The Knights of Merion

The Knights of Merion comprise four distinct orders of individuals, both men and women, who have earned the title of Knighthoodfollowing their training and education at one of the Knightly Academes of Merion. Each of the four orders is named after and associated with a classical element: the Knightly Order of Air, the Knightly Order of Fire, the Knightly Order of Water, and the Knightly Order of Earth. Despite bits of peasant-level lore to the contrary, Knights do not enjoy any sort of supernatural powers related to their assigned element. The Knights are primarily loyal to their personal House, and to the Candlebrook Throne; however, they are also loyal to their specific Order and Academe, and to the ideals of Elemental Knighthood as a whole.

## History

The precursor to the current order of elemental Knights were the Golden Knights of the League of the Palisades, famous for assisting Queen Alice I and her husband Christopher Near-King during the Seven Great Years and, in so doing, helping to forge the Kingdom of United Merion. During the Second Consolidation, the Golden Knights dwindled out and/or were hunted down by their vengeful brethren from the Eastern Duchies. In response, King Zachary III ordered the construction of four Elemental Academes, conceived as a method of assisting the unification process, as well as acting as training facilities for a new style of Knight. In addition, Zachary III felt that the Academes could serve as forts along the contemporary frontier; as a result, the Academes were constructed in strategic locations on or near the borders of Candlebrook influence at the time. Traditionally, most Twelvescore Houses trained Knights at whichever Academe was closest to their seat of power. However, in recent centuries, thanks to an improved road network, and in line with the Six-Sided Church's thinking that knights of different disciplines should be distributed as evenly as possible across the realm, many Twelvescore Houses boast knights hailing from multiple Academes.

## Becoming a Knight

### The Nomination Process

Individuals who become Knights must first showcase an extreme level of talent in a field associated with one of the four orders. Most Knights come from noble families, although commoner Knights do exist, with typically fewer than ten serving in Merion at any one time. Commoners typically need to show truly elite qualifications to be noticed, considered, and nominated for Knighthood.

Each candidate (noble or commoner) are first vetted by a local Knight hailing from the Order for which the candidate seems best suited. If the Knight considers the candidate worthy of attending their Academe, they nominate the candidate to the candidate's Twelvescore noble, who in turn evaluates the candidate themselves. The Twelvescore noble technically has the final say in nomination, but as a matter of practice almost always defer to the recruiting Knight's judgement. Each Knightly Order handles the nomination process somewhat differently. For example, the Knights of Air are famously informal about these requirements (often skipping the Church-prescribed paperwork altogether), whereas the Knights of Earth have a fairly strict protocol.

Not all Knights have the skill set to effectively vet and recruit promising individuals, but most Twelvescore Houses are careful to push at least one of their Knights to specialize in such skills, including keeping abreast of the latest thinking on Knighthood itself. Such Knights are especially aware of what makes an effective Knight of their Order, with an eye towards not just abilities and talents, but also overall knightly comportment, including discipline-specific allowable flaws (the most common flaws being that Air Knights are allowed to be rude, Fire Knights are allowed to have tempers, Water Knights are allowed to be introverted, and Earth Knights are allowed to be polite and formal to a fault). These kinds of Knights do not share a formal title, but they respect their various orders and disciplines, and often converse with each other and compare notes, often even across elemental Orders.

### The Academies

Nominated candidates who have gained approval from their local Twelvescore Lord or Lady are then sent off to make their introduction to the applicable Headmaster, after a journey of weeks or months. The Headmasters, all of whom are traditionally Candlebrooks, serve as the final decision makers regarding the individual's acceptance and training at their Academe. Following a successful meeting, the candidate is then kept laboring at some menial task in the immediate area around the Academe, primarily to teach them humility. When it is time for a new class of Knights-in-Training, these successful candidates are gathered into a new class and set along their paths of training.

Training at the Academies typically starts between the ages of 17 and 22 (though there are exceptions on either side of that range), and typically runs for three-to-four years. Following this three-to-four year introductory program, newly-minted Knights often pursue a kind of post-graduate program within the Academies, focusing on a specific aspect of their chosen Order. Headmasters have some control over their curriculum, but the Instructions, the holy book of the Six-Sided Church, keeps the finer details of the Academes' operations fairly restricted. Each Academe's headmaster is advised by an Order-specific Board of Patrons, whose membership fluctuates year-to-year and Order-to-Order, but which are otherwise analogous to the Candlebrook Monarch's Council of Graces.

