Noble warriors bound by sworn oaths to causes, orders, or lieges, Knights are the highest symbols of honor in Mennara. They abide by strict codes of chivalry which the greatest knights would rather die than break.
Some knights swear an oath to a lord whose service they dedicate their lives to. Most Daqan Barons have knights like these accompany them both to court and to battle. This practice is also not unheard of in the elf courts of the Latari (an example of one such Latari Knight being Syndrael).
There also exist certain chivalric orders of knights who remain neutral from any one liege but instead serve a greater cause or symbolize a virtue. The most well known of these orders is the Citadel Guard, which is made up of knights who eschew loyalty to any baron, instead defending the baronies as a whole. Other examples include the Knights of the Greatwood or the holy Knights of Kellos. The oldest chivalric orders date back to the Age of Steel and were founded by King Arcus Penacor in Old Talindon.
In Terrinoth, only nobles may become knights, and only in reward for great deeds in battle or in tournaments. In very rare occasions, commoners may achieve nobility by being knighted for some especially valiant feat. Baronies and Free Cities alike hold dazzling tournaments bedecked in the banners and courtesy of chivalry. Those who compete may earn coveted positions of service with great lords or chivalric orders. The Citadel's own Tournament of Valor is the oldest and most revered in Terrinoth, and its champions earn the notice of the Citadel Guard and are invited to become companions in its order of famed knights.
Less polite folk who claim knighthood can be found among the Bloodguard. These are at best dishonorable robbers and at worst servants of ancient evils. No lord recognizes the knighthood of these treacherous bandits, but they appear to hold some form of code similar to a perverted code of chivalry.
References
- Realms of Terrinoth
- Runewars Miniatures Game
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)