General Information/Organizations/Order of Aenean Knights

     The Order of the Aenean Knights (OAKs) was established in the year 950 AE, a few years before Novath Flackton takes the throne of Pollaxia. The incessant fighting of the "Pall Years" was taking its toll on the Kingdom of Meekton and surrounding areas. Archanius Bathory, King of Meekton was nothing more than a puppet to various powers within Odalisk and the local nobility, using his authority to abuse the serfs and nobles alike, while paying out tributary monies to Odaliskian warlords. In the face of these events in the year 948 AE; a group of minor nobles from around the cities of Meekton and Rhynta gathered together. They conspired to build an organized force devoted to their council with the intention of deposing the king and setting up their own rule. For the next year or so the nobles recruited landless knights, freemen, peasants and whomever else they could convenience to join their cause.

     In the summer of 949 AE, the nobles called a gathering at a large estate about half-way between Meekton and Rhynta, along the border with Odalisk. As the groups gathered the nobles started conspiring against one another, trying to gain support for their side of the cause. Into this web of deception, conspiracy, and power grabbing rode Lavinia; a distant cousin and concubine of King Archanius. She was escorted by Kyriako Vlakhos as she made her escape from the palace.

     Kyriako, with the help of Lavinia who is used to the scheming politics of nobles expose them to the gathered throng. This exposure leads to the assassination of at least two of the gathered nobles and the outbreak of anarchy as the various groups come to blows. The fighting lasts for nearly two months destroying many crops in both Odalisk and Meekton. King Archanius ignores the events, more concerned with finding Lavinia. The so called victor of this fighting is the wealthy Tarquin Skaridos from outside Rhynta.

     As the factions split apart Kyriako and Lavinia gather the most noble, trustworthy, and idealistic men they can, regarless of status. As the other participants fight among themselves, Kyriako leads his small band to an Odaliskian castle in the south along the border with Aeneus. Early in the fall, Kyriako leads his group to victory over the Odaliskian forces at the castle. Kyriako, knowing that winter was coming early and that not only King Archanius but whomever comes out the victor of the nobles will come for them, sets about occupying and fortifying the castle.

     As winter sets in, Kyriako selects three nobles and three freemen with Lavinia's help. These six men are sworn to keep their task secret until the spring. Their task is to set down the "Rule" which will define the Aenean Knight Order and organizational requirements and the tenets to live by. As winter progresses, so to does the formation of the OAKs. It is from a traveling Mawk'hidu that Kyriako learns of Tarquin Skaridos victory.

     In the latter part of winter at the beginning of 950 AE, Kyriako, Lavinia, and the council announce the official formation of the OAKs will take place in early spring. Until then, the "Rule" will be explained and allow those that not wishing to join, a chance to leave. It is during this announcement that Lavinia reveals her identity and, that she and Kyriako are to be married. Almost to a man they agree to stay, most having had enough of the "Pall Years." Of the few that leave, one reveals Lavinia's location to Tarquin Skaridos and King Archanius for promises of land and wealth, although in reality it only brought death. Tarquin is given command of the Kings forces, after convincing Archanius that his true motives had been to stop the council and vowing to bring Lavinia back alive after destroying Kyriako's forces.

     Tarquin's forces depart in early spring as the first Aenean Knights take their vows, swearing fealty and allegiance to the Order and the Grand Master. No promises of wealth, land, or titles are made, only a belief and faith in law, order, and justice. Kyriako is elected by overwhelming majority as the first Grand Master. Tarquin arrives with his forces in the middle of the initiation ceremony, requiring Kyriako to suspend the ceremony and take the field with his forces. Kyriako and the Order are victorious over Tarquin and his forces in a short but furious battle lasting only a day. Tarquin dies in the fighting. With this victory, the OAKs decide their first mission is to subdue the surrounding warlords, help keep them in check and make the trade roads safe for merchants and travelers. Helping all those in need, wounded, too weak to defend themselves, or the poor in general.

