Ideas for orders especially for the Kingdom of Aragon

In 13 Kingdoms the, Order of the eternal elevators of humanity, is the highest order as they are nobles recognized by the empire and provided the ability to create clones, save their personalities and memories and then when they die to have the clone replace them.  The order also confers the ability to allow others to save their personalities, memories and make a clone.  The membership has a hierarchy with the eternal emperor and elevator of humanity of the known universe Erik Lin being the head of the order.  The nobles in this order obviously have a lot of reason to remain loyal to the emperor. So what other orders should exist?  Knights are typically under an order of either dynastic which is what is described above or chivalry/military.  

Divine/monastic/clerical/ecclesiastic orders These are knightly orders tied to an organised faith. Divine Order of Fury—Red God—This order is predominantly Killian, but may be found anywhere the Red God is held in regard—that is to say anywhere people are killing one another. As personal glory is not only a knightly virtue for them, but also a tenet of their faith, the Divine Order of Fury may be found in nearly any chivalric and open tournament worldwide. Aka Furies Holy Knights of Melchom—Melchom—These knights are known for their wealth. Not only is their profession expensive (armour, horses, lances, et al.) but accumulating wealth is encouraged by their faith. Aka Moonies or (even less flattering) Loonies, as the symbol of their order (a pair of silver coins) reminds some of Midian’s twin moons Holy Order of Knights in God’s Service—Bhahi—These ecclesiastical knights receive training in religion as well as at arms. Whereas most monastic knights are laymen, these Bhahists are trained and charged with performing religious duties whenever a priest is unavailable. It is permissible for a Bhahi priest to join this order as well. Holy Order of Servant Knights—Temple of Light—This is the second, smaller order of the Lightwalker knights. This order is seen as less prestigious by some, but more exclusive and holy by others. Compared to the Knights of the Temple (Templars) the Servitors focus more on faith than war. Aka Servitors Holy Paladins—unknown cult—These knights preach a simple message of goodwill, charity, and perseverance. They teach this message not to a congregation or on a street corner, but through the example of their actions. While they may offer an occasional homily of their unknown faith, they don’t seek converts. They do not even discuss their faith at length, considering it a very personal matter and not one to preach to others. Hugh’s Handy Helpers—Church of Hugh—Though this order has many of the trappings common to other divine orders of knighthood, Hugh’s Handy Helpers aren’t given any formal combat training. They are charged with helping people in need rather than spreading their faith at the point of a sword. Far from being cowardly, Hugh’s Handy Helpers on the battlefield are always appreciated, even if not on the front lines. They are fearless in the face of danger, and always maintain their helpful "boyscout" attitude even in the worst situations. None of this is to say that the Helpers are pacifists, or that the order lacks plenty of knights who are more than willing to charge with the lance. Aka the shortened forms of Hugh’s Helpers or just Helpers Knights of the Temple—Temple of Light—This is the largest order of knights worldwide. Many knights of the peerage join this order as well as clerical knights, especially in Formour. Aka Templars Unholy Knights in Darkness—Black Church—Though the Black Church itself doesn’t have a well-structured hierarchy, the Unholy Knights in Darkness are as fierce, organised, and capable as any other. They are known to be self-reliant, yet always aid their brethren knights when possible. Aka Dark Knights, with some confusion with the Undead Dark Riders subset of the Returning Knights-errant Unholy Knights of Stryfe—Stryfe—Though they may seem rather more competetive than cooperative with one another, and dispite the reputation of their faith, this is a fairly ordinary knightly order. Aka Unholy Knights Peerage/patriciate/militant orders These are knights tied to the nobility. Most of these orders are non-exclusive and indicate meritorious service to your liege lord. Advance Guard of the Knights-Forward—Formour & Northern Protectorate—Aka Advancers Banneret Knights of the Lion—Formour Blood of King Elijah—Formour, some Heldannic—Largely Dwarven membership Cerise Order of the Knights of Chivalry—Byzant & Formour Chaste Preservers of Peace—Grim Sea Islands—Requires a vow of chastity, as the name implies; disavows the knighthood of the Defenders (below); aka Peacers (or Piece-less to their detractors) Circle of Spurs—Formour Defenders of Peace—Grim Sea Islands—This order formed as a splinter group from the Peacers (above). They take a vow of celibacy instead of chastity: they vow never to marry, but don’t vow to not sleep around… Aka Defenders Defenders of the Coast—Elven Homeland Desert Legion of Brothers—Byzant, but not exclusively—Aka Legionnaires Flowering Plum Blossom of Knighthood—Elven & Killian—Aka Plum Blossoms or Plummies Grand Order of the Bayard Charger—Formour Guardians of Harmony—Formour & Elven Homeland Guardians of the Silver Chalice—Sea of Chaos & Byzant Knights of Bitter Tears—Formour, Grim Sea, & Sea of Chaos Knights of Duke Augustus the True—Formour & Byzant Knights of St. Chae—Killian Knights of the Abyss—Killian & Greatsea Islands—Accomplished sailors as well as horsemen Knights of the Broken Violin—Greatsea Islands Knights of the Copper Shield—Formour & Killain Knights of the Golden Spoon—Byzant & Elven Homeland Knights of the Great Mother of Peace—Killian—Founded directly by the previous Empress, and consider the current holder of that office to be the titular head of their order Knights of the Metal Ribcage—Byzant—Founded by a Meta whose skeleton is still on display at their chapterhouse Knights of the Order of Princess Andrea—Elven Homeland & Formour, with some in Heldannic lands Knights of the Order of the Knights—Grim Sea Islands Knights of the Order of the Muskrat—Elven Homeland & Formour Knights of the Rose—Formour—Bitter rivals of the Order of the Rose; aka Red Roses Knights of the Shield and Mace—Formour & Killian Knights of the Smoke—Elven Homeland & Formour—This order was founded on the principle of anonymity. Knights of the Smoke do not reveal themselves during a tournament nor even to each other. Only the three sponsoring knights know the new supplicant’s identity. While some do use this protection for nefarious ends, most join the Smoke Knights because their position, reputation, or family would otherwise prevent them from joining their fellow knights in tournaments and other events. It is rumoured that an Elven prince created the order so that he may participate in the lists without his title gaining him an unfair advantage. Most Smoke Knights are also members of other knightly orders. Aka Smoke Knights or Smokies Knights of the Splintered Table—Greatsea Islands—Aka Splinters Knights of the White Cross—Elven Homeland & Sea of Chaos—Aka Cruxes Lances of Justice—Sea of Chaos—Aka Lancers Legion of Honour and Justice—Worldwide Magenta Order of the Chalice—Grim Sea Islands Mountaineers of the Highest Order—Formour & Northern Protectorate, with a strong showing in the Heldannic Confederation, especially among