IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE RED DRAGON

[pkdon 1977]

 

 

 

 

Issued and averred by the office of the

IMPERIAL CROWN

 

 

In a world conquered, benevolence must prevail… You have grown colder since you first became a knight, Lothar. Do not lose yourself. -  His Imperial Majesty, Hadrian I   •• ━━━━━•• ✠ ••━━━━━ ••

 

✠ FOREWORD ✠

 

 

The Imperial Order of the Red Dragon acts as the main knight-order of the Holy Imperium, acting directly under the Crownlands and for the Emperor himself. Although acquiescence of other knightly orders exist out of the imperial purview, the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, a namesake after Godfrey the Great, the Red Dragon of Horen, acts as the supreme knightly order, as they act on behalf of His Imperial Majesty. 

 

At the apex of Imperial Knighthood stands the Grand Knight of the Imperium. They are the highest figure of authority in Knighthood, second only to the Emperor. They are to ensure both the Knights of Burgundy and the Knights of Gudour are operational and fulfilling their duties to the expected degree.

 

I

✠ THE CODE OF CHIVALRY ✠

 

 

II 

✠ THE KNIGHTS OF BURGUNDY ✠

 

For nearly a century, the Dragon Knights have served as the Emperor’s iron fist, the finest instruments of war dedicated to subjugating all who oppose the Imperial destiny. The conquered world heralds a new age that demands new men, not for subjugation but to shepherd. The Knights of Burgundy are born again of this mandate, serving as a shield for the denizens of the Imperium.

 

The Knights of Burgundy have served at every stage of the Empire’s ascension, from Duke to King to Emperor of Man to, at last, Imperator Mundi. Their purpose is to preserve His Imperial Majesty’s peace by protecting the common man, upholding chivalric tradition, and cleansing the realm of blight and beast. Burgundian Knights uphold the sanctity of the realm, whether defending towns assailed by brigands or the vile Maleficar who seek to sow corruption. 

 

Knights of Burgundy are expected to endeavour to undertake both quests of their own, and quests for the order at large, seeking to uproot and displace any blight or beast that seeks to encroach on the continent. To pursue the greater threats that seek to unsettle the peace of the realm.

 

The Knightly Order and the Military are two distinct institutions, though they cooperate in many operations. A Burgundian Knight holds no inherent officer rank within the Imperial military by virtue of title alone. Instead, they are equivalent to the highest enlisted rank and no higher, unless they choose to progress through the military’s ranks of their own accord.

 

 

KNIGHTLY PRIVILEGES

 

☩ A KNIGHT IS CONSIDERED A PART OF THE IMPERIAL GENTRY.

 

☩ A KNIGHT MAY STYLE HIMSELF AS ‘SIR’, OR ‘DAME’.

 

☩ A KNIGHT MAY BEAR THEIR OWN COAT OF ARMS.

 

☩ A KNIGHT MAY BEAR ARMS AT THE IMPERIAL COURT.

 

☩ A KNIGHT MAY TAKE THEIR OWN SQUIRES.

 

☩ A KNIGHT MAY DEMAND A TRIAL BY COMBAT.

 

POSITIONS OF THE ORDER

 

III

✠ THE PATH ✠

 

From the lowly page to the questing Errant, the path of Burgundy tests the limits of one’s spirit. The journey is a slow ascent, weeding those of weak will and refining those worthy few to the Knights they shall become.

 

THE SQUIRE

 

Between the ages of eight and twelve, youths may be taken on as pages. During this time, one can expect to learn the virtues of knighthood and the manner in which they must hold themselves. Pages attend to menial tasks, such as the maintenance of their knight’s armour, weaponry and the grooming of their steed. Towards the end of their pagehood, the knight shall assess if the page can receive an education in arms, and thus determine their readiness for squirehood. 

 

Pagehood is not a required prerequisite for squirehood, as squires are any prospective youths who catch the attention of a serving knight. Squires are taken on in the early teenage years; their service as a squire is often expected to last until the man's early adulthood. 

 

The duties of the page continue into squirehood, though are now adjoined by a true martial education and greater responsibility to bear. Squires shall be tested on their virtues to prove their worth, as both man and knight. Should their knight deem the squire worthy, they shall thus be elevated to Errant. 

 

Though trials remain at the Knights discretion, certain themes must be met along a squire's journey. A squire must prove themself to embody each of the key knightly virtues, be this through a trial set for the clear purpose of proving that, or proving it through a feat achieved as a squire.

Whilst Knights are a primarily martial force, it remains important for a Knight to have quick wit, an intelligent mind. They must separate themself from the common barbarian, therefore it is imperative that the Knight ensures the squire receives a true, varied education, for not all squires are expected to be from a noble background, and therefore not receive it within their own home.

 

Squires are encouraged to record and detail their accomplishments in a journal, such that it could be presented to other Knights to take note of their feats, and eventually the Chronicler, should they receive their Knighthood.

 

THE ERRANT

 

An errant stands at the precipice of true knighthood, a seasoned older man or squire who has mastered the foundational duties and is now being made for heavier burdens. Serving directly underneath the guiding hand of a sworn knight of the order, they are in a period of preparation, training to master the martial arts and the strict intricacies of chivalrous behavior.

