Vestoni Knighthood and Chivalry
While knights exist all over the world and all have their own creeds and doctrines, it is true that the birthplace of Knighthood and Chivalry, at least for Nilush, is Vebastonne. Though the other nations differ in how their knights are picked and how they temper themselves, the concept of knighthood, and more importantly chivalry, have been refined and perfected in the lands of the Vestoni.
Origins of Knighthood
The origins of knighthood come from ancient times, back when the warlike Vestoni tribes first migrated to the land they would name after their people, Vebastonne. These tribes were warlike and constantly warred with one another, and with any invading foreign tribes. The Vestoni were masters at taming and breeding strong horses, and it is said that a wandering dwarf who owed a debt to a Vestoni warlord taught his tribe how to forge iron and steel weapons' and armor, namely plates that could be riveted to form brigandine armor. Soon, the Vestoni tribes all rushed to arm themselves with this new found technology, but this new way of forging was expensive and time consuming. To counter this, a tradition that's continued to this day known as "The Rite of Knighting" would be formed. This tradition states that every year a fair maiden of each tribal village would call upon young men to hunt down and vanquish a beast harrying the tribe. Many would die in pursuit of this quest, but eventually, one would succeed. The one who succeeded not only got to take the maidens hand in marriage, but also would occupy the position of the tribes "Knight". He would no longer need to work the fields, and instead the tribe would work to care for not just themselves but also the knight, and in return he would constantly train and defend the tribe from any threat. Due to this, the knights became a breed apart, and truly earned their place in the tribe. He would occupy a wooden tower from where he could watch over the town with his wife, though this would eventually evolve into great stone castles. Eventually the Vestoni would field more and more knights, and soon the most ancient knights would come to govern these knights, and so on and so fourth. Eventually, these knights came to become the nobility of the land, and those born of nobility were by their nature, knights. These armored warriors would become famous throughout Nilush, and soon many other nations emulated the knightly custom, however few followed the exact example of the Vestoni.The Ranks of Knight
A Vestonian becomes a knight in one of two ways: being born into it by being the child of nobles, or winning the Rite of Knighthood. Either way, all begin their journey as a Knight Errant. A Knight Errant is the lowest form of knight, as they are considered to be worthy of becoming a full knight, but yet to truly prove themselves. A Knight Errant will typically travel the kingdom in search of deeds to distinguish themselves, and eventually ascended to the next rank of knight: Chevalier. These Knights are considered full knights, and some but not all are given a few acres of land by their local lord. In return for the land, or more commonly simply bunk and food, they must answer his command and serve under him. While peasants pay taxes for the local lord, knights must swear oaths of fealty to the higher orders of nobility. Typically most knights stay in this state, however some feel the call of Lilia stronger more then others, or may be wanting to right a wrong they have committed. This is when they become a Knight of the Gallant Oath. These Knights Gallant relinquish all of their land and ability to inherit land, and in return are able to renounce their service to the local lord. This can be used to escape a lord one hates, or a genuine call of Lilla to ride out into the world. Indeed, these knights are more akin to wandering holy men, seeking to right wrongs outside the borders of Vebastonne in order to gain the purest blessings of Lilia and ascended to a form of living sainthood, known as Grail Knights. These knights are the purest of heart, most courageous of souls, and most honorable of warriors. They are touched by the goddess Lilia herself, and are said to be her direct servants in the world. They are revered throughout the land, and they can fell entire armies by themselves, so terrible and awesome is their power. They may serve a lord if they wish, though only one who is also a Grail Knight, but nothing stops them from simply wandering around lord-less, answering only to the king and their goddesses will. They are blessed with extended life after drinking from the holy grail, and it is said when they die they are reincarnated in the realm both Lilia and Morgina reside. Much of their power, however, comes from the relics they obtain from fallen heroes of ages past. Yes, a Grail Knight will search the land for relics of long dead knights, honoring the fallen by wielding their weapons and armor, only to eventually die themselves, and thus lay their arms down for the next Grail Knight to obtain. It is a constant cycle of death, tragedy, but also of rebirth and legacy. It is a life of constantly honoring not just Lilia but of the fallen ancestors, but a life that a knight will bear with pride.Knighthood Today
Knighthood today has largely remained unchanged, save for the new inclusion of women being allowed to become knights themselves. The Rite of Knighting is still used, though in truth few survive these trials to be elevated to the lowest rank of knight, which is in itself the lowest form of nobility. Though some changes have occurred such as it is only to happen once every 2 years, rather then every ever year. While some other nations knights scoff at the idea of peasants being allowed to be elevated to nobility, with knights from Ashenfeld claiming that "If the common rabble is allowed to ascended then soon there will be no commoners!". In truth this is not a worry, as grimly so many noble lines die in the line of duty that there is always room for more knights to be raised. Another change is that the hand of the fairest maiden in the village is no longer the main incentive for becoming a knight. It can still be offered by the maiden but the main reward is the title of knighthood rather then wedding the maiden. The final change is that no longer is every individual knight given a tower or castle to watch over the village, in fact nothing holds them to stay there. Since the Vestoni have had time to build keeps and castles all around the land, they can effectively send out lances of knights if needed to act to a situation fast and effectively. Thus every knight maintaining a constant vigil of their town or village isn't necessary, and the newly titled Knight Errant will be allowed to travel the kingdom and beyond in order to earn prestige. With the relatively recent inclusion that women be allowed to become knights, many now question how to go about the ancient rites. Should it be a council of the village elders who proclaim the Rite of Knighting or should it still be the fairest maiden of the village? Some question how this will affect the rite, but for the most part things have gone relatively smoothly.Origins of Chivalry
Chivalry, is the set of customs and laws dictating how a knight should act, and the standards one must hold themselves too. They were to be inspired by the example Giles d'Allee set when he united the nation, and from the newly revealed patron goddess of the Vestoni, Lilla and Morgina. It is said that this code was revealed to Giles on his journey as he claimed the sacred sword from the stone. These laws are what binds a knight to his word, and to this day they are considered absolute for a knight to follow. While it is only expected for a knight to follow the code of chivalry, even the peasantry are expected to follow certain traits of the code that the knights follow, such as courtesy and manners. The code of chivalry dictates that Valor, Courtesy, and Loyalty are what a knight should strive to show at all times. It also encompasses both the Commandments of Chivalry, and the Rules of HonorChivalry Today
Chivalry is considered an outdated concept in the rest of the world. Ashenfeld knights, for example, believe in honor in battle but believe that such romantic ideals are best left in the old fables. Instead one must be practical in war, and so they need to be free to act however they please. However, the code of chivalry has remain unchanged since its inception for the noble people of Vebastonne, and to this day remains the core philosophy of their people.The Commandments of Chivalry
- To serve the Lady of the Lake, and of the Great Enchantress
- To protect the weak and fight for what is right and good
- Always fight the enemies of Vebastonne, and of virtue and order
- To defend the land bequeathed onto thee
- Never give up the fight until the enemy is slain
- Never to lose faith or betray a friend or ally
- Always to display honor and courtesy A Knight Errant must swear upon his sword to uphold these values.
Rules of Honor
- A knight shall accept a challenge to personal combat
- Thou shant use underhanded moves in a duel between warriors
- Thou shall abstain the use of ranged weaponry, for hand to hand is the most honorable form of combat
- Never to strike a blow against a fellow knight except in a trial by combat or in a tournament, unless the knight is themselves a traitor to the Vestoni people or at war with the knights nation.
- A Knight shan't ever retreat from the enemy
