Empire Knightly Orders

[Griefbringer]

Some people might remember that on the old Portent forum I was collecting a long list of Empire knightly orders mentioned in the official background. Well, I managed to recover some of those texts, so time to re-start the thread.

Notice: I am not going to document on this thread any orders mentioned in unofficial context, if someone is really interested in them he can start a new thread himself.

For the boring starters, I will give here a list of sources used on gathering this information:

1.) Enemy within: Shadows over Bogenhafen
2.) Enemy within: City of Chaos
3.) Warhammer armies (WFB 3rd edition army book)
4.) White Dwarf, issues 146 and 147 (Empire fluff and army list)
5.) WHFB Empire army book, 4th edition
6.) WHFB Empire army book, 6th edition
7.) Zavant (Black Library publication by Gordon Rennie)
8.) Apocrypha 2 (Hogshead Publishing)
9.) Doomstones 3: Heart of Chaos (Hogshead Publishing)
10.) Enemy Within: Power Behind the Throne (Hogshead Publishing version only)
11.) Hammers of Ulric (Black Library publication by Dan Abnett)
12.) Crusade Empire army list, Citadel journal, issue 43
13.) WHFB Vampire Counts army book, 5th edition
14.) Corrupting Influences - the Best of Warpstone, Hogshead Publishing
15.) Citadel Journal, issue Autumn 1985 (pages 15-16)
16.) Religion in the Old World, WD 279
17.) Warcry Collectible Card Game, Sabertooth games
18.) Dolgan Invasion article, WD269
19.) Empire Collectors Guide
20.) Vengeance of the Vampire, WD243
21.) Kislev army list, Warhammer Chronicles 2004 (and WD 288)
22.) Article on Solland Runefang, WD289
23.) Cult of Ulric army list, Warhammer Chronicles 2004 (also published in WD)
24.) The Sigmarites article, WD 304
25.) Empire knightly orders article, WD 310
26.) Sigmar's Heirs
27.) Terror in Talabheim
28.) Witchhunter's Handbook
29.) Liber Chaotica: Tzeench
30.) White Dwarf 91
31.) Warhammer Online, Nordland overview (http://www.warhammeronline.com/engli...ndOverview.php)
32.) Demigryph knights, White Dwarf 389, pages 54-57
33.) WHFB Empire army book, 7th edition
34.) WHFB Empire army book, 8th edition
35.) The End Times: Glottkin
36.) The Claws of Chaos (Black Library novel by Gav Thorpe)
37.) Empire at War (Black Library)
38.) Warhammer rulebook, 8th edition
39.) Olde Weirdes Incunabulum, WD291, pages 82-87
40.) The End Times: Nagash


The Citadel Journal articles are also available on web as follows:
-Knights of the Cleansing Flame: http://www.solegends.com/citrr/rr17cleansingflame.htm
-Crusade Empire army list: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/dreadaxe/Empire%20Crusades.pdf

Feel free to comment and inform about missing orders or sources.

Following threads will list knightly orders in alphabetical order - I will split them into multiple posts, so it is easier to add more text later on.

[Griefbringer]

The format used for describing order is name, followed by: summary/description, allegiance (the authority that the order is loyal to), history, appearance, famous members (if any) and sources (1-32, listed on first post).

*BLACK GUARD (aka Raven Knights or Black Knights or Order of Raven or Knights of Morr)
-Description: Deathly silent, they are the dark guardians of the Empire. When parents wish to get their children to sleep at night they tell them that the knights of Morr will come for them unless they rest. Held in mixture of fear and respect by the imperial military and the other knightly orders no one can doubt their their martial prowess as they despatch enemies with silent efficiency. There are many dark whispers about the secret rites involved in becoming a knight of Morr.
-Allegiance: Morr, the god of death. Morr is the god of death and the ruler of underworld. All dead souls belong to him, and he makes sure that they are guided safely to his dark realm.
-Appearance: encased in obsidian black armour when on battlefield.
-Sources: 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 25, 26, 28

*COLDFIRE KNIGHTS
-Summary: Secretive order sworn to oppose both Chaos and internal trouble within Empire.
-Allegiance: Emperor
-Sources: 9

