Military Orders

The Miltary Orders provide the elite troops of Brevoy. They offer training and support as well as provide a modicum of status to their members. Titles and ranks are always for the lifetime of the recipient and cannot be passed to an heir. There are three Types of Order: Updated Jan 2023

The main Knightly Order in Brevoy, with a number of Regional Chapters intended to reward loyalty and support of regional government and are loyal to the nation through their loyalty to their chapter commander. The order is composed of skilled combatants, both mounted and foot troops, who make up the elite forces of Brevoy. The King of Brevoy is the Knight Grand Commander of the Brevic Knights.

They are expected to help maintain the peace and enforce the law when they need to, and may take to role of Policeman, judge and executioner - if it is appropriate.

• Grand Commander - The king of Brevoy.
• Knight-Captain - is the senior member of a Chapter of the Brevic Knights.
• Knight-Commander - A Knight Commander leads a body of knights on the battlefield.
• Knight - This is the substantive rank of the order. Any character who has attained Knighthood is eligible for higher positions. One of the best combatants in your field and dedicated to the cause. To qualify you must either take a suitable Prestige Class or have BAB +6.. Knights created in other recognized orders (eg Brotherhood of Cavaliers, Knights of Iomedae, Chevaliers), or anyone who has achieved the rank of Sword Lord in a duelling style, is eligible for this rank if they are invited to join the Brevic Knights. Knights can call on their officers, and possibly the military, for help.
• Officer - This is a junior level of membership, restricted to character who have fought on behalf of the chapter, but have not met the criteria for promotion to Knight, similar to a RL Squire. But squire has had too many different meanings to use here. They normally have the authority to enforce the law, call a posse together, give chase etc. They also carry out administrative duties and support their knights when called on.
• Member - Very junior level of membership available too characters who have proved their worth, but not yet fought on behalf of the chapter.
• Deputy - someone temporarily deputised to work with a Knight or an Officer. For example, a member of a Knight's entourage might be appointed as a deputy while on the road. A knight responsible for an area might appoint the Sergeant in charge of a watchtower to act as his deputy.

• The King's Chapter - The King uses this chapter to rewards deeds of national importance. It is seen as the Great Chapter, and takes precedence over the other chapters. It is separate from the House Chapter of the King's family.

• Each Major House Surtova, Garess, Lodovka, Orlovsky, Medvyed and Lebeda has it's own chapter. The Chapter Commander is either the Head of the House, or his appointee.
• Rogarvian Chapter - is in some disarray. There are only a couple of dozen members of the chapter left - under the command of Baron Khavortorov, the last remaining Knight Commander.

• The New Stetven Chapter - Based in New Stetven, and the surrounding countryside this chapter is sworn to protect the Capital City
• The Eastern Chapter - Sworn to the protection of Restov and Rostland. Their Knight-Captain is Lady Jamandi Aldori.
• The Southern Chapter - The latest chapter. Their Knight-Captain is Lord Henry leMaistre, Governor of Midmarch.

The members of these orders are united by Purpose, Ideal and Oath, but are not associated with a specific noble family or region. To become a member one must swear an oath in the presence of other (probably senior) members of the order to uphold the purpose of the order. Each order has its own (unique) Purpose, Oath and Process. Some are very formal, others much less so.

Cavaliers all belong to the order, and dedicate themselves to a group of like-minded individuals, be it a mercenary company, a religion, a nation, a band of adventurers - of something similar. These cavaliers believe in loyalty and friendship, and are willing to lay down their lives to protect their allies. It is their respect for a formal Vow of Loyalty that brings this group together, rather than any great overall purpose. They might not all share the same cause, but they all believe (fiercely) that every individual has the right to make and keep a vow of loyalty. They are a loose knit organisation without a strong central structure.

• Rank: Knight - A Cavalier of some standing, who is a member of the order who has proven their Vow of Loyalty. In game terms taking the Battlefield Herald, Sentinel or Justicar prestige classes, or Cavalier with BAB +7.
• Rank: Member - Any cavalier who makes a Vow of Loyalty will be accepted into the order. It is equivalent to Officer (in the Brevic order) but holds no special privileges.

There are many different Knightly Orders that operate under the auspices of Iomedae's temples.

• Rank: Sword Knight - Paladin L5 or one of the following prestige classes - Holy Vindicator, Sentinel, Celestial Knight, Heritor Knight, Crimson Templar or Inheritor's Crusader. Sword Knights are then ranked by Circle - however, that is an internal matter for the church of Iomedae.

Chevaliers welcome all like-minded folk regardless of religion. Most are fighters, rogues, or barbarians, but sorcerers, clerics, and bards are not unheard of. Chevaliers often wear golden pins noting their patron liege or deity or the token of a lover or other for whom they fight. Membership is easily obtained by swearing an oath in the presence of another chevalier and invoking the name of who they fight for or the figure that embodies their desire to do good in the world. An adventurer-turned-innkeeper in a frontier town, a band of travelers looking for bandits, and a would-be dragon-slayer might all be chevaliers. They mix lofty intentions, unusual combat techniques, and stubborn determination into a strangely effective combination.

• Rank: Knight - Take the Chevalier prestige class. There is only one rank.

There is a long history of Duelling in the region and the various duelling schools are are well respected and given the same sort of status as the other fighting / military orders. The traditions are differentiated by the specific weapons and style codes that each adheres to, but they are are pulled together by their adherence to the Rules of Duelling. While there is rivalry between the traditions, there is also a mutual respect and recognition of a joint purpose. The Duelling traditions are particularly strong in Rostland, and strongest in Restov. However, you will also find duelling schools in New Steven and Silverhall. Basic Duelling is also taught within most Noble Houses, although they don't (generally) teach specialist duelling skills.

• Rank: Swordlord Think of a Black Belt Martial Artist – they have completed years of training and practice, internalised the main skills and are seen as masters of the Aldori Duelling Sword.
• Rank:Duelling Master Swordlord equivalent for other styles.
• Rank: Senior Swordlord A more experienced Aldori Swordlord who leads a School or a group of Swordlords. This is the equivalent of a Knight Commander in a Chivalric Order.
• Rank: First Swordlord Head of the Swordlords in a city, family or region. This is the equivalent of a Chapter Commander in the Brevic Knights.

Dueling Styles: