Imperial Order of Knights

The Imperial Order of Knights (Nesarian: *Regasu Dara vi Logane*), or IOK, is the knightly order of the Nesarian Empire, established by Emperor Mathados IV and originating in the traditions of the oath-sworn elite noble warriors of the Kingdom of Ascaria. Members of the Order are often referred to as Imperial Knights (*Regasu Logane*), particularly by Europeans who wish to distinguish them from European knights, but their official title is simply Knight (*Logano*). The Nesarian word which is translated into English as Knight, *Logano*, is a corrupted portmanteau of *Lotar* ("chivalry") and *Megano* ("oath-sworn warrior", lit. "war-person", differentiated from a mere soldier).

Although the Knights originated simply as the honour guard of the King of Ascaria, by the time Emperor Mathados IV coalesced them into a defined Order, they had taken on a more complex character as warriors who dedicated their lives not merely to their monarch, but to the chivalric ideals embodied in the twin Elvetan gods Sir Acras and Lady Calisa. These ideals were eventually codified in the Chivalric Code (*Lotaru Rena*), setting out the expectations and requirements of Imperial Knights. Although Knights were forbidden to join the Imperial Inquisition, they frequently worked together and still continue to, and many Inquisitors became Knights.

Knights persist as a feature of Imperial society to the mdoern day, and they continue to fulfil their original function with little change; unlike every other modern state that retains a knightly order, knighthood in the Empire remains a profession and a lifelong dedication. Although their duties have expanded far beyond merely the military sphere since the turn of the 20th century, Imperial Knights are still first and foremost warriors who serve in defence of the Emperor and in defence of the Chivalric Code. Knights remain a common sight throughout the Imperial military, and older Knights who can no longer partake in active duty but still wish to serve often take it upon themselves to guard sites of religious or ceremonial importance.

## Brotherhoods

The Imperial Order of Knights is split between numerous Brotherhoods, which are each dedicated to a particular task and each have their own character and culture. The notion of the distinct Brotherhoods was invented by Empress Rixa I, when she first distinguished the Order between the two Brotherhoods of Sir Acras and Lady Calisa.

An Imperial Knight is not permanently bound to a Brotherhood when he joins it (with some exceptions), and can switch between them at will - but whilst they are not bound to stick to a single Brotherhood, they are expected to do so.

### Brotherhood of Sir Acras

The Brotherhood of Sir Acras is often regarded as the Brotherhood fulfilling the original purpose of the Order, serving most immediately as the honour guard of the Emperor, as his most elite and devoutly loyal warriors. Of all the Brotherhoods, they are the most closely associated with the traditional armed forces, and the vast majority of Knights who serve in the Imperial Armed Forces are from the Brotherhood of Sir Acras. The Brotherhood of Sir Acras acts with perhaps the least autonomy of any Brotherhood, as it is bound to the military.

### Brotherhood of Lady Calisa

The Brotherhood of Lady Calisa was established by Empress Rixa I, and although in her lifetime specifically it spent far more time serving directly alongside her than the Brotherhood of Sir Acras, its primary role is not as an Imperial honour guard but rather to uphold the Chivalric Code. They serve almost like a police force, upholding the Chivalric virtues wherever they go and fighting to defend them, but with a far more militarised and religious nature, and they often historically fought against supernatural threats. This Brotherhood's duties often overlapped with the Dara Morca and Dara Mossa of the Imperial Inquisition, and the two frequently worked together. The Brotherhood of Lady Calisa is also known by the popular alternative name of the Knights Errant or Questing Knights, due to their tendency to somewhat aimlessly wander around Inecuria in search of problems to solve.

The Brotherhood of Lady Calisa has a very high degree of autonomy both internally and in its relation to other institutions; the Brotherhood is largely allowed to do whatever it wishes, and it allows its members to undertake whatever quests they desire as long as they are not contrary to the Brotherhood's interests or the Chivalric Code.

### Brotherhood of Queen Isera

The Brotherhood of Queen Isera is the least militaristic of the Orders (though certainly not without a strong warrior tradition), as its primary purpose is related to the establishment, upkeep and defence of hospitals to treat the sick and the wounded. In the western world it is sometimes known as the Imperial Knights Hospitaller. The Brotherhood of Queen Isera has commonly found itself in conflict with the Putrid Ones and the Bloodvermin who were often their unwilling and/or unwitting servants.

