TURTLE KNIGHTS OF THE IVORY TOWER

[JakubJerboa 261]

 

 

 

 

 

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From the Ivory Tower looming over the town of Beznov the Turtle Knights descend, calmly and with a sense of purpose, clad in thick, heavy plates and iconic turtle shell backs, slowly but surely lumbering ever onwards in near silence for their noble cause.

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Born from the mind of the late Baron of Eulersburg, Sir Jan Euler in the final days of the League of Veletz, the Turtle Knights were formed to be the living bulwark for the Adria people in those dark times. So humbly did they endure the defeat of the League and exile of their people, leading the shattered remnants of the once free Adria alongside the Exilic Duke to Numendil, and building a new home for Adrians upon the pine covered slopes of Mount Hugues.

With the town of Beznov near completion, and the Turtle Knights consolidated into the Knights of the Ivory Tower, the head of the order, The Turtle Knight; knighted by the Duke Markus Sarkozic himself during their exile; finds the time suitable to finally open the order to aspirants.

 

 

The Order of the Ivory Tower piously serves Adria, Numendil and Canondom, the Turtle Knights oath-bound to strike at evil that walks the earth as any other knights, but also; though they are no priests; safeguard the minds and spirit of those around them, uplifting and guiding them in their times of need, for the darkness that clouds the mind can be as harmful as the evil that stalks the forests. 

 

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Way of the Turtle

 

Despite being a ‘Knightly’ order, the Turtle Knights are in many aspects considered unorthodox in their dogma and traditions, their values and beliefs shaped by the experiences of their; the Adrian; people. The Turtle Knights primarily live by the Way of the Turtle, a list of tenets authored by the wise and honourable sage, Lord Stefan Euler:

 

 

Through the long nights and dark times that plague the lands, you must be a beacon of hope and positivity that can inspire and uplift those around you. Spread cheer where cheer is needed, disperse negativity in swathes.

When evil arises, and preys upon the innocent, a true Turtle will stand tall and protect them, for it is your duty to help those who need helping and to protect those who have no shell of their own.

A true Turtle sees violence as a necessary tool against the servants of Iblees, but not fellow man, for the knights respect all GOD-given life, and will never seek conflict or do needless violence upon others, unless in absolute necessity for the protection of others. A true Turtle is a diplomat as well as a fighter, for words resolve that which fists often cannot.

 

Patience is a virtue that a true Turtle follows closely, for the hasty hare rarely wins the race. There is time for action and time for rest and contemplation, and you must balance these two closely if you seek to master yourself.

A turtle’s memory is long, and thus you shall remember those who brought you up and kept you close. Your home is sacred and you must protect it and all who dwell therein, for they are your kin and the soul is not whole without friends and family.

Embrace humility and selflessness, a true Turtle rejects all glory and renown, accepting no reward for their actions, nor boasting their deeds. Do not fight for glory, honor or gold in tournaments or duels, for glory leads to pride festering in the heart, and pride is the downfall of man.

 

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Ranks of the Turtle

 

Just as their goal, the hierarchy of the order is simple and straightforward:

 

1. Aspirants are the men and women of the order that have proven the purity of their hearts and strength of their spirit, they have been accepted into the Ivory Tower and have taken the first steps on the path of the Turtle, training mind and body under the watchful eye of senior Turtle Knights for their eventual ascension to Turtle Knighthood.

 

2. Turtle Knights are made up of aspirants that have successfully completed their training, living their lives entirely by the Way of the Turtle and having served faithfully for many years. They have undergone their final trial deep within the caverns beneath the Ivory Tower of Eulersburg and have sworn to uphold the tenets of the Turtle till their noble death.

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Shell of the Turtle

 

The appearance of the Turtle Knights, though bizarre to some, embodies their philosophy and goal: To Protect. In thick, heavy layers of unadorned plate and chain, with cumbersome steel shells that they are known for, knights sacrifice virtually all mobility for the purpose of serving as walking bastions of righteousness. Their armor and shells so large and heavy that even in death they can serve as effective ramparts and barricades.

 

The Turtle Knights do not restrict themselves in terms of weaponry, using anything and everything that a situation requires, from halberds and maces to arbalests and alchemical wonders, straight from the labs beneath the Ivory Tower, for it is said the alchemists of Eulersburg never sleep.

Spoiler

An artist's depiction of a Turtle Knights of the Ivory Tower. Artist claims he was NOT under the influence of Euler-made hallucinogenics during the painting session.

 

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To Aspirants

 

For any that would seek to learn more of the Way of the Turtle, or join the ranks of the Turtle Knights the path lays open, the first step for any aspirant, however, is to reconsider. 

 

There is no honor or glory to be won, no gold or land to be gained, no name to be spread in song, no face to be memorialized in painting.

 

Only lives to be lost guarding the sanctity of GOD's creation. To never live for yourself but for others.

 

The undaunted, those willing to humble themselves and live a life of selflessness need only send a bird, or seek out The Turtle Knight personally in Beznov or Numenost.

 

 

[Gaja 1310]

Stefan Euler, the Turtle Sage, closes his eyes in serenity. He feels great luck in his close connection to the venerable Turtle Knight

[Laeonathan 5889]

The young Josef Euler looks at the missive, staring at it upside down. Once a local Adunian turns it around he merely exclaims, "Oh! That makes more sense. But I still can't read."

The young Josef Euler looks at the missive, staring at it upside down. Once a local Adunian turns it around he merely exclaims, "Oh! That makes more sense. But I still can't read."

[Baccaaa 490]

In a rocking chair in Beznov next to a inactive fireplace sits Regina looking at a bunch of missives. She takes a puff from a Euler made blunt and then a sip from an Euler Max. She then seperates the missive from the tens of others and starts reading. "The alchemists never sleep, da that's true, they better niet ever sleep." Regina then notices the drawing of the turtle knight. "He was DEFINETLY niet under the influence when he made that." She chuckled. "Constance go fetch me my armour and go pray after niet forget, I'll be outside for a while, I think the turtles are cooking something today." She got up and limped with one leg as she walked towards the exit. 

[Karningul 49]

Milo lights up a Euler cigar in honour of the Turtle Knight.