     Over the next few years the OAKs are able to curb much of the fighting and lawlessness around Meekton, gaining the support of Sychaeus Bathory, Archanius' uncle. Finally, in 958 AE, Sychaeus with Kyriako and the OAKs at this side, force Archanius to abdicate the throne of Meekton when they lay siege to the city. Because of the help provided by the OAKs, the Order gains concessions from Sychaeus, such as tax free status for their lands and official endorsement from the Meekton throne.

     In 963 AE, Kyriako Vlakhos dies in office. He dies as he addresses the assembled Order, trying to determine the best course of action for the Order in light of the Imperial expansion of Novath and possible engagement against the Copper Knights, which by this time had established a reputation as very competent warriors. Sychaeus Bathory, knowing he cannot afford to fight against Novath abdicates the throne and goes into self-imposed exile.

     A man that probably should never have held office is elected to replace Kyriako. His name is Dareios Xenakis, and while the Order is slowly acquiring new members, the Order sees its first decline in its short life under his leadership. He botches many an engagement losing nearly a third of his forces each time.

     In 979 AE, Dareios resigns under a cloud of suspicion and failing morale of the Order. Stavros Xagtor is elected as the next Grand Master. Stavros institutes some organizational changes to the Order. In 980 AE, he authorizes the establishment of a Chaper House in Nary along the border with Odalisk. Initially, there is a small increase of numbers from the local nobility. This influx is enough to stave off the death of the Order, at least for a little while longer.

     A couple years later, at the start of Pollexia's invasion of Lognia, Stavros gained official Imperial recognition and a Charter from Emperor Novath for the Order at the Battle of Numistrocis Field (which lies inside the large forest just to the southwest of Meekton along the road to Sepal). This was in response for the fact that the Order selflessly (and unknowingly) saved a secret Imperial shipment. An Odaliskian force twice the size of the Order crossed the border raiding Meekton and attacking a caravan (in reality the Imperial shipment). The Order saved the caravan from the attack by luring the Odaliskian force into a choke point that allowed the OAKs to hold them off until the caravan could make its escape. This earned a nod of respect from the Copper Knights and an edict from Novath Flackton giving full support to the mandates of the Order.

     While the edict has breathed even more life into the once slowly dwindling Order, it required the Order to establish a Chapter House in the capitol city of Pollex. Stavros was not exactly sure of what to do, but he didn't want to offend the Emperor, so he approved the building, establishing the province of the City of Pollex to ensure that the Provincial Marshal would have the ability and knowledge to deal with the Imperial network. Due to the new influx of potential members and renewed interest, Stavros has also recently authorized the establishment of a Chapter House in Fasdal. With these new estates, the Order is once again on the rise socially and politically.

[edit] Symbol

     The oak tree symbol was created by the first Grand Master, Kyriako Vlakhos. The two-toned color of the symbol represents the nobility and the peasantry joining together for common cause and defense. The oak tree itself represents the strength and solidity that the Order found from joining together. The roots represent the traditions and the legacy of the Order. The remaining symbols were recent additions to the coat-of-arms, both instituted in 983 AE when the Order was officially sanctioned and chartered by Emperor Flackton. Each star surrounding the tree represents one of the ten kingdoms within Pollexia which the order has sworn to protect (note, although the order does not actually maintain chapters in each kingdom, they are a universal, imperial organization). And, finally, the copper-colored dove above the tree represents the Imperial Emperor himself, under whose benefice and in whose name the Order officially operates.

[edit] Great Seal

     The Grand Master, along with the Seneschal each carry one of two keys to the Seal of the Order. This seal stays locked within a (magically?) guarded chest and is used for only those very special documents that require the utmost care and to ensure that a person knows who it is coming from. This makes the seal extremely hard to be forged or faked. Each seal is hand-made and unique to each Grand Master. The current seal shows the picture of three knights prepared for war, two on foot and one astride a horse. The whole image is inside a circle of words which spell out the motto of the Order.

