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7Hex Dragon: The Knightly Orders of Thur
Thur is an ancient kingdom
decended from the mounted nomads of the steppe. After a many year war
with the Imperial Sorcerers, they
surrendered and became a province of the IS. They were able to
maintain a good bit of their local customs and law, including their
Knightly Orders. They are named after animals as the superstitious and
animistic nomads felt that certain animals were omens from the
gods. The Orders have a certain clannishness about them from back when
individual clans ran the Orders. The clans have mostly disappeared,
but the Orders thrive.
Much of the flavor of Thur comes from the competitions and
rivalries of the Knightly Orders. Duels are common, though duels to
the death are frowned upon in all but the most egregious insults. Many
in the IS feel that these Orders are barbaric, but don't know how to
oppose them successfully. They are trying to use the Order of the
Chameleon instabilities to work against them.
- Order of the Bat
The Order of the Bat are the true assassins and special ops
Order. While the Ravens make a show of force for larger scale special
ops, the Bats are much more furtive and undercover. The Bat is silent
and feeds at night, and they often work their operations at
night. They can lay low in the wild and launch kidnappings and
assassinations. They are the smallest order, with just a few dozen
members. They are much less likely to carry crests or identify
themselves. The leaders will wear their appropriate colors to the
Thurian Court. They specialize more than any in Unarmed Combat and
Spying, living in the wild, poisons and dagger. They wear little or no
armour (up to leather so they can use their Unarmed Combat skills and
stay silent). They have a rigorous training and testing and when the
squire is "knighted", he does not receive a war hammer, but rather a
stiletto.
The Bats do not get along with anyone except the Foxes as they
don't interact with any other order enough to be friendly or
enemies. There are some small resentments about their secrecy but they
are not so influential (unless they plot to kill the King, maybe with
the Foxes?) as to warrant much rivalry. It is thought that they also
supply many members of the Order of the Chameleon. The Llamas are very
suspicious of the Bats and do not like them, and the feeling is
mutual.
- Order of the Bear
The Order of the Bear is the gold standard of Orders and
likely the original, if not certainly one of the original,
Orders. The Bear was considered a symbol of strength in defense and
valiant battle. They staff the heavy cavalry that made the Thurians a
unique and feared army. They are a large Order and allow many
part-time members that can be called up in time of war and are looked
to to organize the core of the cavalry and infantry. They have the
largest and grandest tournaments that include horsemanship, wrestling,
hand-held weapons, etc. They feature drop weapon as they are strong
and well suited to Hand-to-Hand Combat and can use that power to
disarm pike wielders so they can charge through. The classic war
hammer is more ceremonial with them as they have a wide variety of
weapon masters (though many do specialize in the traditional
hammer). Their base of operations is a large estate just outside of
the city of Thur and revolves around their large tournament fields,
stables and lists.
They are encouraged to marry and start estates and to have many
male children.
They have various specializations and are a wide ranging group that
include Unarmed Combat, horsemanship, weapons, strategy/tactics,
physiker, logistics, training recruits, new followers, etc. Their
prototype is the large and gregarious warrior who can wrestle, ride
and, when called for, drink. They breed some of the biggest/strongest
war horses in Thur (approaching draft horse stature).
They have the widest range of crests including their hammers,
bears, swords, wrestling, horses, etc.
There is a high spirited and mostly healthy rivalry with the Bulls
who are a splinter group from the Bears and claim similar functions as
the Bears. The Bulls show up in force and pomp to every Bear
tournament and the results are tabulated and compared all year.
- Order of the Bull
The Order of the Bull is a splinter group from the Order of the
Bear. It has been many centuries, but some of the bad feelings still
persist in latent ways. The exact nature of the schism is little
understood and interpreted differently depending on if you ask a Bull
or Bear. It had to do with organizational efficiencies and what kinds
of recuits to allow a full time position and knighting, or only be a
reservist (to use modern parlance). The Bulls are similar to the Bears
in their generality, but have a wider variety of Cavalry and Infantry
(the Bears focus mostly on heavy calvary and infantry). They focus a
bit less on Unarmed Combat and more on Weapon Mastery (which they have
a wide variety of Masters). They are the second largest Order, behind
the Bears, but their tournaments are definitely second rank, with the
Bears holding the two biggest in the year (the Spring and Late Summer
tournaments). The Bulls have had to move theirs around the Bears to
less hospitable times.
