mi’aive Empire. Liag Hubart, king of Lough Province (8110-8138 AD) and a staunch opposer of the wanton spread of knowledge during that time, readily accepted empirical troops into his lands to enforce these new laws. But as Mi'aive citizens subjugated by the decree would not relent, the emperor was forced to recall all empirical soldiers back to the palace.
Resistance soon escalated into war, and without military support of the empire, King Hubart formed an elite group of soldiers to mete out empirical justice to any lawbreaker in the realm. To keep their enthusiasm, the king gave them the royal title of Knight and the royal impunity to serve the realm as they saw fit. The Arwyn Decree was inflexible, and the knights were quite able and willing. Throughout the bloody Seeker Wars, Hubart’s knights were responsible for the deaths of thousands of sages, artisans, scholars and wrongfully accused citizens in Lough Province.
At the time of Hubart’s death in 8138 AD, the knighthood comprised of four divisions, each presiding over separate regions of the province. For generations, the knights served the realm under the Hubart line and in 8275 AD, the last of the “dark arts” seekers were publicly executed, ending the 147 year massacre. But the victory was not without cost. The Mi’aive Empire was all but destroyed, and the surviving provincial kings were left to govern their own kingdoms.
The realm knew peace for a time. The seceding Hubart kings turned the knight’s attention toward rebuilding the province, and thus, the four orders of the knighthood were established and centralized to the provincial seat at Castle Hawkhaven. The Hubart line finally died out in 8845 AD, however, when Branton Argg, Knight of Builders (8815-8866 AD) betrayed his liege and best friend King Liam Hubart (8819-8845 AD) in a brash maneuver. Argg clandestinely assembled a company of cutthroat mercenaries who, while wearing the guise of knights, assassinated Hubart and his entire family in their Hawkhaven home. The Argg family eagerly assumed the throne, moving the provincial seat to Castle Argg where they remain in power.


Thumbnail images by a-ravlik, flourish dividers by Clker-Free-Vector-Images,
Knight PNG by Genox, Knight Photo by Adalhelma