Bladeknights
The Bladeknights were the elite veterans of the Meradassian Imperial Army that served in the Bhanjax Offensive. Magically altered at a genetic level by the Great Sorcerer Lyr to be stronger, faster and more durable than regular troops, they were integral at pushing back the tide of the Bhanjax host that threatened to destroy the Empire.
After turning the tide of the war, and leading numerous strategic strikes deep into the heart of the enemy's territory, they eventually managed to defeat the leader of the Bhanjax Horde, the Mage-Priest Dhaim Acales, after the sacrifice of their leader, Khiale.
After the destruction of the Gate at Phared, and the subsequent Fall of the Empire, the knights spent most of their time hunting down the remnants of the Bhanjax army. While they were few in number, they were highly skilled and many of the balkanized nations that rose after the Empire's fall desired their acumen and skill.
The knights eschewed all political entanglements -- barring the sole time they backed the Ilsaran Independence movement -- and slowly removed themselves from society to focus solely on hunting the Bhanjax armies.'
By the second century after Phared, few records mention the Knights in any sense beyond the historical. They are assumed to have died off or been disbanded completely by the beginning of the third century.
Several prominent historians and treasure seekers alike have spent decades (if not centuries) looking for evidence as to what happened to the knights but all searches to date have been fruitless. The knights themselves have shifted from historical entities to mythic heroes that saved the world from the vile bhanjax horde.
Occasionally, in rural Ilsaran taverns, you'll hear tales of travellers beset by evil bhanjax only to be saved by a sole knight who says little and leaves without reward fter brutally slaughtering the enemy with preternatural skill.
Composition
Manpower
The original Legion of the Blade was comprised of roughly five thousand men. During the height of the Bhanjax war, six other legions were created bringing the total fighting force to roughly 35000 knights with another 15000 auxilliaries and hangers on. By the end of the war, attrition had taken a decisive toll on the force and the four surviving legions numbered roughly 2000 each.
Equipment
Most knights favoured lighter armour that didn't hinder mobility. Usually a hardened leather cuirass with matching pauldrons, greaves and bracers over a leather skirt, though metal versions that eschewed mobility for additional protection were adopted by at least two of the legions. While all knights were proficient in the use of shields, the use of them was dependent on the legion themselves.
Weaponry
The knights were proficient in the use of all bladed weapons and upon their promotion from squire each knight was granted a sword - usually a longsword, though again it varied by individual legion.
While, they are most commonly associated with using swords, many knights chose other bladed weapons to individually express themselves. Some used rapiers, others claymores and others still favoured daggers.
Structure
An individual squad of Knights is referred to as a Fist. It usually consists six knights and a Knight Captain. The Knights Captain each report to the Knights Commander and each Commander oversees 14 Fists and ultimately reports to the Knight Preceptor of each Legion. During the Bhanjax war, the Preceptors all reported to Khiale, the Knight Marshall. Since the destruction of Phared, there has not been a Knight Marshall.
Each legion consists of
Knight-Errants stood outside the normal command structure. They held an unofficial rank somewhere between Captain and Commander and reported directly to the Preceptor
Type
Special Forces
Overall training Level
Elite
Used by
Ranks & Titles