They have generally good relations with all Orders (except maybe
the Bats), but hold some in small distain (Foxes, Bats) for not being
vigorous enough. They have a spirited and mostly healthy rivalry with
the Bears, and show up to the Bears tournaments in full force and
pomp.
Their stronghold is an estate to the northwest of Thur, on the
ancestral lands of one of the founding members. It was spared in the
IS seige due to being in the Northwest and that it was essentially
deserted as the Bulls were all out in the field.
Their crests are also wide, but most often feature a Bull to
demarcate themselves from the ever famous Bears.
- Order of the Fox
The Order of the Fox are the spies and diplomats of old (they have
been mostly replaced by the IS advanced spying techniques). Many of
the Order of the Chamleon come from here as they are bitter about
being removed from their role as head spies and diplomats in remote
courts. They specialize in Unarmed Combat, Dagger, Spying, Courtly
Graces, and other useful functions. They are looked down upon by many
orders as being effeminate, but they are lethal killers and are now
plotting against the IS and the Thurian nobility to take back some
control. They are gifted plotters and have not been uncoverd and have
not allowed any IS secret police to infiltrate them. They hold no
tournaments and are not especially gifted horsemen (though all
Thurians have background in horsemanship and some Foxes use their
advanced Horsemenship skill to get ahead in courts as a show of skill
and good breeding, only the very wealthy in the IS are good
horsemen). They also are not as proficient in the use of the
traditional war hammer as other Orders, prefering the rapier, short
sword, and other more courtly weapons (the war hammer is considered
barbaric in many courts around this part of Cidri). Though many have
walking canes that are basically light and elegant picks.
Their power is Detect Enemies for their work in remote courts.
They are smaller and a bit more homogeneous then the Bears and
Bulls and their Crest is the Fox on ochre background. Many have
adapted this to the local customs of the baronies, duchies and courts
that they serve in (and are trying to form a Western alliance with the
manors of the western Borderlands and they have very covert contacts
with the Duke of Mt. Bronar with an idea if
they can convince the Thurian nobility to turn on the IS, they can
ally with Bronar, have him march on the northern border of the IS
while the Thurians send a strong cavalry to the front that will turn
on the IS army suddenly in the midst of battle, sacking the command
structure and breaking up the infantry. Then another stronger cavalry
that will march on Dar Karador itself in a lightning strike to disable
the military ability of the IS (without going into Dar Karador
itself). So far they have not had much success convincing Bronar or
the nobility in this scheme.
Their stronghold is just outside the royal keep in Thur, in an
elaborate and courtly mansion with well manicured gardens and a small
stable.
It is speculated that the order of the Fox broke off from the order
of the Wolf many centuries ago. The Foxes are the only Order to have
good relations with the Bats, as they use each other's skills and have
plotted together to overthrow many a King. They get along well with
the Ravens as they often provide the intelligence to coordinate their
attacks and when they don't the Ravens often can give them good
intelligence from deep behind enemy lines.
- Order of the Hawk
The Order of the Hawk has descended from the long-range hunters of
the ancient nomads to the current-day scouts. The Hawk was considered
an omen of luck in the hunt and far-sighted wisdom. They have spirited
and fast stallions, having horseraces and skill in jumping and
manuvering tests and tournaments (which few Bears show up for, but the
Foxes, some Wolves and a few Ravens and Llamas will attend). They are,
unsurprisingly, good with Hawks and using them to hunt and scout.
In war, many of the Hawks are scouts and intelligence
gatherers. They ride ahead and estimate enemy strength and
positions. They feed this especially to the Wolves and Ravens for
their functions. Their specializations are in logistics, scouting,
mathematics, horsebow and horsemanship. They are not only scouts, and
do provide some light cavalry and other functions (messengers,
flanking units, etc). They are one of a few orders proficient with the
spear, javelin, horsebow and crossbow. Their horses are fast and light
stallions.
