KBR

THE IMPERIAL ORDER OF THE LION

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Imperial Order of the Lion

- Est. 1374 -

The Imperial Order of the Lion is a Knightly order within the Holy Orenian Empire with roots that reach back to the 14th century in the First Empire by the Exalted Godfrey Horen. Originally drafted to serve the will of the church and bring social virtue to an otherwise wild and feudal realm. The Order of the Lion has persisted throughout the ages as an esteemed collection of premiere examples in terms of steadfast character and valor. In the past, it’s roster consisted of elite soldiers, ready and willing to give their lives towards noble causes against even the most daunting of enemies. After a period of time where the Order of the Lion devolved into being given as an honorific to those who’ve served the Empire well. However in the time of renewed conflict where the defense of the Empire and its peoples has never been more important, it has been firmly reestablished as a militarily competent and chivalrous institution.

Within the Order is a distinct hierarchy of achievement and honor that are strictly recognized by its members. Inductees are typically admitted in one of two ways; often children of nobility and gentry will be taken under the wing of an existing Knight as a Squire, or adult members of note will seek admittance to the Order as an Aspirant. If deemed worthy of the honor these Squires and Aspirants will be knighted as Knight Errants (KEL) or Dame Errants in the case of a female. They will enter a period of Errantry where they will go on quests and establish their reputation, once they have finished their period of Errantry they will be given their Knightly Epithet and given the honor of being a Knight Imperial (KIL) and take their place at the side of Their Imperial Majesties. Rarely are new members bestowed the rank of Knight Commander (KCL) which is the rank above Knight. KCL is usually earned following sustained contributions to one's fellow citizens and unwavering sense of Knightly character over a long period of time. There are only 2 living KCLs at any given time. KCLs are bestowed an inherent authority to command other Knights in pursuit of a quest or in battle. The final and highest rank within the Order is that of the Knights Grand Cross (GCL), to which there may only be one living recipient at a time. GCLs are selected based on absolute paramount contributions to the Knightly way and personal actions that are above the calling of any one person. The GCL also serves as the primary representative of the Order and the keeper of its artifacts, records, and culture.

Knights are made and elevated from amongst the Squires and Aspirants of Order through the will of the Emperor following actions or deeds deemed worthy of the honor. No single qualifier or concise list exists detailing what it takes to be selected, simply that an individual must distinguish themselves in such a manner seen fit for personal recognition. Though, those who guide their lives on the tenants of Knighthood are bound to become exceptional. Knightly honors cannot be requested by the recipient and the recipients themselves must be endorsed by the Knight they serve under to be considered.

The Ways of the Order

The Oath of the Fealty

"I swear to be true to the Emperor and the realm and not to maintain silence about any evil that I may know which is being contemplated against them. I swear to work tirelessly to the betterment of the Empire and the Orenian people that comprise it. I swear also not to associate with traitors nor enemies of the state, and to always defend the honor of those I serve. This I swear upon my life by the Holy Scrolls."

The Code of Chivalry

Knightly honors are not just rewards for great deeds but are also a titular recognition of one's outstanding discipline and character. All Knights are expected to adhere to the Code of Chivalry at all costs in every facet of their lives, both on and off the battlefield.

1. Loyalty - Above all else a Knight must always remain loyal to those they serve and to the institution and camaraderie of the Order. To set aside personal desires of compelling obligations for that to which an Oath is pledged.

2. Courtesy - A Knight must possess the aptitude for dignity in the face of adversity, to present oneself and by extension represent those they serve as well as the Order in the proper form.

3. Integrity - A Knight must strive to always do the right thing, to hold oneself accountable and to always act in good faith even when none are around to witness it. They must also abstain from dishonesty to the best of their ability.

4. Honor - A Knight must be willing to extend goodwill and mercy to all, even an enemy. To never compromise the tenets of the Order nor one's principles. To accept any and all challenges or duels leveled against them by worthy foes.

5. Valor - A Knight must always act courageously and seek to redirect harm away from the innocent. To overcome obstacles of fear, pain, or even death in the completion of their quest or lawful order.

6. Charity - A Knight must always remain humble, to offer aid to those in need, and to seek to undo the suffering of others. They must also maintain an open mind and a free ear to challenging ideas.

The Code of Errantry

The tradition of errantry as a way of proving one’s abilities as a Knight is an aspect of chivalry that has been lost to history in many ways. Though informally conducted by various knights out of passion for the denizens of the Empire, the art of chivalric questing has gone neglected for many years. With the reintroduction of the Order of the Lion it has been deemed necessary for knights to embark upon a period of errantry where the Knight Errant shall take upon quests in the service of the Empire in order to earn one’s Knightly epithet and place in the Order besides the Emperor as a Knight Imperial. A Knight Errant, in general, should not refuse any quest given to them during this time.

