Mithambian Knight
"The moment you set foot through these gates, you can forget the old man that you once were. In these halls, you will be bent. You will be broken. But for those who are worthy, you will be re-forged. You will become like sharpened steel - and your blades will be for the Kingdom. This is your last chance to back out - there is no shame in turning away if you are not willing to give it your all."The Knights of Mithambe are its professional soldiers - those who have pursued the martial arts as their given profession. Unlike the other kingdoms and fiefdoms of Vinesia which utilize footsoldiers with their own knights being elites or commanders of armies, Mithambian Knights are considered the forefront of Mithambe's infantry and mechanized ground forces. They are the Mithambian Armed Forces' ground answer to quality over quantity - with only a thousand knights versus tens of thousands of foot soldiers, each Knight is a significant investment, and great pains are taken to ensure only the best will earn the title of Knighthood. Each Knight is potentially worth dozens of lesser infantry, and are seen as indispensable and critical assets by MAF strategic planners, who will not needlessly commit Knights to an engagement unless absolutely necessary, and when victory is assured.
Career
Qualifications
To become a Mithambian Knight, the applicant must possess the following:
- Be a citizen of Mithambe;
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Career Progression
All Knights will start their careers as prospects. They will undergo initial screening at the Order which admits them, and if they are found suitable, will be officially appointed as recruits, and partnered with a senior Knight while a training plan is drafted up for them. Occasionally, enough recruits of similar training requirements can appear that classes can be dedicated for group instruction and exercise.
As a recruit is apprenticed to a Knight, they will learn about their Order and garrison, about their responsibilities, and will begin to understand the basics of the martial crafts. They will be charged with maintaining their mentor's armor and weapons, and will practice basic fieldcraft and combat with their mentor.
Once deemed ready, a recruit will demonstrate their knowledge and application before the Master of the Garrison, as well as two witnesses (normally the Garrison Master's adjutants and aides). Should the Master decide it, the recruit is appointed a Knight-in-training, and may now take to field exercises or limited scale deployments. The bond between mentor and recruit is formally broken at this point, but the relationship now persists - it is not uncommon for mentors to follow their recruits to their first deployments.
After three deployments with which the Knight-in-training has performed without blemish, they will be recalled before the Master of the Order. At this time, the Knight in training will be formally granted Knighthood, and is a full-fledged Knight with the rights and responsibilities of their rank.
Senior Knights may take on additional responsibilities, including the training and mentoring of recruits, specialist training and special deployments, or may pursue leadership opportunities at the behest of their superiors, and be earmarked for officer development and training. Those who become officers may become Masters or Grandmasters of their own in time.
Payment & Reimbursement
Knights are paid handsomely by their Orders - a starting Knight can make a salary of 10,000 orbs yearly. Veteran Knights or Knights on special assignment often seen salaries of 30,000 - 50,000 orbs, and officers can make 50% more of those numbers.
Other Benefits
"Greetings, my lord. May this servant be of use to you?"Knights are considered members of the Mithambian aristocracy, and are treated with respect by the common man. They are invited to social events at the behest of their commanders or their sponsoring lords, and a few knights gain purchase into the proper nobility via this avenue. Knights are also considered active service personnel, and are entitled to various discounts that exist in the shops and stores throughout the Kingdom of Mithambe.
Perception
Purpose
Mithambian Knights constitute the core of the Mithambian Armed Forces, and are the primary defense of the domains of the Kingdom.
Social Status
Knights are considered the lowest rank of the aristocracy, but are considered aristocrats all the same. Thus, they are afforded this respect by the common citizen. The successful completion of a Knight apprenticeship and formal graduation is seen as a mark of pride and greatness.
History
During The Mithambian Civil War, none of the Knightly Orders of Mithambe defected from the authority of the Crown, whereas over two-thirds of the Mithambian Army regiments defected and turned coat against the Royal Court. The Knights fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, with six Orders rendered extinct throughout the course of the conflict.
As the Mithambian Army was dissolved in 1808, the remaining Knightly Orders would be amalgamated with the Mithanbian Naval Branch and the Mithambian Aeroservices Branch, becoming the Mithambian Armed Forces. Aside from integrated operations and a complex upper command chain, the order of business for the Knightly Orders remained unchanged.
Operations
Tools
All Knights will possess the minimum with respect to armaments:
- One primary weapon (sword/lance/axe/longarm)
- One secondary weapon (sidearm)
- One melee secondary weapon
- Helmet
- Pauldrons
- Vambraces
- Cuirass
- Greaves
- Ration bars
- Luminescent sticks
- Grenades
- First aid kit
Materials
Most supplies needed by Knights on deployment will be provided through logistical chains - these will include consumables such as maintenance kits, ammunition, and basic care supplies.
Workplace
During training and in garrison, the Knight's workplace is either spent practicing in the gyms or training ranges, or performing basic maintenance of the vehicles assigned to that garrison.
During deployment, a Knight's workplace may vary wildly, depending on combat conditions.
Provided Services
"So you were a Knight, and honorably discharged? We may have an opportunity for you, with respect to your martial ability."A Knight provides most martial services, including security, VIP protection, and general combat fieldwork. Most retired Knights are sought after by other organizations that rely on a Knight's martial prowess for the course of their operations, including the Constabulary, certain nobles requiring seasoned bodyguard details, or even The King's Talons.
Dangers & Hazards
"It is not uncommon for a squad of Knights to breach a threshold, only for a magus to be waiting on the other side. It wasn't watching Felix burn to death in his armor that got to me - it was the smell of melting flesh, trapped within a steel shell. You never forget that."Various hazards are inherent to the Knighthood career:
- Training is designed to be tough on the body and on the mind. It is not uncommon for prospective knight candidates to injure themselves throughout the course of their upbringing, and training fatalities are not considered rare. The stresses of training and study can prove to be too much for other prospects, and they must take mental leaves of absence or wash out entirely;
- Active combat deployments are fraught with danger for obvious reasons - Knights are expected to engage the enemy head-on, and most Knight fatalities are the result of combat action.
by Auburn Wilcox
Alternative Names
Toy Soldiers, Tinmen, Steamrollers
Type
Military
Demand
High demand
Legality
The title of Knight is a regulated title in the Kingdom of Mithambe - extensive regulations exist as for its proper usage, and the curriculum that is the minimum benchmark for the proper training of a prospective recruit to full Knighthood.
Famous in the Field
Other Associated professions
While these guys are badass, I think even they might have difficulty "consuming" a hand grenade