In addition to having active Knights acting as teachers for the Knights-in-Training, each Academe also employs a staff of commoners, referred to as Spars, for education assistance. Receiving a "Sparring Contract" from an Academe is a great and well-remunerated honor for commoners, and indicates that the Spar is an expert in their field.

Approximately 30% of all Academe students will not complete their training and fail to become Knights. More often than not, a failed Knight-in-Training is simply unable to keep up with the physical or mental requirements of their Order and willingly quits, although students being expelled by a headmaster due to gross misconduct is not unheard of. In cases of self-expulsion, the Orders (and the Realm at large) are careful not to shame such failed Knights-in-Training; it is an honor to one's House to even get that far, and the self-examination and honestly required to see that one is not cut out for the rigors of their discipline is considered a virtue, as it frees up space for more promising candidates. Such failed Knights-in-Training tend to end up back in their homelands, where they often serve as staffers or squires for full-fledged knights of their Order within their Twelvescore House (if any.) Knights-in-Training who are forcibly expelled from their Academe generally face much less rosy futures... but often find themselves in unsavory demand all the same, not atypically ending up as corsairs, mercenaries, or brigands.

## The Elemental Orders of Knights

### Knights of Fire

#### The Fire Academe

The Fire Academe is located at the northeastern edge of the Red Hills, north of Doublecrown, southwest of the [Patreon] Salt Flats, and just northeast of Outer Owl. Due to fear of the Barandeans invading, the Candlebrooks determined that it would be best to put what was, effectively, their military Academe on what was then the de facto border between United Merion and the Barande-claimed Red Hills. The Fire Academe also serves as a defensive choke-point, sitting as it is near the source of two major rivers (the northern-flowing River Sundown and the southern-flowing River Sunflash.)

The interior of the Fire Academe is primarily decorated with mirrors that reflect the bright sun of the region in interesting ways, as well as mosaics and other glass-based decorations. On the roof of the Academe sits a giant bonfire which is tended by students at all times, ensuring that it never goes out. Caring for the bonfire can be quite challenging as there is little available wood in the immediate area surrounding the Academe. As such, Fire Knights, being from the most physically demanding order, must travel a large distance to transport fuel for the bonfire. Spars employed by the Fire Academe are typically skilled brawlers, expert fencers, and master chefs.

The honorary First Patron of the Fire Academe is considered to be Jonah Aft, founder of the political philosophy Aftism and legendary for his fiery personality and heedless pursuit of justice and personal improvement. The candle-focused rituals later adopted by the Candlebrook monarchy are often credited to him, and as such Fire Knights see themselves as particularly bound to Candlebrook history and iconography.

#### Skills and Personality

Fire Knights are widely considered to be the best fighters and military leaders in Merion. As a result, many Fire Knights serve as generals for the realm, and/or as the head of the military forces of their noble Twelvescore House. Fire Knights are also considered to be the finest chefs and cooks in the realm; cooking involves fire and blades, and Fire Knights are trained to be proficient and precise with both such tools. Fire Knights consider it a point of honor to leave the Academe at least competent in the culinary arts, and otherwise very talented Knights of Fire have been known to stay on at the Academy for an extra year or two, perfecting their mastery of sauces and flambes. Fire Knights also tend to make good entertainers and actors, their skill most commonly seen via the showmanship they exhibit in tourneys (which they are also extremely skilled at, as a rule).

Fire Knights are typically hot-tempered and take great enjoyment in battle. However, they are no less professional or respectful when outside of combat... although some, such as Alistair Candlebrook, are considered rather crass. Knights from the other three Orders sometimes consider Fire Knights to be relatively brusque, loud, and incurious... but allow that there's no one they'd rather have heading their armies, or grilling their steaks.

### Knights of Air

#### The Air Academe

The Air Academe is located high in the Slates mountain range, on the border between the Merionese regions of Closethrone and Heartsplain. As the Heartsplain had yet to be fully pacified by the reign of Zachary III, the Academe was originally designed to serve as a kind of mountain watchtower for both reconnaissance and training of Air Knights, who at the time worked mostly as watchers in various castles and towers across Merion. Over time, as technology improved and threats against the kingdom grew more complex and sophisticated, the Knightly Order of Air branched out beyond recognizance and into other, more subtle and insidious forms of espionage. The design of the Academe is stark, functional, and somewhat camouflaged, its only design flourish cunningly placed windows that allow for a natural flow of cold mountain air through the corridors. There are sub-levels within the Academe, its rumored, that not even the Candlebrooks know about, for the Order of Air keeps their rituals very close to the vest indeed. And while everyone knows the Academe is located \*somewhere\* in the Slates, only Knights of Air, the Candlebrook Monarch, and the Council of Graces know its exact location.

