The Simbasta Overseer
by Bruce HeardFollowing their major defeat at the
hands of the Davanian Simbasta, a race of lion-like humanoids, the
knights of the Order have had to yield and swear allegiance to the
Simbasta on Vanya's grave. As a result, the Order must obey these
regal overseers for all affairs taking place within the Simbasta
kingdom. Furthermore, they cannot use their holy artifact and the
warbirds for evil deeds, such as oppressing the weak and the
innocent. The Simbasta consider native Heldann freeholders as a
conquered people, which is acceptable, but do not tolerate undue
brutality and injustice from their masters. The conqueror's law, in
this case Heldannic Law, must be applied impartially to everyone.
Outside of Davania, the Order otherwise remains a sovereign power.
Finally, the Order must pay tribute to the Simbasta, in the amount
of one tenth of its total earnings.
Having Simbasta as overseers presents problems for the Heldannic
Knights. The Order honours wars and conquests, presuming it does
the conquering. Aside from healing internal conflicts within the
Order, profound soul-searching was needed to cope with the
situation, both in terms of personal pride and religious
significance. The event is crucial in the history of the Order
since it is the one putting the knights back on the track to become
morally acceptable to the rest of the Known World community.
The other issue concerns the present bias against non-human races.
In this case, the knights are forced to respect a people whom they
consider inferior savages. Despite their spectacular victory
against the Order, many of the knights still haven't gained the
wisdom to recognise the Simbasta as worthwhile beings but also as
the bearers of a divine message. Conquerors must learn to respect a
foe and never underestimate it. Provided its lessons sink in, the
defeat may yet make of this Order one that is more powerful and
wiser so it may better serve Vanya.
Simbasta may be present among the knights, outside of Davania. These warriors have come to test their bravery and learn the ways of the knights. It also helps verifying that the Order honours its oath. The Heart of Vanya(*) has accepted their presence with some conditions. Simbasta are subject to Heldannic Laws as long as they remain with the Order, and are equivalent to brother knights (without horses). Simbasta must obey the orders of their commander. Simbasta shamans and other spellcasters are not allowed in the Order. Simbasta aren't officially part of the Order since they have no defined terms of service (they aren't paid like other lay brethren) and have not taken an Oath of Service (**). The knights have assumed that no Simbasta would be willing to take this oath, and therefore could not earn official ranks. The situation has not occurred and hasn't been officially addressed by the Voice of Vanya (***) precisely because of the prevailing bias and the fear of provoking another schism.
Simbasta living among the knights are called Companions of the Order, or "Sir Companion". These Simbasta are few enough that they normally are organised in small detachments (a Simbasta war-party of ten to twelve members). Simbasta remain under the authority of a Knight Bachelor commanding an infantry company, with one such detachment for roughly forty or fifty such companies. One of the Simbasta among the war- party is a chieftain responsible for executing the Knight Bachelor's orders. So far, Companions of the Order have proven both reliable and outstanding warriors.
(*) & (***) Various branches of the Heldannic priesthood that run the Order, as opposed to secular knights who form the military branch.
(**) Knights and priests take this
oath, swearing allegiance to the Order and obedience to Heldannic
Law. The Oath of Service implies service for life (without pay).