     Each Rank 5 (or a Rank 4) member is authorized to use the more generic Seal of the Order, which is a picture of an oak tree surrounded in a circle by the words of the Orders motto. These everyday seals are used for normal communications not for special envoys or messengers.

[edit] Motivaton and Goals

     As a secular Order it espouses values such as charity, chivalry, and protecting the weak. This is not to say that they devote all their time to these pursuits, only that they are a major part of the Order. The original motivaton for the creation of the OAKs was to protect and bring order to the areas surrounding Meekton. As time has moved forward and with the consolidation of Pollexia under Novath, the Order has changed its goals to meet the current situation.

     A much more clandestine goal of the Order is to prepare itself for the eventual death of Novath by ensuring that they have a secure base of operations and have built up a trust of the local people. The trust of the people is important if they are to maintain control and protect the area should it become necessary. The Order, considering the number of local nobility that have become a part of it, wants to be set to maintain control of its current and future lands should things go badly on Novath's death. The Order has no desire to see the days of the "Pall Years" return, nor see its own death as it were.

     The OAKs do not believe in slavery of any sort other than the indentured servitude of criminals (to state run institutions, or their own facilites, not to individual citizens), which they believe breeds better character and that those prisoners are benefiting society (Basically, they believe in the old style "chain gangs." Regardless if it's building roads or working the mines.). It is against the Orders official stance (and the Rule) to own slaves or abuse prisoners and/or criminals. Individual knights may or may not look down on lesser status people with an air of disdain, conceit, or think they are their better; all depending on the individual knights background. Knights are expected to treat nobility as nobility unless proven otherwise, to treat honorable prisoners honorably, though indentured criminals and the dishonorable may not be abused physically, the Rule does not state under what conditions they have to be kept, other than being allowed food and water.

[edit] Initiation and Cermonies

     One of the hardest things the Order has faced and still faces is the natural tendacy for the people to be selfish and stubborn. Combating those natural tendencies has been a slow but steady fight. To help change those attitudes and goals, the Order conducts initiation ceremonies during each of the four seasons of the year.

     Spring is the ceremony for the rank and file knights (Ranks 0-2) and involves cultivating the values, philosophies, and goals of the Order. It symbolizes the renewed strength and vigor of the Order. Summer holds the initiation for the junior field leaders of the Order (Rank 3). It symbolizes the value of strong growth and experience in those leading their fellows. Fall brings the ceremony for the initiation of mid-level leadership (Rank 4). It symbolizes the strength and beauty of the achievements over the past year. Winter holds the ceremony for the senior leadership for Regional Marshals, Marshals of the Council, Marshals, and Magus' (and other Rank 5 members). It symbolizes the strength and grace to endure the hard trials of life and for keeping the "seeds" safe until time for renewal.

     Ceremonies can happen nearly anywhere, but most often happens at a Chapter House or in the field. All ceremonies allow knights a chance to elaborate on the deeds of recruits, the Order, or other issues. Knights of any rank may present knowledge of deeds for an initiate. (Knowingly lying about a member (or prospective member) for whatever reason, brings loss of rank, possible removal from the Order, or other such penalties if it is discovered.) This annunciation of worth either by an installed Knight or by proxy is essential for new initiates, for without some sort of formal, public acknowledgment of feats, values, and worth, a new member's induction is essentially impossible.

     The Grand Master, Seneschal, and a few other special appointments take place outside of these times as necessary. If it is the ceremony for Grand Master, it always takes place at the HQ of the Order with all Marshals of the Council and Provincial Marshals present, if duties allow. Members on extremely important business or on the battlefield may send a representative, this representative does not actually participate in any voting or ceremonies, but is given the chance to recite or read the wishes, commands, and orders of the missing party in front of at least 10 other Knights so that none may state something was misunderstood.

