Rogue Knights

Now, you can use the Chivalric guidelines to keep your knights in check or to build a better history for your noble houses, but there are other ways to utilize the rogue knight’s life.

What if it’s a frame-up? How do you proclaim your innocence when no one believes you? How can you challenge the knight who framed you if you have already been banished from the kingdom? Do you start a new life, only to return decades later to right the wrong, or does the knight get the chance to challenge before the king? And what if the framer is of much higher level that of the framed? If you die defending your honor, then you’ll be considered guilty, and if you fail to challenge, then you are also assumed to be guilty.

And what about the problems faced by men like Sir Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood)? His lands were taken by an evil usurper to the throne while the true king was held captive across the sea. Which king do you serve and which is the most honorable road to travel? Do you dare fight your old comrades?

As you can see, knights and rogue knights make not only the best NPCs, but also add spice to any PC background story. Better yet, the DM can throw such a curve into the campaign as it is running, causing all sorts of great role-playing opportunities.