The Brotherhood of Queen Isera is unique amongst the Brotherhoods in that its functions, whilst most strongly focussed on Imperial territories, are international; the Brotherhood maintains hospitals in numerous countries in regions struck with crises, particularly those ravaged by war. In international operations, the Brotherhood is bound both by international law and its own internal commandments to serve in the most neutral capacity possible; civilians must be aided in all cases, and if one side's soldiers are given aid, so must the other's.

### Sisterhood of the Raven

The Sisterhood of the Raven is distinguished not by its role, but by its demographic; it entirely consists of Vampires, and is the only Brotherhood of the Order which Vampires are eligible to join. Vampires are separated from the other races not merely due to their peculiar nature, but to avoid any potentially problematic relationships developing; though Vampires are not female, they very closely resemble females, and so could be a source of unwanted temptation for the other Knights. The Sisterhood of the Raven has a diverse range of functions which overlap with all three of the above Orders, but the Sisterhood of course has a strong tendency to prioritise the issues of its own kin before any others, and to serve the will of Silaris the Great Raven.

### Religion-Specific Brotherhoods

In addition to the Brotherhoods above, there are numerous additional Brotherhoods related to specific religions, which much like the Sisterhood of the Raven have a diverse range of functions which overlap with the Brotherhoods of Sir Acras, Lady Calisa and Queen Isera. Although most polytheists of Inecuria have little problem serving under Orders dedicated to Elvetan gods, the few monotheistic and monolatrous religions of the continent have never been comfortable with it, and the precedent of establishing distinct Orders for distinct religions was set by Empress Avia, who created the first religion-specific Brotherhood, the Brotherhood of Christ. They are listed below in the chronological order they were established.

* **Brotherhood of Christ** - For Christians.
* **Brotherhood of Muhammad** - For Muslims.
* **Brotherhood of Nakkal** - For Nakkalites.
* **Brotherhood of the Great God Morrokh** - For Morrokhis.
* **Brotherhood of Geran** - For Geranites.

## Joining the Order

In order to join the ranks of the Imperial Knights, one must be at the legal age of maturity (which differs between races, but is 18 for Humans), pass a written examination and rigorous physical fitness test, and either be male or a member of a species with only one or no sexes (i.e. Vampires, Cisens and Dungors). Females and Elvish hermaphrodites are not allowed to join the Order any circumstances, but there are many recorded instances of them serving alongside the Order, most famously Empress Rixa I.

Although they are not requirements to join the Order, candidates with prior experience in the military and/or police service are highly favoured, as are those who participated in the youth organisation known as the Knightly Cadets, which for Humans is for 14-18 year old boys. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate, but is a serious mark against them. Mental and physical ailments disqualify a candidate unless they can consistently demonstrate that they are capable of serving at full effectiveness despite their affliction.

Candidates for the Order are also required to follow a religion which has values compatible with the Chivalric Code; they cannot be irreligious or follow a religion with values that contradict the Code. Essentially all major religions present in Inecuria are compatible with the Code except the Kashitite branch of Kadinto, but notably Muslim Knights are explicitly forbidden from being polygamous despite this being permissible in their religion. Candidates are also expected to refrain from "deviant sexual behaviour" - that is, any non-heterosexual activities. This does not exclude non-heterosexuals from serving, but does prohibit them from acting upon their desires. Unmarried Knights are expected to remain chaste without exception.

### Demographics

Due to the historical and cultural association of the Knights with Nesaria, the Nesarians are greatly overrepresented amongst their ranks - not through any conscious decision of the Order to make this the case, as the Order in fact tries not to fill its ranks with Nesarians, but rather because Nesarians make up the largest proportion of applicants. Behind Nesaria, the next two most significant contributors to the Order are Epsilucia and Roulonne, likely due to their own historic culture of noble warriors.

Humans make up the vast majority of Knights, but there are not insignifcant numbers of Elves, Orcs and Vampires. Whilst the Roulonnais Vampires (*Mourralfes*) participate in the Order very little, the Nesarian Vampires (*Liyeva*) have historically contributed a great number of Knights to the Sisterhood of the Raven. When it comes to the Orcs, the majority of these are Mortogi, and the Ruawis are the second most numerous. There have been very few Aukani and Kuahi Orcs serving in the Order throughout history.