Spars employed by the Air Academe are typically hunting prodigies, survivalists, and dirty tricksters of all types. The original Patron of the Air Academe was the semi-legendary The Golden Knight, the leader of the Merionese Order of Golden Knights during the Seven Great Years and one of Alice I's most trusted companions and advisers.

#### Skills and Personality

Air Knights are usually utilized as spies and assassins by the Candlebrooks, although they also make excellent explorers due to their survival skills.They are also still considered elite recognizance and border-watching personnel, especially when stationed in lonesome posts far from civilization; their impressive mental fortitude makes them perfect for isolated jobs that other Orders would chafe at. Much like the design of their Academe, Air Knights typically keep their skills secret for fear of revealing to much to a potential enemy, but it is broadly assumed that anything that could be useful to a spy or assassin is included in the Air Academe's curriculum. As such, Knights of Air are broadly feared throughout the realm. (Adding to their dark reputation, they are typically considered far and away the realm's best torturers, at least among those nobles cruel enough to use such methods.)

Air Knights are known for being fairly uncaring of what others think of them and doing whatever they want, within reason. Being surrounded by various ne'er do wells while at the Academe leads many Air Knights to cultivate rather offensive behaviors, habits, and conversational styles. Knights from the other three Orders tend to consider Air Knights as morally compromised and difficult to like... but allow that they get results, and that they're up for doing the hardest jobs the Realm has to offer. It is this willingness to do whatever is required to ensure the safety and security of their Twelvescore House and the Realm at large that make Knights of Air respected members of Merionese society, despite their otherwise ill reputation.

### Knights of Water

#### The Water Academe

The Water Academe is located on a small island in the Ocean Contested just off the western shore of the Western Marks. The Academe was built in what was, at the time of its construction, the most diverse region of the Candlebrook lands; its bounty of flora and fauna made it a haven and a paradise for naturalists. While the Water Academe at first focused on the natural sciences (zoology, botany, and ichthyology,) within a few centuries the men and women of the Water Academe were being trained in all manner of intellectual and scientific fields: astronomy, history, medicine, sociology, and many others.

The interior of the Water Academe has a great number of fountains and other forms of water-centric architecture, and water is free flowing through a great deal of the building. Spars employed by the Water Academe are typically peasant experts and geniuses in any and all scientific fields. The honorary First Patron of the Water Academe is the legendary mathematician Lane, a major figure during the Seven Great Years and a staunch ally of both Queen Alice I and Argos Wing, the founder of House Wing.

#### Skills and Personality

Water Knights are the leading scholars of Merion, and their ranks are large enough that the Candlebrooks can call upon them for an expert in any field of study. Like other Knights, they are trained in combat and are more than capable of holding their own in a fight, but they are typically considered the weakest or least impressive fighters of the four Knight disciplines. Many Water Knights are also skilled players at mind games or games of strategy, such as the Ancient Game of Mytharen, although their myriad duties typically keep them from true elite mastery of such diversions.

Water Knights are usually quite introverted and rather more socially awkward than the average knight. The only common exception to this is when a Water Knight is discussing something of or relating to their field of expertise, at which point they tend to become more energetic and involved in the conversation, although typically not much more socially graceful. Additionally, the Water Knights, to this day, tend to take after Lane in personality, keeping alive his habits of maintaining unwavering dignity and professionalism. Knights from the other three Orders tend to consider Water Knights pedantic, overly conservative, and bookish to a fault... but allow that they know their stuff, and can be very useful indeed.

### Knights of Earth

#### The Earth Academe

The Earth Academe is located in the southern Eastern Marks, in a highly wooded region just west of the Smokedrift Mountains and the border with Ashervale. Constructed into the side of a mountain, the Academe has a significant amount of nature-based architecture, all of it carved from the mountain's stone, including steps meant to resemble natural erosion and stalactite-like ceiling ornaments. There are few windows, although the interior is always well lit. The Academe also sports an awe-inspiring entry hall: a vast, open-air cavern, with all manner of trees and mosses growing within it. The wooded approach to this entry hall is also considered among the greatest sights in Merion, its long landscaped miles carefully maintained by initiates to the Order; the Knightly Order of Earth believes strongly in the value of appearances.

