The Elysium Knights Military Formation in Orr | World Anvil
BUILD YOUR OWN WORLD Like what you see? Become the Master of your own Universe!

The Elysium Knights

The Elysium Knights were an order of questing warriors seeking a homeland in the beginnings of the third era. Lead by Lord Ellemex, a former judge of the Magisterium of Dalair, they traveled west of the Starwell into the broken lands said to be ruled by a Primal Evil. Their exodus was due in part to the Magisterium's desire to elevate Rizion as a God of Orr, and their condemnation of the proposal brought a bout of bloodshed and strife to the early third era known as the time of the Broken Wand. Many peasants and warriors joined the Knights in refuting Rizion's ascension. There was great fear among the common man that elevating a figure such as Rizion for their power alone would set a deadly and dark precedent, especially in those early days of unguarded attempts to master the arts of sorcery. In Iskandar, the Elysium Knights and their armies faced the remnants of the great evils left behind in the wake of the cataclysm. Their quest for a homeland was made with dauntless courage and faith, but it was a land not easily won and many thousands died in the heroic effort. When at last the Dawn Realm had been carved, Lord Ellemex writ into law the Iskar Astartes, the Pillars of Knighthood, which would help guide Iskandar in the eras to come. Each of the pillars were lead by one of his great companions, and their house of Knighthood molded after their unique talents and skills.  
  Beauclaire
The Elysium Knight from whom this noble house gains its name was famed for his verse and song. He wrote many poems and eddas that describes the early history of Orr and is considered one of the first loremasters of the world. The heraldic colors of this noble house are brown, black and gold and its symbol is the harp. House Beauclaire presides over many lustrous and prestigious academies and colleges dedicated to history and the arts. Many of the cities and fellowships of Iskandar owe their elegant architecture to members of house Beauclaire and thus their influence in Iskandar is widely renowned and observed.   Caspielle
This Knight of Elysium is said to have been a spellsword of vast skill and prowess. She is described in the lore of the realm as having outwitted a devil and as having a particular hatred for the black arts. Her heraldic symbol is the owl and the colors of her house are dark blue and silver. House Caspielle presides over a dedicated order of Eldritch Knights that quest through Iskandar to root out and destroy threats of dark magic. These mage-slayers are especially famed for hunting witches, diabolists and necromancers and those who practice such summonings and sorcery know to fear the symbol of their knighthood. This house is fewer in number than perhaps any other and those who are of its lineage often walk unseen among the realm.   Ellemex
The Elysium Knight Ellemex was a renowned lawmaker and judge who served among the Magisterium of Dalair until the Sorcerer Lords cast him into exile for refusing to bend the law of their realm in their favor. Disgraced, Ellemex joined the Elysium Knights and helped drive out the forces of darkness and hell that ruled Iskandar in the beginnings of the third era. When their new territory had been founded it was Ellemex who sought the invention of the pillars of knighthood and he who scribed the Iskar Astartes, a declaration of rule and law that is followed to this day. Ellemex was destined to be crowned as the first king of Iskandar, for the soldiers who had followed the Elysium Knights to victory in that era admired and adored him, but the enemies he had wrought in Dalair assassinated Ellemex on the day of his coronation, an act that began a long and bitter relationship between the two nations. The heraldry of Ellemex is the gavel and the crown, the colors of his house are white and black.   Feyrendel
This Knight of Elysium was paramount in the victories of the third era that established Iskandar as she was capable of wielding the winds and the sea to bring ruin upon the enemies of the Knighthood and shelter to her own forces. The lore of the realm describes Feyrendel as reclusive and meditative. Once the lands of Iskandar had been claimed from the armies of darkness that were once host upon the land she abandoned her fellow knights, showing no interest in the fledgling kingdom, preferring instead to return to the the untamed wilds. The knighthood still honors Feyrendel but none in Iskandar claim themselves as her descendents and no knights bare her colors or symbols.   Galmirridion
Of the Knights of Elysium none are more renowned for their strength or courage than Galmirridion. It was he who ventured to the far corners of Orr and assembled the Elysium Knights and their armies and it was he who lead them to victory against the dark forces that once scoured the realm of Iskandar. Galmirridion is said to have been a man of such faith and spiritual power that a drop of his blood could cure any malady and a whisper of his voice would send demons fleeing to hell in terror. Though he fought valiantly to bring Iskandar into being, Galmirridion did not live to see his Elysium Knights claim victory over the realm. In the dark forest of Yensova, the knight and his forces were struck down by an enormous horde of the undead. The few survivors of the massacre that returned to the Elysium Knights claim that Galmirridion felled over a hundred of the graveborn thralls with his own hands before succumbing to his wounds. Since his death, travelers of the forest have claimed to see Galmirridion’s specter keeping watch over their camps and sometimes leading them safely through the moor. In the present day the house of Galmirridion is dedicated to the protection of the innocent. They make up the bulwark of knights and high clerics who serve the citizens of the realm and of the twelve pillars of knighthood, Galmirridion’s house is the first and foremost. The heraldry of his house is the lion and his colors are gold and red.   Lloyce