Dwarves & Trolls—Aka Mountaineers Mysterious Order of the Serpent—Byzant—Actually, the only thing mysterious about this order is why they chose this name. Aka Snakes, but this has a connotation with "knowledge" in parts of Byzant Order of Distrellia—Byzant—Distrellia is a Bizzannite province; the order originates there from back when it was a sovereign state Order of Knights of the Grey Cat—Formour Order of Knights of the Legion—Byzant & Sea of Chaos Order of Lace—Worldwide Order of St. Benjamin—Formour Order of Tears—Byzant, Formour, & Northern Protectorate—Largely Gothic membership Order of the Bat—Byzant Order of the Black Goat—Elven Homeland & Greatsea Islands Order of the Cross of Sebastian—Sea of Chaos Order of the Chrysanthemum—Elven Homeland & Grim Sea Islands Order of the Doomed Maple—Greatsea Islands & Byzant Order of the Dragon—Worldwide—A very prestigious order, comprised of only the cream of the crop; only the best knights (of any order, or none at all) are invited to join, and the invitation has never been refused to date, nor has any members later proven unworthy Order of the Emerald Bridle—Formour Order of the Falcon—Greatsea Islands Order of the Grey Stone—Greatsea & Grim Sea Islands Order of the Heavy Heart—Grim Sea Order of the Knights of Peace—Formour Order of the Knights of the Sword—Byzant & Killian Empires Order of the Morning Sun—Killian, Greatsea Islands, & Northern Protectorate Order of the Pitcher and Plate—Formour Order of the Raging Spleen of Justice—Byzant Order of the Rampaging Possum—Worldwide Order of the Rose—Byzant—Bitter rivals of the Knights of the Rose; aka White Roses Order of the Scarlet Knights in Waiting—Formour Order of the Seekers After Order—Worldwide—Predominantly Trollish membership, and considered by many Trolls to be nearly as prestigious as the Order of the Dragon; the order’s name isn’t redundant in the original Dwarven, by the way; aka Seekers Order of the Sour Fruit—Grim Sea Islands Order of the Squirrel—Elven Homeland & Formour Order of the Warders of the Oaks—Elven—Aka Wardens Preservers of the Flowering Garden—Killian and Northern Protectorate—Aka Preservers Preservers of the Purity of the Dawn—Byzant & Grim Sea Islands Questing Knights—Mortocracy of Malachai Sisterhood of Peace—Byzant, Grim Sea, Formour, and Killian—This is an all-female sorority of knights. Aka Sisters Sisters of Merciful Justice—Formour—Despite the name, this order does have a few male knights Soldiers of the Night—Byzant Southern Lancers—Killian Squires of the Banner—Byzant Swamp Knights—Northern Protectorate Western Guard of the Knights in Service—Formour—Once a lay splinter group of the Holy Order of Servant Knights; aka Western Guard Independent/errant/bachelor orders These knights earn their spurs through their order itself, rather than a king or church. Axes of Honour—Imagine the worst street gang you can. Now evolve that mental image into an international organised crime syndicate, but without losing any of the viciousness of life on the street. Now imagine that every member of this gang/syndicate is also a knight with all of the martial expertise and experience, quality of arms & armour, determination, leadership, wealth, connections, and vainglory that the term implies. The Axes of Honour originated in the Killian Empire, but moved their operations to Byzant (fled the country) early in their history. From there they reorganised, grew in strength and numbers, and returned to the Killian Empire as well as spreading to other nations. Though the Axes’ underhanded dealings are not exactly the best kept secret, they somehow manage to avoid the Law and keep a decent public image. Their dealings with other knights are always honourable, at least openly, and always meet dishonour with death. Charge of the Terrible Light Squad—Lightwalker Missionaries in the Killian Empire have met with some success on those islands. Most of Her Imperial Majesty’s citizens follow some other faith, or even several, but these knights are among those that converted wholeheartedly to the Temple of Light. This is a knightly order that would otherwise be considered a third monastic order of the Temple, but it is not officially recognised by the church hierarchy. These Killian Mammonites are often considered just a touch fanatical. Crimson Order of the Knights of the Shadows—A group of dark knights who practice necromancy; detailed further in Death: The Pale Horse —Aka Death Knights or Shadow Lords Divine Order of the Fang & Fist—This order was originally a Heldannic berserker society that fought unarmed (though armour was allowable). It still exists in that form in the Confederation, but has expanded to become a knightly order in regions further south. They have transformed the creed of "no weapons ever" to become "no dishonourable and inappropriate weapons." Thus, they never face a dismounted foe while on horseback, never meet sword with spear, do not use siege weapons or poison, and some do not even ever use ranged weapons in open battle. The original motto of "an unarmed warrior is never disarmed" has been kept, and all of the Divine Order of the Fang & Fist are trained in multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat. They are bitter rivals—some would even say enemies—of the Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof who claim the Divine Order of the Fang & Fist split off from them when that is clearly not the case. Everyone knows the Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof is a rogue splinter of the Divine Order of the Fang & Fist. Aka Fangs Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof—This order was originally a Heldannic berserker society that fought unarmed (though armour was allowable). It still exists in that form in the Confederation, but has expanded to become a knightly order in regions further south. They have transformed the creed of "no weapons ever" to become "no dishonourable and inappropriate weapons." Thus, they never face a dismounted foe while on horseback, never meet sword with spear, do not use siege weapons or poison, and some do not even ever use ranged weapons in open battle. The original motto of "an unarmed warrior is never disarmed" has been kept, and all of the Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof are trained in multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat. They are bitter rivals—some would even say enemies—of the Divine Order of the Fang & Fist who claim the Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof split off from them when that is clearly not the case. Everyone knows the Divine Order of the Fang & Fist is a rogue splinter of the Divine Order of the Tooth, Horn, and Hoof. Aka Teeth Downward Thrust of Vengeance—The downtrodden and anguished who aspire to knighthood may seek the errant/bachelor orders. In the Downward Thrust of Vengeance, it is actually a requirement that one has known suffering, loss, &/or hardship before joining. Though they may have grim demeanours and all have pain-filled pasts, these knights are to be emulated for their strict adherence to the virtues of knighthood. Aka Vengers Followers of the Peaceful Shepard—This is the Anglan version of their name. The original Southron Bizzannite name was the more metaphoric "Lovers of Sheep" (meaning "those who seek to be as peaceful as a lamb"), but this suffered in translation. This order traces its history—at least mythically, if not in fact—to one of the Companions of the Prophet Mammon (the titular