It is under their mentor's watchful eye that the errant prepares to embark upon their defining quest, a profound trial of character where they must prove their unwavering honor, courage, and loyalty before their place within the ranks of the knights. 

 

No single errant quest is alike. A mentor knows their squires and chooses a trial crafted uniquely for both character and spirit. It is a personal journey to overcome their own individual weaknesses, proving they are ready in their own way.

 

IV

✠ THE CEREMONY ✠

 

After an Errant completes his quest, a ceremony must be thrown to celebrate the dubbing of a new Burgundian Knight. This ceremony must be attended by three knights, one of which must be the grand knight. Additionally, the Emperor may independently knight someone, or attend the meeting in place of the Grand Knight.

 

The Knight, whom the Errant once squired beneath, leads the oath, whilst the Grand Knight or the Emperor places a blade against the Errant's shoulder. As the oath is read, the blade passes over the Errant's head onto the other shoulder, dubbing him a knight of the order.

 

Upon conclusion of the oath, the Errant is deemed a Knight of the Order and may be afforded a moniker should they prove deserving of one, often earned by great feats.

 

THE OATH

“How must you live?”

“I shall live by my honour, for the glory of the Empire. I shall honour Our Lord and His Church.”

“How must you act?”

“I shall safeguard the helpless and uphold the weak. I shall keep faith and act righteously, even if none bear witness.”  

“How must you serve?” 

“I shall serve my Emperor with valour and conviction. No quest shall be left without end, no foe cowered from.”

“Who must you serve?”

“The Emperor, and his Empire.”

“Rise, Sir/Dame, Knight of Burgundy.”

 

At the oath’s conclusion, the knight is presented with their golden spurs, as well as an aurum dagger and cloth of burgundy. They must draw blood from their palm and dress the wound in the cloth, heralding their induction.

 

 

Cold and calculating, like a Dragon shall you rise. Borne upon wings of dread, to herald my name with your very presence. By design, shall each of you pass through the fires of Gudour, to be tempered by loyalty alone. You shall act in my stead, and you shall be my shadow. You shall be warriors without peer, and none may claim otherwise. You shall be idolized as paragons of authority and be feared as you are respected. For broad is my Empire, and it shall forever live within the safety of the shadow of the Black Dragon.   -  His Imperial Majesty, Tiberias I   •• ━━━━━•• ✠ ••━━━━━ ••

To become a Dragon Knight is to sacrifice.

✠ DUTY AND TENURE ✠

Admission to the ranks of Gudour is the highest honor a knight can achieve. As such, there are only ever at most seven Dragon Knights serving at any one time, excluding the Grand Knight. The duty of the Dragon Knight is to enact the Emperor’s Will and to safeguard him and the Imperial Family from all who seek to harm them. They are expected to wear the black Lodenland plate at all times and to keep their faces concealed by their helms. Unlike the Knights of Burgundy, no modifications may be made to the armor.

A Dragon Knight serves their term for seven summers, lest they dishonor their station. At the end of this period, their positions are open to challenge by the Knights of Burgundy, and a trial shall ensue. This entails a test of might and honor to determine who is most worthy of their position. If a Dragon Knight remains unchallenged, he may serve another term unless dismissed by the Grand Knight or the Emperor, in which case he shall be returned to his former chapter.

 

✠ THE CRUCIBLE✠

Every two terms, positions for the ranks of Gudour, at most two spots, may be challenged for by the knightly orders of the realm. Each vassal may put forward a champion to undergo the Crucible. In tandem, the Dragon Knights shall trial amongst themselves to determine the two least fit for their station - these two shall also undergo the Crucible.

The Crucible is a trial of the utmost rigor, intending to unearth the finest of warriors amidst the Imperium. The proceedings shall be held by the Grand Knight, who shall assess carefully the worthiness of each candidate to be elevated to Dragon Knight and present their findings to the Emperor. Each iteration holds different trials, but never diverge in the way of adversity.

 

✠ THE RITE OF PASSAGE ✠

 

The ritual to induct a Dragon Knight descends from their patron, Gudour, though its details are guarded. These few are knighted by the Emperor himself. Upon its conclusion, they are granted their armor and cloak, and their names are inscribed in the Tome of Gudour.

 

AVE IMPERIUM!

 

 

 

 

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H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Marcus I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Sanctus Imperator Mundi, Emperor of Azuras and of all Mankind, Forever August,

King of Burgundy, Oren, Renatus, Marna, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, Seventis, Santegia, Mardon, Vandoria and the Westerlands, Duke of the Crownlands, Avar, Cascadia, Aenus, Erochland, Grense, Helena, Istria, Kingston, Krajia, Middelan, Reutov and Sunholdt, Count of Ager, Cantal, Carolustadt, Felsen and Rittersberg, Baron of Dragonspeak and Senntisten, Patriarch of House Horen, Dynast of All Dragonsblood, Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith, Protector of All Men, Heartlanders, etcetera.

 

NON DVCOR, DVCO

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY, Sir Lothar d’Amaury, Grand Knight of the Order of the Red Dragon, Duke of Lorraine.