Amoung the many reasons any regent would wish their sons or daughters to study at the Imperial University, the possibility that they might be one of the three or four applicants accepted each year into the rigorous Chevale program must certainly rank paramount in their hopes. For while the University affords any student a superb education, the Chevale program produces Knights unlike any other seen in all of Cerilia.

Anyone of noble enough bearing (noble birth is often neither necessary nor sufficient) to impress Moerele Hasrian, High Master of Chevales is immedeately separated from the rest of the student body. They are given their own spartan quarters, much less impressive than any normal students, and spend the next 5 years eating, sleeping, and studying separately from their scholastic peers. This is not elitist, although many students choose to see it as such, it is simply pragmatic.

The students are then taught an extraordinarily wide range of subjects. Fencing, Jousting, and Falconry are taught in order for the new regent to participate in and, eventually, preside over the elaborate festivals which mark all Anuirean holidays and special events. Diplomacy, Law, Administration, and Intrigue are taught so the student will be able to master the byzantine machinations which are the hallmark of Anuirean politics. Furthermore, the Chevale is a master horseman, swordsman and overall combatant. Thier armor is almost always far different than any other soldier's, including other regents'. Concave shields, designed to catch and deflect the tip of an opponent's lance, understated plumage (in clear contrast to the Anuirean custom of elaborate plumage) on thier helmet to deny an opponent any opportunity to catch their headgear in a charge, and other such modifications are only ever seen on the armor of a Chevale. The Horse, Armor, and Weapons of a Chevale are the best in Anuire.Nothing less will suffice.

Additionally, the Chevale is a master strategist, devoting much of his study time to large scale, miniature reinactments of famous battles. Usually, the era of the Emperor Alandalae's expansion to the Sea of Dragons and the Basarji Revolution (for this reason, such excersizes are known as Alandalaeonics) are focused on because this allows an extensive study of both army and naval battles.

In the end, the graduate Chevale is the ultimate Anuirean statesman. He can receive guests and attend formal banquets with the same level of unparalleled skill as he commands the battlefield.
 

For the purposes of my campaign, the Cavalier subclass from the Unearthed Arcana has been used. However, this class is, while formidable, often underpowered when compared against a fighter with the Player's Option GrandMaster specialization. You may, in your campaign, use whatever class and make whatever adjustments you think appropriate.
 

Introducing the Order into your Campaign, and PC's as Order members

or

What do I do about all these Cavaliers running around my campaign world?
 

The goal here should be to keep the idea of a Chevale rare. Extremely rare. Otherwise they might throw a spanner into the works. What follows is a manner in which you can introduce the Order and make a player a member.
 

If the idea appeals to him, offer the opporunity to be a Chevale to one of the Players who will either become a regent or will begin the game as a newly invested regent. Tell him he has just graduated from the University Chevale program. Remember the Order doesn't exist yet. Graduation merely makes you a Chevale, the formation of the order comes later. The Graduation ceremony and party afterwards should be pretty damn impressive. Every major Regent should be there, and the PC should get to meet them personally. Handshaking, wellwishing, these things will later become important memories as the Player coems to realize exactly who Archduke Boeruine, for instance, is.

Later, Prince Darian Avan, patron to the Imperial University, should invite the PC to a reunion of the Order. Make sure the PC is way to busy to attend. Let him know that it's likely a few other's won't be able to make it, and his new status as regent would give him an excsue the Prince can sympathize with. It's important that the PC not be able to go.

A few days later, the PC will be summoned to the Imperial City to meet with the Prince. This will clearly be a very important matter, make sure the PC's schedule is now light enough to permit his attendence.

When he arrives, Prince Avan tells him the bad news. During the Reunion, several barrels of liquor caught fire and exploded, spraying hot, flaming liquid throughout the ballroom. The entire building burned down, no-one got out. Obviously you should not be so blunt when descrbing this to your player. Additionally, we are not talking about Foul Play here. The opportunity is obvious but, I felt, a little too obvious. Stuff like this actually happens, there's no reason it would be a Plot, and the player should certainly not expect it to be simple, horrible, fate and chance that killed his peers. Mind you, if you want a plot, go ahead and devise one!

The result is that both the High Master of Chevales and the bulk of his former students are now dead. There are only 12 Chevales left, and the University will no longer have a Chevale program. The Prince tells the PC that he intends on gathering the remaining 12 Chevales together, and making them an Order of Knights, the purpose of which will be to serve as a living memorial to those who had died needlessly. He wishes to make the PC the Master of the Order. This may seem extreme, since the PC should be no more than 2nd level, but the PC should be the most senior member of Royalty. In my campaign the PC was the Duke of Tuornen and, while only 2nd level, he was still the only Duke in the Order.

