Order of the Checkered Shield
Order of the Checkered Shield, a renowned fighting order dedicated to the Goddess Larani. They follow a code of Chivalry, Honor, and Duty.
The Order is sponsored by the clerical Order of Hyvrik and was founded in 622 by King Andasin I of Kanday to guard the northern border of his realm.
The order is based at Menekod castle and holds significant lands and chapter-houses throughout Kanday. Menekod was taken from the Agrikan Order of the Copper Hook during Ezar’s War, and skirmishing between the order continues to this day. This conflict is not officially recognized by either Rethem’s King Kabe III or King Andasin IV of Kanday, who officially regard it as a religious dispute.
The Checkered shield has a small number of female knights, some of which have attained a high rank.
The Order is generally united; however, there are three fractions:
The Reluctant Warriors seeks to strengthen the order and better fulfill its mission as the shield of the realm. This is the largest fraction.
The Banners of Honor are a small but growing faction of headstrong knights eager for glory and wish to see a resumption of war with the Cooper Hook and the Kingdom of Rethem. They are in part responsible for some of the border conflicts.
The Traditionalists believe the order should be under the control of the church of Larani (Order of Hyvrik).
Structure
Chabla (Grandmaster)
The current Chabla is Sir Syman Tolfane, an extremely pious and skilled Knight. There are legends of him defeating a horde of demons during Ezar's War, something he denies to this day. Sir Syman is a strong believer in the chivalric code.
Reblena (Knight Commander)
Reblenas command chapterhouses or military units. They also serve as deputies to the grandmaster or as administrative officers.
Melana (Knight)
The Melana are the core of the order’s fighting force, leading raids, patrols, and making up the battle line's cavalry. Knights are split into numerous heavy (20%) and medium horse (80%) companies. They also command the soldiers who guard Laranian and Peonian temples and clergy.
Melana are almost always of noble birth, with many being the kingdom's powerful families' younger sons (and daughters). Under exceptional circumstances, a commoner may be knighted.
Meken (Common Soldier)
The Meken are the foot soldiers and form the bulk of the fighting force. They fill many roles, including patrolling the kingdom’s borders and key roads, defending chapterhouses and their lands, and guarding temples and important clerics. Most Meken are equipped as light foot soldiers. Corporals, sergeants, and veterans are usually better armored. Roughly a quarter are trained as bowmen, and some specializing in the longbow.
Additionally, there are ranks for retired Melana (Venilana), Meken (Veniken), Wandering Knights (Erana), Lay Knights (Rilana), Militant Clerics, and Squires (Ataken).
Additionally the Erken act as highly trained spies, scouts, and messengers.
Public Agenda
Guard the Kingdoms northern borders.
Protect the temples and priests of the Church of Larani, Church of Peoni and the Church of Sav K'Nor.
Battle the forces of evil especially the forces of the Evil gods, Agrik, Morgath, and Naveh.
Protect the week and the poor.
Assets
The order has a fighting force of around 240 knights and 540 men-at-arms.
Feudal levies of around 70 knights.
Reserve forces of around 100 knights and militant clergy.
Numerous strongholds, chapter-houses, and manors.
Limestone and granite quarries.
Regular financial donations from the Kandian crown, noble clans, the clerical Order of Hyvrik, and other anonymous sources.
Good quality weapon and armorsmiths.
Excellent stables and horse breeders.
History
622TR - King Andasin I founded the Order of the Checkered Shield from independent bands of knights of the Fighting Order of the Lady of Paladins based originally from Eastern Hârn.
Within 5 years, the Order had doubled the kingdom's size, capturing Quivum, Ewen, Heroth, Imiden, and Zerien.
661 to 666TR - During the Five-Year War, against the Thardic League, the order suffered its first defeat; however it recovered to win many significant battles and was pivotal in Kandays eventual victory.
682 to 697TR - Ezar’s War, against The Kingdom of Rethem, again led to more victories, including the capture of Menekod castle from the Company of the Copper Hook. This castle was granted to the Order and served as the Kingdom's first bastion of defense. The Copper Hook has never forgiven the Order and has yet to accept the peace. Raids and reprisals continue to this day.
712 to 713TR - The Order had just mobilized during Kuseme War. However had no opportunely to battle the Thardic Republic Legions as King Andasin IV sued for peace. This was a great disappointment, and it is fair to say some knights have begun to question the King's judgment.
Motto Guard the Meek
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