Peaceful Shepard). The Followers do not have the support of the Temple of Light. As they place a great deal of emphasis on their founder’s written legacy—some might even say moreso than the Book of the Cannon itself—it is unlikely that they will ever have such support. This is a lay order, and few in number. These twin facts and their geographic distance from the main areas of influence of the Temple of Light prevent their being considered heretics. Their founder charged them with never using a weapon that sheds blood, but paradoxically also charged them with defending the innocent and the traveller. The Followers reconcile this by using blunt weapons such as the mace and quarterstaff, but are otherwise just as militant as any other order of knights. They still participate in jousts and other tournament events using blunt tips on their lances, but will never use a proper lance in an actual battle. Demonstrating knowledge in the gentle arts of healing is a prerequisite to applying to the Followers of the Peaceful Shepard—i.e. how to apply field & pressure dressings, and how to properly splint a broken limb. Glorious Sisterhood of the Isle of Seraphi—These bitches are crazy. I’m not being negative, I’m quoting. It actually says that on a placard near the main entrance to their chapterhouse, "These bitches are crazy," the way some might place a sign saying "beware of dog." Glory in battle is the second most important thing to them—winning at all costs comes in first. Whenever the Glorious Sisterhood enters into battle each looks across at their opponent and knows, "I’m going to kill you." Survival falls in importance to winning. Even if it costs the knight her life, she will slay her opponent. Needless to say, they are not very welcome at many tournaments, but none dare question their bravery nor effectiveness. They mark the areas around their eyes with black tattoos. Each is personalised, but collectively identifies that woman as one of their number. The Glorious Sisterhood of the Isle of the Seraphi is also noted for their love of exotic—sometimes unique—weaponry. There is no stated rule that a male cannot join the order and become a Glorious Sister, but to date no man has yet had the fortitude to survive the application, much less the initiation. By this point, few even dare try anymore. Grim Knights of the Mists—The short description is that the Grim Knights are Shadow Lords without the necromantic talents. However, they have a completely separate history and organisation; one is not related to the other. In all other aspects of their character: appearance, outlook, structure, goals, et al. they are the same as the Death Knights. They even share an identical Crimson Code. Hidden Servitors in Shadows for the Glories of the Loneliest One—What is quite possibly the longest name ever for a knightly order, the hidden servitors are something of a mystery cult that seems to worship the Killian Empress. Membership is predominantly, but not exclusively Killian and Gaijin. They consider it their charge to do what is best for the Empress beyond all bounds, even at the cost of the Empire itself, or even against the express wishes of the Empress. Belonging to this order is not kept secret, even if what goes on in their closed meetings is. The Killian monarch has several of these knights in her employ, and they are some of the very few errant knights to be in the imperial personal guard. She publicly refers to them as her most loyal subjects, even as she privately worries about what extremes to which they will go. Knights in Stryfe’s Service—Nearly identical to the Unholy Knights of Stryfe save for slight differences in their colour scheme (red arrows on yellow background rather than red arrows on white background) and that the K.I.S.S. are a lay order. They don’t have the official approval and support of the church, but do not need church approval of their membership or actions, either. Knights of the Isle of Sanguineus—The Sanguine Knights originated on Sanguineus Island, which according to local legend was the cause of the Red Dawn. The island is a dormant volcano which did errupt about 2000 years ago, but most loremasters agree that the focal point of the Adventus Sanguis event was far to the east, possibly even beyond Osterre. An island in the northwestern arm of the Sea of Chaos near the Elven shores is not a likely candidate. The order’s chapterhouse is a large stronghold at the island’s center, and acts as a default capitol building. The Knights of the Isle effectively hold sovereignty over the island, and they have repelled all would-be claimants, but this is not recognised by either the Byzant or Killian Empires or the Kingdom of Formour. The Elves officially decline to comment on the issue (they don’t care, really), and the Northern Protectorate is the only nation to acknowledge the knights’ sovereignty. Knights of the Red Cap—Not much is publicly known about this order. They keep their rituals and inner workings a secret, even from junior members. Publicly they state that the mysteries helps bond the knights together, and that there isn’t anything odd or untoward going on behind closed doors. Meetings consist of complaining about the rising cost of grain and locker-room humour, according to them—boring really. Uh huh, sure. Rumours abound about the nature of the Red Caps & their mysteries: they dye their signature caps in the blood of infants, they are all werewolves, they are spies for the Elves (or Hobgoblins, or other Fae), they are a secret sub-sect of another mysterious organisation called the Brotherhood or the Pact, or that they all cheat on their taxes. Noble Order of the Knights of the Ladder—A charge of knights on the field of battle is a fearsome sight; few units can withstand their lances. However, for a mercenary army to train, equip, and maintain cavalry to the high standards of knighthood is often too great an expense to bear. The Noble Order fills this need with mercenary knights. They hire themselves out to nations needing their expert counsel as military advisors. They subcontract their lances to mercenary units who desire their unbeatable charge. They sell their services to those laying siege, or to besieged cities alike. These knights charge dearly for their services, but they are effective and in high demand. Unlike most orders of knights-errant, many of those in this order were already knights or military commanders before joining. Aka Besiegers Northern Rangers—Found almost exclusively in the Farreaches, this band of horsemen attempt to keep the peace and aid the few folk who live there from the ravages of the wind, cold, beasts, and Hobgoblins. This is an order in only a tenuous sense, and lacks most of the trappings common to other knightly orders. They often go unarmoured or only lightly armoured, most bear ranged weapons, do not use the title "sir", do not attend tournaments or other events, and don’t really think of themselves as knights—some might even find the idea rather silly. Order of Anti-Paladins—This is a fairly typical errant order, tough and evil sounding name notwithstanding. A refusal for the order as a whole to follow only one sovereign is really what separates this order from being a patriciate one. Nearly half of its membership achieved their spurs from noble squirehood, and joined as unbound knights. Many are these are of noble birth. A sizeable number are also members of other orders, and at least as many were cast out of their prior service