*DRAKENHOF TEMPLARS
- Summary: Founded long before the arrival of Von Carsteins, this order had the noble goal of driving the darkness out of Sylvania.
- Appearance: see source 39 for a drawing
- Sources: 39, 40

*GRYPHON LEGION
- Description and history: a mercenary cavalry regiment of Kislevite origins which has served the Imperial family for several generations. Born to the highest ranking noble families in Kislev, these knights travel far and wide and operate as mercenaries when not called to battle by the Tzarina herself. The Gryphon Legion spends most of its time fighting in Empire, but it is sworn to respond to the call if the tzar or tzarina commands.
- Allegiance: Emperor
- Appearance: they wear wings made from griffon feathers upon their backs.
- Famous members: Vladic Dostov, commander of the legion whose single-handed slaying of a griffon in IC 1817 earned the legion its current name.
- Sources: 1, 3, 18, 21

*HIGH HELMS (Order of the High Helm)
- Description: an elite cavalry unit of very tough and extremely tall (minimum height 6 feet 6 inches) knights. Members are selected according to their physique. They are not very highly thought of by the members of Reiksguard, as it is commonly believed that they possess only 1 brain amongst four.
- Allegiance: Emperor
- History (as per IC 2512): a newly constituted order, founded by the Emperor Karl Franz. They are currently being drilled in Altdorf.
- Appearance: tall, straight plumes on helmets.
- Sources: 1

[Griefbringer]

*KNIGHTS GRIFFON
-Description: the Knights Griffon are arguably the most drilled and militaristic order in the modern Empire. Their daily rituals mostly consists of strict martial training. A veteran Knight Griffon is the epitome of discipline and soldiery on the field of battle. The Knights Griffon are so well trained they manoeuvre as a unit with seamless efficiency.
-Allegiance: Emperor, though they are also sworn to guard and protect temples of Sigmar throughout the whole Empire.
-History: founded by Magnus the Pious in Nuln year 2305. With the moving of the imperial capital to Altdorf, the order moved there, though the members of the order are still recruited only from Nuln aristocracy.
-Appearance: the members of the order wear dark green and gold, while their mounts wear dark crimson barding.
-Sources: 6, 12, 19, 25, 32

*KNIGHTS JAGUAR
-Summary: sister order of Knights Panther
-Allegiance: unknown
-Sources: 12

*KNIGHTS OF BLACK ROSE
-Summary: local order.
-Allegiance: shifting loyalties.
-History: originally founded as a bodyguard for the elector count of Stirland during the Age of Three Emperors, the order has since then changed allegiance a number of times.
-Sources: 6, 25

*KNIGHTS OF BLAZING SUN
- Description: The Knights of the Blazing Suns are the third largest and influential of the Knightly Orders in the Empire. The knights belonging to this order are all followers of Myrmidia, a goddess of warfare especially popular in the southern parts of the Old World.
- Allegiance: Myrmidia, the goddess of warfare. Myrmidia is the patron goddess of soldiers and strategists.
- History: During the wars against Araby some of the Empire's knights helped to recapture the Temple of Myrmidia in Magritta in 1457 IC, the southern sea port of Estalia. This was part of the crusades which eventually freed the land of Estalia from the Arabian invaders. The battle was a great victory for the Knights of the Old World, made all the remarkable by a strange and prophetic occurrence. During the fierce street fighting around the temple of Myrmidia, a group of knights found themselves surrounded by the dreaded Black Scimitar Guard led by Emir Wasr the Cruel. Just as the Arabians closed in a sudden earth tremor shook the temple, dislodging a huge bronze statue of Myrmidia riding a pegasus which was fixed on its topmost steeple. The statue plummeted to the grounf below, smashing into a thousand fragments and crushing the Emir and his troops. This event was to prove the turning point of the battle. Afterwards, upon returning to Empire, the surviving knights of that battle established the Order of the Blazing Sun with Myrmidia as its patron and protector and built a shrine to Myrmidia in Talabheim.
- Appearance: These knights wear armour of burnished brass, and their shields bear the device of the blazing sun. Their standard depics a soaring Pegasus against the blazing sun emblem.
- Sources: 4, 5, 12, 14, 16, 20, 25, 26, 34

