Knights of Cahokia

The ***Knights of Cahokia*** (*Abbreviated* ***KoC, KC***), also referred to as simply the "***Knights***", are an organization formed in the early years of the United States of America by George Miller. Basing the organization of his experience with the traditional Knights of Europe, Miller founded the organization with the vision of creating a third-party, paramilitary force to co-exist along side the government of the United States of America.

In modern times, the Knights have become a fully self-sufficient organization that works tightly with the military of the United States. Although the organization has different structure, ranks and civil powers when compared to a branch of the executive government such as the military, the modern Knights of Cahokia act as a de facto branch department of the executive branch. As such, many of it's member operate contractually with the government, often either picking up contracts independently or receiving direct requests. Members of the Knights are given government issued IDs, classifying them as government employees on paper.

The Knights of Cahokia are a driving force within the story of *MERKABA.*

## History

Sometime in the late 1700s, an aged George Miller, along with his companions, were guided through the Cahokia Mounds by an Osage guide. There, they formed the Knights of Cahokia, inspired by the Knights that existed in Europe, with the intention of acting as a paramilitary force. At the mounds, they ratified their manifesto.

In the modern age, the Knights have become a fully self-sufficient organization that works tightly with the military of the United States. Although the organization has different structure, ranks and civil powers when compared to a branch of the executive government such as the military, the modern Knights of Cahokia act as a de facto branch department of the executive branch. As such, many of it's member operate contractually with the government, often either picking up contracts independently or receiving direct requests. Members of the Knights are given government issued IDs, classifying them as government employees on paper.

In the summer of 1945, at the end of World War II, the previous leader of the Knights of Cahokia was killed in ritual combat against the now current Commander Grand Cross, Caelius Rothschild.

The Knights of Cahokia currently finds itself at odds with Veritas and the Cult of Anu. A fragile truce has been held between the Cult and Veritas, and the three factions find themselves in a secret war. The current Commanders of the Knights have been tasked with searching for the remnants of the Cult of Anu and stopping their activity across the United States.

In 2021, a Veritas facility run by the Legate Mason was exposed and shutdown during an unsanctioned raid by KC Cavalieres. Following this, the Knights have devoted teams to find the Merkaba before the Cult of Anu or Veritas.

## Rankings

After passing an entrance exam, new members are assigned the rank of *Cavaliere.* After, promotions are earned through mission completion, recommendation, further examination, and with honor. The ranks from lowest to highest are:

1. Cavaliere (Ranks I, II, and III)
2. Companion (Ranks I and II)
3. Knight (Ranks I, II, III, IV, and V)
4. Grand Knight (Ranks I, II, and III)
5. Commander\*
6. Commander Grand Cross\*\*

\*Only four individuals can hold rank of Commander at once, with each being the highest ranking officer of their regions, respectfully.

\*\*Only one individual can hold rank of Commander Grand Cross at a time. The Commander Grand Cross may be challenged at any time to ritual combat, to which the victor takes the rank. Otherwise, the rank passes through voting of the four current Commanders.

### Manipulation Rankings

Similar to the rankings held by each member of the Knights, manipulations are often ranked by the difficulty of their utilization. Typically, the higher the rank, the more difficult the manipulation and/or the more qi it requires. The rankings from easiest to most difficult are:

1. C
2. B
3. A
4. S
5. Deus\*

\*Deus manipulations typically require inhuman amounts of qi, and the rank is often assigned to innate techniques and yantra.

## Jurisdiction

The United States is divided into 5 jurisdictions, the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West regions. In regards to the four individuals who hold the rank Commander, the Midwest and Southeast share their Commander.

## Notable Members

* Philip Mat
* Noah Kiahn
* Ahanu Warner
* Prentice Lang
* Timmy Jones
* Allen Yeung
* Bran Visser
* Liu Song
* Jet Sai
* Caesar Balencie
* Tomas Moore
* Vienna Geshtinanna
* Trina Reed
* Nang Sid
* Jeshua Chance
* Mellow White
* Charles Rei
* Bjorn Olsen
* Neil Strong
* Jorge Aquino
* Angela Gnatt
* Alyssa Truman
* Mary Sue
* Alina Perez
* Lynette Dao
* Lai Nakamura
* Michael Davis
* Houston Koa
* Marie Le