Order of The First Light

A gathering of some of the most accomplished Knights in the 1600s. The portrait can be found in Petrakis Castle.

Of all the armies at the command of the Petrakis dynasty, there is none more prestigious than the Order of The First Light. Heralded by the glint of gold against a contrast of dark blue along their armor, their uniform might remind you of a starry night sky. They are the sworn protectors of peace and justice, acting as the elite forces of the kingdom with only magi permitted among their upper ranks. While magical potency is a necessity, the intense training and discipline required of a squire in the First Light may turn many away. It is attractive to those who yearn for the status the order can provide, or the starry eyed youths who idolize past champions that served as a knight and helped to build the nation they grew up in.

Uniform

The standard issue uniform is silver plate with blue trimmings, and knights often carry a badge that denotes their authority.

Structure

Lightbringer: There is exactly one Lightbringer, and they are the general of the military, either elected by a council of Radiant Knights or chosen by the monarch. Many Lightbringers in history are known to be unparalleled in battle skill and accomplishments. In addition, a Lightbringer is also capable of passing judgement on criminals, though execution requires approval by the reigning monarch.

Radiant Knight: The Radiant Knights are the captains of the Order - they oversee large-scale operations, often commanding multiple legions. They may also take on squires if they so desire, and are responsible for authorizing knighting ceremonies.

Knight: Completing their training as a Squire, the Knight has been inducted into the Order and is an official member, having sworn to uphold the knight's oath. They are responsible for taking on squires and training them so that they may become knights of their own. Should a knight wish to advance further in the Order, they must take on squires to prove leadership ability. A knight can have up to three squires at one time maximum. Furthermore, a knight is authorized to perform arrests should it be required.

Squire: A knight-in-training, a magi. A squire must serve under a chosen knight until proving themselves worthy enough to be knighted. Hard work and due diligence is required to ascend to being a full-fledged knight of the First Light. A knight might have up to three squires, but a squire may only have one knight acting as their mentor. For a squire to be knighted it must be authorized by a Radiant Knight.

Life in the First Light

Depending on the rank of the individual and their branch, their day to day will vary. A Squire, for example, will wake up five days of the week at four in the morning and immediately begin training in the castle, overseen by an instructor. Group drills, magical theory, basic combat (such as striking, blocking, footwork), alongside a formal education (writing, reading, philosophy and history) consume much of an initiate's time. A Knight's week will depend on their missions. Banditry that might need to be dealt with, a rogue monster, or simply patrolling the inner city. On top of their pending jobs, a Radiant may also choose to mentor a team, often composed of a mix of Knights or Squires. These magi stay with them even if they rise up in ranks, and may gain some fame in a similar vein to guilds. Each time a mission is completed, a 'crest' is earned that acts as a measure of achievements; Lightbringer Irene ven Astor's team, the Seraphine Knights, are said to have over a thousand collective crests. These crests can be traded in for rare objects and perks.

It pays well. At the rank of Squire, the income is enough to afford a modest living, and expenses are paid for if one chooses a room within the castle or an outpost. At Knight and beyond, the person earns a middle-class wage (before any bonuses for completing missions).

A Knight may choose to serve a noble house directly. In which case, they may take on additional tasks requested by the nobility. Each oath a noble house asks a Knight to swear is a private affair between them and their chosen Lord or Lady.

Knightly Duties

Protect and serve the lineage of Mikhail Petrakis without question or hesitation. The history of this bloodline is woven into fate, and for the good of all Esshar, must be preserved.

Never compromise the safety of others in selfishness. Exercise control, restraint, and patience. While you are bound to uphold the law, you are not above it and it is a special skill to know when to assert authority.

In times of peace, you are the shield. In times of conflict, you are the sword. Learn what it means to use reason rather than force by attending the Church on a regular basis. You will find courage and willpower within yourself, as well as the elevated light of the world; come in to contact with this through prayer and your duties.

Be courteous. You are to live as an example of how a person should act. Address your superiors by their star-given titles, offer your services to the elderly and women as appropriate.

Knighting Ceremony

A ceremony held at the end of a Squire's training, it must be requested by a Knight and authorized by a supervising Radiant Knight. While there is no time limit for a squire to achieve this phase, it is often that only those who have distinguished themselves will be allowed to recite the oath and become a knight in their own right. Only until after swearing the oath will a knight truly be considered a full-fledged member of the Order of the First Light.

After receiving authorization, the squire will kneel before their knight and mentor, reciting the knight's oath, after which they will be told to rise as a Knight of the First Light. They will be bound by their oath, and betraying it will be considered treason against the crown, as well as a dishonor to the prestigious order.

Knight's Oath

"With my heart, and my Star's warmth and watch, I, (squire's name), swear to serve the lineage of Mikhail Petrakis unerringly to the end of my life. I swear to never compromise the safety of others in acts of selfishness, to exercise control, restraint, and patience. I swear to always uphold the law and place myself beneath it."

"From this breath until my last I shall stand as an exemplar of the highest degree, a knight who fights for honor, a knight who protects the weak, a knight who uplifts the downtrodden, and a knight who realizes when justice must be delivered for the good of Osrona as a whole. In times of peace I shall be Osrona's shield, and in times of war I shall be its blade."

"Charity, wisdom, valor, truth, temperance, justice, and faith- I swear myself to these virtues, and will forever be a knight until my last day."