Their power is Far Sight to help them find enemy positions and
count troop strengths (and to shoot their bows).
Their stronghold is several miles west of the city of Thur, in the
foothills of the backbone mountains (this is a new home, their old
home east of Thur was totally destroyed during the IS siege).
The Bears and Bulls look down on them a bit for being "light
weights". They get along fairly well with the Llamas, Foxes, Wolves and
Ravens.
- Order of the Llama
The Order of the Llama came out of a more charitable background
than the Ravens, Wolves and Bats. They are a newer order (only a two
hundred and fifty years old, the founding members came from the Bulls,
Bears, Wolves and one Raven outcast). They pride themselves on
protecting the poor and downtrodden, being slow to anger, but
perservering in attaining justice once roused. The llama is a peaceful
animal that is not a carnivor, but is fierce in protecting sheep from
wolves, often scattering wolf packs while herding the sheep to higher
ground. They take this as the proper way violence should be used. They
often travel trade routes to protect merchants and pilgrims. They will
often be the first to respond to brigand activity and will respond
with quick justice. They ride warhorses and
Battle Llamas. They carry the
Thurian Horseman's Pick, and wield spears and pike axes (lucern
hammers) when charging. They are vetrinarians, warriors, physikers,
trackers (got to find those hiding brigands!) and judges of last
resort as their reputation of honesty and simple justice will make due
where a trained lawyer is not available in the backwaters of Thur and
IS in general. They are often the only law in the far west and
southwest of the IS.
Their training is rigorous and they must pass basic weapons and
horse/llama riding tests. Then they pick a specialization:
vet/physiker, law, tactics, hunters/trackers/outdoorsmen and are
tested there too. Only then are they awarded their Horseman's Pick and
spurs. Their coat of arms feature scales, sheep, llamas (usually
standing on or chasing wolves which causes some friction with the
Order of the Wolf), sickles, and other symbols of Justice and Martial
Prowess. Most are on a white background.
In War time they will come to the muster with heavy to medium
cavalry and a good run of infantry. They will balk at any battle they
consider unjust or frivolous. The Thurian Kings will often secretly
consult the Llamas before any battle to make sure they are on board as
a public spat with the respected Llamas can erode public support for
any campaign.
Their stronghold is a converted mansion in the city of Thur itself.
There is a healthy rivalry between the Llamas and the Bears for
martial supremecy in the Bear's tournaments. The Llamas claim to be
better warriors out of finese and the Bears just think they are the
best generally. They do not like the Bats and are suspicious of them,
and have their doubts about the Foxes and even Ravens but that does
not stop them from working with them.
- Order of the Raven
The Order of the Raven is ancient knightly order in Thur. The Raven
was the Omen of Death, and the Order of the Raven used to play high
class assassins and special operations on the battlefield (flanking
maneuvers, spearheading a charge to break through an enemy line,
attacking the supply line or command post of the opposing army,
etc). As high-class assassins, they would cal those disfavored by the
King or the Marshal of the Order out for duels. They have evolved into
a harsh, but more honorable knightly order. They are awarded a
combination iron crown/mask of hideous visage on their Knighthood
(called the Burning Ceremony) and it is tossed into a fire to give it
an even more grotesque, charred appearance. The squire has to pull it
out with his bare hands (which rarel results in major injury. The mask
is also a throwback to the days when they were glorified assassins,
hiding their identity to thwart blood feuds. The Ravens often will
soot and char their armor, barding, shields and weapons to remind
themselves of their Burning and create the requisite fear in their
opponents as their reputation precedes them (thanks to
Runequest Slayer's Obsidian
Templari WarClan for the sooting of armour idea). Their Order's
traditional power is Induce Fear (the fear of death). They use the war
hammer, the spear and lucern hammer when charging. Their symbols
revolve around their horses, their beloved horseman's hammer, their
burning, their masks and the various symbols of death (raven, skull,
crossbones, etc) which are embroidered on their tunics and
surcoats. Their shields do not carry any symbols and are always
charred and blackened before each battle. Their horses are a special
breed that they maintain in a large stable at the order's Keep. They
are either jet black or a bone/gray, and are fierce and tempermental
creatures who are fast, but not as strong as some warhorses of the
Bears and Bulls (and not as fast as the Hawk's stallions). It is
claimed that they come from a breed of horses that were tamed by the
minions of death herself to chase down those who would run away from
death, and have special powers and senses. The Order revels in causing
chaos and destruction for the enemy and are used to having great
effect on the poor souls who guard the horses and supply chain or lost
units wandering around after a battle.
