Knights

## Overview

Knights are a carefully selected group of warriors that serve the Emperor of the Central Continent. In *The Epic of Gilgamesh,* it is said that out of every ten thousand people there is one genius who outshines those around them, and that only one out of ten thousand of *those* geniuses is an individual skilled enough to become a Knight. They are, at their core, individuals who became so powerful that they have broken the laws of that world. Their strength is inhuman and very difficult to achieve, which is why many fail to be Knighted at the end of their Apprenticeship.

Besides their power, Knights are known for their extreme sense of honor, which they uphold not just while fighting but in their all everyday life. During Apprenticeship years, they undergo Knight Theory classes, where they study concepts like honor and justice, but there aren't universal ideas for them, each Knight carries out what they believe to be right. They are expected to uphold their honor even if that means turning on the Emperor/Empress should he/she head down the wrong path.

Besides this main type of Knights (Order Knights), powerful/influential individuals may be nominated Knights, called Independent Knights.

Each Knight is given their own title by the Emperor that follows this format: “Color, Animal”.

### Geas

In the Order Knight system, when a person is Knighted, the Emperor makes them swear two oaths; one, to never raise their weapons against the Emperor; two, a stipulation personally tailored to the individual, that they must follow. This stipulation is known as a Geas. Geas are a weakness set by the Emperor because Knights are incredibly powerful individuals and, should one turn on the Emperor, they will use the Geas to take them down. The Geas is known only to the Emperor and the individual it was given to.

Geas were put in place after a rogue Knight titled the Blood Red Spider—and later; the Demon Knight—slaughtered the royal family. Geas are meant to be a weakness purposefully made to control the Knight, as well as a way to test whether they will uphold their honor by keeping their oath. This is why Knights avoid breaking their Geas as in doing so, they would be behaving dishonorably—which is considered treason to the other Knights and the Emperor.

Examples of Geas: “*You cannot attack anyone that you cannot see.*”, “*You cannot kill anyone unless their feet are on the ground.*”, “*You cannot fight at night.*”

### Honor

Honor in this case is the strict moral code each Knight adheres to. Honor is what keeps Knights in line, but there is a flaw in this system: the perception of what is honorable differs per individual. Honor is what keeps them chained by their Geas, but should a Knight care not for honor and break their oaths without getting caught, there is nothing to keep them on good behavior.

Hinsher, upon slaying the Devil Knight, was the one that declared that those who behave dishonorably are committing treason against her, the other Knights, and the Emperor. What only Hinsher herself and the Devil Knight know, is that this was exactly what the Devil Knight wanted. He saw a flaw in the system and predicted more powerful individuals like himself and Hinsher would appear in the future, so in order to make sure these individuals would be kept under control (Geas), he made an example of himself.

There are only two circumstances when Knights are permitted to fight each other; the first being in a war and the second being when one Knight abandons their honor. Knights are powerful individuals like no other and are considered a valuable resource, so infighting and/or killing a Knight is discouraged.

## Ranking before Knighthood

#### Knight-In-Training

Those who want to become Knights must first undergo basic training and then pass an assessment before being accepted as Apprentice Knights. At this stage, the trainees train under a Knight, but don't have yet Knight Theory classes and the Knight may expel them at any time.

#### Apprentice Knight

After being accepted as an official Apprentice Knight, they are expected to run errands for the Knights. No longer being considered civilians, they are usually trained by a Knight that is specifically assigned to this role, and should they go on a mission, it's under supervision by the Knight/Knights with them.

Before they can become Knights they must prove their worth in a Knight Assessment Tournament. Most of the Apprentices will not pass, and will either take on another role besides from Knight or leave altogether.

#### Gatekeeper

These are Apprentice Knights who were unable to become Knights in the end. They act as guards of the Gates to the Capital.

## Missions

### First and Second Special Units

Two teams were formed specifically for the upcoming war with the Eastern Continent. The First Special Unit consists of three Knights and one Apprentice Knight. Since a team with an apprentice worked out very well, the Second Special Unit was formed with a similar format, but on a larger scale. The Apprentices are being rapidly trained for the war and are expected to be on the front lines; a fact Waron points out after their first casualty.

## List of Knights

**Commanders**

* Pure White Elephant Candentia (Emperor's Personal Guard)
* Crimson Hippo Hinsher (Hero)
* Navy Blue Turtle Daljan

**Special Units**

* Cerulean Qilin Zius - Special Units acting commander
* Pitch Black Hen Waron - 2nd Special Unit member
* Periwinkle Wild Dog Fidorance - 2nd Special Unit member
* Sky Blue Racoon - 2nd Special Unit member
* Rosewood Fox Ludika - 2nd Special Unit member
* White Doe Fadiyan - 2nd Special Unit reinforcement
* Violet Badger Solbas - 1st Special Unit member
* Peach Rabbit Hasen - 1st Special Unit member
* Jade Green Cat Tanshirin - 1st Special Unit member

**Other Order Knights**

* Gray Weasel Tink
* White Dog Marian
* Violet Mouse Arten
* Copper Salmusa Kamaina
* Indigo Sheep Valtanin
* Orange Toad Tin
* Bright Red Parrot Kaeun
* Red Haetae Myuljin
* Blue Lion Partunan
* Donkey
* Auburn Deer
* Blood Red Spider (Demon Knight)

**Free Knights**

* White Crow Regia
* Crimson Hound Hanarin
* Clay Red Horse Kalkadun
* Milk White Mole Paljinia

## Trivia

* A Knight superstition is that the darker the color a Knight’s title possesses, the stronger the Knight is.
* Hinsher was the first female Knight.
* The color "blood" and name "spider" are no longer given to any Knights as the Demon Knight was originally referred to as the Blood Red Spider.