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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5744131" data-attributes="member: 92511">For my own campaign, there are two kinds of knights...generally speaking.There are the feudal/political knights. These generally only exist in my campaign world's kingdom of Grinlia (the most English/European-like feudal nation in my world).There are two avenues for this. Being dubbed a knight of one's own accord or being born of one -receiving the title when one come's of age and/or the parent dies, thus inheriting the title and holdings of their knighted father (or mother).These are warriors of renown and prestige who have proven themselves to the lord and realm in which they reside. They are "knighted" by the ruler of the land (most commonly and prestigiously, the queen, but a duke or even baron can "knight" someone within their own realm.They are bound to serve their direct lord and thus, are bound to the service of the crown of the kingdom. They receive a fiefdom/landholdings commensurate to their service (and the capacity of their lord). So someone knighted by the queen, herself, might be granted more land, a larger fighting force to command. Expectations are they will "rule over" their land for the greater lord: serve as judge in legal matters, see to the protection of their borders, the collecting of taxes, etc.The land, usually comes with a stipend or starting treasury of some significant amount and, of course, any money raised in fief beyond the taxes due their lord are the knight's to keep. In the event of military service, then naturally the lord for whom they serve will pay them fees (usually through the doling out of more territory rather than actual coinage, but often both.)Knights are expected to be honorable in their dealings. Tell the truth, honor debts, be true to their word, treat commoners with respect and dignity as well as deal with their superiors in loving servitude and deference, seek out or at least defend against evil and protect the innocent. They are expected to treat other knights respectfully, also, as their brothers-in-arms. Of course, the knight is expected to heed the rallying call of his lord (and that of his lord's allies) without question.Of course, this is not always the case ("rogue knights", "black knights", knights that become more heartless warlords than just rulers, etc...)This knight is, after all, a military title more than a civic or noble one. Though it still holds some political sway...even if it is the lowest of noble titles. A knight will almost always be received in any court (of the kingdom in which they hold their title) with dignity and hospitality...whether the hosting lord likes them or not.And yes, they hold/are recognized by the title of "Sir" to be used at all times.While fighters and paladins are the most common, any class (and any alignment) may be "knighted" if they have proven themselves deserving of such an illustrious honor. Still, an aristocratic or noble household is more likely to receive that honor than some dirty commoner/mercenary/adventurer with a sword.A knight may also be stripped of his lands and holdings for not keeping up his/her end of the "bargain" to protect and serve their lords, lands and/or (even sometimes) their people/peasants/commoners. The other kind of knight is not a political/feudal title, but a member of a knightly order. This is usually, though not always, a religious order...serving a god/dess or temple...holding the deity as one's "Lord" for whom they serve as a "knight".The codes of chivalry, justice, protection of innocents, etc... are usually held and followed even more stringently than political "Sirs". For that matter, these orders generally have their own titles/ranks and are not commonly referred to as "Sir."In my own campaign, the best example of this are the Redstar Knights. Lawful Good paladins who are recognized the world over as the "Knights" of the god of battleskill and guardianship...the god's mortal swordarm in Orea. They are a direct branch of the god's temple and subject to, in addition to their superiors in the Redstar order, the priests (clerics) of that temple...and to a lesser extent, the service of any cleric of one of the Lawful Good gods to whose temples they are often assigned to protect for a period of time. They are referred to by their temple/order's titles of (from low level to high) "Goldshield" (1-3rd lvl), "Lightninglance" commonly shortened to "Lightlance" (4-7th lvl), and "Crimsonstar" (8th lvl+)An example of this knightly order without direct religious involvement would be the "queen's calvary" in Grinlia, the Order/Knights of the Starsword. These are often [politically] "knighted" warriors and paladins, but they may not necessarily be so.Starsword knights, as any "order" would be, are sworn to a code of conduct similar to a paladinic/chivalric code. Foremost being the service/defense of queen and country (regardless of the wishes of direct lords/lesser nobles) and, secondarily, pledge themselves to a god [of good, preferably, but one or two of neutral gods do exist] of their choosing (to show their pious and devout virtues moreso than any actual religious fervor...though there is more than one Starsword Knight with a deeply religious/spiritual reputation).These knights are also awarded the title of "Sir" though there is no assumption of land-ownership. They are also, generally looked up to (by commoners) a bit more than the political "sir knight" since they are viewed as serving more out of a sense of duty and purpose and selflessness than someone with their own castle and money-making land.For payment, since that is one of your concerns, they receive a stipend direct from the crown's own treasury.In the case of both of the above knightly orders, room and board is expected and hospitality due (and usually happily offered) wherever they go anywhere within the kingdom. Friction is not uncommon/the lines of power may be blurred when one of the crown's Starswords comes into another [political/noble] Knight's fiefdom. Less so with the Redstar Knights as it is understood the Redstars are beholden to their god and temple first, rather than any political obligation/connection.That's what I have, for my campaign world, on Knights. Do with it what you will. Is there anything else, specific, you'd like to know about any of them?Have fun and happy knighting.--Steel Dragons</blockquote>

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