[Griefbringer]

*KNIGHTS OF BROKEN SWORD
-Summary: local order.
-Allegiance: unknown
-Appearance: see source 34 for a painted example
-Sources: 6, 34

*KNIGHTS OF CLEANSING FLAME
-Summary: templars of Solkan the Avenger, a god of Law. Solkan is the master of vengeance, an angry god who inflicts the retribution of the Gods of Law on those who offend them.
-Allegiance: Solkan
-Sources: 14, 15

*KNIGHTS OF EVERLASTING LIGHT
-Summary: an order of templars cursed with bad luck.
-Allegiance: ideals of justice and fairness.
-Famous members: captain-marshal Drehenborg (killed by Deathmaster Snitch), grand master Kessler (withheld his aid from elector count Hertwig of Ostermark in 2485).
-Notice: sources available do not mention to which deity this order is dedicated to; it could be Verena, Alluminas, Shallya or some minor local god.
-Sources: 6, 25, 34

*KNIGHTS OF FIERY HEART
- Description: one of a number of martial orders in the service of the temple of Sigmar. They are an elite cavalry unit of Sigmar templars, dedicated to the destruction of all goblinoids. Together with the Order of the Fist (a secret sister order) they make up the Order of the Holy Knights of Sigmar.
- Allegiance: Sigmar, patron god of Empire. He is the deified, legendary founder of the Empire. As befits the character of this mighty warrior, he is worshipped both for his military might, and as the great unifier.
- History: they have a long and glorious history, dating from the civil wars when the cult of Sigmar was outlawed in Talabecland.
- Appearance: white shield, surcoat and barding,
with red heart as insignia on shield.
- Famous members: Aldred "Fellblade" Keppler, one time companion of Felix and Gotrek.
- Sources: 1, 3, 10, 14

* KNIGHTS OF HAMMER
-Summary: an order of very pious Sigmarite templars.
-Allegiance: Sigmar
-History: founded after the Great war against Chaos, their chapter house and charter was granted to the order by Magnus the Pious over 200 years ago. The order suffered horrendous casualties in fighting during the Storm of Chaos.
-Appearance: members of the order shave their heads, clad in shining armour and wield warhammers in battle.
-Sources: 24

[Griefbringer]

* KNIGHTS OF NORTH STAR
- Description: protectors of Nordland and champions of the Emperor.
- Sources: 17

* KNIGHTS OF SIGMAR'S BLOOD
- Description: order of Sigmarite templars. This order has no inner circle, with all the knights treating each others as brothers. Their internal organisation is based on brotherhoods, with named ones including Brotherhoods of Steel, Vengeance, Fortitude, Deliverance, Comet, Duty and Heavenly Fire.
- Allegiance: Sigmar
- History: the knights of this order returned rich from the Arabyan crusades and used their fortune to found the Heldenhame keep.
- Appearance: see source 34 for a painted example
- Famous members: Hans Leitdorf, grand master of the order. Rudolph Weskar, senechal of Heldenhame Castle.
- Sources: 17, 25, 34, 40

*KNIGHTS OF SILVER MOUNTAIN
-Summary: no information (except present at least in Hochland)
-Allegiance: unknown
-Sources: 6

* KNIGHTS OF TAAL'S FURY
- Description: This order consists of devoted followers of Taal, who are dedicated to opposing all creatures of Chaos. They are considered to be one of the most superstitious knightly orders in Empire. They especially value demi-gryphs as mounts.
- Allegiance: Taal
- Appearance: their shields depict a vengeful griffon (an aspect of Taal), and they also wear various feathers, fetishes and totemic charms due to their superstitious habits.
- Sources: 32

* KNIGHTS OF THE ARROW
- Description: Knightly order that provides military support for the amber college of magic. They do not have any chapter houses in cities, instead being based in fortified lodges in the heart of Reikwald forest.
- Allegiance: not specified, but they have very close ties with the amber college.
- Appearance: Their pennants, shields and armour are decorated by the amber order rune.
- Sources: 32

