General Organisation of the Order -- 00. Introduction
by Bruce HeardGoals and Overview
The Heldannic Knight was created to further the ambitions of unruly
and head-strong Hattian knights who did not get along with their
Thyatian overseers. Little more than a band of armed hooligans,
they flocked around an obscure clerical sect worshipping Vanya, an
Immortal Patron whose primary interest is war and conquests. They
created an order of knights and clerics with some degree of
organisation. They grew out of hand very quickly and presented a
threat to Thyatis' imperial control of Hattias. To avoid a
pointless fight against the imperial legions, the order set sail to
the nearest spot they thought they could invade. They took over the
Heldann Freeholds and began calling themselves the Heldannic
Knights. After a few generations, their order has grown into a
highly organised and experienced military machine capable of
threatening other nations, and a financial powerhouse. Lands that
fall under their control are called the Heldannic Territories. At
first, other nations' rulers, including the emperor of Thyatis,
considered the knights as outlaws, but with their growing power
they have been forced to deal with them. In the mean time, ethnic
tension with native Freeholders remains an everlasting thorn in the
side of the Order.
The goal of the Order before its clash with the Davanian simbasta
was essentially to conquer anything conquerable. The order preyed
on weak nations, unclaimed communities unable to repeal a major
invasion, and wilderness territories. So far, their gains include
coastal lands of Norwold, from Landfall to Oceansend. Outposts in
faraway places were created and lost over the years.
Goals of the Order after the war of invasion from Myoshima were
redefined to heal a dangerous schism that split the Order apart.
Now, the Heldannic Knights' target is what they call Spawns of
Chaos threatening the established order in their area of the world.
These are in particular creatures from the Abyss, undead, and other
powers of darkness. Ironically, the Order also considers "outlaw"
nations as Spawns of Chaos. The Order is making it known to other
rulers that its knights may be able to help against aggressions
from Chaos, in exchange for some territory which would be donated
ad eternam to the Order, or for the liberty to conduct legal,
non-covert banking operations on their lands. The lawful character
of the Order stands as credible warranty that financial
transactions are secure and legitimate. A goal of the Order is to
develop banking operations enough to influence international
politics. Another is to rely on this income to finance the needs of
its growing military apparatus, war and conquest remaining the
ultimate quest. Fortunately, this arrangement protects many of the
nations in the Known World from potential Heldannic aggression.
A growing and mutual enmity separates the Order and the
Principalities of Glantri. With good cause, the Order perceives
Glantri as a harbinger of chaos, while the Glantrian wizards resent
the looming threat of a clerical hegemony in the region. The
Heldannic Knights concern themselves with concepts of Law - but not
those of Good or Bad, although improvements are forthcoming in this
area, at least for the sake of diplomatic relations with the rest
of the Known World.
The Heldannic Order breaks down into four main branches: one
military branch which is the tool of Heldannic territorial
expansion, and three clerical branches. They are the Voice of Vanya
handling general administration, the Hammer of Vanya responsible
for enforcing the Order's laws and ensuring orthodoxy among the
military, and the Heart of Vanya whose role is to create and
interpret the Order's laws.