     The ceremonies last for about five days and are conducted in ancient Aenean. The first three days of the cermony are spent in tournaments where the prospective knights and thsoe seeking promotion exhibit their prowess and dedication to the Order. It is custom for senior and/or wealthier members to donate older armor to those that have lost or need it. Winning at the tournament also means that the armor and weapons of the loser belong to the winner, although custom dicates that senior members return items of junior members. The fourth day is spent practicing the next days events, and the night is spent preparing armor and weapons, taking scented baths, and otherwise getting ready for the next day. During this week the knight or knights are held in seclusion, allowed only to read, work out, practice combat, and participate in the tournaments. They may not however drink anything other than water, talk, or carouse. During the actual ceremony on the last day the knight recites the Rule and chants the Order's motto. This part of the events is generally a somber affair of ritualism. That night however, there are parties and celebrations. These ceremonies are not set in stone. Members may be promoted outside of these times to any position. However, they must participate in a ceremony at the next available opportunity. Wars and battles are not stopped just so a ceremony can take place.

[edit] The Rule

     The Rule is the term used by the Order to describe the conduct, regulations, order of combat, organization, and other details of the OAKs.

[edit] Conduct

     The Rule describes the conduct and other regulations that knights should abide by. This conduct is codified in part as a "Code of Conduct" disadvantage as well as expanded upon under the Rank lenses.

[edit] Order of Battle (Combat and Tactics)

     The secretive initiation ceremonies, the Order's motto, and other things of that nature were created to generate something that other military forces lack, the suppression of free will. While most of the ordinary feudal knights and nobility have the money and prowess to field a personal force, or devote their time to the forces of their liege lord, they all suffer from the fact that they work in a very self oriented fashion. The suppression of free will makes the Order a much more potent fighting force than would otherwise be achievable. The organizational capabilities of the Order gives it great mobility and flexibility, allowing the Order to field smaller but ultimately more organized forces.

     Typically OAKs can be found traveling the countryside patrolling the border with Odalisk but may also be taking the time to escort caravans along a trade route, investigating bandit activity, training militia units in cities and towns, or other such activities. When the OAKs take the field of battle, they organize themselves around units which represents straight fighting manpower, not support or auxiliary personnel. Control of the knights defaults to the senior member. The normal average number of officers is listed under the main fighting force levels below, along with any notes.

     Historical note: The largest force the OAKs have fielded to date is a Pugnus and was composed of 3 infantry and 2 calvary manus units at the Battle of Numistrocis Field.

• Scaena Militus (tent group) - composed of 5 individuals:
• 4 Turcopoles or Sergeants (never mixed) and 1 Rank 3 knight or
• if group is composed of actual OAKs, it is lead by the senior member
  
• Manus Militus (Hand) - is composed of 5 Scaena (25 people)
• +1 Banner Knight (Rank 3)
  
• Pugnus Militus (Fist) - is composed of 5 Manus (125 people)
• +5 Banner Knights (Rank 3)
• +1 Commander (of Knights) (Rank 4)
  
• Macies Militus (Gauntlet) - is composed of 5 Pugnus (625 people)
• +25 Banner Knights (Rank 3)
• +5 Commander's (of Knights) (Rank 4)
• +1 Under Marshal (Rank 4)
  
• Legio Militus (Legion) - is composed of 5 Macies (3,125 people)
• +125 Banner Knights (Rank 3)
• +25 Commander's (of Knights) (Rank 4)
• +5 Under Marshals (Rank 4)
• +1 Marshal (Rank 5)

     Although the full capability of this organizaton has not been tested yet, it has proven an effective strategy so far. Due to the ease of configuration and management, smaller units can be attached or replaced with others as necessary to meet the goals and needs of a particular mission.

