The Mithratic Knights
The Age of Awakening shattered the nations of Occidentia and placed its people into bondage, but not all continents were so afflicted. In the far east Legar and its sister land of Cathay were united and strengthened by the Age's trials. They looked across the sea to their pitiful neighbor with hungry eyes. Scarcely had half a century passed, the heroes of the Awakening only just entering their graves, when the first invasion fleets set sail.
Though all of the knightly orders of Legar and free companies of Cathayan sent at least a token expedition, only the Mithratic Knights saw any lasting success. Driven by their desire to conquer, organize, and civilize they have been able to maintain a decades long crusade on the western barbarians.
Structure
While the Mithratic Knights are a knightly order, they first and foremost view themselves as a religious organization of hidden knowledge. As such much of the inner workings of their organization of kept secret from outsiders. It is known that advancement within the Order requires skill at arms, devotion to their faith, and leadership skills in equal measure. Knights show their current rank within the order publically by incorporating symbols of their current rank into armor and heraldry. These ranks are raven, bridesman, soldier, lion, titan, sun-runner, and father.
Public Agenda
The Mithratic Knights are steadfast in their goal to unite all nations into a single state and spread the order of their faith, a peculiar cult of the Legaran state religion. They seek to conquer all foreign states and destroy all other religious institutions to this end. This extends even to the churches of western Occidentia who worship the Righteous Pantheon, but fail to observe the dogma and rituals of their Legaran worshipers.
Assets
The Knights are not far off when they claim that their strength comes from faith, mithril, and civilization. They were able to establish their initial foothold on the continent thanks to the disunited state of most of its native countries, and even to this day is able to count on a steady stream of resources from Legar. There are regular ships full of men and women ready to bring civilization to the Western continent. Some are initiatives of the Order's Legaran branch, others are members of other orders loaned out for crusade, or even just mercenaries looking for plunder. The Order finds use for all.
The Mithrans are also at an advantage in terms of martial force compared to many of their enemies. They are unique in using mithril for the majority of their arms and armor as the metal is not native to Occidentia. Compounding this is the nature of the Order's military. While most nations of Occidentia have a small core of professional soldiers the majority of their armies are composed of peasant levies. The Knights by contrast are professional soldiers to a man. Also while most of them are the size of ordinary men, Legar has a breed of men known as ogres who tower over even the God-Blooded men of Haixi. Their arms thick as trees and able behead a horse in a single sword stroke.
History
The Mithratic Order is claimed to have been founded by a demigod known as Mithras, who convinced the sun to grant farmers use of her light to grow crops. Mithras is considered a saint by the Church of the Righteous Pantheon in Legar but only one of many, while the Order elevates him to prime importance. In fact they are unique among the Legaran in being allowed to refuse victory laurels or coronets as their initiation ritual includes a vow stating Mithras to be their only crown.
Type
Military, Knightly Order
Alternative Names
Mithran Knights, Crusaders, Eastern Invaders
Demonym
Mithran
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Dependent territory
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
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