Knights Errant

"OK, let's do this! FOR THE GLORY OF NEW ARARAT!!!"

- Sir Leonard Jenkins, Knight Errant, shortly before his death at an Invid Commander.

Not everyone that calls themselves a "knight" has the benefit of power armor. The Knights Errant is the collective name for a group of would-be crusaders that fancy themselves "knights". They have been around for a while, and most have been something akin to an additional police group. Some did go out and try to crusade, bringing the Word to the animal-born throngs. Oddly, few of these returned. Some died, others decided to stay with those they were meant to convert. Being a Knight Errant was something done more to stifle boredom. Alternatively, you sent your son or daughter to a Knight Errant to get some discipline like old Military Academies once served the rich and powerful.

In recent years, with the conflicts with the Invid, the Knights Errant have become more and more popular. They are starting to get better arms and armor, and are unifying as a force. There is even talk to attempting to get their own "knight" mecha. It would be primitive compared to a Glitter Armor, but it would make them stand out and give them a better chance on the field of battle. Right now, this is a mere discussion. If only there was an intergalactic factory ship or something nearby.

A Knight Errant often does have the best of intentions. Some are very skilled at what they do. They will if given an opportunity, travel with a Shining Knight. Shining Knights are a bit reluctant to endorse the Knights Errant, right now. They have a tendency to not last long on the actual field of battle. Even when provided excellent weapons and armor, at the present time, their tactics are in need of work. It is hard to explain the notions of sound strategy when the enemy is right there. It does not help that a few "Shining Knights" like to call them the 

There is hope for them, though. They are, as a whole, getting better. The only concern is that they are one of the more xenophobic groups. They see humanity as the perennial of Creation, with everything else being just cheap knockoffs. This attitude has caused some concern in dealing with the Anthropoi. On the other hand, once the R.E.F. or Iron Grenadiers make contact, they will probably be ecstatic, right up until the alien allies walk up.

Currently, there seems to be someone encouraging the younger nobles to join the Knights Errant. The Danites are investigating this, but haven't come up with anything definite.

Available R.C.C.s

Human, because, well, read above.

Available O.C.C.s

There are three types of knights-errant presently. This may extend in time.

• Bogatyr (Warlords of Russian, pg. 58) - Referred to as Knight-Senior. These are the most experienced Knights Errant. Often instructors. Bogatyr will take a fortunate apprentice to learn this more "advanced" style of Knighthood.
• Knight (England, pg. 100) - This is the common Knight, a civilian that wants to become a knight and all that they believe that includes.
• Royal Knight (England, pg. 103) - These are the noble children, sent to a Bogatyr for training.

They do like to recruit the same followers as the Shining Knights. Some are willing to follow, mostly storytellers looking for a good story, but most have reservations about following a "Quixote".

Available Equipment

They have access to the standard equipment. Most carry a standard sword for standard foes, and then a vibroblade of some sort for dealing with more "hardened" foes. This wasn't always the case, but with the appearance of the Invid, making sure that a Knight-Errant has some way of damaging their foes has been a priority of the Knight-Commander. It is not an endorsement of their actions, but more a matter of practicality.

Commanding Officer

There is no recognized "Commander" of the Knights-Errant, the closest is:

Knight-Lord Ronald Cranston

Master of the Cranston House of Knights

Type

Military, Knightly Order

The Code of the Knight-Errant

The code of the Knight-Errant is designed to mirror the code of the Knights of the Order of the Archangel Michael. The two are almost identical.

• A man or woman must stand for something greater than himself. 
• This is such an intangible thing as "goodness". There are things that must be said and done simply because they are right and good. 
• The good man may stand alone, but others shall follow. 
• There can be no greater truth than to be true to that which is right and good. 
• He who is only true to himself is half a man.
• Truth and trusts are good. 
• Love and compassion are good. 
• Mercy is good. 
• Forget not these things, for from them springs the clarity of truth, the strength to be merciful and kind, and the courage to do what needs to be done. 
• Trust thy heart and let the hand of God guide thee.