* KNIGHTS OF THE DIVINE SWORD
- Description: These brave warriors were led into battle of Hel Fenn by the Grand Theogonist, Kurt I.
- Sources: 37

* KNIGHTS OF THE RED SHIELDS
- Description: Personal bodyguard of elector count of Talabecland. Missing since Storm of Chaos.
- Allegiance: Elector count of Talabecland.
- Sources: 27

* KNIGHTS OF THE SETTING SUN
- Description: no information available. Present in the Battle of Altdorf (End Times).
- Sources: 35

* KNIGHTS OF THE SHINING TALON
- Description: famous for their razorbeak-mounted knights.
- Sources: 34

* KNIGHTS OF THE STAG
- Description: Relatively new order from Talabheim. Proud and regal they consider themselves above the other knightly orders based in the city, and think of themselves as "the true sons of Talabheim".
- Allegiance: unknown.
- Sources: 27

* KNIGHTS OF THE VENGEFUL SUN
- Description: Relatively small order, whose members currently all ride demi-gryphs.
- Allegiance: not specified
- History: Founded in Altdorf during the Vampire Wars, they have since then moved their chapter house to Bögenhafen. Famous for their participation in the Battle for Ghoul Pass against greenskins.
- Appearance: Their shields bear the symbol of the sun, while their helmets are gilded.
- Sources: 32, 34

*KNIGHTS OF TWIN TAILED ORB
-Summary: these knights are a religious sect located high in the Middle Mountains. They believe Sigmar has joined with the comet and now looks down upon the Empire searching for fearless warriors to join him in his celestial abode. The Knights of the Twin-Tailed Orb are fanatical templars who charge into battle with the religious intensity of a warrior priest.
-Allegiance: Sigmar.
-Appearance: their shields proudly display the emblem of the twin-tailed comet - the sigil of Sigmar, and the colours blue, orange and yellow predominate on their armour.
-Sources: 12, 16, 25

*KNIGHTS OF WHITE WOLF
-Description: One of the largest and most powerful knightly orders, formed by the Templars of Ulric, they are especially strong around Middenheim, where they comprise the elite unit of Middenheim's standing army. In Middenheim, the knights are responsible to the high priest of cult of Ulric. They are all sworn servants of Ulric and their duties in peace time include the provision of the Temple Guard, escorting the high priest on his rare visits to temples outside the City, and the mounting of honour guards for ceremonial occasions. The Templars have a reputation for ruthlessness and are generally feared and avoided. Occasionally the Templars join forces with Knights Panther and mount expeditions into the Drak Wald forest. There they root out the beastmen and mutant encampments, slaughtering whatever they encounter.
The members of this order are amongst the fiercest andmost aggressive of the Empire's warriors. Unfortunately their tendency to attack in a frenzy, irrespective of tactical or strategic considerations, does have its drawbacks. They fight bareheaded and are exceptionally wild and fearsome.
- Allegiance: Ulric.
- History: The White Wolves were founded in the city of Middenheim during one of the many Chaos incursions which threatened to sweep the whole Empire away. The city lay directly in the path of the advancing Chaos Hordes, and only the bravery and determination of the Knights saved the city from destruction. Riding out on their fiery war horses, bareheaded and brandishing huge clubs, the warriors met and defeated the chaos army, saving Middenheim for the Empire, and earning themselves a place in the heroic legends of the Old World. After this victorious battle against Chaos, the survivors decided to found a chivalric order sworn to fight Chaos, and they chose the name of the White Wolves after the city of Middenheim, also known as the City of the White Wolf. To this day the White Wolves still celebrate the legendary battle of Middenheim in a great annual Feast of the White Wolf held on the battlesite itself.
- Appearance: Following the example and keeping alive the old fierce ways of their warrior forebears they maintain the tradition of riding to battle bareheaded, their long hair and beard blowing behind them as they charge and making them look even more fearsome.
They wear mantles of wolf skin over their red-coloured armour, and spurn shields, helms and lances in favour of a distinctive and fearsome heavy two handed mawl, hammer or club.They are very proficient with this heavy weapon, striking easily to left and right and swinging it around their maned heads from horseback, knocking enemy horsemen from their saddles and pounding and cracking the skulls of enemy foot troops. This heavy weapon can batter or smash apart the thickest armour, while a good blow on a helmet will knock a man senseless even if the metal doesn't crack apart.
Their banner depicts the white wolf of Ulric. This banner was carried at the battle of Middenheim itself, and afterwards dipped in the blood of a mighty daemon prince of Chaos destroyed by the Knights. This has endowed the banner banner with magical properties, radiating a sense of terror that affects the Knights' enemies.
-Teutogen guard: these are the personal bodyguard of Ar-Ulric in his role as an Elector of the Empire, accompanying him both at state occasions and on the battlefield. They are selected annually from the ranks of the Knights of White Wolf based on merit. Being selected for a tour of duty in the Teutogen Guard is one of the highest accolades a Knight of the White Wolf can receive.
-Famous members: Jerek Kruger, grand master of the White Wolves who slew Vlad von Carstein in battle of Schwarthafen (IC 2025). Grand master Giger who lead the order against norse marauders under Thialfi Swiftaxe in IC 2198.
-Sources: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 14, 16, 23, 34