before joining the Anti-Paladins. This order is known for light censure—if any at all—for those found violating the knightly virtues. Darker rumours swirl around the Order of Anti-Paladins, but it is unknown whether any of them are true, or if they are in fact all mere rumours and unhealthy speculation. If these rumours are false, and it is likely that most if not all are, one wonders whether they were spread by the detractors of the order, or by the Anti-Paladins themselves? Order of the Bronze Spur—This order seems to serve predominantly as a path to knighthood that would otherwise be denied its worthy supplicants. While it cannot give a young would-be knight a good family, long esquirement, or the wealth to purchase the requisite gear, it can match them with a sponsor who can—or a pair of sponsors as a growing trend: one for training and one for gear. In character it is a mirror of the chivalric peerage orders. Returning Knights—What gives the Returning Knights their great bravery in battle is that they are already dead, or more accurately, that they have already died. The initiation rites involve the necromantic spell "Little Death" along with other magics. This ritual temporarily slays the prospective knight, removing a fear of dying along with any ailments or enchantments from which the knight may be suffering. Not all of the supplicants survive the process, in fact many do not. As a result, a given Returning Knight may have a dozen or more squires at one time. The knights of this order spend much of their time out questing, especially for the strange requirements of their order and their own darkly odd new natures. Among the other dark necromancies performed on the short-term corpse of the knight during the investure rituals are "Last Rites" tied with "Mockery of Life." This curse prevents the knight’s final rest, however honourable or ignoble. The Undead form that arises moments later is very similar to how the Returning Knight was before: it looks the same, speaks the same, eats, drinks, trains squires, breathes, bleeds, and sweats. The only overt differences are that the knight is now termed a Dark Rider, and changes the symbol on his shield & banner from a silver crescent on a grey background to a grey crescent on a black background. The Dark Riders are a subset organisation to themselves. They are still Returning Knights, still ride with them into battle, and stand next to them at grand meetings in the chapterhouse, but also have their own hierarchy, own meetings, and own secret agenda. While it’s not something easily defined, there is something sinister to the knight’s new condition. Some of them seem to have strange needs and abilities after their return from the grave the second time. Vile Order of the Knights of Nefarious Deeds—This order was created to be an anti-knightly order with an almost cartoonishly villainous outlook & character. Though the founder was mentally unwell & created a knightly order of rather silly serial-villain stereotypes, currently the order consists of knights who are noble in deed as well as blood. The grandson of the founder took over command of the Vile Order, and turned it into something much more positive. The modern incarnation of the Vile Order of the Knights of Nefarious Deeds dedicates itself to acts of charity as well as glory in battle. In spite of the odd name and stated goals, as a knightly order founded by the sovereign of an Elder Kingdom, it was just as legitimate as any other. The original name was kept both as a way to somewhat untarnish the founder’s memory and to remind the current knights to stay on the right path. The original members of the order never really did anything terrible. The founder was more into the tropes of the villain than a bad person at heart—and he did run his kingdom well in spite of his affliction. Aka Nefarions And just for good measure.... The Helmets of the Birth The Custodians of the Book The Lancers of the Circle The Nest Legion The Stone League The Chain Guardians The Leather Order The Preservers of Dusk The Knights of Fire The League of Blood The Knights of the Crest The Shields of the Stone The Custodians of the Chain The Lake Order The Death Knights The Moon Lancers The Birth Custodians The League of Defiance The Order of History The Preservers of Serenity The Guardians of the Raven The Knights of the Fang The Guardians of the Rain The Crescent Circle The Thunder Lancers The Death Custodians The Ocean Knights The Soldiers of Spirits The Knights of Exaltation The League of Pestilence The Illuminated Church of the Holy Star The Hidden Coven of the Holy Stone The Hallowed Grove Fellowship The Knights of the Secret Water The Endless Fellowship of the Ageless Blood The Knights of the Eagle The Templars of the Chain The Shields of the Arachnid The Gate Knights The Garden Knights The Judgment Circle The Brass Lancers The Knights of Harmony The Preservers of Spirit The Knights of Iron The Everlasting Children of the Illuminated Queen The Brotherhood of the Abiding Mind The Imperishable Circle of the Veiled Peace The Congregation of the Hallowed Word :p

Renowned Knightly Orders Templars Sigmarites The Grand Order of the Reiksguard (Possibly a secular order. The fluff and references are contradictory.) Devout Templars of Sigmar, the knights of this order “swear to protect the Emperor, who is the living incarnation of Sigmar”. “Founded during the reign of Wilhelm, the first Emperor in the line of the princes of Altdorf, the Reiksguard is recruited from the oldest sons of the Empire's nobility. Unlike other Knightly Orders, the Reiksguard is divided into warriors who fight on foot and on horseback. Regardless of how they fight, the Knights' weapons are of the highest quality, and their armour is polished to a mirror-like finish and topped with crests that carry the colours of reigning Emperor Karl Franz. The Reiksguard Knights are the Emperor's best troops and, as such, form the core of his household guard. In this way, many masters of the Order have served as Imperial bodyguards, both on the field of battle as well as at other, more stately, functions. It is traditional also for the Grand Master of the Reiksguard to serve as the Reiksmarshal, second only in authority to the Emperor himself in matters of war. In battle, the Reiksguard favour fighting in large regiments, the better to cow the enemy with the full splendor of their mirrored armour and crimson plumes. Imperial history is full of references to great battles won by a decisive charge by the Reiksguard Knights or a stalwart defense by the Reiksguard foot. Despite the potential power and influence that such a reputation offers, the Reiksguard has always stayed apolitical and loyal first, last, and always to the reigning Emperor — a stance that has in the past set them at odds with other, more transient Orders”. The Knights of Sigmar’s Blood “The Knights of Sigmar's Blood have a long and proud history. Led by their Grand Master Hans Leitdorf, brother of the Elector Count of Averland, their ranks are filled with the men of noble houses across the Empire. Their selection process is considered extreme even among the other Orders, as each Knight in training must spend a year in study within the church where he is judged by the priests as to his worthiness”. The Knights of the Twin-Tailed Orb “The Knights of the Twin-Tailed Orb are followers of Sigmar, named after the two-tailed comet that heralded Sigmar’s appearance among mortals. Like other Sigmarite