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One of several orders of knights dedicated to the deities of Light, the Order has enclaves throughout the Great Empire and in a number of the Free Cities. The Order holds honorable service and defense of the weak as its highest ideal. The Order of Trian maintains close ties to the Greater Church of the Light, but has its own priesthood and church organization.
The members of this order hold that the Darkness must be rooted out wherever it may be found, and actively pursue the extermination of Dark forces. Though more restrained than the Brothers of the Sun, the Order of Trian are more feared, as they are frighteningly effective.
Of particular importance to knights of Trian is the defense of the weak and helpless. They will never attack someone who is defenseless, and have been known to defend such individuals, even at the expense of their own and their comrades' lives. As an example, after the Orcish siege of Ume was broken in 947, a legion of Empire militia were preparing to assault the village of camp followers, women and children, that had sprung up near Ume. A band of 6 knights opposed the legion, and managed to stave off their attack for half an hour until a crack Imperial Legion entered the fray and drove off the militia. Though they were subsequently arrested and hung for assaulting the Emperor's forces, these six knights are still heroes of the Order.
Against prepared opponents, the Order's knights have a no holds barred attitude. They will use any means necessary to defeat an enemy of the Light.
When a knight of the Order faces Trian on his judgement day, he must recite the tally of his deeds, both for the Light and for the Darkness. Each deed forms a spot of greater or lesser light or darkness within Trian's pure white shield, and when the recitation is done, the final mixture is judged. Those that prove unworthy are returned to the battle between Light and Darkness with lesser stature while those who have pursued a pure and virtuous life return with greater standing and power. When Trian's shield remains pure white, the knight has achieved perfection and takes his place at Trian's side as a defender of the heavens.
The Order is divided into a number of chapters, each numbering somewhere between 10 and 100 members. Each chapter is lead by a Knight-Marshall, the most senior of the knights present. There are three additional positions of honor:
There are chapter houses of the order scattered throughout the Great Empire and, to a lesser extent, the Eastern Kingdoms. The core of the Order is located in their great fortress in the city of Resta. From here the Lord High Marshall and his Council of Five direct the works of the Order.
The Order is fairly well off, as many members hold title in the Great Empire. The majority of the funds gathered by the order go to improve the defenses of the various chapter houses and to carry out campaigns against the Darkness.
The Order of Trian has no formal subdivisions, but each chapter is largely autonomous. Vast differences in methods and driving forces exist between the various chapters of the order, though any Knight of Trian can seek sanctuary in any chapter house, and the word of the Lord High Marshall is law.
The chapter houses of the Order of Trian are heavily fortified and well designed for defense. In addition to the knights who inhabit the chapter house, there will be a variable number of men at arms (often personal guardsmen of the various knights), servants, and families.
Chapter houses vary in architecture, but are always constructed with heavy stone walls and iron gates. There is always a pure white shield crossed by a silver sword over the main entrance to any chapter house.
All chapter houses have subterranean crypts that house the Order's dead.
Knights of Trian always wear a surcoat of black marked with the white shield and silver sword of the order. Personal arms and armor vary, but all knights bear a silver dagger with a white shield and silver sword embossed on the pommel.
The knights in a chapter house hold some form of worship every night, usually lead by the Knight-Father. Usually there are pre-dawn meditation and prayer meetings before breakfast, and evening vespers each night just after dusk. More elaborate services are held each Finka in Finlot as well.
Knights of the order are required to tithe 40% of their earned wealth to the order. They are also expected to keep themselves and any followers equipped and mounted. Tithes can be paid to any quartermaster of the order.
On holy days, particularly when a knight initiated into the order a pure white dove is offered up to Trian by placing it on the altar and allowing it to fly free. Those seeking divine guidance may offer up a black crow in the same manner.
There are four holy days to the order scattered through the year. They are:
There are three ways one can enter the Order of Trian:
Only men are accepted into the order. The process of becoming a knight of the Order is a long one. Generally knight hopefuls join the order as a squire when they are 8 or 10 years old. After many years of martial and religious training, they can be invited to join the order. Once invited, the knight must prove his worth, first by carrying out some great task for the order, then by maintaining a vow of silence and a diet of bread and water for 6 months. After this, the knight stands vigil in the chapel of a chapter house, is blessed by the Knight-Father, then initiated into the order through secret ritual. The new knight's name is inscribed in the chapter house's permanent record, and he is given his silver dagger.
Knights are free to marry, and often do. The Knight-Father of the Order carries out the wedding ceremony, and many guests are invited to attend. Afterwards, a large feast is held to honor the newlyweds. Often there are tournaments or jousts held if the wedding was of political or religious importance.
A child born to a Knight of Trian is recognized in a special ceremony wherein each knight present in the chapter house recognizes the child as the offspring of a brother and vows to defend the child.
When a knight dies, his remains are returned to the chapter house where they were first initiated into the Order. All knights present attend a solemn ceremony, mourning their fallen comrade, then the remains are placed into the chapter house's crypt with the other fallen knights. Family members may also be buried in the knight's crypt at family request.
As previously stated the knights of Trian must defend the weak and helpless. Failure to do so is a serious offense and can result in ejection from the order.
Knights are also expected to uphold the laws of the land, and often hold titles in the local government.
Knights must always give aid and defense to a brother knight in distress.
All knights are accepted at all chapter houses.
Knights of Trian have the following restrictions and benefits:
Minimum attributes: Strength 16, Wisdom 12, and Constitution 12
For each level attained, the knight must purchase at least the following:
For any faith level purchased they must also purchase:
Knights of Trian have no weapons or armor restrictions.
Knights of Trian can gain the skill turn undead.
Major spheres of access: All, Combat, Guardian, Protection, Sun
Minor spheres of access: Animal, Healing
Granted powers:
True Strike - The cleric can spend a full round focusing their will and energy on their sword. After that, the cleric gains a +3 bonus to their attack rolls for a number of rounds equal to their faith levels. This ability can only be used with a long-sword, and the bonus earned applies only to this weapon.
