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With the death of Emperor Tumian at the hands of the Klockwork Master, the Silver Moon Knights were offered the opportunity to swear allegiance to the new regime. Those who did not were subject to being hunted down and executed. Many sought refuge in the great Fort Wantlokin in the Skall Mountains. Some remained at their posts at Fort Klimteg in Arboria or in Cloosidian, out of the reach of the Klockwork Army. Still others went into hiding. For years they hid, constantly waging a guerilla war on the Klocks and trying to find a way to reestablish the Drevens on the Imperial throne. The rebellion they'd waited for came at last, first in Luminii. The Knights at Fort Wantlokin joined the efforts of rebels there, and successfully defeated the Klocks. Some time later, in 1274 on the anniversary of the Festival of Dawn's Early Light, the Rebels, aided by the Silver Moon Knights, staged a coup against the Klockwork Regime in Shadokhan. The days of the Klockwork Empire came to an end.

The Knights were free again at last, but it was in a world much changed. With no Dreven on the throne to follow, the Silver Moon Knights had to find new purpose. As turmoil embroils the remains of the Silver Moon Empire, the Knights still fight for the Empire and for the people, and they still hold to their high ideals -- a neutral, independent force to be reckoned with...

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Knight's Oath:

To protect and serve the Empire.

Code of Conduct:

Code of Knighthood: A Knight of the Silver Moon shall not steal, cheat, lie, or murder. It is a Knight's duty to protect all lands appertaining to the Empire and the people therein that declare loyalty to the Empire. It is a Knight's duty to preserve all property of the Empire and its loyal subjects from any who may threaten it, from within or without. It is a Knight's duty to preserve peace and order within the lands of the Empire and to ascertain that any order of the legally accepted regional leadership is carried upon all the lands, so far as it falls within the Knights' Code of Ethics.

Code of Loyalty: A Silver Moon Knight is a knight at all times, whether they are in uniform or not, and their conduct must be beyond reproach at all times. A Knight shall obey and follow all orders of his superiors and will not take any actions that may contradict the will and intent of his superiors. Any orders disobeyed can be disciplined at the superior's discretion, with the likelihood that formal charges will be made to the Knight Court.

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Ranks:

During the Silver Moon Summit of Goldfall 1275, the ranks were reorganized as follows:

Recruitment:

Before a prospective Silver Moon Knight can begin training, he or she must first be recruited. Wantlokin and Ubolutiin both have a Recruitment Officer who handles taking applications. Special Recruitment Officers in the field also search out likely prospects from among both the common and the nobility.

Possible recruits are interviewed by the Recruitment Officer, and if deemed suitable are passed onto the Training Cadre for testing.

Testing:

Testing is a tenday process, during which the recruit is tested for many qualities. Needed qualities for a recruit to be accepted are dedication, integrity, loyalty, honor, courage, respect, a sense of duty, selfless service and justice. Also tested for is physical fitness, capability to complete the necessary training. The exact methods of testing vary, but there is a general guideline which is followed for all testing.

Initial Orientation: Generally, the recruit is settled into temporary barracks on the Fort's grounds, normally situated near the stables (but with Knights scattered throughout the regions in a variety of circumstances sometimes travel to one of the main forts might not be possible). Explanations of what is to happen over the course of the next tenday are made, but kept vague. The only thing that is made crystal clear is that the possible recruit may leave AT ANY TIME.

Trials: During the week, the recruit is made to perform the most arduous, unpleasant tasks possible. The bad parts of life as a Silver Moon Knight are emphasized, and the recruit is constantly hammered with unexpected questions of all sorts. The purpose of this is to determine if the recruit has the determination necessary to enter the Order of the Silver Moon, as well as glean insight on how the recruit thinks and feels about certain various issues, by forcing them to answer the questions when mentally drained and off guard. This will continue daily, from sun-up to sun-down until the final day of the training.

Crucible: This is the final phase of the testing. The recruit is pulled out of their daily activities, and given a task. This task varies, but always includes certain elements.

• A secret, which the recruit must carry, but not attempt to discover; (a note, or a package, usually).
• Apparent physical danger to the recruit.
• A time limit.
• Moral dilemmas presented along the way.

This task is always virtually impossible to accomplish. If the recruit does succeed, he or she will be informed that they failed regardless, and sent back to the Recruitment Officer to report their failure. This is an equally crucial part, perhaps more so than the Crucible itself. Either way, the recruit must return to the Recruitment Officer, if they do, then they have passed. If they do not, then they fail.

Once the testing is finished, the successful recruit is given a small but very personal and very formal ceremonial induction into the Order of the Silver Moon, and they are sworn to secrecy about the testing methods, other than to say they are very difficult.

Basic (or "Readiness") Training:

The initial period of training lasts for three cycles and involves intense physical activity and behavioral discipline: the Knights of the Silver Moon have to be the best. Even the lowliest Trooper is a more than proficient warrior. Also, friends made in Basic Training are made for life, due to the shared hardships.

Specific descriptions of Basic Training are not permitted, in case this document falls into the hands of some bleeding heart courtier. Suffice to say that most of the horror stories you might have heard are more than likely true. However, the number of casualties at Drill Instructor's hands is vastly, vastly exaggerated. The Drills do NOT kill their trainees. Anything short of that, however...