orders they are renowned for their zeal and fervour. In particular the knights of the Twin-Tailed Orb are famous for their eagerness to prevent the escape of a single tainted foe, and will relentlessly pursue fleeing enemies even when it would make more tactical sense to regroup”. Knights of the Hammer This order was founded just over 200 years ago after the Great War against Chaos. Their chapter house was granted to them by Magnus the Pious. As very pious Sigmarite Templars, they shave their heads before going into battle and wield huge war hammers. The order took very heavy casualties in the Storm of Chaos. Of the 100 men they sent, 80 died. It may take years for this order to recover their former strength. The Order of the Hammers of Sigmar “The Order of the Hammer of Sigmar was founded in Altdorf shortly after the news of the destruction of Mordheim reached the city. Zealous Lectors of Sigmar encouraged the devout sons of local nobles to join the fledgling Order. Once assembled, the Lectors sent the Order into the ruins of Mordheim to restore order and keep the faith (and the faithful) alive throughout the turmoil. The Templars of this Order can often be found bringing faith to the wavering masses and crushing the skulls of vile heretics. They ride into battle wielding great warhammers of all description, another sign of their devotion to Sigmar.” Order of the Jade Griffon The Order of the Jade Griffon is a templar order presumably devout to Sigmar. Aekold Helbrass, was a former member of the order who turned into a follower of Tzeench. Nothing else is known about this order. Order of the Red Griffon This is a small order of Sigmarite templars. They wear a red griffon rampant as their coat of arms. Nothing else is known about this order. The Knights Griffon “The Knights Griffon are arguably the most drilled and militaristic Order in the modern Empire. Their daily rituals mostly consist of strict martial training. A veteran Knight Griffon is the epitome of discipline and soldiery on the field of battle. He is able and willing to hold his ground, attack, or retreat in good order should the situation require it. The Knights Griffon were founded in the year 2305 by Emperor Magnus the Pious as part of his rebuilding of the Empire after the Great War against Chaos. Magnus requested one hundred of the most loyal and devout Knights Panther to join him at his court in Nuln, where he formed an Order of devout Templars directly responsible for the protection of the Temple to Sigmar in the Empire's then-capital. The Knights were deeply honored by this selection and accepted the offer, and the Order of Knights Griffon was incepted. When the crown passed to the Princes of Altdorf in 2429, the Knights Griffon moved their Chapterhouse to the Cathedral of Sigmar in Altdorf to maintain their vow to protect the heart of Sigmar's realm. As a result, there is some animosity between the Knights Griffon and the Reiksguard, each of whom views the other as imposing on their traditional role”. They wear dark green and gold with a yellow or gold rampart griffon insignia. The Hunters of Sigmar “A relatively new Order, The Hunters of Sigmar have dedicated themselves to hunting down and destroying pockets of Chaos resistance in the Drakwold forest region. The Order was formed by Jerik Wildorn in the aftermath of the Storm of Chaos, mainly in response to the increased presence of Beastmen and other dark and dangerous things lurking in the deep forests of the Empire's northern reaches. Jerik is an expert woodsman and tracker, and these skills are emulated, honed, and perfected by the Order's Knights each and every day. They frequently provide escort services to coaches and merchant caravans traveling through the region. In addition to such duties, the Hunters of Sigmar go out of their way to track and eradicate evil where it lives within the woods. Their strategy revolves around the idea of striking at Chaos before it has time to gather and form a raiding army. By striking in a preemptive manner, lives are saved and small settlements spared the ravages of Chaos. The average Hunter of Sigmar often spends long periods of time living outdoors. As such, they have to provide their own sustenance and have little time to repair their equipment. They carry everything they might need into the field — you just never know how difficult a trail will be. Mud-spattered and odorous, Hunters are certainly not regarded as the most glamorous Knightly Order. In fact, when they gather together to form a skirmish group, they are often mistaken for a ragtag group of Freelance Knights. However, their relentless struggle against the forces of Chaos is more than welcome in these dark times. It is not uncommon for local people's to offer shelter and food to these brave warriors of the Empire in a gesture of appreciation”. The Templars of Sigmar “Although a Knightly Order, the mysterious group known simply as the Templars of Sigmar are a world away from the warriors in shinning armour of popular image, so much so that they rarely refer to themselves as knights. Instead they battle the foes of Sigmar from the shadows, dealing with subtle and insidious threats such as Chaos cults and reclusive necromancers. In particular they excel at battleing users of sorcery, as magic and trickery are tools often used by the servents of darkness. All that most common folk see of the Templars of Sigmar are the elaborate trials and fiery executions used to cleanse the souls of the wicked, and because of this they are most often known simply as Witch Hunters”. They often wear black clothes, large rimmed hates and black or brown capes. They favor the use of the pistal and sword but carey many types of weapons. The sympol of the order is a silver hammer of sigmar, often worn as a neckless. Knights of the Fiery Heart The Knights of the Fiery Heart is one of a number of martial orders in the service of the temple of Sigmar. They are an elite cavalry unit of Sigmar templars, dedicated to the destruction of all goblinoids. Together with the Order of the Fist (a secret sister order) they make up the Order of the Holy Knights of Sigmar. They are the personal guard of the Grand Theogonist. Aldred "Fellblade" Keppler, a member of this order was a one time companion of Felix and Gotrek. The Fiery Hearts have a long and glorious history, dating from the civil wars when the cult of Sigmar was outlawed in Talabecland. They wear white surcoats and barding and carry white shields. They use red hearts as insignia on their shields with black maltese crosses mixed in. Order of the Fist This is a secret sister order of the Knights of the Fiery Heart. They, along with the Order of the Fiery Heart, make up the Order of the Holy Knights of Sigmar. Thats all I know Knights of the Divine Sword This is an “ancient temple order of Knights famous for their part in the defeat of Mannfred von Carstien at the Battle of Hel Fenn”. In that battle, the knights were led by the Grand Theogonist, Kurt III. References to the order coming to Hel Fen “all the way from Altdorf” suggest the order is located there although it might only be referring to the Grand Theologist. The Wight Lord, Gothard, known as the Undying Knight, was once a member of the Knights of the Divine Sword. Orders of Verena The Templars of the Everlasting Light (A.K.A Knights of the Everlasting Light) “The warrior code of this Order is founded squarely on the principles of justice and fairness. Naturally, as nobles, the Templars' opinion