[Griefbringer]

*KNIGHTS PANTHER
- Description: Knights Panther is one of the two largest and most important of the Knightly Orders in Empire. Together with White Wolves they are larger than all the other orders combined. They are avowed enemies of Chaos and are dedicated to the eradication of mutants and the preservation of racial purity within Empire. To a man, they are reknown for their obsession with racial purity, and their fanaticism in hunting down mutants. Their code of honour requires them to never suffer a mutant or other bearer of the mark of chaos to live.
- Allegiance: to their Grand Master and local Elector counts. In Talabheim they form the elite corps of the standing army. In Middenheim Graf has directly under his personal command a unit of Knights Panther, who are sworn to defend and obey the Graf until he depart the throne or death take them.
- History: The Knights Panther claim to be the oldest and trace their existence backto the wars against Araby nearly a thousand years ago. During those wars Knights from all over the Old world invaded the lands of Araby, first driving them from the south of Estalia, and subsequently carrying the battle into Araby itself. The returning knights brought back many great treasures plundered from the palaces of the Sultans of Araby, including gold and silver, precious gems, silks, furs, and exotic animals the like of which had never been seem in the Old World. Amongst these many creatures were panthers, tigers and leopards liberated from the extensive pleasure gardens of Istrabul, as well as furs which they proudly displayed as cloaks and saddlecloths, or decoration for their helms. When the knights paraded through the streets of the cities of the Empire many did so accompanied by one of these marvellous creatures padding beside him, led by golden chain. This created such an abiding impression that the Knightly Order founded by these returning crusaders became known as the Knights Panther. Some of the panthers carried off by the victorious Old Worlders were eventually to become fur saddle cloths or trimming for fur cloaks, and this helped to reinforce the association. Today the original panthers and even their hides have long gone, but the memory of the Arabian wars is maintained by the Knights Panther.
Their battle standard was made by the College of Light, one of the first Colleges of Magic to be established in Altdorf. It protects the Knights Panther from magic by warding away evil sorcery. The banner was created as part payment for property owned by the Knights Panther which the Wizards wished to adopt as their College. Even today, after much rebuilding, the central tower still stands as it did then, and continues to be known as the Panther Tower.
- Appearance: Although the original furs have long since mouldered away to nothing, the Knights still trim their clothes and crests with whatever exotic spotted or striped fur they can obtain. Their shields carry the emblem of their order, the fabled spotted panther of Araby.
- Famous members: Seneschal Heinrich Kessler, slayer of Azhag the Slaughterer. Baron Heirinch Von Torlichhelm, Master of the Order.
-Sources: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 25, 26, 34

* ORDER OF BLACK BEAR
-Summary: a secular order from Averland.
-Allegiance: unspecified
-Sources: 25

* ORDER OF THE BLACK ROSE
-Description: Ottila's cavalry bodyguard.
-Sources: 37

*ORDER OF BLOOD DRAGON
-Summary: a former Empire knight order turned into Vampires by Walach Harkon. Had headquarters in Blood Keep, south of Nuln.
-Allegiance: no one
-Famous members: Walach Harkon, their last Grand Master.
-Sources: 13

