Chambers of Astinus

Knights of Neraka

The Knights of Takhisis were formed by Ariakan, son of the Dragon Highlord Ariakas. At the closure of the War of the Lance, Ariakan was captured by Solamnic Knights. They imprisoned him for six years where he learnt all about the structure and organisation of the knighthood. Ariakan also learnt of the downfall of the Dragonarmies, "that evil turned in on itself". When he was released he was visited by Takhisis and he told her of what he learnt and his plans for a new knighthood, she promptly agreed. The Knights are based upon three tenets: the Vision, the Blood Oath and the Code. The Vision is a statement of the ultimate goal of the knighthood: total domination of Ansalon in Takhisis' name. The Blood Oath is simply, "Submit or Die". This is followed by every knight, who must commit themselves completely, body and soul, to the knighthood. The Code is a complex set of laws that primarily relate to military strategies and also how the knights should conduct themselves. The Oath and Code are dark versions of the Solamnic Code and the Solamnic Oath. Also similar to the Solamnics, the Knights of Takhisis have three orders of the knights. The orders are the Knights of the Lily, Knights of the Skull, and the Knights of the Thorn. With Ariakan's demise during the Chaos War, leadership of the Knights was claimed by Governor-General Mirielle Abrena. Abrena has chosen to disregard Ariakan's teachings and is after power for herself. She has thrown aside his tenets of honor and the knighthood has slowly deteriorated into little more than a large force of thugs and blackards. Abrena herself was later assassinated and Morham Targonne, a high ranking Knight of the Skull assumed her position. In order to keep up with the times since many do not believe that Takhisis will return, Targonne changed their name to the Knights of Neraka.

Targonne's rule was short-lived like his predecessors. During the War of Souls, the upstart Mina climbed through the ranks and Targonne attempted to have her killed. He failed and in turn, was executed. Mina then claimed leadership of the knighthood. With the death of the goddess, and the disappearance of Mina, it is unknown as to the fate of the knighthood and if anyone will rule in her stead.

Knights of the Lily

Lily Knights are the military force and the backbone of the Knighthood. All Knights of Neraka are inducted as Lily Knights. Once a knight reaches fifth level he must endure the Tests of Takhisis (pre-Age of Mortals). The tests vary and are determined by each knight's advocate. If a knight passes their test, they can choose which order they wish to enter. The knight is then kept in seclusion in the Temple of Takhisis, where they fast and pray for four days. At the end of the four days, the knight receives the Deep Vision, is blessed by Skull Knights and enters their order. The knight is then trained for six months in their chosen order and is then officially accepted as a member of that order. The Deep Vision is where each knight is personally shown by Takhisis what their purpose is within the knighthood. With the vanishing of Takhisis, the Deep Vision also vanished. Governor General Abrena and a small group of highly ranked Skull Knights have since recreated the Deep Vision. It is a false message from Takhisis which tells every knight of her imminent return and that they must conquer Ansalon in her name.

Knights of the Skull

Skull Knights are the clerical arm of the Knighthood. These warriors practice the healing arts and are in charge of intelligence and security for the Knights. Since the disappearance of the gods, the Skull Knights lost their clerical powers and were considered useless by many. They have since adopted fifth age magic and grown in prominence again, assisting the Governor General in creating a new "vision" for the Knighthood.

Knights of the Thorn

Thorn Knights are the magical order of the Knighthood. They draw their power from all three of Krynn's moons for their magic and are thus considered renegade wizards by the Conclave. These knights are a force to be reckoned with. After the assault on Storm's Keep by the Conclave, where the knights decimated the raiding party, the Conclave will not attack them, even though they are deemed renegades. Since the disappearance of the gods, the Thorn Knights have lost considerable power, and have now turned to the new fifth age magic in order to practice their arts again.

Ranking Structure

Much like their Solamnic counterparts, the Knights of Neraka have a set ranking structure. Below are the ranks within the knighthood.

Knights of the Lily

1. Petitioner (1st lvl)
2. Supplicant (2nd lvl)
3. Follower (3rd lvl)
4. Believer (4th lvl)
5. Warrior (5th lvl) *on reaching this rank, a knight can apply to enter Skull or Thorn Orders.
6. Novice of Night (6th lvl)
7. Night Acolyte (7th lvl)
8. Night Warrior (8th lvl)
9. Black Bard (9th lvl)
10. Dark Wanderer (10th lvl)
11. Dark Warrior (11th lvl)
12. Warrior of the Lily (12th lvl)
13. Master of the Lily (13th lvl)
14. Champion of the Lily (14th lvl)
15. Master of the Lily (15th lvl) (only 147 at any time)
16. Protector of the Lily (16th lvl) (only 21 at any time)
17. Lord of the Lily (17th lvl) (only 7 at any time)
18. Lord of Night (18th lvl) (only 1 at any time)

Knights of the Skull

1. Bone Novice (6th lvl)
2. Bone Acolyte (7th lvl)
3. Bone Warrior (8th lvl)
4. Skull Abbot (9th lvl)
5. Skull Bishop (10th lvl)
6. Skull Cardinal (11th lvl)
7. Skull Knight (12th lvl)
8. Skull Paladin (13th lvl)
9. Skull Champion (14th lvl)
10. Master of the Skull (15th lvl) (only 147 at any time)
11. Protector of the Skull (16th lvl) (only 21 at any time)
12. Lord of the Skull (17th lvl) (only 7 at any time)
13. Lord of Night (18th lvl) (only 1 at any time)

Knights of the Thorn

1. Blood Novice (6th lvl)
2. Blood Acolyte (7th lvl)
3. Blood Apprentice (8th lvl)
4. Thorn Apprentice (9th lvl)
5. Sorceror (10th lvl)
6. Wizard (11th lvl)
7. Seer (12th lvl)
8. Master (13th lvl)
9. Nightlord (14th lvl)
10. Master of the Thorn (15th lvl) (only 147 at any time)
11. Protector of the Thorn (16th lvl) (only 21 at any time)
12. Lord of Thorns (17th lvl) (only 7 at any time)
13. Lord of Night (18th lvl) (only 1 at any time)

The Order of Lords

In all three orders, once a knight advances to 14th level, they may apply to enter the Order of Lords. The Order is comprised of the greatest warriors of all three orders and is the ruling body of the knighthood. There are a limited number of positions within the order. For an applicant to enter the order there must be a vacancy. The usual (and encouraged) way to enter is for a knight to challenge a current member of the Order and defeat them in combat. If victorious then they are permitted into the order, whilst the other knight (if they survive) is demoted. Unsuccessful applicants usually do not survive the challenge.

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