[edit] Organization

     The hierarchy (and rank necessary to fulfill a position under normal circumstances) and order of prestige within the Order from lowest to highest. Positions within a rank can be skipped, rank cannot be; a person must serve some position within a particular rank for at least three months or participate in a ceremony (whichever is longer). The needs of war obviously obviates this requirement, as does wealth or status when first joining. Once a member joins promotion is based on skill not wealth:

• Turcopoles -
  
• Irregular/Militia troops that fight for or alongside the OAKs
• Wears brown livery, whether jerkin, tabard, or surcoat, a small OAKs emblem is sewn over the left breast
• Not nobly born
  
• Sergeants -
  
• Regular troops that are similarly equipped as standard knights but are not part of the Order
• Wears black livery, whether jerkin, tabard, or surcoat, a small OAKs emblem is sewn over the left breast
• Not necessarily nobly born, but normally of the gentry
  
• Sick and Elderly Brothers -
  
• Sick and/or seriously wounded members of the Order
• Elderly and/or retired members of the Order, these members will sometimes hold influence with senior members of the Order on a level equal to or one less than the highest rank held while active
  
• Knight Brothers -
  
• Form bulk of the Order
• During times of peace or no Order campaigns these knights may be found roaming the countryside
  
• Banner Knights -
  
• Generally in charge of leading the Sergeants, Turcopoles, or Knight Brothers of a Manus Militus
• May be found roaming the countryside, sometimes with a small entourage of squires and others learning the values of the Order (squires are generally considered a "Dependents" disadvantage, otherwise they are under no obligation to help the knight)
  
• Standard Bearer -
  
• Responsible for carrying the Orders standard in battle, ceremonies, or diplomatic missions
  
• Drapier and Herald -
  
• In charge of a Chapter Houses' garments and assuring all Heraldry requirements are observed
  
• Receiver of the Common Treasure -
  
• In charge of a Chapter Houses' finances or one particular form of business if on an Order wide basis (i.e. banking, merchantile endeavors, etc.)
  
• Commander (of Knights) -
  
• Typically leads a Pugnus Militus
• When on the march, sets the pace along with a guard of knights
  
• Envoy (of special) -
  
• Given special status outside normal Order Hierarchy
• Appointed by the Grand Master, Seneschal, Magus, or Marshal
  
• Under Marshal -
  
• Typically leads a Macies Militus or in charge of a Chapter House
  
• Master Drapier and Herald -
  
• In charge of the Orders' garments
• Ensures all Heraldry requirements are observed Order wide
  
• Master Receiver of the Common Treasure -
  
• In charge of the Orders' overall finances
• In charge of appointing non-Chapter House members for specific business endeavors
  
• Magus / Marshal / Provincial Marshal of (insert an area or regional name) -
  
• Marshals typically lead Legio Militus (Legion) on the battlefield
• Magus typically leads all wizardly forces on the battlefield
• Provincial Marshals typically command a specific area or region and all Chapter Houses within that region
• May be in charge of both a specific area or region and a Legio if operations are taking place wholly inside the area or region
• May appoint Special Envoys
  
• Marshal of the Council -
  
• Council consists of six members, each of which must have at least served as an Under Marshal
• Forfeits the right to ever be appointed Grand Master
  
• Establish and interpret the Rule with final approval resting with the Grand Master
  
• Seneschal -
  
• Advisor to the Grand Master
• Appointed directly by the Grand Master
  
• Assumes leadership of the Order if Grand Master is lost or incapacitated (or until Order is able to hold elections if the Grand Master dies or resigns)
  
• Grand Master -
  
• Elected for life (or until resignation)
• Supreme commander of the Order
• Controls all aspects of the day to day Order business as well as other areas of interest for the Order
• May appoint Special Envoys
  

[edit] Game Details

     The OAKs are a military style organization as has been described and are represented by using a series of lenses (Chapter 7 [B258] and Chapter 15 [B445]) that can be taken by any character. See the following pages for additional game details:

• OAK Lenses
• Pollexian Peerages
• Westaven Templates