Knight
Ervenian Era, 1051 AB
A knight is an honorary title that can be given by a ruling monarch to any person they see fit, typically following or preceding a service to the monarch, usually in a military capacity.
Though not necessary, many knights are members of a knightly order; however, being a knight is mandatory in order to join a such orders, and it's impossible for one to become a knight by being an accolade in one.
Appointment
Though officially a monarch can appoint any person they wish, in practice they all follow numerous rules and traditions that vary greatly from nation to nation and between cultures. More often than not, a knight will be a second son of a noble house, though commoners being elevated to a noble status isn't a rare occurrence.
Notabley, in the Kaviri Highlands, ylämaalaiset are appointed discretly, with only the ruler and the ylänkömaa present; this is due to the conception that "if it is unclear who's an ylänkömaa, than he is not worthy of being considered as one". However, with the eruption of the Kaviri Civil War, earls who were clever enough also realised this could allow them to nominate ylämaalaiset with a more subtle set of skills.
The term itself, "ylämaalaiset", translates to "highlanders" and refers to the Highlanders, legendary warriors that served in the army of the former Kingdom of Kavir and were rumored to be immortals.
Also noteworthy are the Abirs of the Dwhewn-Narâg, a dwarven society governed by a caste system. Members of the warrior caste who have proven to be exceptional are appointed as abir by the King Under the Mountains; however, those who have been accepted by the dwarven defenders as their own are also knighted, even without the explicit approval the monarch.
Responsibilities
In the Kadian Dominion, Navaran knights and Aderian equitatus are a part of the ARA reserve forces, serving in equine battalions. Commanders, known as Cavaliers, serve in the standing army like every other officer. The tradition of knightly orders is especially prelevant among Kadian knights, and many of them serve in The Lexitar Order or the Order of the White Rose.
Cultural Significance
The cultural role and signifcance varies greatly between cultures and nations. The most glaring difference would be that between Death Knights and Paladins.
Type
Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial
Related Organizations
Related Military Formations
Ader - Eques (m) or Equesa (f);
Yokun Empire - Baatar;
Dora-Nil - Ha-Abir
Comments