Like all training, the trainee is permitted to leave at any time.

During training, the trainee's aptitudes are determined for when (if) they complete their three cycles of Basic Training.

Squiredom:

Once Readiness Training is completed, the new squire is assigned to a Knight of the rank of lieutenant or above, and more specific training ensues. It is here that the individual learns the Knight's Codes and the history of the Order, practices horsemanship, is taught the care and wear of armor, and refines the use of weapons and the skills required of a Knight. Squires also accompany Knights on the battlefield, leading and tending the horses, assisting with armor and weapons, and otherwise caring for their Knight.

There is no specific time limit on how long one might be a squire, but the process generally lasts from three to five years, by which time one is either ready for promotion or no longer worth the cost of training and is released. Sometimes knighthood is conferred on a squire earlier than usual as the reward for bravery on the battlefield. Coming under fire during fights, it is not unusual for a squire to be killed doing their duty.

Aptitude/Placement:

The aptitudes and interests discovered during Basic Training are furthered during their Squiredom.

Some Placement Fields include:

• Dragoons (light armor and horse, hand-to-hand weapons, archers/crossbowmen)
• Lancers (heavy armor and horse, pole-type weapons)
• Archers (longbows)
• Scouts
• Investigative Corps
• Solars (healers)
• Infantry*

(*Note: The numbers devoted to Infantry have been reduced, but this branch of the Order remains and is particularly useful in mountainous area where it would be impossible to use horses.)

 

Garb:

Finances (or the lack thereof) have made a definite mark on the traditional pristine appearance of the Knights. Unifying colors and armor mostly disappeared, replaced by whatever was available and affordable. To mark themselves as members of the Order, a great number of Knights adopted the practice of wearing a blue armband. In order to reestablish their image and promote morale, the Summit of 1275 put forth a set of standards which are as follows:

Everyday Garb: Shirt and/or tunic of dark blue, pants or breeches of dark blue, a white armband (to be worn on the right arm, knotted at the back) displaying rank insignia.

Dress Garb: Dark blue tunic and pants (trousers, hosen), calf-length white surcoat blazoned front and back with the moon-and-stars symbol of the Order, white armband (to be worn on the right arm, knotted at the back) displaying rank insignia.

Battle Garb: Same as everyday, but with shorter white surcoat blazoned front and back with the moon-and-stars symbol of the Order worn over armor.

Forts and Outposts:

HISTORY: During the height of the Silver Moon Empire, the Knights occupied fortresses in each region (excepting Balthazor, because of a treaty between Irmaa Vep and Cornelius Dreven). Fort Wantlokin in Luminii was the largest, followed by Ubolutiin in Shadokhan, Denebrul in Southern Oceanuus, Cloosidian (see "Cloosidian" below), the Rock of Duval in Thermador, and Klimteg in Arboria. In the aftermath of the fall of Silver Moon Empire, Fort Klimteg reverted to Arborian control, and Fort Denebrul was mostly destroyed by the tidal wave of 1263, then abandoned..

CURRENT HOLDINGS:
Note: while these are some of the bigger strongholds, the list is by no means all-inclusive...

Fort Ubolutiin (Shadokhan):
The second largest fort in the realm, Fort Ubolutiin is located near the center of the capital. It is currently under the jurisdiction of Steward Rafael Dolek. One quarter of the fort (along with necessary provisions) is dedicated to use by the Silver Moon Knights under the direction of Major Willam Lexington in exchange for assistance in the defense of Dreven and the surrounding areas. Lieutenant Gordon Taneth serves on the Dreven Council of Advisors.

Port Marrwater (in Port Marrwater, Shadokhan):
The site from which the Silver Moon Knights launched their attack against the Klockwork Army in Shadokhan. The Knights occupy a handful of large buildings in Port Marrwater, and have erected or otherwise strengthened the various defenses about the city. Currently the headquarters of Major Jordan Tegue.

Kinross (in Kinross, Shadokhan):
Along the Cracked Pass, near the northern border, lies the town of Kinross and a nearby outpost formerly controlled by the Klockwork Army. It was taken over by a contingent of Silver Moon Knights, under the leadership of Major Halabrad (formerly of Fort Klimteg).

Fort Wantlokin (in Luminii, at the eastern border):
Commanded by Lord General Rane Thadael. Wantlokin has become the de facto headquarters of the Order of the Silver Moon and holds the largest population of Knights and Solars. The Lord General meets regularly with his Majors at his discretion here. Additionally, Knight Court Hearings for formal accusations against any of the knights and their charges are held here.

The Rock of Duval (in Thermador):
The second smallest of all forts, commanded by Major Lann Dubhás, located on the top of a 500 ft mesa about 15 miles from Wadi Medani. Current population is about half-a-dozen.

Fort Denebrul (Xieng Khouang):
Commanded by Major Roland Sulziel, the fort has been abandoned and the Knights in Southern Oceanuus seemed to have disappeared completely from public view -- until the Silver Moon Summit in the autumn of 1275...

Cloosidian:
The original fort in Cloosidian is currently defunct, abandoned during the political strife in that region. However, there is a second fort located underground, built by the famed architect Taysàyad. It is here that the Dowager Empress Marinia Dreven is rumored to be staying. There are extremely few that are privy to the key that allows travel there through the portals.

 

 

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Notable Knights

 

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