* ORDER OF CRYSTAL LANCE
-Description: Possibly from Talabecland, the whole order took part in the battle against sorceror lord Vethric.
-Famous members: Odo Copperfinger, grand master of the order.
-Sources: 38

* ORDER OF EBON SWORD
- Description: knightly order destroyed by dragon Malathrax in Reikland circa 2508 IC.
- Sources: 34

* ORDER OF FIST
- Description: a secret sister order of the Knights of the Fiery Heart.
- Allegiance: cult of Sigmar.
- Sources: 14

* ORDER OF GATE
- Description: order of templars dedicated to fight against undead.
- Allegiance: cult of Morr.
- Sources: 14

* ORDER OF GLINTING STEEL
- Description: no information available
- Sources: 34

[Griefbringer]

*ORDER OF GOLDEN LION (aka Knights of the Gold Lion)
- Description: the order is named after a giant golden lion slain by one of their members, Erich van Strommer.
- Allegiance: secular order dedicated to serving the Empire.
- History: founded during the crusades in Araby.
- Appearance: their banners and shields are decorated with designs of roaring lions, while their helmets and the neck bardings of their steeds are gilded to resemble the mane of a lion.
- Sources: 6, 16, 19, 25, 32

* ORDER OF GRIFFON
- Summary: an elite military force answerable only to the Emperor himself, with an authority that supersedes that of the Elector Counts and their provincial generals.
- Allegiance: Emperor.
- History: Recently established by emperor Karl Fraz. Emissaries from the Order of the Griffon have been sent into Nordland to train and organise military forces there.
- Sources: 31

* ORDER OF JADE GRIFFON
- Summary: templar order.
- Allegiance: presumably Sigmar.
- Infamous members: Aekold Helbrass, former member of the order who turned into a follower of Tzeench
- Sources: 29

*ORDER OF RED GRIFFON
-Summary: Small order of Sigmarite templars.
-Heraldry: a red griffon rampant for coat of arms.
-Allegiance: Sigmar
-Sources: 7

* ORDER OF SHIELD
- Description: a small order of Myrmidian templars, little present in Empire.
- Allegiance: Myrmidia.
- Sources: 14

* ORDER OF SHINING SWORD
- Description: founded by an outcast knight
- Allegiance: ?
- Sources: 22

* OSTERKNACHT
- Description: Knightly order from Ostermark.
- Allegiance: Elector count of Ostermark
- Sources: 36

[Griefbringer]

