Chivalric Codes

[Mythmere1]

The knight class in Castles & Crusades needs to follow a chivalric code, can be any alignment, and only one example is provided (which sounds pretty lawful good).

Has anyone developed a chivalric code for a blackguard or any other alignment that might be portable? It's not a game-specific question: any fairly restrictive chivalric code that works with a non-LG alignment would work.

 

[cmanos]

I would think that a LE and possible a NE knight would have some form of code...but a CE knight...Code???? Thats a bit too structured for a chaotic....

 

[rbingham2000]

You might want to look into the various codes of honor in the Unearthed Arcana book if you happen to have it. My favorite one is the simple "Don't Tread On Me" code, which might be useful for those of both the lawful and chaotic bents:

I will not be wronged.
I will not be insulted.
I will not be laid a hand on.
I do not do these things to others, and I expect the same of them.

Those of an evil bent would probably omit that last item on the list, making them hypocritical as hell -- but that's evil for ya.

 

[Mythmere1]

You might want to look into the various codes of honor in the Unearthed Arcana book if you happen to have it. My favorite one is the simple "Don't Tread On Me" code, which might be useful for those of both the lawful and chaotic bents:

I will not be wronged.
I will not be insulted.
I will not be laid a hand on.
I do not do these things to others, and I expect the same of them.

Those of an evil bent would probably omit that last item on the list, making them hypocritical as hell -- but that's evil for ya.

That's an excellent one - based on pride or a self-based system. Fantastic - that's exactly what I was hoping for!

 

[maddman75]

IMC, I had several knightly orders set up. They were based off different archetypes of knight and different interpretations over the dominant religion. Some focused on valor in combat and smiting evil, others on charity and care for the indigent, another for glory won at tournament and political maneuvering, another for courtly love and chivalry, and so on. There were a sect of Dark Knights, and their code went something like this

- Allow no insult to go unanswered
- Mercy is for the weak - show enemies only pain
- Always fight against the servants of <insert god of goodness>
- Foster fear whenever you can

 

[Janx]

Arravis made one for Torm (LG) that's pretty good.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=116328

Might not be exactly what you want, but you can probably apply it to on knightly order. That would give you variety...

Janx

 

[Erekose]

Originally Posted by rbingham2000
I will not be wronged.
I will not be insulted.
I will not be laid a hand on.
I do not do these things to others, and I expect the same of them.

This is pretty much a direct quote from John Wayne's character in The Shootist

 

[D+1]

Has anyone developed a chivalric code for a blackguard or any other alignment that might be portable?

Um... by definition a blackguard's code would not be chivalrous. But you COULD have a restrictive code to follow as a blackguard nonetheless. You'd just have to take out all the parts about being nice to people, which pretty much eliminates much of the point of having the code. It'd probably end up being very hierarchical in nature - where you'd be at least superficially respectful of your superiors and limited in how you treat your inferiors. And it'd probably have been formed just to keep a Blackguard organization from simply destroying itself from within by murder and subterfuge. It would have to have severe penalties for breaking the code though that obviously couldn't and shouldn't affect their being blackguards in any way.

Hmn. I may have to give this some thought as it's starting to give me ideas for using it in a campaign.