of justice contrasts markedly with that of the common folk, but it cannot be argued that the Templars often willingly fight for those who have no others to defend them. Templars of the Everlasting Light defended the plague-struck village of Hafbad when no other would, and members of their Order gave their lives to defeat the mighty Shaggoth Brakorth in the Worlds Edge Mountains. Despite such deeds, the Order has passed into history for another, less glorious reason: the Templars of the Everlasting Light are cursed. The secret of how they became thus afflicted is locked within the Order's records, but speculation has it that they offended some deity while on crusade in Araby. Whatever the cause, they find themselves thrown from their horses at inopportune moments; swords break as a deathblow is delivered; and seemingly stable earth turns to marsh or quicksand once the hooves of their steeds touch it. Only a member of this Order (Kurt von Tzalza) could be struck in the eye by a ricochet that was fired behind him. Only a Grand Master of the Everlasting Light (Sigismund Drak) could be dumped unceremoniously into a cart-load of manure during a victory parade in Altdorf, the only such cart for many miles around. Only one Chapterhouse, in the entire history of the Empire, has vanished into a yawning chasm as the result of a freak earth tremor. There are many more varied accounts of this ill-fortune in the histories of the Empire. Nevertheless, the Templars of the Everlasting Light never want for recruits. To a certain class of nobility, it is better to belong to a famous Order, however unlucky it may be, than to one whose name is unknown beyond the walls of their Chapterhouse”. Famous members: captain-marshal Drehenborg who was killed by Deathmaster Snitch. Grand Master Kessler, who left Wolfram Hertwig, a young and stubbern Elector Count of the Ostermark, to fight a battle alone since he refused to relanquish contral of the army to the Grand master. Many soldiers died due to the boys inexperiance. The battle was won but became known as Hertwig’s Folly. Templars of Verena These Knights are dedicated to the upholding of justice in the name of their patron goddess. The military arm of the order is called The Guardians. Nothing else is known about this order. Ulricans The Knights of the White Wolf “As Templars of Ulric, the White Wolves are based in Middenheim, which is the centre of the Ulrican cult. They are known for being the wildest of all the knightly orders, charging into battle with no thought for their own safety, and frequently no thought for strategy or tactics either. Their ferocity is unmatched however, and few enemies can withstand the crushing blows of their cavalry hammers”. The knights of the White Wolf also serve as the bpdy guard to the High Priests of Ulric. Each year the Grand Master and High Priest choose knights who have prooven themselves worthy on the field of battle to serve in this select unit. As body guards, they fight on foot and are known as the Teutogen Guard. Orders of Morr The Knights of Morr (Possibly the same Order as the Knights of Morr and the Black Guard of Morr) “Encased within black armour and deathly silent when on the battlefield, the Knights of Morr are the dark guardians of the Empire. When parents wish to get their children to sleep at night, they tell them that the Knights of Morr will come for them unless they rest. The Knights of Morr are widely feared for their devotion to the god of the dead, and dark tales abound regarding their initiation rites. Even so, their martial prowess is more than welcome to those they fight alongside, for their silent efficiency is among the best in the Empire”. The order of the Raven knights “The Order of the Raven Knights own the small town Siegfriedhof which is situated near the border to Sylvania in Stirland, a perfect location to counter the evil forces of the undead as far as these knights are concerned”. The Black Guard of Morr Seen less frequently on the open battlefield then knights of other orders, the sinister Black Guard are more often encountered traveling alone or in small groups, seeking out corrupt sorcerers who would interfere with the realm of the dead and take resting souls form their place at Morr’s side. In this capacity they frequently work alongside the Witch Hunters of Sigmar, combining arms to deal with an undead threat. Order of the Gate An order of templars dedicated to the fight against undead. Corrupting Influences - the Best of Warpstone, Hogshead Publishing Order of the Black Rose (possibly the same as the Knights of the Black Rose but the huge differences in fluff lead me to believe they are different orders with very similar names.) This is an ancient temple order of knights. At the Battle of the Talabec, the Order of the Black Rose were Ottilia of Talabecland’s cavalry bodyguard. They are “justly famed across the land” and recruited from the best warriors of the state. The number is kept at a hundred men who are paid and equipped by the state. Their armour is stained black in a reference to their name, except for their gauntlets which are red, signifying spilt blood. They carry heavy lances, maces, swords, and kite shaped shields with a rose and thorns entwined around a bleeding heart. The barding for their horses is unique. The motifs used “all suggest the affiliation of the order with the god Morr: skulls, dreaded Morr himself, and other motifs are all prevalent.” It is the knight’s sworn duty to protect the Countess of Talabecland. Myrmidians Knights of the Blazing Sun “The Knights of the Blazing Sun are also known as the Templars of Myrmidia because of their devotion to the Estalian warrior deity Myrmidia. Largely unknown in the lands of the Empire, it was only through the strangest of chances that the Order’s worship of her began at all. “During the wars against Araby, threescore Knights from the Empire lent their aid toward the recapturing of the temple of Myrmidia in Margritta, the southern seaport of Estalia. During the fierce fighting around the temple, a violent earth tremor shook the building and dislodged the vast bronze statue of Myrmidia that was fixed on its topmost steeple. The statue fell to the ground, smashed into a thousand fragments, and flattened Emir Wazir the Cruel and his Black Scimitar Guard. With their leader slain, the Arabian hordes abandoned the temple and left it in the hands of the Knights. Whether this incident was actually divine intervention has been widely disputed, but to those Knights who fought in the temple, it was unquestionably Myrmidia herself who intervened. Upon returning to the Empire, the veterans of that battle founded the Order of the Blazing Sun and built a shrine to Myrmidia in the heart of Talabheim. Though many folk mistrust them for courting strange foreign deities, the Knights of the Blazing Sun have unceasingly fought with distinction against the enemies of the Empire and are held as a prized ally by many Elector Counts”. –games workshop online “Templars of the war-goddess Myrmidia, the Knights of the Blazing Sun were founded during the Crusades in 1457. In a street battle against the Arabians in Estalia, a group of knights were saved from certain defeat when a freak earth-tremor dislodged a huge statue of Myrmidia from a temple roof. It crashed to the ground and landed on the enemy general and his bodyguard, killing them instantly. After the battle, the survivors banded together and formed the Order of the Blazing Sun in