This house of the Elysium Knighthood is perhaps the most well known through the world of Orr as they serve as master tradesmen, diplomats and when necessary, spies. In life Lloyce was described as never having set foot in Iskandar, and for that matter having never even met his contemporaries during the crusades to secure the realm. While the other Elysium Knights fought on the fields of battle against armies of darkness, Lloyce petitioned for soldiers, armaments and ships from the other nations of Orr so that the Elysium Knights and their armies could wage their crusade. There is no doubt that without Lloyce the Elysium Knights could not have achieved victory but his role, while instrumental, did not inspire many to credit him. Wars are certainly more often won through exertion of influence and gold, but Lloyce was never described as being particularly chivalrous, honorable or courageous, and thus his house has suffered an ill-reputation since the founding of Iskandar. Lloyce’s heraldry is the raven and his colors are black and green.   Mithranmur
Perhaps the most mysterious of the Elysium Knights, extremely little is known of Mithranmur and over the course of many generations it seems that his house has been systematically eradicated. Those who claim descendancy from Mithranmur often meet mysterious ends, leading some to believe that the house is cursed while others claim that an organization hidden within Orr is dedicated to eliminating his family line. The only records of Mithranmur that exist are the journals of his fellow Elysium Knight, Beauclaire, who implies that Mithranmur claimed his home was far across the sea, leading scholars of the noble houses to infer that Mithranmur was born to Infidia. While plausible, there have yet to be uncovered any ruins or signs of settlement by mortals in Infidia during the the third era in which Mithranmur would have joined with the Knighthood. Mithranmur’s heraldic symbol is the bat and the colors of his house are red and black.   Orrlanden
Hailing from the frigid isles of Aardwulf, this Knight of Elysium was once a jarl of the isles and left his homeland in disgrace after murdering his own wife in a drunken rage after finding her in bed with another man. Traveling to the main continent he met the Elysium Knights and joined them after Galmirridion bested him in one on one combat. Orrlanden proved to be a ferocious warrior capable of felling entire regiments of his own accord but his true calling was shipbuilding. The fleets of Aardwulf were fabled in the third era for their ability to cross the unknown seas, as were the sailors of the isles for they alone understood how to navigate the vast oceans. Orrlanden shared these secrets with the Elysium Knights and with these vessels were able to maneuver their armies as none had done before, which proved a critical component in their victory to claim the realm of Iskandar. After the crusade had been won Orrlanden remained in Iskandar, passing on his knowledge and teachings to his descendants. In the present day Iskandar boasts an unmatched navy on the world of Orr and Orrlanden’s house remains true to this tradition of shipbuilding. The heraldic symbol of house Orrlanden is the wolf and its colors are red and brown.   Saerl
This Knight of Elysium was renowned for her skill in vanquishing demons and beasts. She developed volumes of techniques for defeating the dark enemies of the Knighthood and the grimoires and bestiaries she scribed in the third era prove relevant to this very day. Those of Saerl’s House often serve the Knighthood as lone slayers who seek out and banish creatures of chaos. Saerl’s House presides over exclusive schools where these slayers have their abilities honed to a razor-sharp edge. The heraldic symbol of Saerl’s Knighthood is the eagle and their colors are blue and green.   Torrithien
The Knighthood of Torrithien govern over the separate holy orders of Iskandar and who enforce the oaths of the Elysium Knights. In life, Torrithien was an ardent believer and master tactician who soaked himself in his faith. He is recorded by Beauclaire as saying that angels guided him in the movement of their armies and the annals of history report numerous occasions where Torrithien lead the Elysium Knights and their forces to victory in ways that to this day are described as only being possible with uncanny foreknowledge. It is even said that Torrithien warned Galmirridion to steer his forces around the forests of Yensova, where the leader of the Elysium Knights ultimately met his end, and that he had already begun preparations for Galmirridion’s funeral before the survivors of the massacre reported the news of the Elysium Knight’s death. Those descendent of Torrithien are rumored to still bare his gift of foresight. The heraldic symbol of his house is the bear and its colors are white and blue.   Umbra
Umbra’s Knighthood serves as a reminder to the houses of Iskandar that none are safe from corruption. In life Umbra was a courageous and valiant Knight of Elysium who committed noble deeds and gave all that she possessed to charity. Her conviction and faith were renowned but none suspected that these attributes and sacrifices were done to appease what Umbra believed to be avatar of her faith. In truth Umbra had invited a malicious and deceitful demon to stand beside her in prayer and it slowly wormed its way into her heart and mind until at last, during the battle of Cerrenhel, she called upon its power to turn the tide of battle. When the demon answered her plea, it stripped Umbra of her will and through her delivered a crushing blow to the Knights of Elysium that nearly overturned their effort to create the realm. Umbra did not survive the battle but rather than forsake her memory she was given an order of Knighthood and house to be filled by those knights who strayed from the path. Those who have fallen in disgrace, turn to darkness or break their oaths are made to bare her symbol, the snake, and are often chosen to complete impossible quests to regain their honor.   Zalfiere
A sage from the distant jungles of Nausica, this Elysium Knight was known as a tender, loving soul who never bore arms or armor. He is said to have tended to the spirits and bodies of his fellow Knights and would sing and burn incense during the storms of battle to bolden their armies. Zalfiere’s house is comprised of clerics, alchemists and spiritualists who minister to the heart and soul of Iskandar. The heraldic symbol of his house is the rose and its colors are white and green.

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!