This should be an incredible opportunity for the player. An honor it wouldn't even be possible to achieve in any other campaign. Build it up as so.

There will be a ceremony presided over by a high ranking church official. Perhaps more than one church will be represented. Each Chevale will be named after a Gemstone. The Master of the Order, for instace, will be known as the Diamond Chevale. Each gemstone represents a supernatural power which will be imbued to the player without his knowledge. For Diamond, I chose immunity to the draining and aging abilities of undead. This ability is innate, always on, and a secret to even the player himself. Feel free to use whatever you think is appropriate to the power-level of your campaign, including no special powers.

When the PC reaches a sufficiently high level (5th, minimum,) introduce another member of the Order. Until then, build it up as a major thing to the other Players. When the players meet another member of the Order for the first time, do your best to impress them with how noble and regal the other member is. Above all, this should serve to show the other Players what type of person thier comrade is, by presenting the same qualities in a more dramatic way.

Additionally, this other Order member should be extremely loyal to the Master of the Order. He should make it clear that he will do whatever the Player desires.
 

Who else is in the Order?
 

I scoured all the campaign expansions and searched for those NPCs would likely have been sponsored into the Chevale program, and accepted. Most of them are, of course, Anuirean, since Knighthood is a particularly Anuirean concept. None of them are Vos or Brecht as neither of these cultures would really value the concept of Knighthood. What, after all, would a Brecht Merchant-Ruler do with all the military knowlede? Likewise, why would a Vos regent care about how to accept a lady's favor during a festival? Or which falcon is appropriate to a Duke? Or abbot?

All the members of the Order are Lawful. Not all of them are good, and some of them are evil. In all cases, the predominant trait is Law. The parenthetical comments following the name are Age, and Alignment.
 

The Topaz Chevalier.

Harrin Stalban (42, LG), Viscount of Grimsay, Advisor to the Thane of Talinie.

Unjustly disgraced under the rule of Thane Donalls, Harrin waited patiently, gathering information regarding the corruption in his homeland. Upon the death of Thane Donalls, Viscount Stalban offered his information and services to the new Thane and has had his station returned to him. For the few years he was discraced, he covered his device and assumed the historical title of Ebon Chevalier, the Chivalric equivalent of a Black Knight.

Armor: When acting as Viscount: Chain, no shield. When acting as a Member of the Order, Field Plate +2 & Shield+3.

Weapon of Choice: Rapier +3

Special Ability: Immune to spells cast by Evilly Aligned creatures of
Int >= 3D6
 

The Sapphire Chevalier

Baedas Tael (54, LE), Count of Rhumannen.

Baedas is the cousin of Gavin Tael, Baron of Ghoere. With no pretensions to the throne, Baedas currently intends to retire, both from the Order and his County, and leave his daughter in his place.

Baedas is passionately committed both to his cousin (the Baron), and the Order. The Baron traditionally uses Baedas as his chief general. Baedas is often called 'The Old Man of the Order,' because of his experience and severity.

Armor: Field Plate +5

Weapon of Choice: Two Handed Battle-Axe +5

Special Ability: Magic Conductive. All items +1 bonus, double duration, range, etc. . .
 

The Bloodstone Chevalier

Helaene Dosiere (39, LN), Advisor to the Fhiele Dhoesone, Baroness of Dhoesone, daughter of Caliedhe Dosiere, Imperial Chamberlain of Anuire.

As a trusted advisor to the previous Baron of Dhoesone, and daughter of possibly the most competant master of statescraft in all Anuire, Helaene is an indispensible aid to the new Baron. Helaene manages to accomlish impossible tasks routinely. Were it not for her compentant skills, Dhoesone would had deteriorated long ago, taken over by the Goblins, Orogs, Elves or other forces of the wilderness which Dhoesone was carved out of.

Armor: Plate +3 & Shield +3

Weapon of Choice: Broadsword +3.

Special Ability: Elemental Affinity: Fly, Swim, Water Breath.
 

The Amethyst Chevalier

Onwen Ghalliere (44, LN), mayor of Moriel, Capital City of Osoerde.

Currently, wherever he goes, The Amethyst Chevalier travels with a small, cloaked, retinue of men who preferr to remain anonymous. It is unknown what the relationship between Onwen and these men is, although it is widely suspected that it is William Moergan, deposed Duke and rightful ruler of Osoerde.

Armor: Field Plate +2 & Shield +2

Weapon of Choice: Rapier +2

Special Ability: Immune to poison, disease, magical or otherwise.
 

The Onyx Chevalier

Oersen Roesone (23, LN), Count of Caercas, brother to The Black Baron, Marlae Roesone.

Oerson is second in line for the Barony and was sent to the Imperial University to learn the craft of state for two reasons. First, he is able to advise his older sister on delicate matters of state and, should anything happen to her, he would make an able Baron.

