Hellknights
| Legal status | Active |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Enforce law |
| Location | |
Membership | Zeal (Lictor), Mutt (Lictor), Atticus (Lictor), Sanguine (Vicarius), Radari (Lictor) |
History
In Onadbyr
Zeal arrived in Onadbyr with aspirations of becoming a Hellknight after he found a forgotten shrine to the Godclaw deep in the woods. After succeeding in his trial against a Barbazu at the Order of the Nail Citadel in Lancaster, he returned to Onadbyr and founded his own order, the Order of the Godclaw in Winter 223. When Zeal was enlisted to help found the fledgling community of Desperate Hope, his order moved there.
Zeal serves as the Lictor and trainer of all Hellknight Armigers, until they pass their own tests and join or found their own order.
Over the years, several other orders have been founded.
- The Order of the Chain, by Mutt in Winter 226.
- The Order of the Torrent, by Atticus in Spring 228.
- The Order of the Gate, by Sanguine in Spring 229.
- The Order of the Scourge, by Radari in Spring 229.
In Lancaster
The Order of the Nail ruled Lancaster for an unknown period of time alongside a puppet monarch until the city fell to undead in 184.
Ranks
Lictor/Vicarius
The lictor (or vicarius if promoted from the signifers) is the general of a Hellknight order. Currently, the Order of the Gate is the only existing branch of the Hellknights led by a vicarius.
Master/Mistress of Blades
The master of blades or mistress of blades is the field marshal and answers only to the lictor of the Hellknight order.
Paravicar
Paravicar is the leader of an order's signifers, equal in rank to a master or mistress of blades and answers only to the lictor of the Hellknight order.
Paralictor
Paralictors are Hellknight officers ranking below the master of blades or the paravicar.
Maralictor
Maralictors are Hellknight officers ranking below the paralictors.
Hellknight
Hellknights are the rank-and-file seasoned knights of the order.
Signifer
Signifers are the Hellknights who are capable to use the either arcane or divine magic.
Armiger
Armigers compose the order's largest population and they are not yet full members of the order. To gain the status of Hellknight, armigers must first pass a trial known as The Test. In the Test a would-be Hellknight must fight against a devil summoned from the depths of Hell.
The Hellknight Test
To prove themselves worthy, an aspiring Hellknight must best a summoned devil of equal or greater strength in single combat. This typically occurs at level 5 in preparation for the Hellknight Dedication at level 6, or at level 6 before taking the Dedication.
Preparation
Those taking the test are allowed to carry into battle any equipment they wish. Additionally, they may receive the benefits of allies’ magic, so long as it is cast prior to the test’s start. The ceremony preceding the test typically lasts over an hour, meaning that spells with a duration in minutes typically wear off before combat begins.
Due to the long history of Tests, it is expected that the Armiger is provided with an intimate understanding of the Vordine or Barbazu they may be facing. If a Test is held for an Armiger of greater strength, they may not have such a luxury, though they are likely to have some knowledge of the fiend in question.
Although Armigers have not yet earned the right to wear true Hellknight armor, plate armor is usually made available to them. Many devils have a reach beyond five feet, making polearms common during the tests. Ranged weapons are permitted during the test, but considering the trial’s relatively small boundaries, their use is generally considered a poor strategy.
Most devils prove exceptionally resistant to mortal weaponry, except those forged of silver or blessed by holy deities. To prepare for this, many Armigers invest in silver weapons or silver salves. Many high-ranking Hellknight officers also have access to Holy weapons—either their own or relics of the Order—that they might lend to favored Armigers. While this isn’t technically against the test’s strictures, those who blatantly make use of weapons other than their own risk losing the respect of future peers and overseers.
None of the test’s rules restrict Armigers from making use of spells, potions, wands, or other magical supplements during the test, either to defeat their foe or to enhance their abilities. What is forbidden, though, is anything entering the testing grounds after the trial has begun—including another’s magic. So long as an Armiger gains the effects of another’s spell before the testing ceremony begins, it’s permitted. However, the test is preceded by a lengthy explanation of its history, purpose, merits, and rules, which alone might last over an hour. As such, spells with durations of only a few minutes usually expire before an Armiger’s battle begins. This makes longer-lasting spells preferred.
Even more dreaded than death by a devil's weapon or claws is the slow, weakening wearing down an Armiger faces should he suffer from Infernal Wounds. Knowing that drawing out the fight isn’t in their best interest, most Armigers attempt to end the battle as swiftly as possible. Additionally, they usually bring Blood Boosters, knowing that it can be especially difficult to rid oneself of an Infernal Wound.
Ceremony
The ceremony takes place at dawn on the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, or Winter Solstice. It is a solemn, joyless affair, overseen by the Lictor of the appropriate Order or the next highest ranking officer, administered by a Signifier of the appropriate Order or a caster of the Lictor's choosing, and attended by all available members of the Order.
The overseeing Lictor will give a lengthy explanation of the history, purpose, merits, and rules of the Test, which alone might last over an hour.
Test
The Test takes place in a clearly marked arena with a diameter of 30 feet. Once the initial ceremony is complete, the Armiger enters this area and signals that they are ready. Then a Signifier of the appropriate order, if available, summons a devil of the same level of the aspiring Hellknight into the arena. The devil is bound to the same area as the Armiger, and announces their intent to show no mercy. While summons can be taken under direct control by their summoner, taking control of the devil during a Hellknight Test is extremely frowned upon, as it may be seen as meddling.
If the Armiger leaves the arena willingly before the Test is complete, they fail the test. If any other than the Armiger or devil enter the arena before the Test is complete, it is also considered a failure. In either case, there is likely to be a punishment delivered to those involved. In addition, during the test, should an Armiger receive any aid from outside the testing ring, they will be disqualified and imprisoned (along with their conspirators). Such cheaters typically face a brief trial and execution.
Results
If the devil is slain, the Armiger will recite their memorized vows, and, if determined worthy, will be inducted into the Order. Once inducted, they may don the formidable Hellknight Armor associated with their Order.
If the Armiger falls, they die. For most Armigers, death in the test is a damning judgment— proof that the initiate was not fit for service. In rare cases, slain Armigers who have impressed a high-ranking Hellknight or who are owed a debt of gratitude by such leaders might be resurrected at their superior’s expense. This isn’t against the test’s rules or the greater laws of the Measure and the Chain, but it usually looks like mercy—potentially casting doubt on the resolve of both the Armiger and his benefactor. Only in exceptional cases, when matters of justice and honor are plainly at stake, are such second chances entertained.
The battle doesn’t always end at the test’s conclusion. Infernal Wounds and various diseases are known to be employed by devils, and allied clerics are often made available at Hellknight citadels should survivors need to avail themselves of healing.
Alternatives
If an existing Hellknight witnesses an ally defeat a devil of comparable skill in single combat, they may vouch for the ally having completed the test. The Hellknight who vouches for this ally must swear it to be truth, and if it is revealed otherwise, both will be punished equally.
Members
Lictors/Vicariuses
Zeal, Lictor of the Order of the Godclaw
Mutt, Lictor of the Order of the Chain
Atticus, Lictor of the Order of the Torrent
Sanguine, Vicarius of the Order of the Gate
Radari, Lictor of the Order of the Scourge.
Armigers
None.
Former
Victoria Honeystride, former Armiger of the Order of the Pike. Failed their test, but was spared by Grist Vanafeld.
Omen Graves, former Armiger of the Order of the Rack. Fell to a Vordine during his test.