It is customary for Knights to be awarded a Knightly Epithet based on what trait, value, or virtue they most exemplify by their time as a Knight Errant. These epithets are determined in conjunction with the completion of the Knightly Quest that they have taken on. Epithets are given to the Knight for life and no other living Knight may possess the same Epithet as another. An epithet may only be changed if the Emperor deems a new characteristic worthy of the Knight outshines the original epithet. A Knight stripped of their Knighthood immediately relinquishes their epithet to be bestowed.

Style of Address

Knights in an informal setting may either be addressed as ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ followed by their first, or last, or both names, followed by their Knightly Epithet. As well, these Knightly terms of address may be used in conjunction with military ranks or peerage titles.

During Formal settings, Knights should always be addressed as ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ followed by their full legal name and Knightly Epithet. 

Serjeanty

Once a Knight is recognized for their distinction and leal service to the Crown they may be given a serjeanty to govern over. A serjeanty will often consist of a small estate with some farmland. A serjeanty will be attached to a specific function at the Emperor’s court, including ceremonial positions such as Cupbearer. They must carry these functions out in order to maintain their serjeanty. The Crown’s Champion shall be issued the honor of holding the Grand Serjeanty of Lionhall in the Order’s name. 

The Ranks of the Order

Squires 

Often those children of gentry and nobility, the squire or page serves as the right-hand of a Knight in order to learn the Knightly ways. Following their service as a Squire, they will either assume the rank of Aspirant or Knight Errant based on their achievements during this time.

Aspirant of Lion

To become a Knight is an aspiration of many, yet still those chosen to be Aspirants within the order is testament to their strength, skill, and spirit. These Aspirants may be of any age, and brought into the order by any Knight Imperial who would make a case for their entry. Essentially functioning as men-at-arms, they stand in a relative spotlight given a chance to prove their might.

Knight Errant (KEL)

Recognized for their service, as well as their aptitude the Knight Errant stands to prove themselves through their errantry, traveling far and wide across The Empire and beyond in order to obtain their epithet. 

Knight Imperial (KIL)

Given an epithet by The Crown, these Knight Imperials are fully recognized knights of The Crown. Stationed in Providence by The Crown’s side as their sword and shield, though they may maintain their questing. 

Knight Commander (KCL)

Senior officers of The Order of The Lion, held by only two living members at a time, these Knight’s have stood out amongst the few through their distinctive service and unwavering character. Knight Commanders have assumed greater responsibility, and thus hold the inherent authority to command other Knights in pursuit of quest, or battle. 

Knights Grand Cross (GCL)

The Leader of The Order of The Lion, the Knight Grand Cross serves as the primary representative of The Order as well as keeper of its artifacts, records, and culture. The GCL is selected based on their outstanding contributions to the Order, and personal actions that are above the calling of any one person.

The Skirmish at Providence

The Brave Soldiers of the Imperial State Army and Citizen Militia of the Empire hold the Ferrymen foe at the gates of Providence, prior to the sally forth. 

16th of Sigismund's End, In the Year of our Lord 1851

Thousands had answered the call to defend New Providence City. The steel of their swords shone brightly in the light as they advanced and held at Unity Bridge. Swords parried, axes split shields asunder, and the terse screaming, grunting, and the spur of loud horses’ reigns filled the air, the leather of their reins jerking  along with gallops that resounded like thunderclaps. Thousands stood against the foes that wished to burn each and every building within the realm, to kill each and every citizen within the city. Yet, under the command of Jack Daniels, Sir Mohammed Hassan, Ivan Reiner and officers of the Imperial State Army, the Empire had prevailed.

Ferrymen who strayed too close perished upon Unity Bridge, their green, marshy bandanas stained with phlegm and blood as they screamed and rambled amidst death’s throes. The defense of New Providence City had let not a single foe to step foot within the walls of the city. No buildings were damaged, no banks sacked, no citizens slaughtered in their own streets. The attackers had retreated into the boats within the East Fleet. And the citizens had been protected against the hordes of godless Ferryman mutants that dared to challenge the Holy Orenian Empire. 

It should be remembered that not one heathen against the will of God was able to set foot into our realm; furthermore, they ran within the boats in which they came. God shall see to it that His own within the Holy Orenian Empire shall always prevail. 

Victories can be gauged not in the wholesale slaughter of enemy personnel; but also in the goals of their attacks. No country sacrifices more for its citizens than the Empire, its brave Imperial State Army sacrificing all that it could to ensure that buildings remained standing and that countless lives were saved from the vile agents of the Nonhuman Coalition.