Knights of Estaos

Site Admin Joined: Nov 12, 2009 Posts: 472

The Knights of Estoas are your typical Paladins and Holy Warriors who believe in honour and glory, fighting evil, upholding the law, righting wrongs, delivering justice and reinforcing the word of the Bright Lord himself. They may be found travelling the lands on holy quests, performing humble duties for the temple or serving in the armies whose ideals align with those of Estoas. They serve as shining examples to all those good, whilst frowning upon any wayward or roguish ways.

In centuries past, these Knights came from an Island called Elmem... which has sunk under the waves since the cataclysm. The Knights themselves followed a strict code of honour and was oathbound to their duties to the Fathers of Justice; a circle of 10 Veteran Knights who presided over the daily affairs of the Knights in conjunction with the Estoan Priests. The 11th Knight was the Grandfather of Justice, who was the final decision maker and authorizer of direction the Knights would take in their faith. A century post-cataclysm, the order as such does not exist, but it's faith remains strong and some of it's strictures are still being followed. Currently there is a High Priestess of Estoas and a Knight Protectorate presiding at the new Temple to assist, guide and direct the activities of the Knights and Priests of the order.

The road for a Knight of Estoas is harsh and disciplined, many falling in their duties or quitting. The worst being a fall from grace, where a Knight is seduced by the voice of evil and journeys down the dark paths of Ishtuf'lar. It is very rare that one falls and becomes a minion of Azrak as the Destroyer's philosophies are too vastly different to gain a foothold in the minds of the Knights. It is the duty of a Knight of Estoas to seek out these oathbreakers and bring them to justice.

The Oathbreakers are those that are seduced by the evils of Ishtuf'lar and fall from grace. One such story told is about a Knight named Aethyn who is dubbed the Oathbreaker; his family name is unrevealed for reasons of honour. Through his traitorous and heinous crimes, his reward in the end was to serve Chreundos as a Skeletal Knight; his accursed soul rumoured to haunt the Woodwald Crypts for all eternity, though none of have seen him since his traitorous demise on the battlefields of Amaranth. His story of rising and falling is told by some of the trainers who school the Knights in their faith, to serve as an example of what fate may lie in store for those who fall.

The hierarchy of the Knights of the Estoan order (note not the Priests or Clerics of Estoas):

Paladin Levels 1 to 13: Sisters or Brothers of Steel
Paladin Levels 14 to 20: Knights of Estoas
Epic Paladin Levels: Champions of Estoas

(note: you do not need to be pure Paladin class, but cannot take classes that are contrary to the ideals of the Paladin class)

Brothers or Sisters of Steel requirements:
1) be a follower of Estoas and be of Lawful-Good alignment (default of the Paladin's alignment)
2) have a Knight or Priest of Estoas as a sponsor
3) Perform humble temple duties as directed by the High Priestess

Knight of Estoas requirements (in addition to the Brother or Sisters of Steel requirements):
1) completed a quest to seek a holy relic or artefact
2) completed witnessed deeds of good and honour
3) have a Knight or Priest of Estoas as a sponsor (at this level, they would be your peers vouching for you)
4) receive the blessings and recognition of a Knight Protectorate

To be a Champion of Estoas, the Knight must have epic levels of Paladin as their class structure and must have completed a campaign against great evil in the lands that is recorded and undisputted. They must also have in addition to the Knight rank above:
1) sought out and retrieved several holy relics or artifacts for the temple
2) establish places of worship as branches of the main temple, and have a minimum of 2 Knights or 3 Brothers/Sisters of Steel as part of your company

All members of this guild work with and follow the Priests or Priestess of Estoas, as they represent the continued spiritual guidance and strength for the Knights. It is not that the Priests or Priestess hold more rank over the Knights, but the Knights have great respect and revere these persons who have greater powers and authority with Estoas.

Upon joining this guild, all notes of great deeds and activities for each member will be recorded here, and hailed throughout the days to follow. Each member's actions and thoughts may be scribed here, and used to determine the sponsorship for ranking status. Also, starting eqiupment as befitting your rank may be provided to you to help you on your journey.

Fathers of Justice are not established parts of this hierarchy; perhaps one day if the Order grows in numbers such that it is required. The head of the Knight's daily activities (but not the head of the Temple) is the Knight Protectorate.

Currently, the Knight Protectorate of this Temple is Estoan High Priestess Eva.

If you wish to be a member of this prestigious order, you may apply and record your deeds below.

Site Admin Joined: Nov 12, 2009 Posts: 472

"Let it be known this day, and scribed into the archives of the Great Book of Estoas, that the following heroes have saved the city of Sensual and the surrounding lands in Garandor from the evils of the Destroyer.

~ Anne Toreador
~ Eska Voorse
~ Tenerius Scribewalker
~ Azrgan of Gun'dortan
~ Padrin Shirou
~ Tyrael Silvershield
~ Domingo Ramirez
~ Milantholi (full Elvish name follows) the Ranger
~ Karla Leonen
~ Maximillian Harkin
~ Trisanna Tir'ent

Much honour and glory to these heroes."