They are nearly ascetic. They are allowed a wife and children, though
few have them and their family must live away from the Order with
limited visitation. They do not drink except one drink at funerals and
have a strict diet and routine (martial practices , horse care,
etc). They start their training at a young age (9-11). The squire must
renounce family (though this is not as absolute as the words sound,
they must put the Order above family, which is not that uncommon) and
swear to protect the Order. They specialize in difficult missions
involving speed and lethal effect (i.e. they are horsemen and
warriors, not spies or thieves). They raid opposing camps to destroy
food, horses or cut supply chains deep in enemy territory. They are
talented in war, horsemanship, living off the land and strategy. They
rarely fight with the vanguard as they are already in enemy territory
preparing the way for the main army.
They are a smaller order, not many wanting the life of the
Ravens. Their numbers fluctuate depending on the temper of the times
(more major campaigns and they are in demand and will up their
membership to make up for those lost in battle, long periods of peace
will see their numbers diminish). But they are wealthy having one of
the oldest keeps in Thur and large tracts of land and hereditary
families of serfs.
They are friendly enough with the Bulls, Bears and Hawks,
suspicious of the Llamas and have a on-going rivalry with the
Wolves. They dislike the Bats as they appear to be a splinter group
when the Ravens stopped any form of covert assassinations.
Interpretations of the split vary depending if you talk to a Raven or
a Bat. They think the Foxes are a bit effeminate, but don't actively
disklike them for all of that. They get along very well with the Hawks
as they rely on each other for intelligence.
- Order of the Wolf
The Order of the Wolf fills several roles including providing
leaders for the vanguard of the Thurian army, hunting down rogue
units, some special missions in enemy territory (though the Ravens do
more of that and are a little jealous of their "turf"). The Wolf was
thought as a harbringer of war and they are often the lead charge (a
point they take great pride in and remind the Ravens of) to break up
enemy units before the heavy calvalry come in. They are the third
largest order behind the Bears and Bulls.
Their power of Speed Movement allows them to be the leading edge of
the main army and to surprise and confuse the front line of the enemy
by arriving faster than they expect. They take heavy casualties and
are honored as such (even if grudgingly by the Ravens). They are on
fairly good terms with most Orders who give them some respect for
leading the charges.
They specialize in spear (for the charge), thurian horsemans
hammer/pick, bec-de-corbin, horsemanship, strategy/tactics,
warrior/veteran, etc.
They have several ceremonial wolfskin garments (some of a bright
silver) that are used in Knighting ceremonies. They have a large wood
lodge to the south of the city of Thur that is protected by a large
stone wall. The lodge is ancient (though rebuilt/remodeled
significantly) and looks a bit odd inside more modern fortifiations,
but it is their ancestral hall and they will defend it to the death
(think Beowulf).
- Order of the Chameleon
The Order of the Cameleon is a recent and secret society made of
members of many Orders who are unhappy with their subordinate position
in the IS and work to subvert that arrangement. They do not have a
single meeting place, but are clandistine and move their meetings
around. Most Orders are represented, but the Foxes and Bats have more
of a leadership position. They all carry the traditional Thurian War
Hammer as a symbol of the traditional might of Thur. Their power is
Invisibility to avoid detection by the ever watchful IS. They wear
dark armour with full helms to cover their faces and a plain dark
green surcoat. All carry potions and hidden dagger to commit suicide
if they are ever caught. They are a small and secretive, but growing
influence at the Thurian Court. The IS consider them rebels and
revolutionaries and will deal harshly with them, as soon as they can
catch one.
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