Myrmidias honour”. –Warhammer Chronicles. Order of the Shield This is a small order of Myrmidian templars, little present in the Empire. Nothing else is known about this order. Orders of Taal Templars of Taal Temple knights of Taal, god of nature and wild places. Orders of Solkan Knights of the Cleansing Flame “These are templars of Solkan the Avenger, a god of Law. Solkan is the master of vengeance, an angry god who inflicts the retribution of the Gods of Law on those who offend them”. Orders of Manann Sons of Manann The Sons of Manann worship the Empire god of the Sea. They are a widespread order with many temples, particularly in coastal towns in the North, where worship of the sea god is needed to calm the infamously rough Sea of claws. When the knights go to war they are often accompanied by a priest of Manann who will bless the knights weapons shortly before they charge into battle. When the knights go to war they wear turquoise and white armour. Manann is the deity of seas and oceans. He controls the tides and the currents, and is as unpredictable and as changeable as the sea itself. Secular Orders The Order of the Black Bear “Easily the most boisterous of all the Knightly Orders within the Empire, the Knights of the Black Bear maintain a fortress on the borders of Averland as well as a Chapterhouse in Averheim itself. Close as they are to the haunted land of Sylvania and the Orc-infested Worlds Edge Mountains, the Bears of Averland do not lack for opportunities to prove their martial valor. Even so, the Knights have often found themselves without a foe and have thus fashioned a series of martial tournaments to provide an outlet for their energies (they had previously engaged in the practice of Halfling coursing — outlawed in 2402). These tourneys test all facets of what the Black Bear perceive to be Knightly skills and include such feats as swordplay, horsemanship, and of course, quaffing. Where the name of the Order originates is a source of much debate. The official story, as put forward by the Bears themselves, speaks of a noble-yet-impoverished Knight having to wrestle a great bear to save a lady of noble birth who had become lost in the wilderness. Recognizing the nobility of his deed and being possessed of great wealth, she presented her savior with a gift of monies, which he used to found a Order house in Averheim. It is in this memory that each of the Order's tournaments is opened by the Grand Master wrestling a bear — a practice that can lead to a great many Grand Masters coming and going in the space of a year. Other, violently suppressed rumors indicate that there was no such incident and that the Order takes its name from a tavern of the same name in Averheim”. The Knights of the Golden Lion “A secular Order, the Knights of the Gold Lion are unusual in that they were founded in Araby during the Crusades. A group of disenchanted Knights had fled to a backwater Arabian village after their army had suffered a crushing defeat. There, these Knights began to despair of ever returning home. One Knight, Erich von Strommer, took it upon himself to restore their resolve. To prove the truth of their cause, he set out into the savanna to take the head of a man-eating lion. He claimed that should he succeed in this impossible task, it would be a sure sign of Sigmar's favor. Days passed, but return he did, near delirious, bearing the head of a massive lion. The Knights were filled with courage, renamed themselves in honor of the feat, forged out into the desert, and eventually met up with allies. Since then, the Order of the Gold Lion has served the Empire as one of its most loyal Knightly Orders”. Knights Panther The Knights Panther were established after the wars against Araby when returning crusaders brought back magnificent leopards, tigers, and panthers, as well as furs that adorned their clothing. The Knights still trim their clothes and crests with whatever exotic spotted or striped fur they can obtain. Their shields carry the emblem of their Order, the fabled spotted panther of Araby. Though the crusades against Araby have long been over, the Knights Panther still carry their lances against the despotic lords of the south. Such fanaticism is not unusual in Knightly Orders, though most choose to battle a foe somewhat closer to home. In the past century, two separate Imperial Decrees commanding the Knights Panther to desist have been issued, but both times, these commands were rescinded. The Imperial Court preferred to offend a distant foreign nation rather than a powerful martial force. Unlike many Knightly Orders, the Knights Panther owe their first loyalty to the Empire itself and are sworn to the protection of its people and lands. The Knights Panther are based predominantly in the cities of Middenheim and Talabheim. These cities are traditionally major centers of Ulric worship, and as a result, the Knights Panther have a fierce rivalry with the Knights of the White Wolf, each Order trying to outdo the other in battle. Knights Jaguar A sister order of Knights Panther. Nothing else is known about this order. The Order of the Broken Sword (Knights of the Broken Sword) “The Order of the Broken Sword formed after a band of local freelance knights led by Dott Barthos gathered together to go after a marauding band of Chaos Beastmen. In recent months, these Beastmen terrorized and pillaged several local farms. Their last raid left three entire families slaughtered, a missing farmer's daughter, and three mutilated cows. Something had to be done. The Knights tracked the Beastmen through the twisted forest to their camp and then readied themselves for battle. During the attack, Dott Barthos squared off against the leader of the foul beasts, Sizlak Grimhoof. In the ensuing battle with the vile Beastman, Dott Barthos was grievously wounded. With the last of his remaining strength, Barthos launched a ferocious attack. His sword swung in a wide arc, smashing against the head of Sizlak Grimhoof. The blow sheared the Beastman'’s skull clean in half, though breaking Barthos' sword in the process. With the Grimhoof defeated, Dott Barthos was filled with righteous fury. Pressing the advantage, Dott and his men pursued the fleeing Beastmen through the woods, eventually dispatched them all. In the aftermath of the skirmish, with his broken sword clutched to his chest, Dott Barthos finally succumbed to his terrible wounds. On that day, the surviving Knights formed the Order of the Broken Sword, dedicated to stomping out evil and protecting the citizens of the Empire. Dott Barthos's Broken Sword and Grimhoof's cloven skull remain in the main hall of their Chapterhouse to this very day”. The order is small and recruits from local nobility. The Order of the Sacred Scythe (May be linked to Morr) “The Order of the Sacred Scythe have made it their duty to patrol the shadowy roads and paths of Eastern Stirland. Long and mysterious is their history, with most of the Chapterhouse records kept under lock and key. Rumors abound that the Order has tainted bloodlines of ill-repute — but no one knows for sure. What is known about the Scythes is that they are well-versed hunters of the Vampire. They tirelessly root out possible Vampiric threats, cults, and any who would serve such a dark master. As the Scythes deal mainly with creatures of the night and dark magiks, their methods are widely considered unorthodox and often downright improper. Most of the neighboring provinces openly despise the Sacred Scythes