Newbie Joined: Nov 17, 2009 Posts: 6

Certain things have changed from the initial post by our most esteemed Misty, and have been given her official "okie dokie." PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING and understand that these are now the rules and mindsets concerning the Knights of Estoas.

An OOC Statement about the Knights of Estoas to those considering joining the guild:

The Knights are NOT “Victims Are Us,” plain and simple. I understand fully that there are many who wish to play “damsel/dude in distress,” but among the Knights is not the place to fulfill such a fantasy. This guild is for those who enjoy the RP of BEING A KNIGHT, of standing for just causes, and good, and thwarting evil, NOT wearing its’ collar or being shackled by it to a post. If such is your desire, to end up bent over a stump by Sr. Evilish-Thingy, then either do not join the Knights, or make a second character that will be the victim and have the first join up and then YOU bend Sr. Evilish-Thingy over that previously mentioned stump. If it is found that you have disobeyed this concept, there will be dire consequences for your character, but they will not fulfill any conceivable “suffering martyr” fantasy. More likely your character will be ousted from the knights, stricken with an incurable disfiguring disease that is sexually transmitted and makes you fart a lot and loudly, and branded with a giant W across both cheeks of the characters buttocks, signifying that you are a whore (male or female, the word fits both) in the sight of the in-game god Estoas.

Please, we humbly ask, and REQUIRE, that you not ruin the RP of those who wish to be a part of a dignified guild by turning it into a laughing stock, as has been done on many other servers. The Knights motto is followed completely by EVERY member of the guild: Death Before Dishonor, Death Before Surrender, As One So All. In other words, if you capture a Knight, expect the others, both NPC and PC to attack you on sight, no retreat no surrender, and this is your only warning. Their reputation is legendary and beyond anything IRL, including the Knights Templar or Marine Recon or US Navy Seals. Their devotion to Estoas is absolute, that alone should make anyone who can read know that there is no such thing as one.

All Knights are of Lawful Good and Neutral Good (we are considering Lawful Neutral and more will be disclosed as that consideration progresses) alignment ONLY and have a “warrior build” (at least one level of Cleric Fighter, Paladin, Champion of Torm, or Weapon Master taken in their character build). Chaotic Good does not comply with a military mindset, which the Knights epitomize. Currently there is a High Priestess of Estoas (Eva) presiding over all Knights of Estoas and housed at the Temple of Estoas in Silverhedge to assist, guide and direct the activities of the Knights and Priests of the Order.

Now for a more IC statement:

The Knights of Estoas are the epitome of Holy Warriors and Champions of Light. They swear to, and hold a code of honor which includes defending the truth, fighting evil, upholding the law, righting wrongs, delivering justice and reinforcing the word of the Bright Lord himself. They may be found travelling the lands on holy quests, performing humble duties for the Temple or serving in the armies of those whose ideals align with those of Estoas. They serve as shining examples to all good persons, whilst frowning upon any wayward or roguish ways.

The road for a Knight of Estoas is harsh and disciplined, and many fall in their duties or simply quit due to the high demands. The worst of the shortcomings being a fall from grace, wherein a Knight is seduced by the voice of evil and journeys down the dark paths of Ishtuf'lar or one of the other evil Elshara. It is the sworn duty of all Knights of Estoas to seek out these Oath-Breakers and bring them to justice.

The Oath-Breakers are those that are seduced by the evils of Ishtuf'lar or any other of the evilly aligned Elshara and fall from grace. One such story told is about a Knight named Aethyn who is dubbed the “Oath Breaker”; his family name is unrevealed for reasons of honor. Through his traitorous and heinous crimes, his reward in the end was to serve Chreundos as a Skeletal Knight; his accursed soul is rumoured to haunt the Woodwald Crypts for all eternity, though none have seen him since his traitorous demise on the battlefields of Amaranth. His story of rising and falling is told by some of the trainers who school the Knights in their faith, to serve as an example of what fate may lie in store for those who fall.

[MORE TO BE ADDED LATER]

Site Admin Joined: Nov 12, 2009 Posts: 472

And like any mod.... God modding is a big no go, it takes away from the RP of other player, and can alienate you from other players.
You will not be asked to give up family, Friends or take any vows of Chasity poverty, however the knights and those that follow the Lord of the light, honor is first and for most, you defend the Innocent and right the injustices. The good of the Lord, the people and justice. He is not the god of SEX or WHATEVER THE ...... Followers should respect his teachings , when in doubt seek guidance for a cleric or priest/ priestess of that following. Don't be doing{paying my bank managers or any other for sexual favors, etc, don't think i need to go further on that) my NPCs in RP, and a few other things... just not kosher. Failing can bring about rebuilds, level loss and so on as with falling from grace any God you follow. This is not restricted to just the knights but to any who fall from grace. We ARE an RP mod, with the social content , not social with the RP content. Knights do not need be hard ass, but with any flowerer of any god/ goddess, they should at least attempt to RP t that faith. Outside influences from other gods that you may or may not have followed cannot reach you here. the plane the world is cut off from all outside influence. Example in the how did you get here post.