Spars employed by the Earth Academe are typically highly-skilled debaters, intentionally frustrating sophists, and men and women capable of prodigious feats of memory and/or oration. The honorary First Patron of the Earth Academe was Maryanne Baronese, an ally, then later enemy, of Alice I and Jonah Aft's closest lieutenant until she supplanted him. While all of the First Patrons (except, arguably, for Lane) shifted allegiances somewhat during the Seven Great Years, Maryanne Baronese is seen as an especially volatile historical figure, maintaining her poise even as circumstances led her to serve one side or the other during that fraught, pre-Candlebrook Monarchy period. The Knights of Earth have taken her example to heart, and strive to maintain knightly comportment in all circumstances, even in the direst extremes of battle or deprivation.

#### Skills and Personality

Earth Knights are the chief diplomats and ambassadors of United Merion. They also tend to serve as lawyers when one is needed due to their generally above average knowledge of local customs, their skill in remaining as unbiased as one can expect to be, and their rhetorical acumen. Like Water Knights, they are given combat training, but are typically considered to be on the less impressive end of Knights when it comes to martial prowess. On the other hand, Earth Knights are the mostly like discipline to be placed in a high administrative position by the Candlebrooks, and Earth Knights are in charge of the lion's share of mundane Realm-level offices, both in Wick and elsewhere. They also tend to be skilled gardeners, landscapers, and architects, with a strong sideline in the written and visual arts.

While Earth Knights have extremely good formal social skills, as is required for diplomats, they tend to be personally somewhat dull, and rather stiff and awkward in their personal dealings. King Colin I is a prime example of this facet of Earth Knights' traditional personality. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Earth Knights are considered reliable and consummate professionals. Knights from the other three Orders tend to consider Earth Knights prone to being obsequious, overly formal, and career-obsessed... but allow that there's no one better to make a first impression in a stranger's court.

## Knights of the Gardens

Knights of the Gardens are Knights who have completed training and education at two Academes and are thus considered equally skilled in the two disciplines. Each combination of elemental Knights is given its own name, which are as follows:

* Knights of the Orders of Air and Earth are called Knights of the Canopy
* Knights of the Orders of Earth and Fire are called Knights of the Feast
* Knights of the Orders of Fire and Water are called Krakenknights
* Knights of the Orders of Water and Air are called Knights of the Cascade
* Knights of the Orders of Earth and Water are called The Stewards
* Knights of the Orders of Fire and Air are called Emberknights

Knights of the Gardens are always considered more impressive and of higher rank than single element Knights. This includes the Academe Headmasters who, in an attempt to curb their considerable power, are forbidden from being Knights of the Gardens.

There are generally fewer than 100 Knights of the Gardens operating in Merion at any one time, with more than half of them generally serving on the Council of Graces. In addition, more than half of the Knights of the Gardens are typically Candlebrooks. This ratio has resulted in some minor controversy, as some members of the Twelvescore believe that the Candlebrook Monarchy and the Headmasters conspire to accept less-qualified Candlebrook applicants into the Knightly Order of the Gardens over more-qualified Twelvescore applicants, in an attempt to keep the Twelvescores' aggregate power in check.

## Burial Traditions

Each order of Knights have their own burial rites and practices.

* Knights of Fire are cremated (just as royal Candlebrooks are, an ancient Aftist tradtion)
* Knights of Water are weighted and returned to the ocean (typically the Ocean Contested surrounding the island on which the Water Academe is located)
* Knights of Earth are buried
* Knights of Air mysteriously disappear overnight and are never seen again. Only other Knights of Air know what happens to them

Additionally, Knights of the Gardens combine the traditions of both disciplines in which they have been trained. For practical purposes, as well as to honor the Candlebrooks, Fire takes precedence, followed by Earth, and then Water.

* Krakenknights (Fire and Water) are cremated at sea
* Emberknights (Fire and Air) are cremated in secret
* Knights of the Feast (Fire and Earth) are cremated and have their ashes buried
* The Stewards (Earth and Water) are buried in mud
* Knights of the Canopy (Earth and Air) are buried in beautiful, pre-selected remote vistas
* Knights of the Cascade (Water and Air) are thrown down the Great Cascade in Ashervale (with great ceremony and dignity)

## Trivia

* Andrew Candlebrook, the narrator of *All My Wicked Nephews Crave the Throne,* is a Knight of Water of some distinction, with an academic focus in history.
* The kingdom's postal workers, under the control of House Wing, are commonly seen as an unofficial fifth order of Knights.
* All of the orders of Knights, in general, look down on magic and those who research or seek to use it.
* Commoners who become Knights are most likely to become Knights of Air due to that Order's admiration of trickery, gumption, and outside-the-box thinking. Approximately half of all commoner knights at any time are Knights of Air.