and do not welcome them in their taverns or towns. This distrust is not entirely unfounded. Such is their fervor to destroy the living dead, that more than one town has been left burnt to the ground and smoldering in the wake of a Sacred Scythe "Tribunal." Encased in pitch-black armour and armed with a gleaming scythe, the Sacred Scythes are frightening to encounter on a lonely road after dusk. However, unbeknownst to the common people of the land, the Scythes perform a very real and useful service to the Empire. Their secret doings help keep Stirland from toppling into a land of blight and terror”. The Knights Encarmine “Founded by the rich dilettante Frederici Tolscano in 2310, the The Knights Encarmine are a flamboyant, foppish band of warriors. This may have something to do with the fact that the Order is comprised entirely of the rich and privileged. Still, wealth alone isn't a guarantee of entry, as there are very strict and rigid guidelines concerning who may actually join the knightly order. Being a collection of rich and generally powerful individuals, the Knights Encarmine hold much political clout. As such, they have the option to choose which campaigns they will take part in — often the ones which require little actual dirty work to attain the most glory. Each member of the order maintains a brilliant suit of red armour topped by tricolour plumage of green, white, and red. As the paint coating the armour chips away easily, the suit must be constantly repainted in order to maintain appearances. Members of the Knights Encarmine eschew the lowly shield as it is a "commoners defense" to hide behind a metallic barrier in battle. Instead, the Knights Encarmine practice a secretive two sword combat technique. One sword acts as a deflection tool, while the other strikes the deathblow. Despite their often intolerable nature, the Knights Encarmine are very welcome when battle is finally joined. As the members of the Order incessantly hone their two-sword technique, they are masters of the blade. Foes fall in droves as the red-armored Knights plow through ranks of foot troops and mounted warriors alike. As long as a general can stomach the tales of highly exaggerated bravery afterward, the Knights Encarmine are a valuable asset to any army of the Empire”. Knights of the Black Rose (See Order of the Black Rose) Originally founded as the bodyguard for the elector count of Stirland during the Age of Three Emperors, the order has since then changed allegiance a number of times. This is a small order recruiting from local nobility. Knights of the Silver Mountian This Order is based just a few days north of Hergig and have come to the aid of the Count of Hochland on many occasions. Coldfire Knights A secretive order, the Coldfire Knights are sworn to oppose both Chaos and internal trouble within the Empire. Their allegiance is to the ruling Emperor. Nothing else is known obout this order. High Helms (Order of the High Helm) The High Helms are an elite cavalry unit of very tough and extremely tall (minimum height 6 feet 6 inches) knights. Members are selected according to their physique. They are not very highly thought of by the members of Reiksguard, as it is commonly believed that they possess only 1 brain amongst four. They wear tall, straight plumes on their helmets. The High Helms are a newly constituted order, founded by the Emperor Karl Franz (as per IC 2512). They are currently being drilled in Altdorf. Knights of the North Star The Knights of the North Star are the protectors of Nordland and champions of the Emperor. Nothing else is known about this order. Knights of the Stag These men form a relatively new order from Talabheim. Proud and regal, they consider themselves above the other knightly orders based in the city, and think of themselves as "the true sons of Talabheim". The Osterknact All that is known of this order is the name of a single member, Kurt Leitzig. (more can be learned in The Claws of Chaos , A Black Library novel which I have not read. This may be a Chaos Order) Order of the Shining Sword This order was founded by an outcast knight. Nothing else is known about this order. Allied and Mercenary Orders Bogenhofen Dog Soldiers A mercenary knight regiment from Bogenhofen. Winged Lancers Though not a Knightly Order as the Empire knows them to be, the Winged Lancers are the mainstay of Kislev cavalry. They trace their lineage back to the original Gospodar Knights who rode into the Northern steppes from the East. They get their name from the large feathered wings they wear on their backs. When the lancers charge, the wings make a shrill screaming noise, causing panic in their enemies. Every small town and village in Kislev maintains a unit of Winged Lancers. The whole town helps pay for their up-keep and takes great pride in their lancers. After all, the lancers are the sons of the village, farmers, wardens, butchers, and fathers, when not called on to protect their homes. Each town’s Lancers have a slightly different look but all feature beautiful armour full of color and the famous featherd wings. Griffon Legion The Griffon legion is the most famous unit of Winged Lancers. Founded in IC1810, they formed the body guard of Tzar Gospodar IV. Now, they are a semi-indipendant mercenary cavalry regiment of Kislevite origin which has served the Imperial family for several generations. Born to the highest ranking noble families in Kislev, these knights travel far and wide and operate as mercenaries when not called to battle by the Tzarina herself. The Gryphon Legion spends most of its time fighting for wealthy nobles in the Empire, but it is sworn to respond to the call if the tzar or tzarina commands. Vladic Dostov, commander of the legion, single-handedly killed a griffon in IC 1817. The legion has been called the Griffon Legion ever since. They are famous for their uniforms which feature wings made from griffon feathers upon their backs. Voland’s Venators A regiment of Renown. “For hire: Voland’s Venators can be hired as a core choice in Dogs of War armies. Alternatively, they can be hired as a rare unit in Warhammer armies, except Bretonnia. Points: Voland and four venators cost a total of 195 points including a Standard Bearer and Musician. This is the smallest unit you can hire. The regiment may be enlarged by adding extra models at a cost of 24 points each”. Templar Marines The Templar Marines are a Marienburger order presumably dedicated to Manann, the god of the sea. They wear blue tunics over their armour. When needed the Templar Marines work side by side with the Black Cabs, Marienburg’s city watch. Freelance knights There are countless small brotherhoods and knights who fight solo in the service of the Empire who are otherwise unafiliated with any single state or religion. Lost Orders Order of the Blood Dragons The Blood Dragons are a former Empire knightly order whose members were turned into Vampires by Walach Harkon. They had their headquarters in Blood Keep in the Grey Mountains, just south of Nuln. Walach Harkon was their last Grand Master. Knights of the Shining Star The Knights of the Shining Star, along with the Solland Greatswords, were crushed by the Crushas, the formidable core of Gorbad Ironclaw's Waaagh! at the Battle of Solland's crown. Nothing else is known about this order. Knights of the Red Shield The Red Shields are the personal bodyguard of the elector count of Talabecland. They, along with their elector have been missing since the Storm of Chaos.