The Four Orders of the Knights of the Road

"To be a Knight of the Road is not a profession, not a hobby, not some idle act that fills the ten breaths betwixt one duty or another – it is a way of life. It is who you are. To walk the path of the Knight is to take upon a mantle. Your liege lord is dirt and gravel; your baron is a beaten path; your duke is a cart-trodden road. You are noble without the Nobility. You are just without the Court. You are a protector of the people- for those are our words: ‘Protect the people.'" ~ Nelehein Afsana

The Order of the Knights of the Road is one of the oldest factions upon the Arelithian archipelago. In fact, it even predates the Wharftown Waymen. The history of the Knights of the Road, oft ‘the Knights’, is divided into four distinct time periods, with four unique orders. What remains universal amongst is the stalwart dedication to the free peoples of the roads, wayward shrines, and the safety of the isles.

First Order of the Knights of the Road

The First Order was establish sometime between 10-15 AR, and lasted into the early 20s. It was founded by a middle-aged paladin named Dafydd Silvertongue. He was a courageous man, with a stout heart, and dependable arm. He formed the Knights of the Road out of Benwick, under the reign of Queen Xyndral. He did so to primarily protect the roads of west of Bendir, as Wharftown had not yet established the Waymen at this time.

Dafydd made the sigil of the Order of the Knights of the Road a gold dragon on a field of blue- whether it is the sea or sky is indiscernible. It is said that Dafydd could travel anywhere on the isle alone, he knew every trail and path like the back of his hand. He once struck down a man for blocking the road to travelers.

Two other known members of the Knights of the Road are a she-elf named Anaraviel, and an unnamed elven lieutenant (hinting at the hierarchy of the ranks of the First Order). Anaraviel was known for her strong character, and twin blades. The unnamed elf was burdened with a book so heavy, it was all he could carry, and was unable to put it down.

The First Order was large enough to rival any other affiliation on the isle. The First Order faded into myth and legend after the sudden disappearance of their leader Dafydd, sometime in the 20s AR.

Second Order of the Knights of the Road

Sometime in the late 30s and early 40s of Arelith Reckoning, the Second Order was established. Mathand Hull, a devout disciple of Helm the Watcher, re-founded the Order of the Knights of the Road alongside a hin, named Dragrin Fris.

The pair of them successfully continued the duties and legacy established by Ser Dafydd, albeit, not on such a grand scale. They did tend to the shrines and maintain peace amongst the roads as best they could.

Two other Knights joined them in the Second Order: a ranger named Beregorn, who once owned the Campsite, and a man named Justin. The Second Order faded during the 50s.

Third Order of the Knights of the Road

Sometime around 65 AR, the Third Order of the Knights of the Road came into being. Rebirthed from the old legacies, and Dafydd’s single work “The Code of the Road”, Nelehein of Impiltur (later Nelehein Afsana) worked with Ubaldo Ferraz of Zakhara, and shortly after, Marceline Diamanti of Raven’s Bluff, to push the Third Order into a prominent limelight not seen in half-a-century.

The Third Order was established when both Ubaldo Ferraz and Nelehein of Impiltur found the shrine of Helm along the east coast. With the help of Marceline, the three founded the Knights of the Road out of a wagon in the Rosewind. Nelehein of Impiltur updated the Fourfold Duties, and penned the Oath of the Road, which is foundin the volume, “The Code of the Road, Renewed and Reborn.”

A few years later, when the Third Order was growing in prominence, the Knights purchased the lease of property known as the ‘Campsite’, east of Bendir. As of 77, the Knights have occupied such lands and claimed it as a haven for a decade.

Initial inductees spent time as squires until the senior Knights deemed them fit and able to take the mantle and the responsibility of being a Knight. This was not based on time, but merit. Time invested was certainly taken into account, but it was not the requirement for becoming a Knight.

Ubaldo and Nelehein first had the responsibility of jointly-decided who become a Knight and who did not, and potential recruits were often met with very strong resistance- it is no light thing to do, joining the Order of the Knights of the Road. It is a way of life, not a profession. Seldom can you relinquish its duties.

Whenever a squire was to take his oath, it was to be done ceremoniously, with a solemn air, at a crossroad- any crossroad- of the squire’s choosing. The squire was not to tell the Knights before the knighting ceremony. It was his responsibility to lead his brothers and sisters to the place of choosing.

When a squire takes his oath, he is to be struck across his cheek before rising, and the words, “and that is, is so you remember it!” must be spoken. To be a Knight is a hard life- but not an unkind one, and the blow must not be struck with unkindness. It is of solidarity, reassurance, confirmation.

Later, for a brief few years, three Knights of the Road needed to agree upon the knighting of a squire. After the death of Ser Ubaldo Ferraz in 72, Nelehein of Impiltur was chiefly in charge of knighting squires. In fact, not a single squire was knighted by anyone other than Nelehein of Impiltur during the eleven years he unofficially officially led the Knights of the Road.

Ser Ubaldo Ferraz was killed during the Second Mistican War in 72AR, at the hands of Dredoc Khraa, as he went to the aid of the Forsworn at Guldorand. The Knights of the Road, to this day, hold a severe and murderous grudge against the gnomish sorcerer and for months after, the Order suffered a very quiet depression.

The inducted Knights of the Third Order are as followed: Ser Nelehein Afsana of Impiltur, Ser Ubaldo Ferraz of Zakhara, Dame Marceline Diamanti of Raven’s Bluff, Ser Verankht Zarunkumar of Sigil, Dame Seraphina Corriander of Cordor, Ser Lysander of Cormanthor, Dame Valendria Lyonsbannor of the Shining Plains, Ser Alexander Teage of Waterdeep, Dame Charmaine Hornblower of (Unknown), Ser Alair Blackthorne of Amn and Bendir, Ser Rhue del’Asandro of Waterdeep, Ser Justin Gaskell of Cormyr and Archwood.

The Third Order of the Knights of the Road participated in such wars as the Second Mistican War, the War of the North (sometimes called The Long Winter), and the War of Vargos and the Reclamation of Kohlingen.

In early of year 76, the Third Order was dismantled as Ser Nelehein Afsana moved with permanency to Light Keep, to further dreams and goals there, alongside his wife Shäalira Afsana. The four remaining Knights - Ser Rhue del’Assandro, Ser Verankht Zarunkumar, Ser Alair Blackthorne, and Ser Justin Gaskell- continued on the tradition of the Order of the Knights of the Road with the Fourth Order.

Fourth Order of the Knights of the Road

In year 76, Ser Nelehein Afsana unofficially officially resigned his mantle of leadership. Ser Verankht, Ser Rhue, Ser Justin and Ser Alair are now the top-ranking Knights who will decide the course of their future…

~ Ser Nelehein of Impiltur, Sage-Knight of the Road and Last of the Great Skalds of Impiltur, 76 AR