Demi-Human Knights (TCG)

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Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry are primarily states of mind and occupations chosen by the person in question. In fact, adapting knighthood to other demi-human societies can add a lot of spice to the campaign, and a great deal of depth to some non-human societies. Following the guidelines presented in the two examples below, an ambitious DM can throw all sorts of curves to his players.
==Elven Knights==
Elves follow the code of chivalry to the letter, except when it comes to battle. Elven life is too precious to be squandered needlessly against lost causes. When they do sacrifice themselves, it is only for the greatest good of the elven kingdom or in defense of their companions. In short, elves as a people avoid war whenever possible. They prefer to depend on politics to settle disputes, and are far less aggressive than most of the other races in an average campaign.
Elven knights place a high regard for the ceremonial aspect of chivalry, as well as respecting their peers and superiors. However, they are quick to the point of snobbery in showing contempt of those beneath their station and those of ignoble ideals. To their credit, elven knights place no weight on class differences in such judg ments, just on personal character and reputation.
Since women are equals among men in elven society, the respect elven knights show for women is more courtesy than outright adoration. Importantly, while the majority of the elven cavalry is comprised of male elven knights. most elven archer companies con tain a majority of women.
Elven knights almost never wear plate armors, but prefer more lightweight, flexible armoring made of fine chain. As elves prefer battle within forested environments where they can rely on their natural adeptness in such surroundings to give them an added edge, they consider plate armor too noisy and bulky for such ma neuvering.
It is important to note that magical elven chain mail is only given as a gift to worthy men and women who have honored themselves in the defense of elves and elven lands. It is rare, but not unheard of, for non-elves to earn such a gift if their deeds warrant it. Non-elves are never taught the secret of making and enchanting elven chain mail.
Magical elven chain can be found in treasure hoards, of course, but if knowledge escapes of its recovery, elves are sure to converge on the discoverer with offers for the suit's purchase. A reasonable price is offered, and any person who does not sell their prize, is hounded for many years until death takes the short-lived mortal, or until a better price is reached.
The elves will not give up the quest, as they see the common use of such a great prize tends to lessen its overall value and significance for all others. Also, the elves do not want untrustworthy armorers to get a hold of any elven chain mail, lest they manage to discover its secrets through magic or research. Such a discovery by outsiders would risk war.
Elven knights that choose to wear plate armor (very rare) always make them look like they were made from mithril. A highly polished coating of the shiny silver metal is applied almost like paint to the armor, and the suit then gleams and shines in even the most indirect lighting. In fact, the greatest of kings or the richest of knights often take their armor to the elves for such detailing once it has been purchased.
==Dwarven Knights==
Dwarves take their warring very seriously indeed, and their views. on war and honor would make any visiting samurai warrior proud. Dwarves, in stark contrast to the elves, would rather die in glorious. battle than any other way. It is even said that dwarves always lair near a dragon or a large colony of giants just to keep a steady seenario of conflict going. To their credit the dwarves are always ready for war.
In fact, during the numerous. battles between elven and dwarven forces, it has always been the elven kinship with animal and plant life that has kept them one. step ahead of their dwarven enemies. The elves always seem to have enough time to get ready for a battle, no matter how well the dwarven forces try to conceal themselves.
As mentioned earlier, the dwarves take the ceremonial aspects of their idea of chivalry very seriously, but keep such things. rather private.
The "respect for women" notions are pretty much ignored by a rather chauvinistic male dwarven hierarchy. In a society geared for war and hard work in the mines, there seems to be no glory available for the little ladies.
Now, that is not to say that dwarven women are mistreated. That is far from the truth. They are given equal rights and protection under all laws, and dwarven marriages are ones of partnership, not obedi-
ence.
The dwarves like to make their armor heavy, plated, and black. Almost without exception. all dwarven-sized armor is actually made from dwarven forged iron. A dwarf will not wear armor forged by any other race, for their pride is quite strong and their codes of honor very exacting on such points.
While elven armors require constant repair if they are to remain attractive, dwarves place less value on appearance and more value on defense. Dwarven plate armor is treated as plate mail +1. but is almost 50% heavier than human plate. This means that a dwarven set of plate armor (sized for a 4' tall dwarf) weighs just about as much as a human set of plate (sized for a 6' tall knight).
Unfortunately, dwarves rarely make their armor for humans, and do not know how to make either field or full plate armors. Their own limbs and joints do not have the mobility necessary to make a functional set of those full-body armors, and so the dwarves will have none of it. Just like the elves, dwarves don't teach non-dwarves their metallurgy secrets.
Dwarves dwell extensively on their own version of heraldry. based on the personal histories and family genealogies of the entire dwarven race. Dwarves are remarkable at remembering long list of names, and spend a great deal of their lives memorizing details about everyone they ever see, meet, or hear about.