*REIKSGUARD (aka Reiksgard or Imperial Guard)
- Description: Reiksguard forms the personal army and bodyguard of the Emperor himself and the core and backbone of the Empire army – they are the closest thing Empire has to a state army. They form an elite core of highly trained, expensively-equipped troops who are loyal to the Emperor in person, and are his best troops.. Although they are few in numbers, Reiksguard is the most important part of the army, and in battle usually forms up in the centre around the Emperor himself. Many a battle has been won thanks to a decisive charge by the Reiksguard Knights
They accompany the Emperor on all occasions in war and peace, forming his personal bodyguard on campaign and battlefield and in the course of his diplomatic tours throughout Empire ceremonial duties, and they have sworn to give their lives to protect the Emperor. In times of war, they take the field along with the Emperor, forming an elite unit at the core of the Imperial armies. They are also responsible for the security of all palaces and castles belonging to the Imperial family. Reiksguard is divided into a mounted arm known as the Reiksguard Knights, and to foot units referred to as Reiksguard regiments.
Reiksguard are recruited from all over the Empire from amongst the sons of knights and nobility. The ranks of Reiksguard are open to all young men of noble birth regardless of where they live within the Empire. Thus the Reiksguard includes men from all the provinces from as far a field as Ostland and Nordland, Wissenland and Ostermark. The heirs of many of the most wealthy and powerful families can be found amongst its ranks, including sons of elector counts. It is a considerable honour for a family for its oldest son to serve in the Reiksguard. Many of the members of Reiksguard hope to inherit their father’s title and property one day. Some younger sons will never inherit, and while most leave the army to pursue other interests, some remain in the Reiksguard to become its senior officers, commanders and generals.
The leader of the Reiksguard is titled the Captain of the Reiksguard. He is a powerful figure in the Empire, ranked as one of the personal bodyguards of the Emperor on state occasions, and chief of the Emperor’s war masters. Individual squadrons of Reiksguard Knights are commanded by noblemen, and are generally recruited from their home provinces. A commission in Reiksguard is regarded as a fine and fitting occupation for the younger sons of the Empire’s noble houses, and many of them take this as an opportunity to outshine their elder brothers, who command the armies and militias of their home provinces. There is a great rivalry between the cavalry squadrons of various nobles.
The Reiksguard are much loved throughout the Empire. When a dashing young Reiksguard returns to his home town on leave he is greeted by cheering citizens, and riotous celebrations carry on long into the night. When they accompany the Emperor on his many ceremonial processions they add to the splendour and magnificence of the occasion by dint of their awesome appearance and fabulously expensive armour. During the annual Imperial tournament the Reiksguard compete against each other for the honour of being closest to the Emperor. These events are a major highlight of the year attracting citizens from all over the Empire and beyond. Normally Reiksguard is barracked in the comparative comfort of Altdorf.
- Allegiance: Emperor.
- History: the Reiksguard was founded during the reign of Wilhelm, the first Emperor of the lineage of the Princes of Altdorf (ascended the throne around 2430 IC).
- Appearance: the Reiksguard wear magnificent gilded armour, highly polished to a mirror-like finish, garlanded with scarlet sashes and emblazoned with the device of the Reiksguard. Their helms are adorned with tall feathered red and white crests of the ruling Emperor Karl Franz, or extravagant crests elaborated of the family crest of the squadron’s commander, varying widely from squadron to squadron. All ranks carry shields emblazoned with a skull and the initials of the current Emperor (KF for Karl Franz). The knights carry tall lances with pennants decorated with crowns, and ride fierce and prancing stallions. It is common and popular to sport mottos painted on armour (either the knight’s armour or shield, or the steed’s barding). Examples of such mottos include Malleus (hammer), Sigmar, Desporandum, Victorium and Mortis, amongst many others.
Reiksguard flag bears the national emblem on one side and the Emperor’s emblem (currently initials KF for Karl Franz) and the Sigmar legend on the other. Sometimes the Reiksguard Knights may carry the personal standard of the Emperor as their banner. This is a great honour, and if the Emperor’s banner should retreat or be lost this would be a terrible disgrace. This sobering effect fills the knights with courage and makes them even less likely to back away from the enemy.
- Infantry arm: the Reiksguard foot regiments form the second arm of the Reiksguard. Although they do not have the glamorous image of their cavalry counterparts, they are nonetheless a crack fighting force. They are based near the Emperor’s palace and can be seen parading through the streets, escorting the Emperor on state occasions, and patrolling the city walls. They are protected by shields and ornate but heavy steel full armour resplendent with plumes and ribbons and kept polished to a mirror-like finish. They are armed with heavy swords, halberds or great two-handed swords.
-Famous members: a.) Knut Helborg, current Captain (Reiksguard equivalent to Grand Master) of the Reiksguard and Reiksmarshal of Empire. He is one of the Emperor Karl Franz’s most trusted military commanders, and is reputed to be the finest swordsman in the Empire. He is also the Reiksmarshall of the Empire, commander of all the Empire’s forces, second only to the Emperor himself. As such he has often led an army into battle, and is one of the most experienced generals in the Old World. b.) Margrave Hermann von Pfeifraucher, Knight Commander of the Imperial Guard.
-Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 25, 30, 34

*SONS OF MANANN
-Description: The Sons of Manann worship the Empire god of the Sea. They are widespread order with many temples, particularly in coastal towns in the North, where worship of the sea god is needed to calm the infamously rough Sea of claws. When the knights go to war they are often accompanied by a priest of Manann who will bless the knights weapons shortly before they charge into battle.
-Allegiance: Manann, god of the seas. He is the deity of seas and oceans. He controls the tides and the currents, and is as unpredictable and chageable as the sea itself.
-Appearance: when the knights go to war they wear turquoise and white armour.
-Sources: 12, 25

