Knightly Orders of Impiltur
An essential part of the identity of Impiltur are the many and varied knightly orders that dominate their military and political existence.
The principal feature of the knightly order is the combination of military and religious ways of life. Some of them, like the Disciples of St. Dionysus and the Knights of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred, also care for the sick and poor. However, they are not purely male institutions, as nuns can and do attach themselves as convents of the orders. One significant feature of the military orders is that clerical brothers could be, and indeed often are, subordinate to non-ordained brethren.
Most of the knightly orders of Impiltur were either founded or imported as organizations of paladins and clerics around a militant mission, such as the Triad Crusade under St. Sarshel Crownsunder. Over time, however, most of the successful orders have since branched out into many secular concerns, such as the purchase and trade of real estate, the building of monasteries, and the institution of money lending and banking. In this way, many of the knightly orders of Impiltur function similarly to trading coasters or large corporations with a strong and powerful militant arm.
Specific Knightly Orders
The Knights of Imphras II
- Formal Name: The Most Holy Order of the Sacred Shrike
- Patron: The Triad
- Membership: 20,000 (approx. 2000 men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A golden shrike stooping upon a golden sun with burst upon a crimson field.
- Leadership: Grandmaster Engarth von Hoeksted (Torm), Grandmaster Limbrar the Pious (Ilmater), Grandmaster Rilimbraun von Jungin (Tyr)
The Knights of Imphras II are by far the largest and most powerful knightly order in Impiltur. The order is dedicated to promotion of the faith of the Triad and the unity of the kingdom of Impiltur against all threats, both foreign and domestic. In theory, the Knights and the assembled standing armies of the Lords of Imphras II are separate entities. In practice, the Knights of Imphras II often function as an arm of the government in their own right, standing fast against enemies of the realm in whatever guise they may appear, from that of a Thayan assassin to a long-buried demonic threat of ancient Narfell.
The Order of the Golden Cup
- Formal Name: The Holy Order of the Golden Cup of St. Dionysus
- Patron: Ilmater
- Membership: 8,000 (approx. 800 men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A golden cup, tipped dexter, spilling three drops of crimson, vertical, upon a white field.
- Leadership: Grandmaster Ebhart von Trier (Ilmater)
The Order of the Golden Cup is a knightly order founded as hospitalliers, dedicated to healing and protecting the sick, innocent, and weak. Though often of noble birth, the avowed of this order take their vows of poverty and purity very seriously. They are often the stalwart champions of the common folk, and each of their monasteries houses extensive hospital and asylum facilities.
Knights of the Holy Judgement
- Formal Name: The Knightly Order of the Holy Judgement of Tyr
- Patron: Tyr
- Membership: 2,000 (approx. 200 men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A golden throne and golden scales, per fess, quarterly, upon a white field.
- Leadership: Keeper of the Balance Albrecht Gotthard Kettler the Just
This order of the paladins of Tyr stands ready to mete out justice across the 12 principates of Impiltur. Often called upon as impartial arbiters, they are proud to serve as both judge, barristers, and enforcers of the law of the lawful ruler of their host dominion. Exceptional members of this order are occasionally nominated for membership in the Hammers of Grimjaws (see below).
Knights of the Merciful Sword
- Formal Name: Most Holy Knights of the Merciful Sword of Tyr
- Patron: Tyr
- Membership: 7,000 (approx. 700 men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A silver sword, point downward, ablaze with white fire, upon a blue field.
- Leadership: Keeper of the Balance Albrecht Gotthard Kettler the Just
This order of the paladins of Tyr is focused upon seeking out injustice away from the centers of authority, both inside and outside of the borders of Impiltur. They are charged with bringing mercy and fair decision to the weak and oppressed. Exceptional Merciful Swords are occasionally nominated for membership in the Hammers of Grimjaws (see below).
Hammers of Grimjaws
- Formal Name: Most Favored Hammers of the Grimjawed God
- Patron: Tyr
- Membership: 16 (16 elite knights)
- Heraldry: A white wolf sinister, rampant upon a green field.
- Leadership: Keeper of the Balance Albrecht Gotthard Kettler the Just
This elite order is less a separate order of knights and men-at-arms than it is a military honorarium for the greatest living paladins and knight-clerics of Tyr. Only the most acclaimed and avowed knights of Tyr are even considered for membership, and the word of one of the Hammers of Tyr is considered second only to that of the Keeper of Balance himself as an expression of the will of Tyr.
Order of the Crescent Moon
- Formal Name: Dur un Hizkag riun Lekiad Clangeddin
- Patron: Clangeddin Silverbeard, Selune
- Membership: 1900 (190 dwarves and men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A silver upright battleaxe, both sides of which are crescent moons surrounded by seven stars upon a field of midnight blue.
- Leadership: Mistress of the Seventh Mystery Alenna the Seer (Selune), War-Prince High Thane Gerren Hammerhand (Clangeddin Silverbeard)
This very localized order is based in Highmark, deep in the high Earthspur Mountains. They are formed around a centuries old union between the last remnants of the dwarven kingdom of Roldilar, the "Realm of Glittering Swords" and an ancient order of Selunite priestess-warriors who administer the Highmark around the shores of Icemelt Lake, the Lake of the Mirror Moon. The warriors and priestesses of the Order of the Crescent Moon stand strong against the ever present threat of the hobgoblin and orcish threats of the high valleys of the Earthspur Mountains.
The Sisters and Brothers of the Ruby Rose
- Formal Name: The Fellowship of Sisters and Brothers of the Most Holy Ruby Rose
- Patron: Sune
- Membership: 5600 (560 men and women-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A curled crimson rose, natural, upon a golden field.
- Leadership: Grandmistress Amnestria de Payens (Sune)
This wealthy and influential order has a great following along the coast of Impiltur, from Sarshel to the Imperial capital at Lyrabar. They are renowned across the principates as much for their skill at arms as for their political acumen. The Knights of the Rose have engendered much goodwill among the common folk due to their love of grand tournaments, races, and shows of all kind.
Knights of the Temple
- Formal Name: The Solemn Knights of the Temple
- Patron: Torm
- Membership: 4600 (460 men-at-arms)
- Heraldry: A golden starburst upon a black cross upon a white field.
- Leadership: Grandmaster Hugo Riechsgaard (Torm)
The largest order devoted primarily to Torm in Impiltur sees as its holy quest to defend and protect the sacred sites of their faith, and the faiths of all allied faiths. In the pursuit of this function, they are usually granted quarters within the cathedrals and monastaries of most other orders across Impiltur and beyond, and have grown in both power and wealth on the goodwill and donations such a service engenders. The order also sponsors the founding of new temples and the reclamation of fallen sacred sites.