Armor: Plate +3 & Sheild +1

Weapon of Choice: Rapier +2

Special Ability: Sustenance. Needs no food, drink, or sleep.
 

The Emerald Chevalier

Kjessen (56, LG), Jarl of Helkstraad

Given the Jarldom of Helkstraad by the Bevinig, King of Halskapa after being passed over for promotion due to his extreme ruthlessness, Kjessen is one of the contenders for the throne of Halskapa. He is a dark and forboding man.

Special Doom: True Fate

Armor: Full Plate +5

Weapon of Choice: Claymore +5

Special Ability: Protection from the Elements
 
 

The Jade Chevalier

Haghar (47, LE), Captain of the Eliete Guard.

A man rife with contraditions. Serving the White Which, a powerful awnshegh, Haghar is a supremely honorable man. He spends most of his time waging war against the Blood Skull Barony

Special Doom: Shapechanger (Stag)

Armor: Full Plate +2

Weapon: Two-Handed Sword +2

Special Ability: Immortal
 

The Peridot Chevalier

Sir Borrik (39, LG), Warden of Kvingmar.

Warden of the Capital City and trusted advisor to Ulrich, Jarl of Kvingmar, Borrik commands the city's defenses against the incursion of the Goblins, and oversees trade matters.

Special Doom: Battle Rage

Armor: Field Plate +3

Weapon fo Choice: Claymore +3

Special Ability: 50% magic resistence. If MR succeeds, 10% chance spell will rebound on caster
 

The Turquoise Chevalier

Adan el-Masir (40, LG), High Captain of the Armies of Mesire and nephew to the Emir,Yousef ibn Regh=EDl el-Masir. Adan numbers amongst the Emir's few trusted advisors. He spends his time leading his armies, defending the borders of Mesire against the Red Kings of Aftane, The Black Spear Raiders, and the Ajazada of Djafra. Also see pg 63 in the Cities of the Sun expansion=20

Armor: Improved Mail +2 & Shield +2

Weapon of Choice: Sabre +3

Special Ability: Animal Affinity, All
 

The Amber Chevalier

Dounato el-Jairar (51, LG), High Captain of the North. The most senior military advisor to the King, Kassim ibn Rami el-Dhousai, el-Jairar's strategies have kept the kings enemies at bay for 20 years.

Armor: Improved Mail +4

Weapon of Choice: Great Scimitar +4

Special Ability: Immune to Disease
 
 

What about magic items?
 

I used GM Fiat to deal with the problem that such powerful NPCs would certainly have a wide array of powerful magic by saying "They serve the Order using only the items they have gained in service of the Order.This worked pretty well.
 

What does the name mean?
 

Haelyn's Crown, as described in the boxed set, is a constellation. It hangs low in the southern sky. Like Orion in our world, it is in the shape of a warrior en guarde During the course of a year, it slowly dissapears below the horizon until, on the winter solstice, the star which represents Haelyn's crown, The Crown Of Glory as it is called, dissapears for a single day, marking the beginning of the new year.
 

An Example Intro
 

This was what I wrote up when introducing the first NPC member of the Order. There was more to it, but it was too specific to the campaign to include here and preserve its meaning. I ripped off the Aryia sourcebook for part of the intro.
 

Khalil, the Ruby Chevalier, presents himself. He is not wearing red, per se, but while looking at Khalil, anything red in your peripheral vision seems brighter and clearer. Such is the magic imbued in each Chevale. With flourish and aplomb, Khalil approaches the PC (in this case, the Duke of Tuornen), making an annoucement with each deliberate step.
 

To The Resplendant Duke-Chevalier of Tuornen Who Is Like Unto The Sun!
 

For the indomitable Duke-Chevalier illuminates Anuire - Empire of Empires and his light shines also on all the realms of
Cerilia!
 

To The Duke-Chevalier, Guardian And Preserver who is like unto the raincloud!
 

For Avan and Boeruine lie in your shadow deriving from you life and protection from the abominations under the earth.
 

To the excellent Duke-Chevalier who is like unto the earth and sea!
 

For immeasurable and imponderable are the limitless glory and honor brought upon all peoples of Cerilia by your Grace's incomperable alliegance with the Dwarves.
 

Your sublime grace-
 

I have journeyed far, across the heat blasted plains of Khinasi, under the ever watchful eye of Avani, through the land of the Sphinx and to your homeland of Tuornen.

For I heard the call, your grace and I have come to serve my Order, greatest and most powerful of all, Halaia's Crown. Allow me to journey with you. Place your trust in me. Speak a word, and that word will be as a command to me. Point your finger, and there will I put my sword. If you will have me, my lord, I have come to join your company.
 

Submitted By Matthew M. Colville

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