* TEMPLARS OF VERENA
- Description: order dedicated to the upholding of justice in the name of their patron goddess. The military arm of the order is called Guardians.
- Allegiance: Verena, goddess of learning and justice.
- Sources: 14

[Griefbringer]

*MINOR KNIGHTLY ORDERS
- Description: There are many other orders, some of which boast only a handful of knights. As the number of knights belonging to obscure orders is quite small they sometimes join up with other orders on battlefield, fighting together in a colourfully varied group of Knights.
- Allegiance: varies.
- Appearance: varies. Not all wear a distinctive badge, some preferring to retain a slightly anonymous appearance, while others take considerable pride in their exravagant armour and improbable plumes.
- Sources: 4

[Griefbringer]

Templar Orders (generic information)

There are several military orders of templars attached to several of the principal religious cults of the Empire. Some fighting men ally themselves directly with one of the religious groups of the Old World by joining such a military order within their particular religion. As such, they become known as Knights of the Temple or Knights Templar. Templars are formidable fighters, trained and equipped to the highest standards, whose fervour makes them universally feared. A templar may enter the service of a deity for a fixed period, or, more rarely, for life. Sometimes a Knight will become a templar for a time as a penance for oath-breaking or for violating some other taboo.

All military orders demand absolute obedience and a high standard of martial prowess; the Knights come under the command of the temple authorities, and live within the temple pretincts. As well as fighting in the Imperial armies, their duties include acting as guards for the temple and for important religious dignitaries. Also they provide whatever military force might be required by the heads of the religion for the destruction of heresies, the prosecution of holy wars (where templars are always to the forefront), and the protection of the faithful from persecution or infidel attacks.

The following knightly orders are templar orders:
-Black Guard (Morr)
-Knights of Blazing Sun (Myrmidia)
-Knights of Cleansing Flame (Solkan)
-Knights of Everlasting Light (Alluminas)
-Knights of White Wolf (Ulric)
-Knights of Fiery Heart (Sigmar)
-Knights of Twin Tailed Orb (Sigmar)
-Order of Red Griffon (Sigmar)
-Sons of Manann (Manann)

Please notice that not all templar orders mentioned in the background are considered as knightly orders for the purposes of this thread.

[Griefbringer]

Feel free to inform me of any knightly orders missing from the list above (please state a source), as well as of furhter sources for the already mentioned orders.

Also, the above is missing two texts that I have written about the subject - one of them is a longer description of Reiksguard, another deals with templar orders in general. I hope I will be able to find those somewhere.

[Griefbringer]

I found the missing articles - now this thread is up to the same standards as the one on old forum.

I am planning in future to check some of my books to see if there are details missing in the previous descriptions that I have missed.

[Twisted Ferret]

Well done! *saves thread*

[Griefbringer]

I added descriptions of Knights Griffon, Sons of Manann, Knights of the Twin-Tailed Orb and Black Knights from Citadel Journal, as there was rather little info on these orders.

[Rathgar]

Awesome work! I wonder if we could get a sticky thread with links to threads like this up again? Like the "venerable threads" one we used to have. But I guess its still early days for that. Anyways this should defiantly be in it.

Nice one, Griefbringer.

[Griefbringer]

Getting venerable threads back would not be a back idea - perhaps somebody should contact mods on that issue?

[Gres]

Apoligies if this has come up before but I couldn't find it in the list:

Order of the Hammer, Sigmarite Templar Order featured in a boxout in the Cult of Sigmar article in UK WD304. Some details may be wrong as I don't have the mag with me.

[Griefbringer]

Thanks for the hint Gres, I was not aware of that. Anyone able to give a more detailed description, as I do not have that issue of WD?

Otherwise, I just added a few details on Knights Panther, White Wolves and Gryphon Legion from the Chronicles 2004.

[thanquol]

WOW, that's quite a list you got there, Griefbringer! Where did you get all this info from? I'm really amazed by how long the list is

[Griefbringer]

Where did you get all this info from?

Check the list of 23 sources listed on the first page. I do own a good part of them, but not all.

Notice that each entry for an order also specifies the sources applying to that order, for those who want to check the info or get additional details.